Backstage Drama

Trouble Brewing

Chapter 14

Trouble Brewing

'The next big thing!'

'Forget "Matilda" these kids are the most talented to hit the stage!'

'A unique twist on a classic story.'

'Shall I tell you what I think of this show? It's brilliant!'

'Perfect'

'Five out of five'

Alice looked up from her iPad, grinning, "Oh how I adore reviews," she smiled.

"Hey, let me look!" Hayley said. She was recovering from her allergic reaction (or near death experience, depending on how you look at it) really quickly. Dene doesn't want her to perform tonight, but she was almost certain that she could perform that night without any trouble. Maybe her energy would be low by the end of the first act, otherwise, she would be fine.

The girls were in their room after breakfast. Hayley had hers delivered to her room (there are advantages to almost dying) so she didn't have to leave the room. Alice wanted to stay, but Hayley assured her that she would be okay. Hayley couldn't believe that she was getting all this attention, because she ate walnuts.

"Are you coming to the show tonight?" Alice asked as Hayley passed back the iPad with all the reviews on it.

"You couldn't keep me away, I'll be there no matter how hard Dene tries to keep me away," Hayley smiled.

"With that broken arm of his, it's going to be hard to push you away!" Alice laughed. The girls burst into fits of giggles.

"Let's hope no one else gets hurt for the rest of the run," Hayley said.

"I'm not too worried yet," Alice said.

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An uneventful month later, disaster struck. This time it was Heather.

"Ow...ow...ow..." Heather muttered to herself as she got out of bed. Last night, before Heather got to bed, she tripped over and fell on her ankle funny. It was hurting so badly, but Genevieve was asleep and she didn't want to wake her up, so she just put on a little heat cream on her ankle, which numbed the pain for a bit. But now her ankle was the size of a grapefruit. This couldn't happen! They had been doing the show for only a month! They don't need anyone else almost dying. Two scares are enough. She muttered to herself "Hayley, it's your turn to be Anna..."

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Watching side stage with ice on her ankle while the show was going on was NOT what Heather thought she's be doing when the shows run started. She at least had support with her, when she was offstage herself, Hayley was by her side, making sure that she was okay. By now, of course, she had asked Lucas get her some heat cream for her ankle and a hot cup of honey and ginger tea. If he was punished and she was injured, she may as well make the most of it. Though if she asked, anyone would've done that for her in a heartbeat, no one says no to the injured girl. Especially if she's the lead.

While she was onstage, Heather was watching Hayley from side stage, though, was amazing. Heather couldn't have had a better understudy (Next to Clare and Rose). Hayley was a little off-balance in her hoopskirt when she had to kneel at the end of the first act, and a little off-key during the whistling otherwise, she was amazing.

When the curtain closed on the first act, Jack was side-stage with blanket for Hayley, as per Heather's request to make her understudy feel as relaxed as possible. Hayley accepted the blanket. "Thanks Heather. I gotta get changed, I'll be back in a tick," she said, running off, her chorus shoes making hollow sounds as they hit the concrete ground of the backstage area.

Heather slowly followed Hayley on her crutches to their dressing room. This was the first time Hayley would be wearing the gold dress on stage and Heather wanted to see it. On the way to the dressing room, Heather began singing a little tune to herself, without even realising it. To the tune of 'Wouldn't It Be Lovely?' Heather sung to herself, "All I want is a role somewhere. Far away from my hometown's air, with one enormous song. Oh wouldn't it be lovely?"

"I like that Heather," Hayley said, looking back at her friend.

"Thank you, thank you very much," Heather smiled. She began playing on her phone, smiling at the texts she got.

"Ohh, what's with the smile Heather?" Hayley teased as she zipped up her dress. She had to put on her shoes and then she was done and ready for the second act.

Heather quickly hid her phone, "Um, a funny Tumblr post?" She lied.

"You're the world's worst liar," Hayley laughed, "Yet an amazing actor, what are the odds?"

"Very unlikely," Heather laughed. The bell for second act echoed in the room. "Come on Hayley, you should see what 'Western People Funny' looks like from side stage..."

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Heather limped slightly as she took her bandage off. Her ankle was healed but not enough for her to be Anna again. She really wanted to keep performing, it was killing her watching it side stage. Her foot would be up for dancing soon and then she could go back to the role she loves with all her heart.

Hayley got in the Anna dress. She loved being Anna, but felt like the role was rightfully Heather's. The little boy playing Louis, Fearghus, came into the dressing room. He hugged Heather. "When will you be back Heather?" he asked. Hayley couldn't help but smile at the boy. He was the sweetest thing in the world and everyone loved him.

Heather patted his head, "I'll be back soon. I'm in the ensemble tonight, so at least I'll be performing Anna soon," she said, the little boy nodded as he listened to the girl.

"He's so cute!" Hayley said once he left the room.

"Hey! He's my son!" Heather joked. One thing Hayley liked about being the understudy was that she was a part of an inside joke with Heather about being Anna.

"I hope you can perform as Anna soon," Hayley said.

Heather was confused, "Why's that?"

Hayley smiled, "Because I have to fall in love with my best guy friend every night!"

Heather laughed. She always felt so awkward falling in love with Lewis every night, especially how Heather already had a boyfriend.

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Hayley was sitting on the King's bed next to Lewis during the death scene. As Lewis was delivering his line she heard his microphone turn off.

Shit. Of all times it had to be now at one of the biggest scenes in the show.

Lewis could tell something was up, he didn't know what though. By the look on Hayley's face, she knew. Once the band began playing, he knew his microphone was broken. Lucky for him, Hayley had snuggled up to him so her microphone would pick up his voice.

Once curtain call was over, Lewis hugged Hayley tightly. "You life saver!" he said, picking her up a little as they embraced. Hayley smiled. One thing she would miss about being Anna, was starring alongside her best friend.