Together

The Diner

Hello hello hello! Did anyone else watch The Code with Pippa Soo tonight? She's my fav haha. I really enjoyed it, so I'd highly recommend. I don't normally watch that sort of show, either. Check it out if you have the chance! This is a fun little chapter- I know you all like the fluff. Have fun, comment, and vote!
-ab

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February 7, 2025

Harper

I've never seen Waitress before, in spite of knowing many of the songs. When it came onto the West End, I never made it a priority to catch, as that spot was typically reserved for Les Mis, with the occasional Wicked or Phantom Of The Opera thrown in there. I've also seen Matilda and Mamma Mia my fair share of times.

It quickly becomes clear to me, however, that the story of Waitress is absolutely beautiful, and the cast is doing such a brilliant job of portraying every single emotion written into the script.

Ava is seemingly flawless in leading the show. Her and I have been in similar positions, going from a large supporting role to being the leading character in a show. I know that's a hard transition to make, but Ava has done it with such grace and poise.

When the show concludes, I'd be lying if I said that I haven't shed some tears.

"Well," Patrick turns to me as the lights come back up in the house, "what do you say we go find Ava?"

"Sounds perfect," I say, smiling as I wipe a lingering tear from my eye and slip my pea coat back on.

When we make it around to the stage door, Ava hasn't come out yet, but the crowd is quite small. The actress who played Dawn is signing some autographs.

"Hey," she smiles at me. "Did you like the show?"

She doesn't realize that I'm Ava's friend, and suddenly, a familiar feeling comes flooding back to me. It's one that I've not felt in quite some time: the rush of adrenaline that comes when you're at the stage door.

"I loved it," I reply, making a rash decision to play along. "I've been wanting to see it for quite some time but I've never gotten to it."

"I'm so glad," she smiles. "Do you want me to sign-"

She's cut off by Ava barreling toward me with her arms open for a hug. "Harper!"

The other actress appears to be quite confused, causing both of us to laugh.

"Lyla," Ava laughs, "this is my friend Harper. She's on... wait, is it a honeymoon?" I nod. Even if it isn't quite 'officially,' it really is close enough and too complicated to explain. "Okay, then she's on her honeymoon with that guy," she motions to Patrick, "and they stopped by to see the show. Harper was my Cosette when I was Eponine."

"Oh my god," Lyla laughs. "I totally thought that you were a random fan. I'm so sorry."

"Hey, don't sweat it," I laugh. "Seriously, I really did love the show, so I figured that I'd just play along."

All of us chuckle.

"Well," Ava turns to me, "do you want to come onstage?"

"Um, of course!" I laugh. Ava takes Patrick and I inside of the theatre and leads us to the set. There are a few other cast members talking with visitors.

"So, this is the diner," Ava says. "Home sweet home."

"It's so cute," Patrick comments, sitting down on one of the stools at the counter.

"It is," Ava nods. "Stepping onto this set for the first time felt so different than stepping onto the Les Mis set, becuase that was so elaborate and gorgeous, but this one is so quaint."

"The Anastasia set is so heavily based on projections that it was different, too, but this is even more of a difference," I tell Ava. "You were so amazing, by the way. The whole time, I was watching and I kept thinking how cool it was that you were my friend."

"Oh my gosh, Harper," Ava laughs. "It's not like you're leading your own show right now, or anything."

I giggle, knowing that she has a point.

Ava and I continue to catch up for a few more minutes.

"Hey, can I get some pictures of you girls?" Patrick asks, eventually.

"Oh, of course," I reply, watching as Patrick gets his phone out of his pocket and brings up his camera.

"Can you get a Polaroid of us, too?" Ava asks, reaching into her bag and pulling out her mint green camera.

"Of course," he replies, taking the camera from my friend.

Once the picture has been snapped, she waves it around so that it develops quicker, then shows it to me.

"That's so cute!" I exclaim.

"Let's take one more, and then we can each have one." Ava hands her camera back to Patrick, then we take another picture. "Hey, what are you guys' plans for the rest of the day?"

"We were going to go out for some dinner, but that can change," Patrick tells Ava. "You're welcome to join us, as well."

"Thank you so much," Ava says. "I actually have an evening show, so I don't have time for a full meal, but if you want, then we could go to this fun little bar down the street and grab a quick drink."

"That sounds great," Patrick tells her.

We walk down the street, then order cocktails at the bar.

As we are talking, Ava realizes that she has a layoff week coming up soon. "I'm totally going to come and see you in Anastasia."

"Oh my gosh, yes," I smile. "I'll get you a ticket. When?"

"I'll have to check on the exact dates, and my schedule and such, then get back to you," she says. "But I'll definitely be able to come."

"I get to go straight to rehearsal tomorrow, after getting home from this holiday for a week. My friend Katherine is taking over the Odette track, and she needs a put-in."

"Those are always fun, though," she remarks. "Remember Harry's put-in?"

"What a time," I laugh. "We bonded over Taylor Swift so quickly."

"I miss him," Ava laughs. "Can the three of us please have a reunion when I'm on my layoff week?"

"I've been wanting to go back and see the show again. We should totally go."

"Perfect, it's a plan."

We both laugh.

"This one wanted to see Les Mis on the evening of our marriage ceremony, so I'm glad that she's finally getting somebody to take her."

"Hey," Ava shrugs, "that show is just really magical. There's no other way to put it. It was probably the best time of my life."

"Mine too," I nod. "I love Anastasia, but I really miss it so much."

"We should make a community theatre production," Ava gives a cheeky suggestion, "and reprise our roles."

We both laugh. "Perfect, let's do it."

"You're both forgetting that you have something a bit more important to do- carry your shows," Patrick reminds us.

"Oh, shut up," I tease him, playfully slapping his arm. "You're ruining all of our fun."