When I’m finished with my story the rocker and baby doll look like they’re going to be sick, both becoming a little green.

The boy squeezes one of the girl’s hands and it looks like she might faint. I know it’s probably not every day you meet someone you know that can’t remember you. Or hear about someone else you know in a coma, especially as young as we all are.

I look past them towards Evan who’s moved now to hovering behind the foosball table.

“Oh dear, oh dear, you poor things.” My story earns me another hug from Mimi and then a friendly pat from the rocker. Neither give me those pitying looks, a little shock and confusion but no pity, and I feel a wave of relief.

“I’m so sorry to hear that Lyric. I really am… I guess I should officially introduce myself then,” he holds his hand out for me to take, cracking a wide grin. “Hei Daniels, actor.” He says the name like one would say hey, and I wonder how he spells it.

The girl gives me a smile that could make flowers bloom. “Mimi Rockley.”

After a few more moments of talking we move to the group of people that Mimi came from and Hei explains that they’re some of the other actors and crew. Hei was cast as Puck and it turns out that Mimi, for as dainty as she is, isn’t actually an actress.

“I get stage shy.” She explains. “But I just love the theater, so I hop around in the back and every now and then I play extras and nonspeaking parts.”

“She’s being humble. She’s the assistant stage manager.” One of the other girl’s chimes in. Mimi waves her hand as if this isn’t a big deal.

“Only for this production. The last one I oversaw props, and before that I did lights.” Mimi explains.

“She impressed the stage manager because she’s so adaptable.” The girl adds, beaming at Mimi.

“More like her Aunt is one of the producers, so she gets to do whatever she wants,” another girl says. The first girl throws a packet of ketchup at her.

“Mimi earned those positions, she works harder than any of us.” Hei says in her defense. There’s a collective agreement from everyone else.

The rest of the group make their introductions so fast it’s a little hard to follow.

There’s a Lenard, Rochelle, Patricia, Martin, Harper, Robbie, Tonya, and a Candace, but who is who and what they did, I can’t really remember.

They’re an eclectic bunch though. I wonder if I fit in with them.

“Rehearsals don’t start for another month. Our director wanted to let the props and set designers finish before they started. Our first read through hasn’t even been scheduled yet. So, there’s still time for you to accept the part and start studying lines.” Hei says.

“No, she should probably pass, she’s been through an ordeal after all.” A brown skinned, pink haired girl says. Mimi throws a fry at her.

“You’re just saying that because you’re the understudy.” Mimi turns to me. “Don’t pay any attention to Candy, Lyr. Even if you don’t get your memories back you can still do the part if you want.” She gives me a little pat on my shoulder.

“Yeah, and you’d make a great Helena. I saw your audition; you were amazing with that monologue.” A chubby little redhead says from across the table. If I’m remembering correctly, she’s Rochelle. And she’s playing Titania.

“Umm… maybe I should think about it for a while.” This must’ve been something the old me was really interested in if I auditioned for a lead, but I find it strange that none of my family mentioned it to me. On top of not telling me about Harp’s birthday, I wonder what else they’re omitting.

“Don’t think too long or I’m snatching the part for myself.” Candace says, ducking another fry from Mimi. She grins and gives me a wink, but I have a feeling that she’s serious in hoping I don’t take the part.

“Don’t pay her any mind.” Hei says around a bite of burger. His phone buzzes and he glances at it, making a face as he turns back to his food.

We spend a little bit of time talking. Everyone is eccentric and outgoing enough that I don’t have to say much. Perhaps it’s because the majority of them are actors and good at reading people, but they don’t pester me with questions about my accident, nor do they tell me about me.

For the first time in months I’m sitting down with people who knew the old me, but I’m not hearing all sorts of stories about me. Nor am I pretending to ignore looks of guarded hope.

They just ramble about all sorts of things, and I can see why I probably liked them. It’s barely been thirty minutes, but I feel like I’ve known all of them longer than anyone, even my family, and like we’d spent days talking.

“Well, we need to be heading home, but it was good seeing you again Lyr,” Hei says standing up and slinging a duffle bag over one shoulder. Mimi joins him and gives me another quick hug and waves goodbye with the stuffed animals I’d given her.

She gushed so much about how awesome it was that I’d won so many. And as good at the game as I am, I really don’t have a use for colorful stuffed creatures. Not to mention that machine was filled with strange monstrosities like pink elephants and turquoise turtles.

“Be sure to call us to hang out!” Mimi calls, waving her pink jewel encrusted phone at me. Just before they leave Hei’s phone goes off again and he and Mimi exchange a tense look. I’m curious, but I don’t know them well enough to ask what’s wrong.

Evan’s standing beside the others and waving too, as if he’s about to leave with them. Rochelle gives me a hug also and even Candace surprises me with one.

“Your audition really was marvelous,” she says. “I won’t say that I’d be heartbroken if you didn’t take the part, but for what it’s worth, memories or no, I bet you’ll still do it justice. So, think on it.” And then she skips out with the others, leaving me with a bittersweet feeling.

Not long after the group leaves, Cadence appears out of nowhere.

“There you are. The pizza’s ready.”

Three large pizzas covered in what looks like every meat there is, practically take up a table to themselves. There’s also a fourth pizza loaded with veggies and a fifth dripping cheese.

The boys have pushed two tables together and as soon as I’m seated they begin what looks like a sort of war to grab slices as quick as they can.

“I’m not going to lose a hand if I try to get a piece, am I?” I ask Cadence whose plate has four slices on it and he’s already halfway through another.

“Grab it while you can.” He says around a mouthful of pizza.

“Seriously, are you having a competition to see who can eat the fastest?” I ask, glancing at the twins who seem to be doing just that. For guys in their twenties, they really don’t act any older than the rest of us.

“Come on Leary, eat. I bet I can eat more than you.” Harp says from beside me. I arch a brow at him, wondering why I’m suddenly raring to go in for the challenge.

It’s something about the way he says it that triggers, not a memory, but a feeling. The others all stop, mouths still full, pizza hanging in the air as they stare at me.

“What do I get when I win?” I ask. I reach to fill my plate with as many slices as possible and the competition is on.