I apologize in advance for any typos here on out. Enjoy!
SD
Chapter 2
School wasn't her favorite, but it something do. Regina liked the work. She likes learning. That wasn't a popular opinion around here. All anyone at the school cared about popularity and what their favorite celebrities were up to. Regina never had the chance to find her circle yet. She's been in and out of school do much in the past three years, she could never make lasting relationships. So, she hung out with her sister. It wasn't ideal. Zelena and her friends were not people she'd choose to hang out with. But Zelena knew her way around the school pretty well.
Everyone already had their groups. Everyone knew someone. The only person Regina knew was her sister. Zelena could care less about her. She and her friends were currently passing out tickets for the upcoming school dance. Well, Regina is a part of the school newspaper. She knew some people there, but they were already established in the school. If Regina is honest with herself, she trailed Zelena because she was safe. She always knew what she was getting with her sister and her idiot friends.
"Go away Regina. You're not invited." Zelena said. She didn't even look in her direction. She smiles sweetly at another student as she hand them a ticket.
"Everyone's invited. It's an all school dance." Regina points out dumbly.
"The operative word being 'dance'."
Regina rolls her eyes. "No need to worry. I'm only here to do a cover on it for the school paper."
The school dance is taking place the Friday after everyone returns from spring break. The scheduling seems a tad odd to Regina. She didn't care either way. She didn't plan on attending.
"Zel, are planning on taking your camera with you to California?" Zelena's best friend, Abigale asks.
"Duh! What else would be the point in going all the way to California?"
To see our granny maybe?
"Great! Because we still need pictures of Robin Hood for our scrapbook." The girl practically screams. "Pictures of him walking, talking, moving, dancing, singing, breathing."
Scrapbook? Goodness these girls are obsessive. Regina's shock does not fade when Abigale reveals a large scrapbook from underneath the table. Why? Why on earth did they feel the need to make that, let alone carry it with them to school? The book even has pop-up pages. It is surprisingly detailed. If it weren't for its over obsessed subject matter, Regina would be impressed. But it isn't. The high quality craftsmanship only adds to the creepiness of it all.
"Why are you both so hung up on this guy?" Regina speaks, snapping the seniors out of the daze the put themselves in.
"This guy!?" Abigale gasps in disbelief.
"Mm-hmm." It was honest question. She doesn't understand what the big deal is.
"Now do you see what I live with?" Zelena feigns hurt.
"Poor you."
Was she honestly complaining about me? I'm the one that has to put up with her constant blabbering about Robin this and Robin.
"Little sister, when we go to California you can play shuffleboard with Granny, but I am going to meet Robin Hood." Abigale squeals at her sister's words.
"And just how are you planning to do that?" Regina still hadn't gotten an answer to her first question.
"Well, we've mapped out his every move for the past 18 months." Abigail flips to another page in their scrapbook.
Regina feels her eyes jump from her skull. This is way worse than anything she's ever seen her sister and her friend do. It was a pop-up map of the Hollywood area. It had street names and directions to get from his favorite club, to where he performs, where he records his songs, to his favor beach spot.
Why did they need any more pictures? They have this guy's entire life. How could they possibly know where his doctors' offices? How did they know any of this?
"We know when and where he's likely going to be every second of every day." Abi says.
"About the time we leave for Los Angeles, he'll be having his weekly meeting with his managers." Zelena adds dreamily. Both seniors sigh in unison.
This is going to be a long, long trip.
XX
On the other side of the country Robin hood's managers were waiting on said popstar for their weekly meeting just as a high school senior predicted.
"He's late." Claire Locksley strolls into the living room after her husband, who was carrying a cardboard cutout of their son.
"Oh, he'll be here." Edmond waves off.
"You need to manage him better."
"Hello. We both manage him."
"He needs to know opportunities like this don't come every day." Claire insisted.
"He knows. He's not a kid." Edmond reassured.
"What's good mates?" Robin strolls in casually. He wears a t-shirt and swim shorts. An over casual wardrobe for an interview with his managers.
"You're late."
"Sorry mum." He kisses his mom on the cheek, but she doesn't seem in the mood for any of that today. Though it did seem to brighten her mood slightly. Small mercies.
"How are you doing son?" Ed slapped Robin on his back in the way father's do.
"Good." He coughs. "Good, excited." He smiles tightly.
His mother gives him a once over before her frown returns in full force. "Oh Honey, honey, honey. You could a cleaned up a little bit."
"What? I'm totally clean." Robin sniffs at his shift to further prove his point.
"He looks like a street kid, not a movie star." She complains to her husband.
"He looks fine." Ed says. "Just be yourself Robin."
Robert cheats his father grateful smile. Any further conversation is put on hold when the doorbell rings.
"He's here." Claire gasps.
They move together to open the door. Although Robin was playing it cool, he was freaking out on the inside. He really wants this movie deal. He wants to change his image, change his sound. His parents want him to accept another deal for a sappy, cheesy, teen romance movie that has no substance. Robin wants to move away from that kind of stuff. He wants to be taken seriously. And getting this movie deal would help him finally do that. God, he hopes this meeting goes well.
