Cat shifted closer to me as we both could feel the class zoom in on her as rehearsal continued.
"Why not the red Sam?" Tori asked, as she, Andre and a guy whose name I don't know acted out a scene.
"Clair, we've been over this. It's a dinner party, and we are supposed to look nice and not stand out."
"We won't stand out if the Senator brings that random redhead again." Tori said, flipping her hair back.
"True, but the color of the dress and her hair might make it seem like you two know one another." Andre said, as "Clair" clearly was trying his patience.
"We don't! I've made that very clear to everyone. I wouldn't associate with such a…"
"Be careful dear. You don't want to get us into trouble." Andre said, putting his hand on Clair's shoulder.
"Why would Stephen associate with her? He's allegedly got a new woman in his bed."
"Hmm." Andre said, clearly not interested.
"Don't you care Sam? It's so fascinating! I don't know how he would be married to Rose and associating with that slut."
HEY! I told Sikowitz to change that part! Cat's super sensitive since her…run in a few months ago!
I whip around to see Sikowitz looking on like nothing is wrong.
Cat's hand pulling my body back towards the stage is the only reason I didn't stare him down. I'm FURIOUS. I told him multiple times to change it and he knows the hell Cat has had to endure over the last few years.
And he still didn't change the wording.
Cat finished turning my body over to face the stage and grabbed my hand, holding it softly.
I can feel her hand shaking. She can say it isn't all she wants, but Sikowitz is getting an earful.
"—guess he isn't happy with her." Andre finished, as Sikowitz tugged on the curtains, signaling the next scene, which Cat and I are the only characters in. That's something unique about this play. Usually it's 2 people per scene. Really tests your concentration.
Cat and I made our way up there as Tori and Andre came down and the crew changed the set, from a walk-in closet to a front door, atrium and living room.
I glanced at Sikowitz as we walked upon the stage. His expression was neutral, and before I knew it, Cat was pulling my hand as she stepped up onto the stage.
The scene is supposed to start as me fiddling in my living room and Cat knocks at my door.
What comes next?
You'll just have to find out.
"And…ACTION!" Sikowitz called out.
If people could have jumped at the loudness of his voice, they would have. But since we're used to it, we're like statues.
"Knock Knock."
I made my way to the door, peeked out the little window and quickly opened the door.
"Hello Stephen. Package for you." Cat smiled, sounding very professional. Ironically she's doing that in the play because people have been asking around about her and instead of her being just a friend, she's a delivery girl, who's basically my personal postgirl.
"Great, please, come in." I replied, ushering her inside with my arm.
She did that, and I shut the door quietly.
"How are you girl?" I asked, passing her and heading to the living room.
"I'm fine…tired. The neighbors got drunk again and tried to look into my bedroom."
"Didn't you tell the authorities about this? That's the third time this month!" I replied hotly, getting worked up.
"No, they just tried to get dates with me. The Roman authorities are useless Stephen, you should know that." Cat looked at me disdainfully.
(A/N: I never named Cat's character. My bad. Her character's name is Destiny. Yeah…I'm creative ;))
"Destiny, maybe you should hire a bodyguard." I suggested.
"Stephen, you know who would end up paying for that. I live in the chalk district. We have almost no extra money."
"You. You almost have no extra money. That's how we reconnected sweetheart."
Cat looked down and went a light pink. "Thank you again, you've really helped me out."
"Of course. I saw a need and filled it, I wasn't going to let some sleazeball landlord rip you off and evict you."
"Thanks…"
I began to open my mouth to speak, but I had an idea.
"Hey…"
"What? I haven't asked you how you are yet?" Cat piped up.
"Where do you work again?" I asked.
"In the lunch stalls by the docks. I cook and people buy my food. You stopped by once."
"That's right. It was good, the sandwich. Thanks again."
Cat went pink again.
"Well, how's this for an idea. I take care of your harassing neighbor problem forever by buying a house a few blocks from here and "rent" it out to you. How does that sound?"
Her face lit up, but quickly fell.
"That would be awesome, but…I can't ask you to do that much for me Stephen. I didn't mean to worry you. I promise I'm truly fine. I can handle it."
"It isn't a problem Destiny." I said, stepping towards her. "I just want to know when I go to sleep that you are safe and worry free. That's all I care about."
"But…you should be thinking about your wife and Augustus and how you will make their lives better instead of me. Stephen…"
"Hey, I'm buying that place this week."
She gave a resigned look, and came to hug me. "Thank you. It was nice talking to you."
I glanced to my right and saw Jade walking up the steps.
Exit one woman, enter another. And neither are my wife.
"You too Des. I'll mail you when I buy the place."
She reached up and tenderly kissed my cheek. "I guess I'll see you later."
"Bye Destiny." I said. She waved as she exited the front door.
Not more than 10 seconds later I heard the back door close.
"Heyyy." Jade said seductively, dress mid thigh and rising rapidly.
"Hey yourself."
"Mind if we talk upstairs?"
"Sure, I'm right behind you."
"Sure you are." She smirked.
"That's a wrap!" Sikowitz yelled out, as Jade quickly pulled her dress down and sat on the stairs.I sat next to her.
"I hate this part. I feel like a actual slut."
"You're fine"
"—pleased with your performance today. Much better than last week. I think you all will be fine for next Friday when we open. Email me if you have any further questions. On that note…" Sikowitz trailed off, moving to his bag and the class rose.
Cat quickly dove to Sikowitz's side.
"I thought you told him to change the slut line." Jade whispered in my ear quietly, startling me and causing me to jump away from her.
"I did. He didn't listen apparently." I replied.
She frowned and I turned back to Cat and Sikowitz.
Cat was talking to him animatedly, and even at one point crossed her arms, which is a danger sign from her. It's one of her 'I'm really getting mad here, fix this. NOW!' faces.
When I see it I pinch her nose and run away. She usually giggles and chases after me, forgetting what she was mad about in the first place.
Thankfully, Sikowitz apparently gave in because after a moment, Cat quickly smiled, said something and then Sikowitz walked away.
"Must have gone well." Jade guessed as Cat grabbed her purse and skipped to me.
"Oh, I got you this by the way." Jade said, handing me my backpack.
"Hey, that's where it was." Cat pouted.
"Sorry, you guys were on stage. I just wanted to speed things up." Jade said, slightly defensively.
"Thanks Cat, I appreciate the thought." I smiled.
"What did he say?" Beck asked, surprising Cat from behind.
"Nothing, just a line change."
"The one he didn't change?" Beck guessed.
"How'd you know? I only told Robbie and Jade." Cat asked.
"Well, I know you hate being called a…you know…and Jade's my girlfriend. She also told me, even though I already knew it was probably being changed."
Cat simply frowned.
"Hey, let's get home, I have a cool idea on where to get dinner tonight." I told Cat.
She quickly perked up, grabbing my hand and starting towards the door.
"C'MON!"
"My god Robbie, you're getting domesticated! Soon you'll want kids and cook every night!" Jade cat called, and Beck snorted some laughter.
"I'm not cooking! This doesn't count!" Cat replied, flying thru the door and towards the parking lot.
I couldn't hold back my smile as I exited with a wave.
Luckily for me, both of them smiled widely too and Jade's eyes twinkled.
I think she might cry when they're going home.
Just another example of how we're almost grown up.
Almost. I thought, as Cat bouncing by the car door met eyes.