Who: Chris and Justin When: Saturday November 14th. (backdated) Where: Another Cast Party What: Having some brotherly time. Rating: PG Status: Complete
As great as the play had been, Justin was glad that it was over to a certain extent. For the last couple of weeks, he had eaten, slept and breathed it so he was a little behind in his studies. He wasn't the best student to begin with, not that he wasn't smart, he simply didn't apply himself and he knew that he had some catching up to do. All that could wait until Monday because it was Saturday night, they were at the cast party and then tomorrow night was the birthday party. Justin had promised himself that he wouldn't drink at the cast party since he wanted to save it up for the next night and he'd been sticking to it. He was working the room, talking to everyone and looking for his brother. After the last show, there had been the set strike and he hadn't had the chance to really talk to Chris so he wanted to do that now. Finally he spotted him and he made his way over to him. "Hey dude," he said and clapped his brother on the back. "How's it going? Hollywood agents calling you yet?"
Chris had been exhausted since the end of the play, not just from all the hard work he had done but the theatre world never quit, it was one thing after another. Tonight was the cast party, he was happy to be there but he was certainly looking forward some much deserved sleep. That wasn't the end of it though, his birthday was coming up and knowing that he was with Justin this time around it would be more than just interesting.
This night he had caught up with all the cast members now as himself, it was a bit awkward. Chris always felt more confident acting as John, it was strange to have to revert back to his usual demeanor. He was afraid that he'd lose friends for this, but he promised himself he would be more outgoing so far things were going well. Just then Justin found him, it had seemed ages since they were together out of the play.
Chris laughed, Justin always knew how to make him feel good about his accomplishments, sometimes he found it hard to see that himself, "I wish!" he sipped some of his drink, a sprite-- Chris wasn't much for drinking, unless of course Justin convinced him otherwise. "How about you?" Chris had already told Justin how great his performance was once before, he was almost envious, sometimes Chris felt that he took his roles too seriously.
"Kind of glad it's over," he admitted. "It was fun, don't get me wrong, but it's kind of nice to not have to worry about it anymore. Now I can concentrate on not flunking out which I'm sure will make the folks happy." Justin laughed and shook his head. "and no agents have been calling me either. They don't know what they're missing. Oh well maybe in the spring after the musical." He laughed and shook his head. He didn't know if he'd try out for the musical or not. It would totally depend on what the musical was and whether or not he could have a non-singing role. Justin knew that his vocal talents left something to be desired. He had a passable voice but was far more suited to an ensemble role than to a lead and he knew it.
"So have you talked to KJ?" Justin asked, trying to be casual. He had no clue if Chris had done anything for her birthday or not and was hoping that he had. "You know it was her birthday on Thursday, right?" Of course he knew, the cast had celebrated with her but that wasn't his point.
Chris simply left a rough slap to Justin's head, "What kind of attitude is that?" he gave his brother a sharp look, "You can easily pass I know it!" That was one thing Chris never understood about Justin, he always gave up on school, it was like no one else saw how intelligent he was because he didn't bother. His face lightened when he heard the word musical he completely forgot about that, not to mention that he wanted to brush up his singing skills, they were nothing to boast about-- yet.
Chris nearly choked on his drink when he heard her name, he cleared his throat, "Here or there..." which was true, he wasn't trying to be around her too much as it only made him like her more. Chris nodded, of course he knew it was her birthday, his mind flickered to the gift that sat in his room, he hadn't given it to her yet. He didn't know what she would think of it, perhaps she would have to have a 'talk' with him because he was being too forward, and maybe she wasn't ready for that. Or what if she hated it, Chris was afraid of so many things that he just kept it in his pocket most of the time weighing the options. "Yeah its strange how our birthdays are close together."
"I think it's kind of cool," he said with a shrug. "I hope you got her a present because you should have." Justin didn't doubt for a minute that Chris had remembered since that was the way he was. He'd probably spent forever picking it out and hoping he had gotten just the right thing. "What did you get her? I'm curious." He knew his brother well and couldn't resist teasing him a little. "and don't forget that we're having another cast party tomorrow night. An unofficial one." Of course it was a surprise and he couldn't wait to see Chris' face when he realized what was going on. Justin was quite proud that he and Juliet had managed to keep it a secret.
Chris scowled at his brother, "Of course I got her a present," he knew Justin was teasing him, but he couldn't imagine not getting her a present. He would have pulled it out of his pocket to show him but he decided to leave it at home tonight, he wanted to give it to her at the perfect moment. "Well," he said lowering his voice, as he was sure KJ was not far away: "A new pair of earrings..." Chris looked a bit ashamed, Justin would probably tease him. His eyebrow was soon to rise when his brother mentioned another cast party: How much do these people want to party? He wondered if he could take another night like this, he wasn't used to being around so many people all the time.
Naturally Justin noticed his brother's expression and decided to tell him at least a half truth. That way he knew that he'd get him there. "Well it's not really a cast party," he admitted. "It's a surprise birthday party for KJ since we didn't really get to do anything on the actual day so yeah. So don't give it away." It was for Chris too of course but Justin wasn't going to tell him that. Instead he'd just let him find out when he got there. "and I am sure that she'll love the earrings. I'm betting she'll be surprised you did it." He was a little surprised himself since earrings seemed a little....personal but then again, what did Justin know about shopping for girls. Easy answer there. Nothing.
Chris clued in and nodded his head not wanting to give away his excitement, that would be the perfect time to give KJ her present. He was happy that he could be part of her birthday he didn't know if he'd be invited to such an event, there way Chris made the motion to say his lips were sealed, which was true. A smile cracked from his lips as Justin continued, it was reassuring to hear that KJ would like his present, he did put a lot of thought into purchasing it.
"Yeah, I guess she will be..." The element of surprise almost scared Chris, it could be bad or good, but he had no way of telling which was going to occur. Chris decided to change the subject, "So do you need a tutor for your courses or what?" It wasn't like Chris to let his brother fail, not while he was around to help anyway. Maybe in high school Justin could get away with it, but College was different.
He appreciated Chris' offer but Justin shook his head. "Thanks man but I'll be okay. The only thing that I'm really struggling with is Creative Writing and that's just because I can't figure out what to write on for the big paper due right before Thanksgiving break. If you could help me think of a subject that would kick some ass." He grinned and clapped his brother on the back. "You know I'm really glad you came here in case I haven't told you lately. I know we don't get to see each other that much because of our schedules but yeah. Especially after that whole thing with Sunny." Justin hadn't talked much about his feelings when his girlfriend had dropped out but the truth was that it had been very hard on him. Talking to Chris and the play had helped to distract him and even though he wouldn't say it, he was a little worried about what he'd do now that his biggest distraction was finished.
Chris grinned back at his brother, "That I can do," It was no mystery to Justin that Chris' strong suit was writing and out of all subjects that was what he found himself most eager to help with. His grin dropped when his brother mentioned Sunny, even though Chris had this KJ situation it was nothing to how Justin must feel with his girlfriend dropping out. He returned the pat on his brothers back reassuringly, "Just think how much time we'll have when Thanksgiving break roles around, and don't get me started on the food." That had to be Chris' favourite part of the holiday. He smiled at his brother once more before offering to get him another drink, Chris was really happy he decided to come to Mcdermott, and not just because of all the pretty girls.