Chapter 6: New Persona

The rest of the backstage experience, that night, wasn't very pleasant. To assist those in the group, Frances used Broadway's streaming service. She gave everyone access via their phones. Stephen had to sit and watch the musical his character was from. While it's always been one of the best of Broadway, he truly hated the persona he was assigned to.

Stephen did what he needed to get through the rest of the event. He made his way back home as fast as possible. Drew was out for his nightly work as an officer. Stephen didn't care. He didn't feel the desire to notify his brother this time around. His disappointment was at a very high level.

A couple of days went by. Stephen wasn't sure how to get himself to change, nor was he really sure about going after this career any longer. He did not attend the following night's get together. The initial night ended with him getting handed a membership card. It wasn’t that he didn't feel like watching the show anymore. However, most likely should if he was to try and go with a more similar persona to the show's Dracula.

Stephen still hadn't given Drew any sort of update. His brother hadn't asked either, due to a sudden distraction. He did receive a message from Charlotte. She asked if they could get together again. Stephen agreed to do so for the following morning, prior to her afternoon performance.

It was the following morning. Stephen didn't do much after receiving his message from Charlotte. The one thing he did was that he went out and sold his car. He thought that could at least be one positive to achieve. Stephen continued his struggle in deciding if he should attend a summer course around there and still had no clue what to do for the time being.

Charlotte had them get together at New Pints Delights again. She sat waiting at the same table, back in the corner, as last time. Stephen came in and sat across from her. There were two cups of coffee on the table. A black coffee for her and the coconut dream for him.

"Good morning," said Charlotte. "Hoped you'd been living the dream and ordered you the same coffee again."

"Thanks, and good morning to you too," said Stephen. "I really haven’t been though honestly."

"Aww, why do you say that? Not enjoying the backstage training?"

"Well, couldn't exactly say that I'm happy with your friend. I guess I screwed up in what persona I came off as and she gave me a terrible character to practice auditioning for."

Charlotte's reaction shocked Stephen. Her eyes lit up. She did, however, catch herself quickly. "Hey, I'm sorry to hear that. But look at it this way. This could be what helps give you motivation and determination to be able to portray an entirely different persona."

Stephen smiled. Her words really assisted his emotions and he really appreciated it. "Yeah, I get what you're saying. I guess I just really need to work on that and see if this is my true desire. I thought, since it's the most recent one I've seen, that I try and see if I could end up portraying a similar persona as Dracula's. The one for his intro to your musical."

Charlotte smiled back. "Oh, I think I'm real happy with that idea."

"Oh, and why is that?"

"Well, to be honest Stephen," Charlotte placed her hand onto his. "I've always had a crush on you growing up. I'd really like for us to spend more time together. Perhaps, go out on a date."

Stephen's eyes went wide with shock. "Whoah, what about your boyfriend, the Dracula star you perform with?"

"He's honestly been what's been getting in our way. He's been fighting me on getting together with you again. I broke up with him."

Stephen felt both excitement and confusion all at the same time. "Whoah, any idea why he kept trying to stop you? I'm sure you explained us as just being friends."

"Yes, but he questioned me about you. He asked for your full identity and said that he knew your half-brother. That he doesn't want me involved with you due to him."

Stephen tilted back in his chair. He had to catch himself before falling over entirely. Stephen was even more confused and didn't have a clue in how to respond to this. His roommate questioned him getting involved with his out of nowhere half-brother and now this? Charlotte grabbed his shoulder.

"Hey, don't worry too much about this alright," continued Charlotte. "I don't know how much he actually knows about your brother. They could have just had a single one off in the past and now hates him. He definitely seemed like that kind of guy."

Stephen took a moment to try and process this. "So, you sure you want to go on a date with each other this soon?"

"If you were a random person, no. But since we have memories of a childhood together, and have spent some time getting to know each other again, I don't mind."

"Well hey, I've had a crush on you as well."

The two leaned in for a kiss. However, they caught themselves and stopped. Charlotte and Stephen didn't want to rush into things too quickly. They agreed to continue to get together for coffee in the morning. It'd be the easiest way based on her performance schedule.

Charlotte and Stephen finished their morning together. She departed and headed out for her afternoon performance. Him, on the hand, had one specific desire. He wished to speak with Drew, and thought to himself. “Hmm, I want to give you the good news but also confront you about her ex.”

Stephen took the subway and made his way back to the apartment. He arrived but knew that his brother would be asleep. Stephen planned to return to the back stage training again that night. So, he wouldn't see him after that either. He knocked on his brother's door, as softly as he could. Movement could be heard from the other side.

"Ugh, what is it?" asked Drew.

"I need to speak with you," said Stephen.

"This better be important."

"Oh, you bet it is."

Drew reluctantly made his way out of his room. "So, what is it?"

Stephen gave him a rundown of the past few days. However, he did leave out a specific.

"Well, I'm sorry for how it was at first," continued Drew. "Also, happy with how your girl is helping you and now things are really moving forward with her. But, why exactly did you need to tell me all of this right away?"

"Because of what else she said."

"Which is?"

"She explained that her ex stated he knew you and didn't want her involved with me because of that."

Drew's eyes went wide and he bit down on his lip. "Crap, he knows your identity now?"

"Yeah, but so what? What's you and his issues?"

Drew tilted forward and sighed. He did what he could to calm himself. "Look, it's nothing. Yes, we've had fights about things with each other. It doesn't matter. I would, however, say that one thing does matter moving forward."

Stephen crossed his arms, "Which is?"

"I wouldn't try to portray his character's persona. Knowing him he'd probably try and do everything to try and stop you out of fear of losing his role one day. Hell, he may even go after you if he learned of you dating his girl. Please keep an eye out for him, but also please consider looking into an entirely new persona."