Thank you very much for everyone who read my story. I am so grateful!
the Blonde Bohemian : Thank you! I will. :)
saraofearth : Thanks for such a long review! I am so honored that you took so much time for my fic! And that God-I-wish-I-wrote-half-as-good type feeling? I got the same from your story! Hurray for us self-decapitators!
By the way, here's a small tidbit I forgot to mention in the last chapter. There are three people sharing the account K-chan and It. I am the low-life who's name hasn't been included in the title, That. Someday, I dream of making my own account. For now? I'll mooch.
Disclaimer : I do not own Charlie Bartlett, or anything related to it.
How to Deal
Susan Gardner placed a small curler to her lashes, lifting her pupils to the broken ceiling above her. Wrapping them in the teeth of her tool, she straightened them out to their full extent and doused them in black mascara. Students yelled and fussed around her, determined to make their reflective play perfect.
" God, Jamie! You made a typo on the pamphlet! What are we supposed to do now?"
" Anyone know where the keys to the storage room are?"
" Fifteen minutes 'til curtain, kiddies!"
She snickered at their antics. That was her student body; always so dramatic.
" Could you honestly cake on any more makeup then you already have?" a voice from the doorway teased. Susan swiveled around, grinning in expectation of her Charlie leaning against the doorway smirking. Her face fell.
" Oh, hey Henry," she sighed, turning back to the mirror disappointedly.
" Nice to know I'm so appreciated." Susan rolled her eyes at the sarcastic tone, reaching for her blush. Henry moaned.
" Seriously, Susan. It won't be long before your face isn't even visible," he warned. " Why must you lower yourself to such heavy makeup? Reminds me of a-"
" Get out, Henry!" Susan laughed, throwing a well-aimed wad of tissue she had used to wipe off excess lipstick at his surprised face. He jumped back as if that white piece of garbage carried the bubonic plague in it's fibers.
" Geez! That's disgusting!" the frantic boy complained, stalking out of the room. " Women!"
The young woman giggled, picking up her trash and disposing of it in the nearest garbage. She could always count on Henry to give her a good ol' laugh at his expense.
After finishing with her blush, Susan stared out at the sea of people beginning to form in the auditorium. Some looked uncomfortable and shifty as they sized up the 'ruffians' they would be sharing seats with. Others, especially the younger members of the audience, looked huffy and displeased to be there, something a performer wouldn't enjoy seeing just before he or she hit the stage. And she was going to sing for them. The horror.
A sick feeling twisted itself into her stomach, gripping at her insides and filling her with nausea. She hoped for Charlie to get back soon, though she was not so sure if she hoped for her father to be in tow. After all, he had tried to land her boyfriend in prison. Probably would have tried to keep him there, too.
" Eh, Susan. Um.. the show's going to start soon.." Kip began timidly as he hesitated at the door of the dressing room, unsure if he should step in. His eyes landed on the mess of contents on her table, then drifted to the robe she was still wearing around herself. He gulped. " Are- Are you about ready?"
" Just about," she replied with a false smile. False, but convincing enough for someone who was too busy staring at his feet anyway. " Chin up, Kip! We're depending on you!"
The teen gave her his infamous grimace-grin and turned to leave, when suddenly a thought struck him and he turned on her again.
" By the way, I was wondering if you knew where Charlie is?" he asked softly. She frowned at him, her eyes raised.
" He went to collect another guest, actually. I don't exactly know how long it will take him."
Kip looked disappointed. " I just thought since you were his.. y'know.." He blushed, a deep shade of red filling his whole face and crawling down his neck. " Um, I'll be over there." He hurried off in the wrong direction of where he pointed, leaving Susan alone again. She hoped she hadn't frightened him off. Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar ring of her cell phone, which she snapped open anxiously. She had forgotten to turn the stupid thing off. She could imagine herself now, opening her mouth to say her lines to be interrupted by the jingle of 'Over the Rainbow'. She would have died there and th-
" Hello?"
" Hello, is this Susan Gardner?"
" Depends. Who's this?" Susan teased, swinging her legs as she spoke.
" This is St. Mark Hospital. We were wondering if you had the contact number of a Mrs. Marilyn Bartlett-"
Susan's heart could have stopped. She swallowed a lump in her throat, speaking in a shaky but somewhat controlled voice.
" Could.." she stopped, her voice squeaking. " Could I ask why?"
" We have a Mr. Nathan Gardner and-"
Susan dropped her cell.
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There it is, my twisted chapter two. Please continue to read and review, as I will greatly appreciate it. If I made any mistakes, please correct me so I can fix them. Hope to see you in the dreaded chapter three!