sroni

Charlie opened the door to his apartment. He’d offered Madrigal an apology, but she waved him off. Watching the redhead’s reaction, he wished he’d tried harder to let her know how bad it was.

Madrigal’s bag slid off her shoulder as her jaw dropped.

Charlie found himself sticking his hands in his pocket and shooting Madrigal a sheepish look. “I’m sorry. I’ll be fixing it up better, I promise.”

Madrigal turned towards him, and he could see her vibrant blue eyes bright with excitement, standing out against a pale face. “You kidding?” She echoed his sentiment. “Charlie, this is home.”

Introduction

Seph looked at the broken string in her hand.

Tears welled up in her eyes but didn’t dare drop.

She reached into her bag, pulling out some duct tape, willing to use it to hold her jazz shoe on her foot.

A coffee colored hand covered her own and she looked into the most extraordinary golden eyes she’d ever seen.

What made them so striking wasn’t just the color- offset by the darkness of his skin.

It was the kindness, gentleness and integrity that shone through. “I have a spare shoelace. I’m Charlie.”

Seph found herself giving a real smile. “Madrigal.” A real smile- but a fake name.



Audition

Charlie and Madrigal made it through the first round of auditions.

Darned if he didn’t like the girl. She had a dogged determination that covered up the fragility he’d glimpsed lurking in her eyes.

They stood on stage together, waiting for the director’s cue.

And then there was no Madrigal, no Charlie, there was simply the characters.

The spell broke.

They returned to their bodies, entwined around each other.

The theater was silent.

Charlie and Madrigal gave each other little half smiles.

‘You’re hired.” The director broke the hushed silence. “I’m taking a chance, but you two are my new leads.”