Kenzie: Hey! Just wanted to see how your schedule was looking this week.

location: rachel’s dressing room.

time: evening.

tagging: @franksleone​​

“it smells delicious, don’t you think?” rachel had glued a grin to her lips from the moment her colleague had stepped foot in her changing room. she thought that by acting normal, the atmosphere would be normal too. she was a great actress, but a terrible liar and even the delivery guy from the chinese restaurant saw through the façade. he grabbed her cash with a suspicious glance and let her carry the multiple boxes all the way to her room. she could swear she heard her nervous sigh echoing in the theatre as she hurried her way back to frank.

she had every reason to be nervous. it was not their first date, she even lost count of how many dinners they attended together. this one was different. every time they went out together, her heart would be filled with happiness, her head with worries and guilt. when she first met frank, it was like he transported her in this whole other universe. it felt natural, it felt mysterious, the novelty that he brought to her life kept her awake at night, rolled to the opposite side of rupert, her boyfriend, and texting him until the moon switched places with the sun. she found herself craving to spend more time with frank, denying every invitation rupert offered. he did not look too bothered by her absence, but rather her absent presence, if that made any sense. during breakfast, she went mute and fell into her reverie. during their commute to the theatre, she would look outside the window and hope to lock eyes with a familiar face.  as they rehearsed, she could barely hear his advice. the sound of frank’s voice was all she could listen to.

she was intrigued by this talented actor, but even more so about this endearing person. he deserved better, in terms of honesty. they both deserved better. she made up her mind that today was the day where she faced her fears, and her guilt.

she unfolded the small box of orange chicken and crossed her legs underneath the small table, so it could stop from shaking. “i made sure to order your favorite! so that i can steal some from you when you’re not looking.” she broke the chopsticks and started to dig in her food, although, as soon as she brought the first bite to her mouth, she lost her appetite. there was tension in the room, and not the type of tension that would have her rip his clothes off right here and there. she tried to speak again, no word seemed to want to come out. she took a long and deep breath. she could do it. she owed him an explanation. and he would understand, right? that kind of thing happened to everybody. he would forgive her and everything would be fine again. he would give her the time she needed to fix the mess she created and they would be happier than ever. but first, she had a lot to say to him.