Free Waiting in the Wings by Melissa Brayden

don’t, Jenna. I would never want to see you lose your love of performing, your innocence about this business. It’s rare, and it’s contagious, and I have to say, wonderful. So many of these actors clock in and out each day and forget why they started in the first place. Remember this feeling tonight and pull it out again whenever you need it.”
    I turned and stood, facing her fully. “I will remember it. Thank you.”
    We studied each other for a moment before she took her
    forefinger and ran it gently across my bottom lip. She lifted her
    gaze to my eyes and tilted her head, slowly leaning in and capturing my mouth with hers. I’d thought about kissing Adrienne again a hundred times since the night on the street, and I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. She kissed me softly at first, but I couldn’t help myself and deepened the kiss. I felt her hands slowly move into my hair, and I suppressed a gasp as her tongue found its way into my mouth and began to explore. My hands were on her waist, and I pulled her tighter into me as I felt every part of my body begin to respond to her.
    Somewhere in the back of my mind it registered that there were footsteps in the hallway, footsteps that were rapidly approaching my dressing room. Adrienne must have heard them too because we pulled away from each other at exactly the same moment and looked to the open door. Stewart knocked twice before poking his head into the room.
    “Aha. There you are.”
    “What’s up, Stew?” I said, doing my best to seem casual and control my breathing. No making out here.
    “There’s still quite a few people waiting at the stage door. We were wondering whether you were still planning to sign for them or if we should tell them you’ve already gone.”
    I looked to Adrienne for an answer. They were her fans, after all. They were waiting for her.
    “They’re still out there? Wow. Um, no, tell them we’ll be right out, Stewart, thanks.”
    Stewart nodded once and headed back down the hall. I turned back to Adrienne and sighed. It had been quite a day.
    She smiled at me sympathetically and pulled me into an embrace, kissing my neck once in the process. I loved the smell of her shampoo. I just wanted to inhale her. Instead, I reluctantly let her go. “Okay, you, there are some very dedicated fans waiting outside who might turn violent at any moment. Let’s get you out there.”
    She gathered the bag she’d left at the door. “Sounds like a plan.” “Are you coming to my dinner afterward?” I asked. Once the words were out, I wanted to take them back. I didn’t want her to feel
    obligated. “Don’t worry about it if you’re too tired, it’s not—”
    She silenced me with a kiss before answering. “Shut up with that. Of course I’m coming.” She flashed me one last dazzling smile and headed off down the hall. Could today get any better?
    When I stepped out the stage door, I was surprised to see at least thirty people waiting. Chicago was enthusiastic. Adrienne was going down the line signing playbills and taking photos. I decided to wait a few yards away until she was finished, but I didn’t make it much further than a few steps before a Sharpie was thrust under my nose.
    “Jenna, will you sign my T-shirt?” a hopeful teenage girl asked. I was dumbfounded by the fact she knew my name.
    “Sure I will,” I said and wrote my name across the Clean Slate
    baby doll tee from the souvenir stand.
    “We loved the show tonight. You were awesome!”
    “Aww, thank you. I’m happy you had a good time,” I said.
    I continued signing as more people approached me. I kept track of Adrienne out of the corner of my eye. I noticed how she took a moment to talk with each person and seemed so appreciative of each compliment. Some of the fans even asked her to sign memorabilia from her Highland High days , which I knew she was hoping to break free of. Nonetheless, she obliged and even stopped to talk about her time on the show. She