This Lullaby

So there I was. Absolutely nothing standing between myself and the studio doors. This was it, the studio that I would be working on for the next 15 months. I would be playing 17 year old Remy in the new up in coming film “This Lullaby.” I was 15 then so the two year stretch was something I needed to overcome.
I could hardly breath at that moment. My hands were shaking, my foot was twitching, and I was biting down on my lip so hard I thought that it was going to bleed. I realized that people passing by would notice the dazed and confused expression on my face. It didn’t matter that I was going to be lead in a new film, because at this moment I was just an awkward teenage girl blocking the entrance to the set.
It was another 30 seconds before I was able to walk on set. Walking just far enough for a woman with a walkie-talkie to ask me if I needed help. I must of still had the fazed look on my face, because she called for a cart to pick me up. The cart was larger than something you would drive on a golf range, but smaller than one of those hybrid cars. They took my bags and I jumped on the cart. From the cart I caught an elevator to the 2nd floor. Then maneuvered around countless number of rooms, finally reaching my destination.
Plugging in the key card I opened the door to suite 205. Inside of the suite was, well in the words of a 15 year old teenage girl, sweet. There was a huge bed outlined in a silk velvet bedspread, with a 48 in TV screen, that was cuddling up to the intense DVD-stereo system. My personal favorite was the bathroom features. The milky white marble tub that sat on the bathroom floor was definitely the best feature of the entire suite.
When at that moment my fantasy affair daydream with the tub was interrupted by the sound of three light knocks on the door. The first guest in my humble abode. I opened my door without the slightest clue to whom would be bothering me as I got settled. A girl, around my age was on the other side of the wooden door. She was noticeably happy about something. It really irritated me when people were happy, and I had no idea the reason. Grabbing me into her arms she hugged me. Already irritated, I was now more aggravated and pushed her away.
“Hello?,” asking as if to check if there were in lights on in the house.
“Hi,” she said through her obnoxious smile, “I’m Andrea.” She stood there as if there was going to be more to the conversation from my part. Once she finally realized that I had absolutely nothing to say she continued the conversation. “Yeah, I’m gonna be playing Chloe. So I thought I’d get to know everyone on the set… and well you were next door.” I am not sure if I was irritated more at the fact that this overly joyful person was next door to me, or that I could see where she was coming from for being so zealous.
“Cool,” I said mimicking her enthusiasm which I am positive she didn’t notice. “I’m Olivia, but call me Liv. Yeah and I’m going to be playing Remy and…”
“Wait your going to play Remy?” I nodded. “No way that’s amazing, you know she is the lead character?” I nodded again. “So you are playing Remy?” I nodded again. “The 17 year old Remy?”
“Seriously I’m gonna get whiplash. Yes I am playing Remy, the 17 year old lead character.”
“Sorry, I just meant… you look like a kid. I mean how old are you?”
“I’m 15, I’ll be 16 in 6 months.” I added the last part for kicks. Before she could say anything more about my age I changed the subject. “So have you met anyone else from the set?” She paused probably realizing that I wanted to nex the topic of age.
“Yeah a couple of people. They all are really nice.” I laughed thinking that I was probably not apart of the “they” she was referring to. “Oh and there are some really cute boys on the set.” Her face struck a new look as a new thought crossed her mind. “So… I’m going to get coffee, you’re welcomed to join me if you want.” She was really a sweet person, but I knew that if I went to get coffee with her I would probably kill her. So I declined the offer. Saying something about having to unpack and get cleaned up. I thought that I was off the hook when out of nowhere he came out.
“Hey Andrea, so are you ready to go?” said a deep and mellow voice.
“ Yeah, oh hey J.D. meet “Liv.” She looked over to me as to make sure that its okay to spread my “secret code name.” I put on a sarcastic smile and gave a thumbs up. As he turned around to meet my glance I could feel my mouth drop. Now wait a second if you saw him your jaw would drop too. He was about 5’ 9’’, he was in shape but wasn’t exactly ready to battle Chuck Norris. He had this spring aspect to his hair that made it bounce. His best aspect was his eyes. There was one blue eye one gray eye. And when he looked at you, you wanted to surrender your soul to him.
“Hey,” he put out his hand. My palms were sweating and I knew that if I were to shake J.D.’s hand the embarrassment would reach a whole new level. So I used my highly intellectual mind and made a fist. Thankfully he knew I was using the universal “pound it” and he did the same hitting my fist. I knew that fist to fist was the closet I could get to this guy without falling unconscious.
