I’d never been one to date. I just never really found a need to become so closely involved with anyone. Besides, I had plenty more important things to occupy my time with, such as focusing on my acting career.

My name is Elizabeth, but hardly anyone knew me by my first name; to most I was Liz. I was junior in high school, and I’d never had a boyfriend. On Friday nights, while all my friends were out on dates, I was usually painting or building props for the stage. Fun. (That wasn’t sarcasm) I would do anything for my theater program.

I still remember the day that my life flipped upside down. I had been painting a large sign that advertised our production of ‘Grease’. Naturally I had paint smeared all over my hands and jeans. And frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if there was also paint smeared across my face.

I was alone. I didn’t know anyone that wanted to give up their Friday evening to be closed up in an auditorium, all alone, and painting things. I was only partially surprised when the door of the theater opened, but I ignored it. I focused on outlining the ‘G’ with black paint.

I glanced over to my left to see a pair of tennis shoes. I looked away from the sign and up to the person that was now standing next to me.

He smiled. “Hi.”

I recognized him almost immediately. It was Ryan, one of our school’s best actors. He was practically famous amongst the other acting kids. He looked down at me through his black rimmed glasses, and suddenly I was self conscience of the paint I knew I had all over me. “Oh, um…Hi Ryan…” I stood up and brushed off my hands.

“Are you all alone?” He asked me.

“Oh, yep, as usual. Not many people want to give up their Friday to come and paint props.” I replied, looking away.

“Well, I will.”

“What?” I said, looking back to him.

“I’ll help.” He said casually. He kneeled down and grabbed a paint brush.

Confused, I sat back down and grabbed my brush. “Why do you all of a sudden want to help?” I asked.

He smiled and looked at me. “You come in here everyday and work all by yourself. You looked like you needed help,” He shrugged a little. “Besides we can’t have a big production without props, therefore I will help.”

“Okay…” I was still partially confused. “Um, thanks.”

“Your welcome.” He looked to me for a moment but then went back to painting.

***
Saturday I was back at the school. A janitor let me in and I walked to the theater. I went back stage and strolled up to the sign. It was completely finished. “Who--”

Ryan stepped out from behind another prop. He was carrying a paint bucket. He set it down when he saw me and he waved. “Hello.” He said smiling.

I looked at him for a moment, a look of pure surprise on my face. “Oh um…wow.” I said with a chuckle. I looked to the sign and then to him. “Thank you.” I said.

“No problem.” He lifted the bucket of paint back up and walked over to me.

“Did…Did you come in earlier this morning?” I asked still in shock.

“Yep. I figured our lives would be a bit easier if I just finished it up.” He replied.

“Oh…” I smiled and looked to him. “Thanks, that was awesome.”

“Your welcome, but don’t worry about it.” He set the paint down and looked at me.

I looked down at my watch. I then turned and walked around him, heading for the other props. “Liz? Where are you going? Are you really going to work on more?” He asked walking after me.

I laughed quietly. “Every Saturday I’m here, every Sunday evening I’m here. Someone has to get it all done.”

“Doesn’t this get boring?” He asked me, taking a step closer.

“No,” I smiled. “I actually enjoy this…I know I’m weird.”

“I don’t think you are weird.” He said to me. I felt my cheeks turning red. I spun away from him and looked to another prop, franticly hiding my face. There was a brief moment of silence. Then he asked me. “Did you make it into the play?”

“Oh, yea, I play Frenchie…” I fiddled with the ring on my finger. “You got cast as Danny right?” He didn’t have to answer; I already knew that he had gotten the lead role.

“Yep.” He smiled. We stood in silence for a moment. “Did you paint all this?” He asked.

“With a little help from the art department, but yea…”

“You really help our theater program, you know that right?” He asked me.

“Yea, I suppose…” I grabbed a bucket of brown paint and proceeded to paint a fence.

Ryan followed my lead and began painting also. “Mind if I help?”

I smiled. “Of course not.” I tucked my hair behind my ear.

We painted throughout the morning and we finally finished. “There.” I said feeling accomplished.

“Looks great.” Ryan said.

I glanced down at my watch. “I should go…”

“Hmm, I would think that you need lunch.” He said.

“I’ll just eat at home.” I replied. I grabbed my purse and turned towards him.

“Why not let me take you to lunch?” He asked.

I almost choked. “What?”

“How does subway sound?” He asked.

“Oh…um…” My stomach flipped.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He turned away but hesitated. “That is a yes right?” He asked.

“S-sure.” I stuttered.

Subway had never tasted so good. I’m not sure if it was the fact that it was noon and I hadn’t eaten since 6 am or if it had something to do with who I was having lunch with.

We finished rather quickly, only having small conversation. As we were leaving I laughed. “You should have let me pay…” I said.

“Oh no no no. I am not having an argument with you about female independence.” We both laughed then.

