Unconditional

I Promise

During the first break, they exit the stage in hurry and Dec gets many pats and congratulatuons. But the pain in his legs were too much due to jumping and dancing in the stage and it brought tears to his eyes. It was Stephen's turn in the stage and  Dec was changing his clothes behind the screens when he saw blood smeared on his grey trousers, close to his knees. He knew somebody will spot it and slowly hides his clothes behind the screen, tieing the bloodied towel aorund the wound again. As he walks out, he is suddenly met with Ant who looks at him suspiciously. Dec tries for a smile.

Ant: "Are you right?"

Dec's heart skips a beat but he smiles "Yeah, I am. Why not?"

Ant: "I - never mind. You did great. Now, next scene is yours. Go on"

Dec nods at that relieved and walks to the wings. He felt Ant's stare boring into him from behind.

As the play ended and they bowed down, Dec saw everyone standing up and applauding them. John and Gino were jumping and clapping excitedly while Philip wore a happy and proud grin. Simon's eyes were in the shape of pounds while Ant...
Ant just clapped with the crowd, a small smile and unreadable expression on his face.

They exit the stage and Dec takes a wet tissue from Anne, to wipe his face. He moves behind the screen to check for his clothes but finds that they are missing. His heart skips a beat as he ran to catch Anne, before the next team takes over the backstage.

Dec: "Anne?"

Anne M: "There is our hero!! What's up?"

Dec: "Umm-I..I put my clothes behind that screen after changing them but now I can't-"

Anne M: "Oh, we took it from there. I think it's already packed for laundry. Why? You had something important in there?"

Dec: "No, nothing...I...eh who took them?"

Anne M: "Behind the screen you said? Probably me. Not that I remember finding your clothes. But then, I was in a rush. I just collected what all I saw"

Relief courses through his chest and he realised that she has missed the blood on it.

Dec: "Okay, I thought I lost it. That's all"

Anne smiles at him and he walks away to join Ali, who was carrying the props back.

Ali: "You were amazing, Dec!"

He sees Ant and others following them and sighs again, realising that it's finally over.

Dec: "Thank you. God, I can't believe it's over. Finally!"

They were about to follow everyone into their room when he felt a hand on his arm. He looks around to see Ant, who wore an unreadable expression.

Ant: "Ali, can I speak to Declan for a moment?"

Ali nods at that and smiles at Dec who smiles back. As Ali walks in, Ant pulls Dec and walks away from the room. Dec frowns at that

Dec: "Anth..what-"

His words are cut as Ant squeezes his arm and pain shoots through Dec's elbow.

Dec: "Anth-"

Ant opens a classroom and pushes Dec into it. He closes the door behind him and glares at Dec. Dec's heart skips a beat at that.

Dec: "Hey -"

Ant cuts him out : " Who?!"

Dec's eyes snap at Ant's at that "What-"