“Hi,” I said in a bemused voice. Luckily he didn’t stand in the awkward environment that was clearly producing.
“Are you in?” he was obviously addressing the question to me. I took a second to try to figure out the conundrum.
“Good hands? No I can’t drive yet.” He laughed. I mean it wasn’t like a fake flat out laugh, which Andrea was making. It was more a sincere “that was a good joke” kind of laugh.
“That’s a good one.” I decided to just go with the fact he thought I was joking, and completely forget the fact that I had no idea what he was talking about. “So I’ll take that as a yes.” YES, what did I just agree to? I tried to recollect what just happened in my head, no such luck.
“Great,” Andrea joined into our conversation. “So you will be joining us at Starbucks.” Holy crap is that what I just agreed to. How do I get out of this now? I tried to figure out a good excuse while Andrea kept rambling on about something. Luckily just at that moment my phone rang. A piercing sound from my Linkin Park ring tone.
“I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there; become so tired so unaware.” I scrambled to get my phone, and my lifejacket off this island. Once I found it, I hurried to answer it.
“Sorry,” I gave a sincere apology. They nodded in the collective I understand way. “Hey Matt,” I spoke in my phone.
“Why are you so happy?” Matt questioned me. I looked at Andrea and JD who were just standing there. I felt bad blowing them off, so I desperately made an excuse to try to take the call.
“Oh no, that’s horrible,” I sounded sincerely petrified. “Well, I don’t know what to say.” I really tried to pull this off. I put the phone on my side, and turned to Andrea and JD. “I’m sorry, can’t go.” Slightly shrugging they waved bye and left. I took one final glance at JD before the doors of the elevator closed. I was FREE. This is how OJ must felt when he was proven innocent. Really we were guilty, but we got away scot-free. Remembering that I had someone on hold, I brought my phone back to my ear. “Oh you have no idea how close that was.”
“Okay. So what the hell was that?”
“Does it matter, really? Anyway why are you bothering me?”
“Wow you went from hi Matt, to why are you bothering me. Nice change.” I went back into my room numb. I couldn’t believe how stupid I was. I had never frozen up in front of anyone, especially not for the stupid reason of a boy. In the back ground Matt was incoherent. So I said later and hung up. Completely jetlag and humiliated I laid on the bed until I fell asleep.
Two hours later I woke up to the sound of my room phone ringing, Why were so many people making an effort to irritate me today? “Yes,” I mumbled into the phone.
“Its 6,” I heard on the receiving end.
“ This effects me how?” tiredly I answered.
“ Well remind me to never wake you up,” he laughed. By the laugh alone I could tell who it was. Frick.
“Sorry JD,” trying to sound nicer. “I mean, oh yes it is 6 o’clock.”
“Yes, and you are sleeping… at 6. Do you have a bedtime?”
“Whoa, looks like you became the joker in this relationship.” Shit did I just say relationship? Hoping that he wouldn’t notice I moved on the conversation. “ No I don’t have a bedtime, but nice way of mocking my age.”
“What can I say, I get my comedy routine from Michel Richards.” This made me laugh. “Don’t worry I am only 17. I just look like I could get into an R-rated movie. But… back to you sleeping. Wake up.”
“Whyyyyyyy,” I tried not to sound like a total teenager.
“Because the sun is still up, and dinner will be served in an hour. The executive producers are having this huge cast dinner. Supposedly it creates unity.”
“Well then I’ll get up. I just do about anything for unity.”
“Good, I’ll see you at dinner.” He hung up.
The moment I hung up the phone it rang again. Seriously people stop calling me, I’m not that important.
“Hello” I used my nice hostess voice in case it was JD again.
“Hi is this Liv?” came a girls voice. I could tell it wasn’t Andrea, but since they called me Liv it had to be someone she had already talked to.
“Yes it is,” still using the voice. It was hard to stop once it was begun.
“I’m Jen. I was supposed to call you and inform you about dinner tonight.”
“Oh yeah I heard about dinner.”
“Well the girls from the cast were going to get together at the sets wardrobe for tonight’s wear. IF you would like to join us?” She really did sound sweet, and I really had no fancy outfit so I agreed to meet them in 10 minuets. I hung up the phone, backing away from it slowly. I got my makeup on and tried to fix my bed head, then got into the elevator.
