“No, it's a apartment complex, but it feels just like a hotel!" he said.
“It must be a royal mess. Do you have much space?”
“Nope. Each of us get’s a cubbyhole. There are a lot of people in the show. The Theatre doesn’t have that much space to give us, so they put us up in a high rise!”
“Oh, that sucks. Where are they located?"
“Times Square. They’re cozy enought. We don’t spend much time in them anyway. Always rehearsing,” he replied bitterly.
“You don’t like to rehearse?”
“Well, it does take up a lot of time. I’ve done over 500 shows. You’d think they’d realize we knew the material..”
Jeremy was beginning to feel comfortable with Kalle. Like an old friend he had known for a very long time. He hoped she did have the potential, because he enjoyed spending time with her. Now, if only he could get past her mother..he could just tell she was WAY to overprotective. Not the type you’d ask to let her 15 year old daughter if she could pack up and go to NYC for a month.
“So, do you have a boyfriend?” Jeremy asked.
“Yeah. His name’s Colin." Kalle wondered why he would ask that question.
"Well, here we are, my studio!” he said acwardly. He wished he could just open up to her. It was almost like he was developing a crush!
“Great! It looks nice!” she said. Kalle was getting really excited by this point.
“Shall we go in, m’lady?” he asked as he opened the door for her.
“Yes sir, we shall,” Kalle said with a giggle. He could be so funny!
As she walked in, she couldn’t believe her eyes. He had a whole stage, and a glass wall that protected the studio equipment. This was going to be so cool!
“So, what are we going to be singing today?” she asked.
“Well, what do you want to sing? Do you know any of the ‘Footloose’ stuff?”
“Are you kidding? I have to whole cd memorized!” she realized she must sound like a crazed, obsessed fan, so she shut up.
“Great! This should be easy then. I’ll pick the song.” he looked through, picking out ‘Almost Paradise’. Now I can see what chemistry we really have, he thought.
“Do you want to warm up first?” Kalle asked. She didn’t know if she could really do this!
“Nope! I don’t warm up. I know it sounds funny, but I just sound better without warm up!” he replied, getting the cd ready. “Is ‘Almost Paradise’ ok?”
“Sure!” Kalle was surprised that he wanted to do the duet with her. It was the love theme from ‘Footloose’! Now she was VERY nervous.
“Ok, great. Now, get up on the stage!”
“What? We are singing on stage?” she gasped.
“Sure, that’s what it’s for. Don’t be nervous,” he said, but at the same time he was really nervous himself.
“Um..ok.” she stepped up onstage.
Jeremy started the music, and then hopped onstage himself. “Ready?” he asked, with a big grin. “Just imagining you’re auditioning for the part of Ariel in ‘Footloose’. You’ll do great!” he assured her.
“Ok, I’ll try!” she said, trying to force a smile. Kalle felt faint as the introduction started to play. Suddenly Jeremy got a far away look in his eyes, almost like he was onstage playing the part of Ren. As he started to sing, Kalle lost herself in the music and sang her heart out.
“I feared my heart would beat in secrecy...I faced the nights alone..oh how could I have known? That all my life I only need you...”
As they neared the end of the song, she realized Jeremy was coming closer, and closer. He’s acting out the musical! Kalle realized. If he kept this up, they would kiss at the end. Her heart started racing as they begun the finale to the song.
“Almost Paradise...we’re knocking on heaven’s door...almost paradise...how could we ask for more? I swear that I can see forever in your eyes... paradise... paradise... paarrraadiisse..”
She lifted her head up to his as their lips touched, and he began to kiss her gently. She felt his tongue quickly enter, and leave her mouth. She sighed, but almost as quickly as it had begun, he pulled away, embarrassed that he had gotten so caught up in the music.
