Chapter 8

"I look ridiculous." Alex groaned as he emerged from his dressing room bathroom. He and Leslie were changing into their wardrobe before starting shooting.

"Oh stop your complaining, it can't be that bad…oh my god." Leslie said as she turned around and saw Alex's outfit. He was wearing a short sleeved plaid shirt tucked into khaki shorts with suspenders holding them up. He had high socks on and flip flops. His hair was gelled back and he was wearing glasses with tape holding them together.

"Don't laugh at me!" Alex said, trying to contain his laughter. He and Leslie had spent the afternoon together and had been getting along. "What is this supposed to prove anyway?"

"That the popular pretty girl can fall in love with the geek." Leslie smiled, snapping his suspender. "You're really pulling the look off though."

"Haha, very funny." Alex grinned. "At least you look good."

"Yeah, it's not too shabby I suppose." Leslie smirked, admiring her yellow sundress, cowboy boots, and curly brown hair. "We should probably get out there, get this all over with."

"I better get into character," Alex smiled as he hiked up his shorts and started to walk out the door.

"Let's go Mr. Wolff!" Leslie exclaimed, jumping up on Alex's back as he headed out on set.

"Alex!" Juanita yelled as Leslie and Alex made their way on set. Juanita was sitting in the first row of the fake audience. When Alex saw his girlfriend, Leslie immediately jumped off his back and backed away innocently.

"Oh…hey babe," Alex smiled, greeting Juanita with a kiss on the cheek. "I forgot you were stopping by."

"Yeah, clearly." Juanita muttered.

"Alex, we're about ready to start." Leslie called from the stage.

"I better get up there, thanks for coming." Alex grinned, hopping back on stage and playfully pushing Leslie. Nat and the boys got on stage, joining Kristina, Rosalina, and Luke, who were sitting waiting to shoot. Nat glanced over at Rosalina and started to walk her way.

"Hey Nat buddy," Luke jumped up from where he was sitting with the girls and putting his arm around Nat's shoulders, turning him the other way. "Let's hear that new song of yours."

"Huh? What are you talking about dude?" Nat asked confused, as Luke led him towards the piano. Luke leaned over his shoulder and gave a thumbs up to Rosalina.

"I've gotta say Kris, your boy is a keeper." Rosalina smiled, leaning up against her best friend. "I love him sometimes."

"I love him all the time." Kristina grinned. "Remember when we said we'd tell each other when we were about to…well you know."

"Kris, are you and Luke…did you guys do it?" Rosalina whispered. "Oh my god, did I interrupt last night?"

"No you didn't…okay well kind of." Kristina blushed. "We're spending the night together for Valentine's Day and Luke said he's going to make it perfect. I just wanted to tell you, in case it happens."

"As long as you're happy and ready, I'm happy for you boo." Rosalina smiled. "Just be careful, alright."

"You too, be careful you don't let your heart break, okay?" Kristina told her as she noticed Rosalina looking over at Nat. "You can't avoid him forever, you love him way too much for that."

"I know," Rosalina said. "I'm just waiting for the right time."

"Alright guys, let's get ready to start shooting, get off stage Luke." Cooper laughed as Luke was playing around with Kristina's bass. Luke smiled before pecking his girlfriend's cheek and jumping off to join Patty and Cooper backstage.

Later that day…

After the band had shot all of their scenes, they were free to leave. But Alex and Leslie still had a long night ahead of them. As they were waiting for the crew to set up the classroom scene for their next scenes, Patty encouraged Alex and Leslie to grab some food down the street at the diner.

"I don't think it's healthy to drink two milkshakes in one day." Leslie laughed as Alex sucked down a chocolate milkshake across the table from her.

"Hey, I had a lemon lime soda addiction as a child, my body can take it." Alex smiled. "You ready for the scenes? I have a feeling it's going to be a long night."

"I couldn't think of a better way to spend my Friday night!" Leslie winked. "At least I don't have a big Valentine's date tomorrow to get ready for."

"Now I find that shocking!" Alex said. "How does a pretty, funny, talented girl like you not have a boyfriend?"

"Just hasn't happened for me yet." Leslie forced a smile. "What about you big guy? I'm sure a rock star like you has girls all over him."

"Well that is true, but there's only one girl for me." Alex grinned. "Juanita…who I totally ditched after we finished shooting. Crap! I better call her and apologize."

"Haha go make things right," Leslie said. Alex gave her a quick hug and headed back to the bathrooms to make a call.

Just outside, "Blueberry Cotton," started to ring from Juanita hoodie pocket as she stood behind a tree outside the diner. She hadn't been spying on Alex and Leslie, okay, maybe a little. She was just concerned that her boyfriend was getting a little too close to his costar. After seeing Alex hug Leslie, Juanita started to walk away upset. She reluctantly pulled her phone out of her pocket and pushed the answer button.

"Hello?" Juanita said quietly.

"Hey babe, I'm so sorry. I totally forgot you were still at the studio when I left. Patty was just pushing me and Leslie to get out of the way." Alex apologized.

"It's fine Al, listen, I'm headed to the park for a bit. Talk to you tomorrow." Juanita hung up quickly and instead of heading to the park, she headed in a different direction back towards the studio.