When I arrived there was a woman with her back towards me. Figuring that it was Jen I called out, “Jen?” The moment she turned around I realized who she was. “Oh my God, you’re Jenna Fisher. You’re Pam Beesly!!! Do you know who you are?” She laughed really loudly then nodded her head. “You’re dating Jim Halpert, played by the gorgeous John Karasinkski.”
“I’m guessing you’re a fan of The Office.”
“Actually I’m a fan of John Karasinkski, but I do adore The Office.”
“Maybe sometime I could introduce you two?” She sounded so sincere about it I wanted to faint. I just slowly nodded my head with my mouth open. “Okay so I am glad that you came, we have the entire wardrobe for today.” I closed my mouth and smiled. She took me inside this room. The moment I entered I could feel the estrogen level in the room increase. There were changing rooms like there would be in a department store. Girls were talking and giggling loudly amongst themselves. Andrea was approaching with another girl.
“Liv this is April,” she pointed to me, “April this is Liv.” We politely smiled and said hello.
“Hey,” I said addressing April, “I’ve seen you in something.”
“Oh,” April said in an epiphany, “yeah I play Lori Trager on Kyle XY.”
“The alien show with the hot guy on the poster, right?” She smiled and nodded her head. “Wow must be pretty lucky to work with him in person.” They both laughed at this. I didn’t mean to say it aloud it kind of just slipped.
“Yeah, its too bad he’s got a girlfriend.”
“So,” Andrea interupeted, “did you come to find a dress?”
“Me?” I said sarcastically. “No way. I am more of a jean pants kind of girl.”
“Not even a skirt?” she sounded horrified.
“Rarely. I think I wore a skirt once in a play.”
“Then you must change your ways for tonight’s dinner.” She sounded matter-of-factly so I didn’t want to argue with her. “I think I know exactly what you should wear.” She was moving around clothes on a rack. There was a swish sound effect while she searched for the perfect outfit. I realized she found it when she yelled “aha” and handed me the ensemble. It was a pink top with black stripes, and attached was a frilly blue skirt that was really short. I thought of myself in it, I would look like a sock hop slut who was color blind. I tried to hide the disgust look in my eyes.
“You know, its rather loud for my taste. I think I’m just gonna look around.” She looked disappointed. “Thanks though, I think I will wear a skirt tonight.” She smiled at that. Shit why do I keep getting myself into pits like this. I walked away and looked through the hundreds of racks in front of me. I must have searched for around half an hour and couldn’t find anything. I thought if I closed my eyes I could picture what I wanted to wear in my mind. All I could see was gray sweatpants and my “We are the reason for GLOBAL WARMING” shirt. Closing my eyes, I dreamt about sitting on a comfortable brown barkalounger reading, when I was intermittent by a push on the back. Opening my eyes, I turned around.
“Sleeping again?” he asked. I found who but JD standing in front of me.
“Yes actually, I was. After we hung up I went back to sleep and I must have sleepwalked all the way down here.” He just smiled. I hated his smile, it was so sweet and cute that I had to smile. “What are you doing down here? Looking for a pretty outfit, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Yes actually,” he said mocking me. “I was looking for a nice skirt to match my pink converse.” I looked down to realize that he really did in fact have pink converse on his feet. Scary.
“In that case I think that Andrea has the perfect outfit for you.”
“No but really, I wanted to check on what was going on. I could hear girls laughing from upstairs, and I thought I should be apart of it.”
“Okie dokie,” I said realizing that I probably sounded like a little child.
“Well… don’t let me stop you. Continue your search for the skirt. But if I may make a suggestion,” he waited for me to give him some form of approval. I nodded. “go with something short and tight, guys like that.” He smirked at me. Rolling my eyes with an irritated look on my face I turned around and walked away. I was glad to know that he didn’t follow me.
Searching through clothes after clothes I finally settled on my outfit. It was this black knitted top that fitted perfectly to my shape. Then I had a white long sleeve shirt underneath. Then to finish it off I had a black skirt that cutoff at the knees. I thought it was Carrie Bradshaw but with a Rory Gilmore innocence. There was around 50 minuets left to the dinner so I decided to go back to my room. Walking to the elevator door I was stopped by April.
“Hey,” she pointed to the outfit, “found something,” I lifted up the number that I had chosen. “Very nice.” We walked to the elevator and got in. “So who have you met so far?”
