-Rooney?
Rooney froze in the middle of her hotel room. She didn't need to hear the low, soft voice speaking the following words to know exactly who was knocking on her door.
-It's Cate.
Rooney did not seem to be able to move. There she was, completely still and also completely naked in the middle of her hotel room with Cate Blanchett knocking on her door.
-Are you sleeping?
-No, no, just give me one second.
Rooney moved incredibly fast, taking the towel off the bed and quickly putting on her pyjamas. She walked to the door and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down before opening the door.
Cate was standing in front of the door, in her pyjamas as well, with no makeup on at all. Rooney remembered watching some of her interviews, where she always joked about how she only looked stunning on red carpets and how she absolutely did not look that way when she was not working. But as she gave her a big smile, the girl thought this was the most beautiful she'd ever been.
-So sorry for bothering you, but I heard the water running a little while ago and I figured you were probably still up.
-Yeah, yeah, I was not sleeping. I just got out of the shower, actually.
-So I see, said Cate with a little chuckle and Rooney realised that her hair was still really wet.
-Um, yeah, she said smiling and blushing a little.
-But you shouldn't go to bed this way, you might catch a cold with your hair all wet like that, said the woman running her fingers through Rooney's hair, making her shiver for some inexplicable reason.
-I-I'll dry it. Would you like to come in?
Cate flashed her another smile.
-I would. I brought you your scarf actually, I accidentally put it in my bag when we finished, she said while walking into the room and handing Rooney her scarf, which she was holding.
-Oh, thank you. I didn't even realise.
-Don't worry, I won't stay long, you're probably tired. Do you have anything we can drink?
-Oh, actually, I think I have some wine. You can sit there, by the window, the view is pretty great and I'll bring the wine.
-Don't you want to dry your hair first? I could help.
Rooney was very glad she had her back turned to Cate, because her face froze for a few seconds and she blurted out her answer without really thinking about it.
-No, no, it's fine, I'll do it later, you don't have to, she said turning towards Cate.
-Miss Belivet, you're supposed to say yes to everything I suggest! she said in a mockingly upset tone, even though she was smiling.
Rooney chuckled and looking at Cate's smile, she thought that even if she suggested that she jumped out of the window right now, she probably would.
-Maybe you phrased it wrong, Mrs Aird, she said playing along.
-Ah, of course, said Cate and quickly got up from the armchair in which she had sat and walked to where Rooney was standing. She cupped the girl's face in her hands and looked into her eyes intensely. Their faces were incredibly close. Rooney worried that she might faint but she tried not to let it show.
-Therese, I wonder if you might want to pour us two glasses of wine. Would you?
-Yes. Yes, I would, said Rooney trying very hard to suppress a laugh.
Cate let go of Rooney's face and gave her a small smile.
-Well. That's that, she said and laughed, breaking character.
Rooney turned and poured wine in two glasses and then went to sit opposite Cate in an armchair by the window.
-Thank you. I thought Carol would be more interested in the wine than the blow-drying. No offence.
-None taken, said Rooney smiling.
They sat in silence for a while. Rooney noticed that even though she was usually comfortable only with people she knew very well, Cate made her feel really relaxed. Even the silence between them was a comfortable one. They kind of balanced each other out, as Rooney had noticed that Cate rarely let silence fall for too long and was really comfortable among people. Rooney was kind of the opposite. She never spoke more than she needed to and usually prefered to be alone. But, no matter how comfortable she was with her, once she felt Cate's eyes fixed upon her, she felt herself blush and felt a need to break the silence.
-Do you mind if I smoke?
-Of course not, it's your room. And, actually, could I have one as well?
Rooney took out another cigarette and she gave it to Cate. She leaned a bit closer to light it for her, and even though she never looked away from the little flame, she could feel that Cate's eyes were still on her.
-So, said Cate before bringing the cigarette to her lips, how come you're awake at this time?
-Well, I actually got back here a bit late.
-How come?
Rooney wondered whether or not she should tell her about her fight with Charlie. A little voice was saying "no, it's personal, and why should she care anyway?" but Rooney chose to listen to the other little voice who seemed to believe that it would be a good thing for Cate to know that she would probably be single in a while.
-I felt like I needed to walk a bit, think some things over...I had a fight with my boyfriend on the phone and I'm pretty sure he's going to be my ex-boyfriend in a while, she said the last sentence avoiding Cate's eyes but as she finished she couldn't resist looking at her to see her reaction. To her surprise, she looked as though she was trying to suppress a smile, but her eyes were serious.
-I'm sorry. But hey, if that's what you want, I don't think you should feel bad about it.
-Why are you assuming that I am going to break up with him?
-Well, he can't break up with you. You're an angel, flung out of space. Rare breed, she said with a smile and then winked playfully.
Rooney blushed and drank some wine in order to give her heart some time to get back to beating regularly. If someone didn't know them and was listening to this conversation, he would've thought that Cate was flirting with her, but as far as she knew Cate, Rooney knew this wasn't the case. She spoke like this with many people, so Rooney knew this wasn't a special treatment.
-Thank you, I guess, said Rooney, smiling.
