"You know some security guards are just so dumb" I said walking up behind Aylin which startled her a little, "whoa! How'd you get on set?"
"I managed to pass off for a stunt guy"
"But there are no stunts in this scene"
"Exactly" I said with a proud smile feeling smart for managing to trick my way past security almost effortlessly, but Aylin didn't seem to care too much she instead just turned her attention back to the front. The both of us stood behind a set of filming cameras together with a bunch of other people whom were obviously the crew members. A small group of people were gathered in front of a panel of tv screens not too far away from where I stood, out of which only 2 men were seated on the iconic chairs that only the cast and directors received. As the scene came to an end one of the 2 men called out a loud "cut" before the cameras stopped recording and the scene actors broke their characters, "everyone take a short break and we'll move to scene 69 in a bit". Taking a deep breath Aylin walked past me towards a set of chairs without saying a word, I followed her assuming she was nervous by the way she was acting.
"You ok?" I asked getting a nod from Aylin in return
"Sure you're not nervous or anything?"
"What? Nervous? Me? Don't be silly" Aylin replied with a mocking tone taking a sip of water, "I've done this a thousand times, nothing to be nervous about". I love Aylin's sense of confidence, it's just amazing how this girl is so headstrong in anything she does making her unstoppable; but I think she was still a little nervous despite what she said. Claiming to be in the next scene Aylin gave the script she held in her hand another read just in time before the director called for the next scene's actors. "Break a leg" I wished putting my thumb up and got a smile from Aylin in return before she made her way over to the director. I shifted back to spot I was standing at earlier which had a clear view of everything, perfect to see Aylin in action. I watched as she and a few other actors have a small discussion with the director, about the upcoming scene I'm sure before proceeding to get into character. Aylin gave me another look and I supportively flashed my thumb again with a smile, I knew she was going to do just fine.
Eventually the director yelled "action" and a luminous red light in a corner came on, I didn't notice it earlier but it was to indicate that the camera is rolling thus requesting silence on set; but that obviously doesn't apply to the actors on camera. Crossing my arms I payed all my attention to Aylin not really caring about the rest, waiting for her line. Without any warning I suddenly get yanked by my collar by someone from behind me, "whoa whoa whoa" I began to object but that person shushed me pulling me to a corner. "What the hell!?" I exclaimed but not too loud to disrupt the ongoing taping as I adjusted my shirt. "Hi, I'm so so sorry stranger man but I really really am desperate for a scene parter to rehearse this. Please please please practice this with me" the person that dragged me who happened to be a woman, began pleading holding a script up to me. She must've been only about 20 or 21 so it felt weird to think of her as a woman, I guess lady or girl was more suiting… I think? I took a quick moment to notice her features, she had lengthy brunette hair spotting a slim figure ideal for an actress and she was kinda beautiful. Anyways I agreed to help her, since she already dragged me away separately; and maybe also because she was too pretty for me to deny.
"Well it's nothing really" the stranger girl said in her character after a deep breath. She seemed like a completely different person from herself a couple seconds ago, I must say that was some pretty good acting. "Trust me that's not nothing" I read my line trying to make it believable as what I though was happening in the script. The script consisted lines of two characters, Jessie and Drew; and clearly I was playing Drew. As we continued further in the scene I noticed 'Jessie' was stepping closer to me, it was subtle but I noticed it. However I didn't object it and just focused on reading my lines while trying to keep eye contact with her since the scene describes the actors are facing each other.
