Falling like the Stars

8

Fitz and I have been a part of the drama club since the beginning of the year. It was only back stage stuff, so we never were on stage for the first performance. For the coming up play though, Fitz had written it and I had gotten cast to play one of the main leads. Although it is technically the first day of break, Fitz and Agent May wanted to start rehearsals early. Earlier during lunch, Ward was hinting to us that Skye was going to be joining the club. I have not fully forgiven her for what she did, but if I am being truthful, she is always on my mind. I have seen her throughout the past four months completely change. She seems so lost. Like she is here, but not really. I had seen the hurt in her eyes the first few weeks after she gave me the letter and I did not respond. I just needed time to get over my crush. It had finally started to disappear until Ward had to go and say that she was going to be joining the club.

We got to the Performing Arts Center a little bit early to ask May if this little rumor was true. She was on the stage getting ready to settle everyone down to begin the announcements.

                “Agent May, I have a question for you.” I asked as I approached her with Fitz being my tail.

                “Oh, good you guys are here. I need the two of you to help me run things around here. Especially you, Fitz. This is my play just as much as it is yours. You wrote such an amazing storyline.” Agent May seemed very antsy to get started.

                Fitz had the biggest grin on his face knowing that he would get to help run the show, “Wow, thank you so much. I will not let you down.”

                “I hope you don’t. This play could be a big hit if we still make sure that the people we chose are still the right people for their parts. Now Jemma, what was your question?” Agent may questioned raising an eyebrow.

                “Well, I heard around that the new girl, um Skye Bennet I believe is her name…,” I was trying to sound like I did not spend every hour thinking about this girl whom I just hated knowing that I liked, “...is going to be joining the club?”

                “Yes. Well yes and no. She is not joining, it is more of a mandatory thing. I’m sure the two of you have heard.”  

Who hasn’t heard? Everyone has been going on and on making up different stories about what happened at the lake. Each story ending the same, Maria Hill is in the hospital. Although I was worried about her, all that I truly cared about was Skye. She got pretty banged up and I wish I knew how she did. I wish I knew how bad her leg hurt. If I knew, I would be able to determine if it was okay for her to be standing up on crutches and sweeping at the same time.

Fitz nudged my arm, forcing me out of my thoughts. He had motioned his eyes to the row of seats that were below the stage and I looked down to find that Skye was in the front row glaring toward us. She smiled and did a small wave. Although Fitz should be madder at Skye after what her ex did to him, he returned her gesture by waving back. She looked from him to me and it was in that moment I knew I had a decision to make. Either I hold on to the fact that she lied or I can listen to my heart which has been aching for her to be around me. With that in mind, I turned and waved.

Agent May hushed everyone down and we all took a seat in the rows facing the stage. Fitz and I made our way to sit next to Skye. Without a word, we sat down with her and for the first time in months I had seen a genuine smile form on her face.

Skye’s Point of View

As they were talking to Agent May, I could not seem to look away. I want so badly for them both to forgive me. For Jemma to forgive me. Out of nowhere, Fitz happened to look in my direction and we locked eyes. He had looked stunned and turned to nudge Jemma in the arm. Motioning his eyes, Jemma had turned to face me. I had a choice, I could respect the fact that she hated me or I could explore whatever the hell this desire is inside of me to want to be around her and make her forgive me. With that in mind, I smiled and waved.

Fitz was fast to return the gesture whereas Jemma seemed to look like a deer caught in head lights. After a few moments, which felt like an eternity, she turned and waved.

Agent May hushed everyone down and motioned for people to take their seats. Jemma and Fitz walked off the stage to head toward the rows as well. I was not expecting for them to come and possibly sit next to me. I mean, I still need to apologize to them and beg for their forgiveness. However, they kept their path of walking to the front of the rows and sat next to me. I couldn’t help but smile knowing that Jemma was once again this close to me.

Agent May was continuing on about what the play was about. A man and his girlfriend keep having dreams about this beautiful singer. They find it weird when they reveal that the person they are dreaming about just so happens to be the same person. In the same day they make that revelation, they see this mystery girl out in the streets. They spend the rest of their time trying to befriend the girl and long story short the man ends up leaving his girlfriend for the mystery girl and weirdly enough the girlfriend and mystery girl become best friends. Can we talk about another teen drama soap opera? I mean I would expect more from Agent May.

                “… and just so you all know, this is an original play written by our own, Leo Fitz.” Agent May said as she began to clap.

Well that explains why it sounds so much like a soap opera. Everyone began to clap and cheer for him. Even though I found the story line unappealing, I found myself clapping because it was Fitz who wrote it. I am proud of him.

                Once the clapping subsided, May continued with her speech, “As most of you know we had auditions a couple weeks ago and I am going to assume you all know what part is yours?...”

