LITTLE GREMLIN

UPON reading it, Lauren stood up almost immediately. The timing couldn't have been worse; the make-up artist was just applying lip tint to his lips. His sudden movement jolted her hand, smearing a streak of color from the corner of his mouth down to his chin. She flinched in surprise, nearly letting out a yelp. 

"Are… are you alright?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. 

She'd worked with Lauren a few times before and knew he wouldn't react so suddenly without a reason. When she looked up at him, her suspicions were confirmed. His face was frozen in shock, eyes wide and unfocused, as if he'd just been hit with earth-shattering news.

Lauren snapped back to reality at the sound of the make-up artist's voice. He let out an awkward laugh and eased himself back into the chair. "Sorry about that," he mumbled, scratching the back of his neck. "I just… thought I forgot to turn off the stove at home. Guess I panicked for no reason."