"You've got this champ." His father slaps back once again. "This is your chance at what we've always wanted."
Yeah, what we've always wanted.
"Robert, please come in." His mother let Robert Gold into the house. He's much shorter in person and wait walks with a cane. Yet, somehow it makes him all the more intimidating. His films one high class awards. He had 20 Oscars to his name in his fist 10 years in the industry directing and producing. Gold dresses like it to. In an all black suit, casual yet classy. He carries himself like he's the most important person in the room. And in this room, he is.
"Claire. Edmond." Gold greets his parents. "Beautiful place you have here."
"Oh, actually Robin's. We just kind of work here." The two laugh as they shake hands.
"Robin Hood." Gold brings his attention to Robin. They shake hands.
"Lovely to finally meet in person Mr. Gold." Robin says with more confidence than he has.
"My grandchildren are big fans of yours."
"Wow. That's awesome." Robin smiles Honestly surprised.
They followed Gold as he makes his way further into the home, looking about the décor. Examining Robin feels. There is far too much of Robin Hood everywhere. There was a bloody cardboard cut out of him towards the back of the room for crying out loud! God, he hopes gold doesn't notice.
"Love this." Gold motions towards the large photo series of him shredding on the guitar that hangs above the fireplace. "Rock and roll. Good night Cleveland."
Robin in his parents take a seat on the couch. Gold continues to look at what is on the mantel. Gold has to be doing this as a scare tactic, prolonging the suspense. Letting them squirm a bit.
"Wonderful. We have this album in our house. The kids love this." The director holds up Robin's most recent album. "All right let's get to the point." Gold turn to the family fully. He stands with his legs shoulder length apart. His hand rest atop his cane. Robin nearly regret sitting down. Mr. Gold is far more intimidating this way. He his fate literally looming over him. "I've been watching you Robin and I like what I see."
Robin releases a breath.
"You are a talented kid. He's a talented kid. You sing, you dance, I hope you can act." The question hangs in the air.
"Yeah. Yes sir." Rather nods nervously. He's been working on his acting. He thinks he's good. He hopes he is good.
"Because I like you for this movie."
Yes! Robin did and internal fist bump. His parents were smiling beside him. Wait. Which movie? Robin clears his throat. "You're talking about the teen romance?"
"Yes." Robert Gold said matter of factly. "I am aware Midas contacted you about this roll. It fits your image perfectly."
"Come on son. This is what you've been waiting for." His father squeezes his arm encouragingly.
That's not what he wants though. He wants in the image. This movie would solidify who he is now. No one would be able to see past his image. Robin would never get a serious role ever.
"Mr. Gold, over email you mentioned another role? For a more serious film?" Robin asks. He had to take a chance. He has to try.
"Ah. Yes. Yes." Gold nods. " I'm working on another project about a musician that loses the ability to speak. And through the help of a stranger, he begins to see the world through new eyes and finds his new voice. It's a hard hitting drama. It does not scream Robin hood." Gold says his name sourly. Robert feels his heart seizes. "However, I feel you are just the person I need to play the lead. You'd bring a new perspective to his character."
"Thank you sir." Robin releases the breath he's been holding. "I mean, coming from you, this would be such an honor to… to work with someone-"
"But my people don't necessarily agree with me." Gold halts his excitement. All smiles gone now. "All they see is a spoiled punk who likes to tangle with the paparazzi." The older man reveals the latest issue of OMG Starz magazine. And guess who's on the cover? He'd been doing relatively good lately combo but the proper roads I had no concept for personal space. It wasn't his fault peed what did they expect him to do? Let them break his nose with their cameras?
"Robert," his father stands. "you know how the tabloids are. They manipulate those photos."
"Edmond, I get it. I get it." Gold sits on the coffee table and levels himself with robin. His father sits as well. "Look dearie, all I'm saying is a chance like this comes once in a lifetime, and I want to give you a shout. But you have to prove you are a serious actor." He tosses the magazine on the table beside him. "I need the human behind Robin Hood. I need Robin Locksley."
"How do I do that?" Robin asks seriously. He's been trying to be Robin Locksley for years now.
"Next week I meet with my team, and will try to sell them on you. In the mean time keep your face out of the tabloids, no press good or bad. Do we have a deal?"
"I can do that." Robin readily agrees.
"In fact, stay home." Gold laughs a little, but Robin could see he is being 100% serious. "All right."
The group them stand. His parents are fist to shake his hand. "Thank you sir I appreciate it." Robin and Gold seal the deal.
Stay-at-home. He could do that. He could.. Bloody hell. Marion's birthday. He is supposed to sing tonight. He has to figure something out. Not showing up could be just as bad is going. Think of the press: Birthday Scandal! Teen star Robin hood stands up and girlfriend Marion Taylor on her big day. But Gold just told him to stay home. How would it look if he goes out the same night he gets told to stay in? What is he going to do?
xXx
Ahh! Yay! I'll have more for you soon! Let me know what you think. I hope you've enjoyed! Stay safe!
SD