“Well of course the first person I met was Andrea. Then I met Jen, and you. Oh and I also met JD.” I smiled when I said his name.
“Oh him,” now she was smiling too. “Very cute, I must say. He came up to me today while I was looking for an outfit, and he said something about choosing an outfit that was tight. Just like a guy, yeah?” She lifted her eyebrows as she asked me. I just nodded. In my mind I was thinking about how he said exactly the same thing to me. I guess my remark wasn’t special. Me thinking that it was, now that was a paradox considering of its shovanist origin. “Well, I think I heard him saying something about not having a girlfriend,”she had a devilish smile on her face.
“Oh did he say something about having a boyfriend?” I asked trying really hard to be with a sincere tone.
Shaking her head shockingly and devastatingly. “No, no. Hell wouldn’t that be horrible.” The elevator doors opened and we both stepped out. “So I’ll see you at dinner.” I waved goodbye and with relief I went to my suite door. I set my outfit on the bed and got ready.
When I got to the lobby where we were supposed to meet there were already loads of people. And may I say plenty of hot guys. I stood by the circular table in the middle trying to look like a wallflower. However something in the universe had made me stick out. Boom, I was hit on the back. Falling backwards I bumped into the table and fell on the floor with a bam. I stayed on the floor with visions of the room spinning.
“Dude,” some voice from behind me sounded, “you just hit a girl.” The room stopped spinning, and I tried to get up. The voice continued speaking. “Help her up stupid.” A hand reached out to help me out. I refused to accept their help, and stood up. As I looked awake I saw two guys ahead of me.
“Sorry,” said the additional guy. “Didn’t see you there,” he smiled. They began talking to each other about something, while I stared at them. They were really cute, which was something I noticed instantly. The first one was tall and muscular with short black hair. The second had a little less inches to him then the first, but was still much taller than me. He also had short black hair that he kept spiked, on a slim thin figure. Shaking back into reality I saw them looking at me. Great they probably think I’m slow. “Hey,” he stuck out his hand.
“Hey,” I said taking his hand.
“I’m Jean.” He smiled. “This good man is Steven .” Pointing to guy 2. Steven stuck out his hand and I shook his hand as well.
“Liv,” I said nodding my head. As entertaining as this stimulating conversation was I really wanted an exit. I began to step back when around the corner came Bachelor number 3.
“Liv,” JD slipped his way into the group. “I see you have met Jean and Steven.” I nodded my head and tried to slowly escape again. Lifting his arm he swept me under. “You must be baffled by the three handsome men surrounding you.” DUDE AWKWARD. Trying to think fast, I pulled myself away from him and began to walk backwards.
“Well, when I find them I’ll tell you,” I said shrugging. Making a one-eighty I managed to escape. In the mist of the background there was laughter. Good sign… I think. Didn’t really matter, because the mystery of the evening was overpowering my curiosity of these guys. I got my way onto one of the couches in the lobby. As I sat on the tacky tapestry couch, there entered the room was an older women attached by the arm to a young man. Hollywood, go figure.
The woman cleared her throat in an attempt to get the attention of everyone in the room. “Thank you all for being here,” she spoke loudly. “My name is Nancy Meyers and I am one of the producers in the film. Tonight we have joined the entire cast to get to know one another before filming next week.” She continued on to explain the restaurant that we would be dinning at, and finished with the usual were going to have a good set and make a great movie.
Now I knew this was coming. Anytime a new group of people are gathered there will always be a “get to know each other” activities. I can’t stand those stupid games, and I have yet to meet anyone that likes them. Its because the games are always awkward and boring. So people give the games a spin to the name. So when everyone arrived at the resturant we were asked to play an “ice breaker.” We were to collect the names of three different people and ask them ten personal questions. Shit. People around the table turned to the people next to them interviewing them. A woman turned her head around to meet my stare.
“Hello,” she stuck out her hand. “I am Jill.” I shook her hand and allowed her to ask her questions first. The range of questions from my name to my favorite color. The questions stayed trite. Then it was my turn. I basically asked her the questions she asked me. When we finished she left and contestant number two came up to me. I then met an actor that I had known from the movies. A Mister Greg Kinnner. When he introduced himself I dropped my mouth in shock. I couldn’t believe that someone famous was part of the cast. He was a really nice person during our conversation. I asked him over ten questions about filming Little Miss Sunshine and Sabrina. Which hardly gave him time to ask me any questions. He was really cool to talk to that I didn’t really want to talk to anyone else in the room, until…
OMG Jennifer Coolidge is also part of the cast. She was hilarious in Legally Blonde. She wasn’t talking to anyone and so I thought I would talk to her. Standing up I began to walk over to Jennifer, when came a tug of my shoulder. The force brought me down to my seat. Frick it was JD.