Everyone in unison agreed. I had no idea that they had already done auditions. I felt a rush of relief lift off my shoulders. I did not want to be up there performing. I am definitely more of a backstage person.

                “…Now, I know most of you are aware that Maria Hill was cast as Caroline (the girlfriend) however, given the events from this past weekend we will have to replace her part.”

In that moment I felt a rush of heat pass through my body. She was in the hospital because of the group. Because of me. I knew that everyone in the row of seats were looking at me. Jeez guys, I already feel like crap and now you have to keep staring at me? I began to fill with hurt and anger about the whole situation and I could gradually feel the sharp pain from my nails digging into my skin when I had made a fist. But then, as fast as that hurt came, it went away. I looked down at my fist to see that Jemma had her hand placed over mine with her thumb brushing over my knuckles back and forth.

I could get used to that.

Jemma’s Point of View

“…Now, I know most of you are aware that Maria Hill was cast as Caroline (the girlfriend) however, given the events from this past weekend we will have to replace her part.”

I immediately saw everyone’s eyes glare at Skye. Now, I heard many stories of what people thought the events from that night were, but I did not know which one was true. The only thing I knew is that I could feel Skye’s demeanor change. I saw her hand clench up in a fist. I do not know what came over me, but I felt the need to console her. I placed my hand over her fist and caressed her knuckles with my thumb. It must have worked because I could feel the tension release in her fist.

When I knew that she was no longer feeling anger, I attempted to move my hand away. I did not get very far though because she had quickly grabbed my hand to intertwine our fingers. I looked up to see what her expression was, but she continued to face forward with a smile on her face. Like as if our hands interlocking was just a normal thing.

I could get used to that. 

Agent May continued to lecture about how important the play is and went through the list of who was playing what roles just to make sure that we still were all aware.

                “…Jemma Simmons will be playing Elisa, the mysterious singer…”

With each name being called, everyone was clapping. I was thrilled when she had called my name and reconfirmed that I still had one of the leads. Skye had squeezed my hand and smiled which made my heart flutter. Fitz had nudged my shoulder and placed a hand on my knee, quietly saying congratulations. He left his hand there, in which I did not even notice nor care because he had always done that. And also knowing that we are both gay helped in confirming that it meant nothing. However, it must have meant something to Skye because the second she noticed his hand, was the second she gently tugged her hand away.

I am still not used to that!

I brushed Fitz hand away from my knee. Fitz gave me a confused glare and I motioned my eyes at Skye. He knew.

                “Sorry.” He whispered.

I turned back to the front and let my hand go down to my side. Allowing only my hand to be the guide, I managed to meet with Skye’s hand once again. She was a little hesitant and turned to look at my knee. Knowing that it was empty, she let our hands intertwine once more. It was then that I had found myself smiling instead of just her.

Skye’s Point of View

I don’t know why, but I just couldn’t help myself. When she went to move her hand away, I just felt the need to keep it with me. It was comforting having her hand with mine. Never have I felt that when it came to a girl, well actually, with anyone. But it was a feeling I did not want to go away. Hand holding it is. At least until I know what this feeling is. It didn’t take long to realize what the feeling was. When I had seen Fitz’s hand on her knee, the jealousy crept up my body. They’re dating. And oh god, I am jealous of that fact. Face it Skye, you have a crush on the girl. Even though it killed me, I let her hand go. When she tried to hold my hand moments later I had look to see that his hand was no longer there. Maybe they aren’t dating. I let our hands intertwine once more.

I’m definitely getting used to this. 

“…and Skye Bennet. You will be taking the place of Maria and read for the part of Caroline.” Agent May had awakened me from my thoughts.

“No, No. I was just assuming that I was going to be like a back stage person. You know, like not in the eye of everyone. I am sure there are other people here dying for this spot. And besides, I did not even audition.”

If looks could kill, May definitely just committed murder. “Miss Bennet, Need I remind you of or else? Learn the part, and you will be just fine.”

Great. I should have known that Coulson had told Agent May of our talk.

                Jemma squeezed my hand just slightly before whispering, “If you have this part, we will get a lot of scenes together.” She finished off with a wink.

                “On second thought, I will gladly take the part.”

                “That’s what I thought you said…” May gave a sarcastic smile, “…Lastly the part of Tommy (the boyfriend) was supposed to go to Mister Stark however, he agreed to give up his spot on Coulson’s orders. Besides Miss Bennet, we have a new member joining the group as well. Playing the role of Tommy is Miles Lydon Ward.”

Miles walked on stage and glanced at both Jemma and I with the biggest grin. My heart sunk, not because I would have to be pretend boyfriend/girlfriend with Miles, but because in that same moment Jemma forcefully tugged her hand away. I knew exactly what she was thinking and she couldn’t be more wrong.

I did not set this up.

Jemma’s Point of View

The second I saw him approaching the stage I just knew.

She had to have set this up.

tbc.