-So, you're breaking up with your boyfriend, said Cate with a tone that made it seem like she needed a definite answer form Rooney on whether she was really going to be single.
-Yes, said Rooney and she realised that this was the first time she was voicing a decision on the matter.
-Is Therese to blame? Is your life imitating your art? said Cate with a smile.
-Maybe it is, said Rooney laughing. However, she wanted to add "although, for my life to imitate my art properly, I think we should also have sex", but she managed to not say it out loud.
-They say that's not healthy, but maybe it could be good for you.
Cate looked genuinely happy. Rooney wondered why. Of course, she was not particularly sad for the breakup herself, but was that the reaction that people usually had?
-I guess we'll see. At least it's just me imitating Therese and you're not imitating Carol, divorcing your husband and all.
As soon as she'd said that, she could see it had been the wrong thing to say. Cate's eyes had not left her face all this time and she had a smile on her lips but as soon as she heard these words, her body stiffened, her smile disappeared and she quickly turned her head to look outside the window. Even though she could not see her eyes, Rooney could see that for the first time that night, actually, for the first time since Rooney had known her, Cate looked extremely sad. Rooney instantly hated herself for making the woman be that way, but as she was ready to change the subject entirely, something dawned on her. She had selfishly wanted to see the vulnerable side of Cate for a long time. All the times they'd been together, she had always been (or had always seemed to be) happy, talkative ad funny. The only times she'd seen her sad was in movies, but it was not real. This moment right there, this side of Cate was a vulnerable one. A sad one. This moment was a real one, it wasn't a moment that anyone could've shared with Cate, it was a moment that only Rooney was now sharing with her. But she did feel a little guilty for bringing it up.
-I'm sorry, I didn't want to-
-No, no, it's fine, said Cate turning her eyes to Rooney again and smiling, although the smile did not reach her eyes. Moment gone.
-More wine? said the girl in an attempt to start another conversation.
-Are you trying to get me drunk, Rooney?
-Maybe, said Rooney getting up and Cate laughed.
-So, why did you say yes to the movie? asked Cate while Rooney brought the bottle of wine to where they were sitting.
-Would you prefer it if I hadn't? joked Rooney and Cate laughed again.
-No. I'm just curious.
-Well, you were one of the main reasons, said Rooney while filling their glasses again and never lookig Cate in the eyes.
-Is that so?
-Yeah, I mean, I've looked up to you since I was thirteen.
-Okay, Rooney, I know you're much younger but don't rub it in! said Cate in a fake angry tone, which made the girl chuckle.
-And the book is wonderful and so is the script. It's a great love story. And our characters are interesting, to say the least.
-Mm. Don't you get the feeling though that they're both quite isolated? In their own little worlds. Until they meet, of course. That's why I think our scenes with Kyle and Jake are going to be more difficult than the ones we have together. You know, with them, we're restrained but then we get together and we finally get to-
-Have sex, said Rooney before she could stop herself and immediately blushed, even though Cate started laughing.
-I was going for something more subtle, but ok.
-I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have suggested the refill.
-Oh, I don't mind. But should I dare ask what your favorite part is or will the answer be quite inappropriate?
Rooney laughed and took some time before answering.
-Actually, it's the tunnel scene, I think. You know, when Therese is thinking that she wouldn't mind dying at that moment, because her body would be found next to Carol's. The way Highsmith writes it, it's truly brilliant. And it kind of reminds me of a lyric of one of my favorite songs.
-Which song? said Cate, now quite serious and listening to her intently.
Rooney made the mistake of looking directly into her eyes and got lost in them. She answered a few seconds later, but she felt like minutes had passed.
-"There is a light that never goes out", by The Smiths. Do you know it?
-No. What does the lyric say?
-Well, the lyric is-
-Sing it, said Cate in an almost commanding tone.
Rooney was sure that if it weren't for the wine, she would've never done it, she never sang in front of other people but she sang this time, even that little bit.
-"To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die", she sang in a small voice and Cate smiled.
-It really is beautiful.
They looked at each other in silence for a while and then Cate turned her eyes to the clock on the wall.
-Oh, Gosh, it got so late! And we have to wake up very early tomorrow. I'm really sorry I kept you up.
-No, no, don't apologize, I had a great time.
-Me too, Rooney. But we both have to sleep now. Goodnight.
The two women got up and walked to the door. Cate flashed Rooney a smile before getting out of the room and as the girl was closing the door, she heard someone singing in a low voice:
"And if a ten-ton truck kills the both of us
To die by your side, well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine".
She opened the door again and saw Cate getting into her room, which was next to hers. Cate gave her an innocent look.
-Something wrong?
-I thought you didn't know the song, said Rooney confused.
-I do. I just wanted to hear you sing it.
And before Rooney could answer, Cate had closed the door behind her.
Notes: Thank you all very, very much for reading and for leaving reviews! I tried to update as quickly as possible and tried to make it a bigger chapter than the first one, but the next one might take some time. I really hope you'll like this chapter, I loved writing it. Tell me what you think, I really appreciate your reviews! Thanks again for reading! :)