“Yo,” he smiled at me.
“You know what I already know you,” I stood up and looked at Jennifer Coolidge. Damn it, she was now talking to Andrea. “Shit.”
“Whoa such harsh language from such an innocent girl. Innocent?” He lifted his eyebrow.
“Yes, very innocent. Is that one of your questions?” Now I was raising my eyebrow to him.
“No,” he gave one of his award winning smilies. “Question one, why was you’re first reaction Shit when I came up to you.”
“Well, I really wanted to talk to Jennifer Coolidge about working on Legally Blonde and I missed my chance. Question two?”
“Seesh, what’s the rush. We’ve got all night sweetheart.”
“I love how you think you can win girls over with pshovanist remarks.”
“So I won’t win you with my words, I’ll get you with dazaling smile.”
“Damn you know my secret,” I spoke sarcastically. “I want you, I need you, oh baby, oh baby.”
“Nice reference to 10 Things I Hate About You.” I was impressed by his catch of my use of witty banter. “Okay question two. Why did you decide to be in This Lullaby?” He had an very impressive interview style of talking to me as if he were Larry King.
“Well, I read the book freshmen year, and I loved Dexter. I heard they were making a movie and I emailed the writer Sarah Dessen to tell her my personal thought about making the book into a movie.”
“Oh you told her that you wanted to be a star in the movie, and she just put you in?”
“Ummm, no. The opposite actually. I told her to pull the plug, that she couldn’t do this to her adoring fans. Most movies that were based on books are never good. I didn’t want them to ruin the book. Especially the characters of the book. I mean, to make a movie of This Lullaby they would need a really good cast. Especially…”
“Especially… WHAT?”
“Dexter. I mean did you read the book?” He shook his head no. “Well how they described him was the epitome of perfection, the bees knees. I just didn’t really think that there was a good enough guy to play Dex.”
“So I guess that you are happy that I turned out to be Dex, huh?”
“You’re not too bad,” I didn’t want to build up his ego even bigger.
“Then what happened?”
“Well, she emailed me back telling me that she liked my passion for the book. And that I should try to be an extra or something in the film. So I gave her a picture and my home address and told her that if they need extras to tell me.”
“So she just gave you leading role?”
“No, she mailed me a script and told me to try out for it. Something about flying out to California to go to some casting call or something.”
“Then you got the leading role?”
“I guess. I mean I went through so many fricken cast calls, I had no idea which part I was trying for.”
“And that was it?”
“Yup sir.”
“Alright, insight to a very intresting girl.” I smiled considering the idea that from him interesting was a compliment. “So question three…”
“Actually,” I cut him of, “you asked me nine questions through you’re one question. So you have one question left. Better make it a good one.”
“I’ll save that one question for later. Which makes it Your turn.”
“Okay… why did you choose to do the movie?” I tried to mock him with his own question. He didn’t catch my humor.
“Well, I was staring in little roles in disney shows. You know the cute guy who comes in for an episode to sweep the girl off of her feet. Which was cool, when I was fifteen. Then last year the producers of iCarly, a nickolodean show, had me star as Jay. The cute boy who Carly likes. They also liked me. So much that they made a reaccuring role for me.”
“This is all nice, but…”
“So I was filming when I realized something. I was always going to be him. Jay. If I kept playing it safe with kids television shows I was never going to be discovered. I wanted to play a part that would make people sit up and say hey this guy is good. I wanted my big role”
“This movie was your big role?”
“No, not really. However I thought I would slowly move my way up to Hollywood. The way I see it is, I go away from kid shows, and become the teen heartthrob in a teen movie. Then one day, I’ll get my Titanic, my No Country For Old Men.” I was actually amazed by what he was saying. He was actually somewhat profound and intellectual. But only a little bit. “But yeah. So question number two?”
“Okay, how about your family.”
“I am sorry your answer was not in the form of a question,” he had a crackle in his voice.
“What are they like?” I honestly didn’t care, but I was trying the questions that I had heard tonight.
