Chapter Text
Sarah sat in the kitchen with her laptop in front of her, waiting. She had been sitting there for the past two hours in anticipation for the email she was expecting to receive. Last week she had tried out for the part of Christine in ‘The Phantom of The Opera’ and was really hoping to get it. She groaned and stood from her seat, moving around the kitchen to get herself something to eat.
“Anything yet?” Johnny asked as he came around the corner. She sighed and shook her head.
“Nothing. I’ve been waiting for hours.” She complained and her younger brother just shrugged, picking up an apple from their fruit basket.
“Maybe you didn’t get the part.” He said as he washed the apple off and took a bite.
“Oh fuck off. If you’re not going to be helpful then just-”
“Sarah, you have a new email.” Their mother called from where she now sat at the table. Sarah rushed to sit down, almost flipping the chair she had sat down in. Her brother crowded behind her and looked over her shoulder. She took a deep breath and opened the email, scanning the list. When she spotted her name for the role of Christine she sat there in shock. Her mother hugged one side and her brother patted her back. They were congratulating her and she smiled at both of them. She thanked them and continued reading over the email to find the schedule for rehearsals.
-
On the first day of rehearsal she walked through the halls of the very same place she had auditioned in. She could hear faint music and a collection of voices in the hall. She turned and took a seat next to a blond man with a black surgical mask covering the lower half of his face. He didn’t say anything as she sat down, simply nodding and turning back to his book. After a while the director came out on stage and everyone quieted down. They were given instructions to get to know each other and mingle before they started going over what the rest of rehearsals was going to look like. She looked to her left where the masked man sat and stuck out her hand.
“Sarah MacTavish. I’m playing Chrisitine.” She said and he shook her hand. His hands were much warmer than she had been expecting them to be.
“Simon Riley. I’m playing The Phantom.” He said and she could tell he had a small smile on his face behind the mask.
“Well you’re doing a great job with the mask. Although it is on the wrong side of your face.” She joked and he just chuckled, letting go of her hand. She turned to her right and was shocked to find her brother’s best friend had snuck up on her and was sitting next to her.
“Kyle Garrick. I’m playing Raoul.” He said sticking his hand out and she smiled, rolling her eyes.
“I know who you are, you bastard.” She teased and they fell into easy conversation with each other. They talked about his schooling and about Johnny who had recently taken a hard hit in football and was out of commission for a while due to his knee.
They quieted down when the director began speaking again, discussing what rehearsals were going to look like and how often they would be. Sarah felt excited hearing this and when they finished she stood and looked around for the masked blond man. He seemed to have completely disappeared.
“Someone is taking their role a little too seriously.” She grumbled and Kyle gave her a look of confusion that she waved off. They walked to the parking lot together and she spotted the blond man standing beside a black truck. He seemed to be on the phone and she grabbed Kyle’s hand, pulling him over.
“Simon!” She called and the blond man jerked, almost dropping his phone. He ended the call and waved to her.
“Since we’re going to be spending a lot of time together over the next few months. Come eat dinner with me and Kyle.” She offered and Simon just stared at her for a moment before looking at his phone.
“I would hate to overstep.” He said and she could tell he was trying to get out of it.
“You’re not overstepping, mate! We’d love to get to know you.” Kyle said and she felt grateful for him. Simon looked at his phone again and sighed.
“Yeah. Alright. Where are we going?” He relented and she smiled.
“Just follow me. I’m in the blue SUV.” She said pointing to her car. Simon nodded and climbed into his truck. Sarah and Kyle walked back to their own vehicles and made their way out of the parking lot to the MacTavish home.
-
Simon parked his truck behind the blue SUV and stared at the home he had come to. It was a two story brick home. He could tell it was old and had probably been in this woman’s family for a very long time. He stepped out of his truck and she waved him over. The other man she had with her, Kyle, was already heading inside.
“Is this the part where someone hits me over the head and you kill me?” He joked and she laughed, looping her arm with his and all but pulling him inside.
“No. Of course not. We do have neighbors.” She said, pushing him through the front door. He ducked, to not hit his head and stood in the front room. Sarah stepped up behind him and started taking her shoes off.
“Ma. We’re home. I brought guests.” She yelled and Simon bent down, unlacing his boots and setting them next to hers.
“Kyle has already made his way into the kitchen, I bet.” She said and Simon just nodded, not really sure what he was doing or what he was supposed to do. He followed her down the hallway which ended in a large kitchen. At the stove was an older woman with graying hair and an apron. She was cooking and whatever it was, smelt amazing. At the table sat a man that must have been Sarah’s brother. He had the same hair color and the same eyes. They looked almost identical.
“My goodness you're a big lad.”
“Ma!” Sarah hissed and her mother just set the spoon aside, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Well he is. Look at the size of him.” She said and Simon crossed his arms over his chest and looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was at the moment.
“Ma. This is Simon. He’s going to be in the production with me and Kyle. We brought him over to get to know him a little better.” She introduced and Simon smiled behind his mask, shaking the older woman’s hand when she offered it.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” Simon said and she just nodded, giving his hand a squeeze and letting go.
“Any reason you’re wearing a mask in my house?” She asked and Sarah prayed a hole would open and swallow her whole. She winced when she saw Simon’s face heat up behind the mask and he seemed to shrink a little more in on himself.
“Just more comfortable this way. I have some scarring.” He explained and she looked him up and down before cooking once more.
“Sorry.” Sarah whispered and Simon just waved her off.
“This is my younger brother, John.” She introduced and Simon waved to him.
“Nice to meet you.” He said and Johnny smiled at him.
“Nice to meet you as well.” He turned back to his assignment and Sarah gestured for them to sit. She forced Simon into a seat between her and Johnny. He seemed a little more comfortable but the looks he kept getting from her ma weren’t helping him. He reached for his fork when the sound of a phone ringing went off. Simon pulled back and stood, apologizing and ducking out of the room.
“Ma. You could’ve been a little more welcoming.” She whispered and her mother gave her a sharp look.
“What’s his last name?” She asked and Sarah shrugged, picking at her plate with her fork.
“Riley.” Kyle said after a few moments of silence.
“I thought so. You’ll do well to stay away from him.” Her ma said and Sarah went to ask what she meant when Simon came back into the room.
“I”m really sorry to do this but my sister-in-law just went into labor. I have to go. Thank you for the meal.” He said and Sarah stood.
“I’ll walk you out.” She offered and led Simon to the front door. He laced his boots up and smiled at her.
“Thank you. I’m sorry to be running out.” He said and she waved him off.
“We’ll get to know you at practice. Have a good night and good luck to your sister-in-law.” Simon smiled again and left. Sarah watched until his truck was out of sight before closing the door and going back inside. She sat back at the table and looked at her ma.
“What is the issue with him? He seems nice enough. A little quiet and awkward but we did spring this on him.” She asked and her ma stood from the table, washing her plate before answering.
“I knew his parents before they died. Strange how it happened. He was the main suspect in their murders.” She wiped her hands on her apron and turned to face them.
“I believe he did it. He’s not in his right mind. I heard the scars on his cheeks are from his father fighting back.” She said and Sarah felt her stomach twist. She met Kyle’s eyes and could tell they both didn’t feel like eating anymore. She couldn’t stop thinking about his earlier comment when he stepped out of his truck.
'Is this the part where someone hits me over the head and you kill me?'