~Part 32~

                                    

                                          
Art credit to @BreiGrace on Twitter
Also I was too lazy (plus the chapter would have been like 100 pages and take forever to publish) to actually write out the whole idea I had for the play, but maybe I'll publish it as a couple bonus chapters at the end or something ;)
                          
Virgil was backstage trying with all his might to block out all the bustling teens around him. 
                          
"Virgil," Jamie stated making him flick his eyes open and gasp a little. She was so busy she didn't seem to notice his reaction. "Good your makeup is already done, Erin has the finishing touches for your costume go see her  now please." 
                          
"R-right," Virgil managed to say. He stood up, feeling his legs shaking tremendously, but managed to start walking over to where Erin was. 
                          
"There you are!" Erin smiled at him, but you could tell she was rushing just as much as everyone else. "Come here, let me fix your costume up properly." 
                          
He stepped toward her and she started making sure everything was in place properly as well as adding a few final touches. She then looked at his face. "Virgil," she stated gently placing a hand on his shoulder. She smiled kindly when he met her eyes. "Breathe. Everything is going to be okay." 
                          
He tried to force a small smile but kind of failed. "I don't think I can do this." 
                          
She frowned slightly. "Of corse you can. Just because you have anxiety doesn't mean you can't do what you really love. And I've watched you on stage, you really do love it." 
                          
Virgil seemed surprised by her words. "How'd you know I had anxiety? Did Roman tell you?" 
                          
She shook her head. "Mmm... no. I can just tell. My little sister has it too, so I could tell the signs basically from the first day I met you. My parents and I have helped her deal with it all her life. She still has her moments of course, but she's gotten so much better at taking chances. You can too, and you will." 
                          
Virgil smiled feeling himself able to take a breath. "Thanks Erin." 
                          
"Erin! Charlie needs you!" someone called further backstage.
                          
"Alright alright!" Erin called back before walking off, flashing Virgil one last smile.
                          
"FIVE MINUTES!" Mrs. Chance shouted. 
                          
Suddenly the slight comfort Virgil felt went away and was replaced again with the anxious feeling. 
                          
"Hey Virge, you ready?" Roman asked jogging up to him and tapping his shoulder. "Woah, are you okay?" 
                          
"No," Virgil managed. "I'm not-" he gasped. "I'm not okay. I'm freaking out. I- I can't do this." He was desperately holding tears.
                          
"Okay okay... look at me." Roman stated. He then placed his hands on Virgil's shoulders turning him toward him, and moving his face closer to the others. "Virgil, look at me." 
                          
The shorter let his eyes trail to his costar's, feeling his heart skip a beat. 
                          
"Everything is going to be okay. We've practiced this for weeks. You know your lines perfectly. Besides..." he paused letting his hand rub down Virgil's arm gently and take his hand. "I'll be right with you the entire time."
                          
Virgil felt himself calm considerably as he watched the boy in front of him, but he was still shaking.
                          
Roman smiled at him squeezing his hand gently. "Would it help if I told you I was nervous too?" 
                          
Virgil stifled a small laugh. "I don't know if I believe that." 
                          
"It's true!" Roman defended playfully. "It doesn't matter if I've done this a million times, I still get a bit of stage fright every time."