I've almost caught up with myself on this story now so I shall stop updating it every day like I have been and go back to my alphabetical rotation! I hope you're enjoying it. These chapters are kind of the calm before the storm... Love, IJKS xxx
Chapter Two Hundred and Ninety Seven
Early evening began to roll around. The director of the play gave the stars one more pep talk as they prepared for the audience to arrive.
"Are you okay, Rubes?" Xavier asked, noting that she looked a little green.
"Every time I think about singing in front of everyone, I feel sick," his girlfriend admitted.
"You'll be fine," Xavier assured her. "You sound beautiful."
"I'm just going to find Liam," Ruby decided, standing up abruptly. "He'll help."
Xavier frowned as she dashed off out of the room.
Having tried their best to forget about the trauma of the day, Charlie and Joey had enjoyed a nice meal at the Diner with Brett, Amber, Watson and Monica. Now, split between two cars, they drove over to the high school, excited about seeing the production of Romeo and Juliet.
"I hope Romeo's alright," Joey said.
She glanced behind her, where Brett and Amber were sitting in the back of the car.
"Romeo is playing Juliet," she explained.
"Huh?" Brett asked.
"The name of the guy playing Juliet is Romeo," Joey told him.
"Yeah, you keep saying the same thing and it still doesn't make any sense," Brett replied.
"Never mind," Joey said, returning her attention to the road ahead.
"What?" Brett said to Amber. "I'm really confused."
"You're going to be absolutely fine," Liam assured Ruby. "Don't tell anyone I said this but you're the best actor in the whole play."
Ruby blushed and beamed at him.
"Are you just saying that to make me feel better?" she asked.
"I would never lie to you," Liam promised. "Now, go and give that audience your absolute best, young lady. I believe in you."
"So, let me get this straight," Brett said.
Glancing around him he realised that everyone he was sitting with was either gay or bisexual.
"So to speak," he added. "The guys are playing the female roles and the girls are playing the male ones?"
"Exactly," Joey said.
"How bohemian," Brett remarked, still a little puzzled.
Joey chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. It was strange to think that only this time last year, Brett had been completely homophobic. It warmed her heart to realise how much their relationship had changed.
Backstage, Romeo took Annie's hands.
"Whatever you decide about the future," he said. "I need to you know right here that I love you with all my heart."
Annie smiled, trying not to get too emotional. She hugged him tightly and kissed his lips.
"I love you too," she replied.
The play had been spectacular. Romeo and Annie had turned out fantastic performances and although she accepted she was probably biased, Charlie believed that Ruby had stolen the show. She'd had to wait for a considerable length of time after her song for people to stop clapping enough for her to say her next line.
"That was so amazing!" Charlie said to Joey as they and the rest of the audience gave the students a standing ovation.
Backstage, Ruby ran up to Liam and excitedly thanked him for all his help.
"I enjoyed working with you," Liam replied. "Maybe we could have a jamming session or something sometime. It's been fun."
Ruby beamed at him, more than eager to make some more music together. She turned around when Xavier called her name. Skipping towards him, she hugged him tightly, still on a high after her performance.
Charlie and Joey had taken Ruby to the Surf Club to celebrate with Brett, Amber, Watson and Monica. Most of the other cast and audience members had also joined them and a party was well underway.
At their table, Joey held Charlie's hand.
"You're doing great," she said, knowing full well that Charlie was trying to keep up appearances.
They were both worried that she would have another nightmare tonight and that the whole cycle might begin again.
"Thanks," Charlie said, leaning over to kiss her. "Thanks for everything."
Joey smiled.
"You have nothing to thank me for," she said. "It's all part of the service!"
Charlie chuckled and kissed her again.
Romeo followed Annie outside the Surf Club. The darkness engulfed them as she prepared to be honest.
"I'm going back to Japan tomorrow," she revealed.
Romeo nodded. He'd been expecting it and yet, he'd hoped that she would surprise him.
"I'd hoped you would give me some more time," he said. "Some warning."
"Sorry," Annie said. "I was trying to find the right way to tell you. And I wanted us to enjoy the time we had left."
"Well, I hope you got what you wanted," Romeo said sadly.
He turned and headed for home.
"I can't believe she's leaving so soon," Ruby mused as she, Charlie and Joey walked up the stairs to their apartment by the sea. "It feels like she just got back."
"How did Romeo take it?" Joey asked, aware of the depth of feeling he had for the girl.
"Well, he went home without saying goodbye to I'm guessing not good," Ruby sighed. "I think he really loves her."
"But she'll come back at some point, won't she?" Charlie said brightly. "This is her home."
Ruby nodded. She couldn't help but think of Geoff.
"Maybe I can try to befriend him a little more," she suggested. "I mean, Geoff did pretty much the same thing to me so I can relate."
"But you're okay now, aren't you?" Charlie asked.
"I'm on top of the world!" Ruby grinned. "I loved doing the play and working with Liam..."
"And things are good with Xavier?" Charlie said, letting them all into the flat.
"Yeah," Ruby said. "Things are great."
That night, Charlie and Joey lay side by side in bed.
"I'm scared to go to sleep," Charlie admitted in a whisper.
Joey felt around for her hand, squeezing in gently. She rolled onto her side, just about able to make out her girlfriend's features.
"Everything will be alright," she said. "Even if the nightmares come back, we'll get through it. There's nothing we can't face so long as we're together."
Charlie smiled, pulling Joey a little closer. They kissed tenderly for several moments before their passion began to grow. Wrapping themselves up in each other, all traces of sleep and bad dreams fade away.
Next time... tension flares between Tony and John, Annie leaves for Japan and Gina finds Hugo's money...
