Not Acting Around You.

A bromance story in which Jason is a new actor, Nico is a child prodigy in acting, Will is learning how to be a director, Percy is a famous script-writer and they meet the first time in an audition for a fantasy TV series.

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Chapter 1: The audition.

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Jason was nervous.

Of course, everyone could be nervous when they're just an amateur actor and they're attending for a big audition. Maybe the biggest audition ever in five years: The production companies were looking for potential people that can take part in their next fantasy TV series: Walking in Your Dreams.

"Number 132, Jason Grace. Actor."

Shit. Jason cursed under his breath. It's time to shine or to waste his time for another failure. He took a deep breath and told himself that everything will be fine.

…

He was asked to reenact a short scene in a given script with another actor.

"He'll be here in 5 minutes." A judge told him. "You're lucky to have him as your partner. He's a child prodigy."

When Jason was reading his lines, his partner showed up from the exit door of the room. "I'm really sorry! My car broke down and Jules-Albert…"

"It's okay, sweetie. We're glad that we can invite you." A staff welcomed him. "This is Jason Grace, your partner. Grace, this's Nico di Angelo, the person who reenact that scene with you today. Do your best. Good luck!"

Jason stared at the raven-haired boy in disbelief. He didn't know this was lucky or unfortunate to have Nico di Angelo as his partner.

"Hello. I'm Nico di Angelo, an actor. Nice to meet you." Nico extended one of his hand toward Jason.

The blond awkwardly took the other's hand and shook it. "I'm Jason Grace. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Nico's hand was slightly colder than normal people, but his skin was soft and comfortable. They had a firm handshake before Nico gestured at the script on his hand. "May I have a look?"

"Ah, sure." Jason gave the first page to him. "I'll be Jerome, and you're Lucas."

"Okay." Nico nodded before looking at his lines. Jason can't help but notice how Nico's voice was so mellifluous even when he said just one word.

Jason was slightly distracted by the fact that he just talked with Nico di Angelo. Does anyone in film industry not know him? Nobody. He was a child prodigy and he's very famous because of his natural talent as an actor. He made the first appearance in a short movie when he was three years old. His career as an actor was greater than anyone at his age.

Jason just simply can't believe his luck. He still read and tried to memorize the lines, but sometimes he caught himself made quick glances at the other boy. Newspapers and interviews didn't exaggerate about Nico's beauty. The boy had such delicate features: porcelain skin, slightly long black hair, dark and sharp eyes, elegant eyelashes, high cheekbones, a straight nose and curved lips. He was dressed in a simple white button-up shirt and dark jeans, with combat boots and an aviator jacket. His body frame was smaller than Jason's, and his boyish features made him look younger than his age: he was looked like a 13 years old boy rather than 16.

"Alright, I'm done." Nico suddenly said when he returned the paper to Jason. "Do I have any line on the other part?"

"Hmm… not really, just two lines." Jason pointed out to him. "Here and there."

"I see. Thank you." Nico smiled. "I'm ready. How about you?"

"You have remembered all your lines already?" Jason widened his eyes.

"Sure. I even memorize yours, too. In case you forget." Nico winked.

"It's about thirty sentences and you just need 10 minutes?!" Jason can't believe whatever thing was happening. "I think it's impossible!"

"Not for me." Nico shrugged. "I used to memorize longer script than that. It's a simple one. But you're a new actor, aren't you? I understand so you don't need to hurry up. Relax and take your time."

"… I'm okay." Jason blinked. "I can start now."

"Good. Don't be too nervous, okay? Take a deep breath and try to be natural. You'll be fine." Nico smiled at the blond again.

"Thank you. I'll do my best."

…

Jason's audition wasn't bad. It wasn't very great either, but he believed that he had done a decent job. He did forget a line and replace it with whichever thought that appeared in his mind at this moment, but thankfully Nico played along with him so well. The judges nodded and clapped their hands together when they finished.

"You did well." Nico told him when they came out of the room for a short break. "They'll choose you, believe me."

"If you say so." Jason smiled. "Can I buy you a coffee? As a thank-you gift for helping me if you don't mind."

"Sure. Black coffee without ice or sugar, just some milk, please."

They walked together to the cafeteria outside the building. When Jason was paying for their coffee, a voice lifted up behind their backs.

"Nico! What are you doing here?"

"Percy. Long time no see." Nico smiled when the black-haired boy hugged him.

Jason blinked at the sudden meeting. Percy…? The name rang a bell, but Jason didn't remember it right now.

"I'm attending the audition for the script-writer position." Percy grinned. "How about you? Main character or lead character? And who is this man?" He nodded at Jason.

"Haven't decided it yet." Nico laughed. "And this is Jason Grace, my partner in the audition. He is a new actor, but he did a quite good job. I think he'll be chosen to be a lead character."