“My mom and dad are both doctors. Hence my career choice not quite what they want me to peruse. But they’re still supportive. My brother is some big time lawyer working in Boston. Then its me and my little sister. She is probably the only sane one in the family. She is the Allie Caulfield to my Holden. She always worries about me. Asking me when I will return home, and if I made friends. Oh and she has to approve of my girlfriend before I marry her… her words.” That’s so cute. “Yeah, she is going to be a real ball buster one day.”
“You just keep impressing me.” Shit. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. He stared with a puzzled, yet flattered look on his face. “What I meant was,” trying to be nonchalant, “you’re not as vile as I thought you were.”
“What did you memorize the entire 10 Things I Hate About You movie?”
“Impressive, huh?” Now I was the smug one.
“Question numero tres.”
Thank God, he forgot the compliment. “Best movie, book, television show, and band?”
“The correct answer would be The Rolling Stones, Seinfeld, Lord Of The Flies, and Die Hard.”
“Just like a guy.” He just smiled at me.
“You’ve got 3 questions left. Choose wisely young Skywalker.” Just then Nancy Meyers whistled for everyone’s attention.
“Please everyone dinner will be served soon. Thank you.” She sat down in her seat. I noticed JD was staring at me. I figured that he wanted his final three questions.
“I’ll keep them for later.” I smiled deviously at him. Rolling his eyes he left to his seat.
The rest of the night was really rather boring. Nancy spoke about what the film was about and what her view of it was. Everyone seemed impressed by the plot of the film. It was apparent that no one had read the book.
Four hours later the dinner ended and we all arrived back on the stage. Noise was going around about staying up and conversing with one another. I rejected the offer and went to my suite. I fell on my bed, and within minuets was fast asleep.
Because it’s a winding road, I’ve been searching for a long time. I still have hope one day we’ll find our way home. The alarm went off and woke me up. Day two was commencing whether I wanted it to or not. Stumbling to the bathroom, I was half way there when… ring…ring. That damn phone, I swear I was about to have that fricken thing removed. I refused to answer it and finished my path to the bathroom.
Twenty minuets later I was half way ready for the day. I remembered that I had gotten a call and checked if the caller had left a message. Clear enough the phone was blinking green. I lifted the phone and pressed one.
“Hey little miss sunshine, I got coffee and will be up in 10. Hope you’re up and dressed, for you’re sake at least.” There was a slight pause where the voice let out a slight laugh. “Well okay, see you soon.”
I was confused. Not by the voice of course, I had known who it was by the laugh. But I was confused by the timeline. I had taken twenty minuets to get ready in the bathroom, and the message said he would be here in ten minuets. So either I had frozen time, or the person would have been here already. Deciding to check outside, I opened the door with a thump. Oh shit. On my floor laid a boy cradling in his hands his head.
“Dude,” I offered the idiot my hand, “I am so sorry.”
“No harm,” JD spoke while still holding his head with a hand,“ no foul.” Without thinking I stuck out my hand. “What?”
“Well I thought you were going to bring me something to drink.” Thankfully he knew I was playing with him.
He shrugged and said, “well I was. That was until you kept me waiting.” I wasn’t sure if he was joking or being serious. “Then you just roundhouse door kick me to the ground.” He smiled. I looked at him puzzled and irritated at the same time.
“Ok so where are we on the coffee?” Trying really hard not to smile, but letting one slip anyway. Laughing he replied.
“Well… I was hoping that you were going to be ready to go downstairs to the café.” This is what made me really smile. In the back of my mind I had an image of me and him in a café in London. I would be wearing the stupid beret while he was in the tight black and white stripped shirt. “Hello?” I shook myself from the reverie.
“Yes. I mean, sure.”
“Okay, so we’re going?”
“Totally.”
He took his phone out of his pocket and looked back at me. “Okay good. I think that most everyone should be down there already.”
“Most everyone?” I tried not to look confused but the shocking tone from my voice couldn’t equal it out.
“Yeah. I invited the cast to coffee.” My creeping shock look, turned to disappointment. “So girly are you ready?”
“You know what, I am not. I will meet you guys downstairs.” He nodded then waved goodbye.