"You know you're not all that bad yourself"
"Who's saying I'm bad?" she asked with chuckle just like printed on the script
"Well it was nice meeting you Drew"
"Pleasure's mine"
The next line read 'Jessie kisses Drew in a short but sweet kiss', those words played around in my mind for a moment before making sense, but was she going to kiss me? I looked her in the eyes, waiting for her to make a move. Was she going to keep in character and initiate the kiss or not? I'll be honest, half of me kinda wanted it for some reason and I really felt like she was going to kiss me but, she didn't. "Well… uh… thanks for the help" she said before walking off abruptly before I could say anything back to her. I licked my lips impulsively watching her walk away, I didn't exactly have a reason but I wanted to stop her, ask for her name or something but my phone buzzed stealing my attention away; it was Michael, a text from him. Though the text arrived in the name of a 'awesome sexy guy' I knew it was Michael, he must have changed his name in the contacts of my phone probably when I left it lying around. "Going to the gym today? Need to work on my babies" the text read and Michael used the flexed bicep emoticon next to the word babies. Not in a hurry to reply I look around for that girl but she's insight no longer. I sighed running a hand through my hair, but in the direction it's combed so it doesn't get messed up. I composed a quick reply and sent it to Michael arranging to meet him later in the evening to hit the gym together. Still feeling a little… umm… well I wasn't even sure how I felt but I just returned back to watch Aylin.
"So what do you think?" Aylin asked as we both made our ways off set heading for the parking lot
"You did awesome"
"Oh you always say that!" I get smacked on the back by Aylin but not strong enough to hurt
"Hey it's not my fault if you did a good job I will not be blamed for it" I said as we both laughed. Glancing at my phone I saw the time before asking what were her plans next for the day, she said she would heading to the mall later on but her next destination was home so I offered her a ride. Throughout the entire journey Aylin kept poking fun at me for using GPS navigation on my phone to get around places I have already been to a couple times like her house, clearly she doesn't know how easy it is to get lost in this big city. She also managed to squeeze in what's been going on with her lately in between which was nice since we haven't caught up with each other in some time. Conversing with her helped pass the time and soon we arrived at her place, with a goodbye wave and a thanks for the lift she alighted. I looked at the time again and decided I had just about enough of it to head back home to pick up Michael then the gym.
"OK OK I'M COMING!" Michael yelled annoyed as he got in the car, throwing both our gym bags into the back seat. "I texted you I was on my way get ready and you seriously wait till I arrive before you get ready?"
"Whatever man" he said carelessly turning his attention to his cellphone, texting someone. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind but I held back soon as I see his hand. Whatever frustration I had on Michael vanished, when I saw the scars on his wrists despite the bracelets he had on. I swallowed a lump in my throat, along with whatever I wanted to say; it didn't matter anymore. Michael was completely oblivious to my mood change, he still spotted a slight frown occupied with his phone. Managing to find a spot to park not too far from the gym we didn't have to walk far to get to it, Michael was already in his workout clothes but I had to go change and my roommate was nice enough to pack my workout clothes in my bag.
While switching apparels in locker room my mind was preoccupied with Michael and how to talk to him about it. I had to confront the boy soon to avoid a repeat of the self harm act, but it wasn't as easy as said. Once in more comfortable clothes more appropriate to pump some iron, I joined Michael back at the free weights area. "Bro check it, I'm lifting the heaviest I've ever lifted" Michael said lifting a set of dumbbells facing the mirror spotting his classic smirk. I picked up a set of dumbbells for myself and joined him standing close by, trying to figure how to bring that topic up. Meanwhile though Michael stroke up a conversation of his own, "how's your knee? Still bleeding?"
"No it's better now, hope it doesn't leave a scar though" I said those words without thinking about it, but only after saying it I realized I wouldn't have a better time to confront my roommate. "Speaking of scars, did you fall down also or something?"
"Huh?" Michael asked with an expression on his face saying he completely didn't get me
"Well I noticed you had some scars on your wrist… how'd you get them…". Total silence. He said nothing. I looked at his reflection in the mirror, waiting for a reply while still lifting but not a single word from him. Instead he set the dumbbells away and walked off, as though I didn't exist, and got on the bench press machine and began using that. I wasn't going to let him just walk away though, I don't think so! I set my dumbbells away and followed him, "dude I asked you a question" but Michael ignored me continuing his workout.
"Dude, I'm talking to you" I raised my voice a little trying to emphasize that I expected a reply from him
"Well I'm not" he said, his tone dripping with arrogance. I stared at him silenced by his quip, not really knowing what to say. Shortly after I was watching Michael walking out the exit, me completely dumbfounded by his actions.