"Hi! Nice to meet you, Jason. I'm Percy Jackson, a script-writer." The green-eyed boy exclaimed when he gave Jason a quick handshake.

"I'm Jason Grace. Nice to meet you too."

Now the blond remembered why the name was so familiar. Percy Jackson, a young and talented script-writer, the one who did wonderful work for at least three billion-dollar movies, two TV series, and four reality shows. Rumour had that he and Nico were good friends, and it seemed that rumour has become true.

"Your coffee." Jason gave Nico a paper cup. The smaller boy nodded.

"Thanks. Hey Percy, are you done with your audition?"

"It's simple. I just need to write a full scene for a given idea. Only took me half of an hour to finish." Percy winked. "I'm done. Wanna go somewhere? Will want to see you, too. He's inside for his own audition."

"Sorry, I can't." Nico looked so apologetic. "Maybe next time. I still need to be the partner with at least twelve attendees."

"Oh, so they invited you here, didn't they?" Percy smiled. "It's okay. We'll meet at a party when they call us to inform that we'll be co-workers in this series. I can't wait for that."

"You're so optimistic."

"And you always underestimate your talent." Percy ruffled Nico's soft hair before turned his head to Jason. "Nice to meet you, Grace. Hope that I can see you again. Better in this series."

"Thank you." Jason nodded. Percy greeted them before he left.

"He's such a dork." Nico giggled when they walked back to the building. "But a talented one, after all."

"Who's Will? Jackson mentioned him before." Jason questioned. Another famous friend of Nico?

"Ah, Will Solace, my and Percy's mutual friend. He is a blond like you, Grace. But he's not an actor because he's so passionate about directing. He wants to be one of the directors of this TV series." Nico answered him. "And he will be. He is a talented one in this field."

"You and your friends are talented people." Jason smiled.

"Wow, thank you." Nico's cheeks had the faintest hint of blush. "But don't let those dorks hear you say that. They'll make you repeat it to them every day."

"I won't." Jason laughed. He didn't even think he can meet them again, or get to know any of them. He was an amateur actor and they're already famous, after all.

…

"Why do you bring my doppelganger in here, Nico di Angelo?" A voice raised behind their backs almost made Jason jump up. Nico's friends had such a strange habit to appear from nowhere.

"Will!" Nico shouted and happily returned the blond's embrace. "I miss you! We haven't had any chance to meet through this summer!"

"I know. It's two months since the last time I saw you. You're still so adorable, Neeks." Will pinched the raven-haired boy. "And who is this blond? Hey, he even has the same blue eyes as me!"

"I'm Jason Grace, nice to meet you." Jason introduced himself. "You're Will Solace, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. Nice to meet you!" Will exclaimed when shook his hand.

"Your eyes are not the same. You have sky blue eyes, while Grace has quite electric blue ones. And your hair is curlier than him Will, with the color of sun-kissed yellow. Grace's hair color is more like golden." Nico commented.

"You're not fun." Will sighed. "Why don't you say that we have different facial features already?"

"That's too obvious. Grace is more handsome than you." Nico giggled.

Jason blushed when Will faked an angry expression. "I can't believe you did this to me! It hurts!"

"Good for you. You shouldn't turn into a narcissistic person like Percy."

"I'll tell him that." Will raised an eyebrow.

"Do as you wish." Nico smiled. "How was your audition?"

"I was as wonderful as ever." Will laughed. Nico stared at him.

"I think I didn't need to warn you about your narcissism. It's too late, you're already as bad as Percy."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Will chuckled. "And how about you, new friend? You attended for which position? Mine is director one."

"Actor, because I don't have the vaguest idea about directing or script-writing." Jason smiled. "I was paired with Nico in a scene. He's a great actor."

"So are you." Nico hissed. "I just have more experience, that's all."

"Don't listen to him." Will winked at Jason. "That kid is called child prodigy for solid reasons. And he always underestimates his talents."

"Jackson did say that." Jason remembered.

"So you have met Percy already?" Will clapped his hands together. "It's good. Now we know each other. Just wait until the celebration party about us being chosen as co-workers for this big project."

"You sound like Percy." Jason commented. Will just laughed.

"I guess I spent too many days with him this summer when Nico was too busy with his own work. Well, he's fun." Will checked his phone. "I gotta go. Something's coming up. See ya!"

"See you later." Nico nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Solace." Jason said to him before the other blond left.

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One week later, Jason got a call. He was chosen to a supporting role for the TV series "Walking in your dreams". The staff told him that they'll have a small party for everyone to have a formal chance to introduce and meet each other. It's on Sunday, and he'll receive the address as soon as possible.

Now Jason felt like he was really walking in a dream.

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End chapter 1.