Slightly embarrassed and perplexed I finished getting ready. About ten minuets later I arrived downstairs. Entering the café I noticed the cast right away. There were two tables that were connected together that everyone was seated around. I realized what JD meant by most everyone. The “younger” crowd. On the whole the people there would not have been alive to see the premiere of Mash. Walking to the table I felt really awkward. I felt like the new kid in school. Not even the Caddy Heron, the beautiful future mean girl. I was the geeky freshmen. Thoughts about turning back were racing in my head. The thoughts were intermittent by the Andrea who was signaling me over. Too late to turn back now.
“Liv, over here,” Andrea bellowed my way. I walked toward the group trying hard not to look scared for my life.
“Hey,” I said to no one in particular. One by one people said hi. April pulled up a chair and I sat next to her.
“Fashionably late?” She turned to ask me.
“Literally.”
“Nice seeing you again,” Jean smiled.
“Yeah and this time you didn’t have to hit her to get her attention,’” Steven laughed at Jean. Who then slugged him. I could hear him whisper shut up to Steven, which made me laugh. I noticed there were people that I wasn’t formally introduced to. So I somehow managed to get the guts and introduce myself. I reached my hand across the table in a gesture.
“Hi, Liv.” Across the table was an extremely cute boy with medium dirty blonde hair. He was painfully gorgeous.
“I’m Will,” he spoke with a british accent. Then he smiled, which tore me into two. Hello handsome. In a moment I finally realized who he was.
“Holy crap you’re from Chronicles Of Narnia. Peter.” I said in my best possible British accent. He laughed graciously.
“So you have seen my work, I am assuming.” He kept this excruciatingly beautiful smile on his face. “I am sorry to say that I can’t say the same.”
“Oh well, that’s not hard to believe. This is my first movie.” I was going to leave it at that. I mean I had the chance to flirt with William Mosley and I wasn’t going to waste that. Or at least that was my agenda.
“What?” My passionate stare at Will turned to a glare at Andrea. “This is you’re first movie?”
“Ummm yeah. I mean I’m not an actress. Nor am I part of the Hollywood scene.”
“WHAT?” Now I was being judged by everyone at the table. They stared at me puzzled as to my existence on their planet. “So you have no experience,” I nodded my head. “And you are the lead of the movie.” Instead of giving them a extended ummmm I decide to interrupt her.
I gestured towards Will, “William Mosley, Chronicles Of Narnia.” Moving my arm I motioned towards the guy sitting next to Will, “Douglas Smith, Big Love.” I went down and around the table. “Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Kyle XY. Steven Strait, The Covenant. Oliver Phelps, Harry Potter. Arielle Kebbel, John Tucker Must Die. April Matson, Kyle XY. Blake Lively, Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants. Sam Murphy, Keith. And Andrea Whitburn, Tell Me No Lies.” People stared at me as in, what is your point? “Well, who am I missing?” It took a second, but in a moment they turned to stare at JD. “Who is he?” Thoughts of awe now I get it came on faces.
“Whoa whoa whoa,” JD stopped me, “I have nothing to do with this.” I couldn’t tell if he was joking around or if he really didn’t want to defend me. So I continued.
“Exactly. You are not part of the Hollywood scene, neither am I.” I smiled in hopes to let people know I wasn’t being serious. JD smiled and slyly walked to me.
Putting his arm around me he said, “little girl, you should be in politics.” I know that references to politics were usually on the negative aspect, but I decided to take this as a positive. It was a light joke letting me know he knew I was joking. For some reason this unspoken connection that we were having was kind of romantic. Then the unexpected happened. Laughter broke out around the group. My checks became flushed. I wasn’t sure if they were laughing at me or with me. But since I wasn’t laughing it was probably the first one.
“You make an excellent point,” April spoke humorously. “And you did it with such flair.”
“Yeah,” Jean strut, his voice cracking, “most people would have gone all self-exiled on us. Not you.” I realized they were laughing at me, but in a good way. So I took it for what it was. In the side view of my stare I could see Nancy walking towards us.
“Well,” she began, “its good to see everyone bonding. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but the scripts are in. So if everyone would meet on the stage we will be handing them out. That is all.” I laughed when she said that final part. It was very Miranda Priestly of her. “Something funny?” she glanced at me. I guess I was louder than I hoped.
“Something Hilarious,” Jean came by my side to save the day. “You should have seen Liv today.” They walked into the distance still talking. There was some laughter from both parts as they slowly disappeared around the corner. Everyone stood from their seats and smiled friendly at me. It was then that I realized I was no longer the young girl, but I was accepted.