“I’ll see you later.” I turned away.

“Wait you said you come on Sunday evening’s right?” He asked me.

“Oh, you really don’t have to give up your Sunday…” I said.

“I want to, so I’ll be there.” He smiled and left.

***
I hopped into my car and drove to the school. I walked to the front door and fumbled around for my keys. It had taken a long time to convince the janitors that I need a key to the school, but finally I got one.

I entered the building and realized that there was no one else in the parking lot. I sighed, Ryan wasn’t there yet.

I walked to the stage and wandered around. Finally I settled on patching up someone’s costume. I had just started stitching the sleeve when I heard my phone ring. I looked at it but I didn’t recognize the number. I opened it anyway. “Hello?”

“Liz, can you let me in?”

“Ryan?” I turned toward the front of the auditorium. “How did you get my number?”

There was a slight pause. “I got it from one of your friends. Is that okay?” He asked.

“Yea, yea, that’s fine, I’m coming.” I walked out of the theater and to the front doors. I pulled the door open.

Ryan walked in. “So what’s on the agenda today?” He asked.

***
“Good!” Our drama teacher said while clapping her hands together. We all walked off the stage and grabbed our water bottles together. I was just about to go to the dressing rooms when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Hey.”

I turned around to see Ryan. “Oh, hi.” I said.

“Good job, you really have some talent.” He said.

“Oh thanks, you’re amazing too…” I said, glancing away from him and to my feet.

“Hey, you wanna grab some dinner?” He asked me, looking away.

“Oh, um, but it’s a school night…” I muttered.

“Its only seven, practice got out early tonight…” He looked at me, his brown eyes pleading. “Please?”

I looked at him, and slowly I smiled. “Okay.”

He beamed at me. “Sweet, why don’t you meet me out in the lobby?”

We only had dinner at Chilies, but that was absolutely fine for me. We talked for a long while, about anything and everything. It surprised me that I had felt so comfortable talking to him. I made it home a little late, and naturally my mom had been wondering where I was. I told her that practice had gone late…

***
I skipped around the stage, singing and dancing. I sat down in a chair and turned to stare at ‘Danny’ as he walked up. We broke out into song again before I had to dash off the stage.

Our teacher jumped up onto the stage with a huge smile on her face. “Nice, nice job everyone!” She looked at each actor. “I hope you are all ready for our first performance tomorrow night.” She paused clasping her hands together. “You all need to be here by 5:30 tomorrow evening.”

We all left the stage, exchanging a few high fives as we left. I grabbed my water bottle off of a chair and opened it. I drank it greedily, and I was still drinking when Ryan walked up. “Are you ready for tomorrow?” He asked me.

“Sure.” I said grinning. “Are you?” I asked him.

He smiled and looked at me. “Of course.”

***
I stood in the dressing room and took a quick look over of my outfit. I straightened the scarf that was tied around my neck. I readjusted a few bobby pins in my hair, and then checked my makeup.

“Come on!” I turned around. On of the girls, Christina, was leaning in the doorway, staring at me.

I took one more glance at myself in the mirror, before leaving the room and joining Christina. I walked out of the room and began walking to the stage. I was just about to enter the auditorium when I noticed Ryan standing off the side. “Hey…” I said.

“Hi, are you sure you’re ready?” He asked me.

I chuckled. “Of course. And I’m sure you are too?”

He laughed quietly also. “Yes.” He turned and held the door open for me. “Break a leg.” He said as I entered.

“You too.” I replied.

I stood backstage, nervously flattening the wrinkles in my dress. I took a deep breath and prepared myself to run out onstage. I took another deep breath when someone came up behind me. “It’s going to be fine.” He said.

“I’m just nervous Ryan.” I turned around and looked at him.

“Liz, its okay, your amazing.” He said, and I’m sure I blushed. “Come on, it’s almost time for you to go.”

I turned around and took one more gulp of air. I then ran out, ready to execute what I had prepared weeks for.

I danced around the table, singing. I surprised myself, everything was going fine. That scene was over quickly enough, and I ran backstage. Ryan was waiting, also readying himself for his scene. “What did I say?” He asked me as I was walking past.

“What?” I asked.

“I said it would be fine, you were excellent.” He flashed me a grin.

I couldn’t help but smile back. “Thanks.”

It didn’t seem like the production could be over so soon, but it was. The whole cast ran out on stage, one by one, as our character names were announced. They called “Frenchie!” And I ran out and waved, smiling.

After everyone was named, we all ran out and lined up. We grabbed each other’s hand and bowed. We smiled and turned hugging each other. Suddenly Ryan was behind me. He gripped me around the waist and spun me around. And without warning, he was kissing me.

I pulled away. “People are watching.” I whispered urgently.

He smiled. “Let’s call it a stage kiss.”