Part 1
"I'll be down in a minute," a deep, but feminine voice called down from the top of the stairs. " I just need to find my other earring."
Seconds later, the woman made her way down, dressed in a short, black cocktail dress, her shoulder length hair whisked up in an updo. Upon reaching the bottom of the steps, she was met by a tall and handsome man.
"Not bad, Krudski. For once, you found a suit to fit that lanky body of yours," she said sarcastically.
"Thanks, I guess. Well, Jake…you look like…totally foxy," he replied knowing how annoyed she got when someone called her that.
"Shut up," hitting him on the chest. "Let's go." They headed out the door and into the crisp and cold air of late winter.
"I hate New York in March. Its' so…so…I don't know…in between," quipped Jake as they got into the waiting limo. "Thank God spring is just around the corner."
Will and Jake had been roommates for four years now and she never failed to say that at least once every few days in the weeks just before the seasons changed. It was usually when they were forced to leave their Manhattan apartment to go to some formal function, dressed in attire not suitable for such weather.
A short time later, they arrived at their destination. The driver opened the door and immediately flashes of light surrounded them.
"Ms. Pratt look this way," a random voice exclaimed.
"Mr. Krudski over here!" another shouted.
She smiled as did Will. "Damn paparazzi," muttered Will without ever letting his grim fade. Arm in arm they made their way through the swarm of photographers and into the building.
Releasing their plastered smiles, Jake declared, "I'll never get used to that. It seems like the flashes get brighter and brighter."
Will chuckled, adding, "All for you Pratt—actress extraordinaire!"
"Whatever. Let's take our seats Mr. I-have-an Oscar-winning screenplay." Laughing heartily, they made their way into the theater and sat in their places.
For the two of them, it was still strange to watch their work on screen. Jake had never expected to follow in her mother's footsteps. Becoming an actress was the last thing Jake intended on doing. But she proved to have the gift—her charade as a boy went on convincingly all through high school. Up until graduation day, everyone thought she was a he. Will conveniently worked the truth into his Valedictorian address.
Will was just as amazed at the film he was watching—he had penned it., his sixth screenplay. He had hit it big his sophomore year at Stanford when he wrote a script based on his life at Rawley. Since then, Will was a hot commodity.
The movie ended and was met by a great response. "Don't sweat it Will. It may be March, but this film will definitely be remembered for next year's awards. You'll see," a reporter friend told him. He turned to Jake, "And you Jacqueline, were marvelous. You just keep on getting better and better." Jake and Will beamed and nodded politely as they did their usual routine with journalists at the premiere after party. By one o'clock, they were exhausted and headed home.
"Man do my feet hurt!" Jake cried as she walked through the door. Taking her heels off she added, "I…just…need…to…get…to bed." She started up the stairs when Will's voice called her back.
"Hey there's some messages on the machine. Might be for you."
Agitated she whined, "Or for you! Will! Leave 'em 'til morning. I'm sleepy!"
He didn't listen. He pressed the Play button and the voice of Bella Banks poured through the machine.
"Jake, where are you? It's after midnight! Just when I thought I would actually get to talk to you, you're not home! N-e-hoo, just calling to say Happy Birthday! I love you! Call me when you get this ok? Tell Will I said hello. Bye!"
"Next new message: 12: 48 am today," the computerized voice of the machine announced.
"Happy Birthday Jake! It's me Scout…if you don't recognize my voice by now then…well I dunno what. But, don't forget… you, me, Will…birthday lunch…Skyrise…noon. All right, see you then. Sweet dreams."
"Jacqueline…it's Mom, of course. Sorry I couldn't make it back for your birthday. You're present should arrive by this afternoon. I hope you like it. I love you honey. Happy Birthday."
"As usual," declared Jake, with a bit of sarcasm, though she had a broad smile across her face. Her expression altered, however, when she heard the next message. A familiar, but long-heard-from voice expelled from the tape.
"Hey Will. Hi Jake. It's me…Hamilton. It's been awhile huh? Well, uhh…just wanted to congratulate you guys on your new picture. I heard it's great. So…I just wanted to tell you that…umm…I'm going to New York in couple of days. So…hopefully I'll see you guys. I guess that's all. Oh and Happy Birthday Jake."
Jake, who had made her way to the machine and Will stood in shock and silence. They made eye contact and he immediately knew what she was thinking.
"Jake, talk to me." She stared back at him still not saying anything. "Are you okay?" he inquired taking hold of her arms.
"What do you think? How about NO!" she yelled. She made her way to the sofa and plopped down, flipping on the lamp next to her. Will came and sat on a chair directly across from her. He waited for her to speak. He knew she had some steam to blow.
"Don't hear from the guy in two years and all of a sudden…Hi guys…new picture…heard good things…I'm coming back…Happy Birthday!" she said angrily.
Nodding in agreement, "I know Jake. I know."
"I mean hello? We've done tons of stuff these past couple of years and I've had birthdays! He didn't call then so why now?" She stopped momentarily. "You know, call up the girl you decided not to marry a week before the big day and not expect her to be…to be…" Jake was at a loss for words, but Will understood. She was crying now. Her sobs were soft yet unrelenting. He got up and knelt in front of her, letting her head rest on his shoulder. In two years, he had never seen Jake cry—with the exception of on screen. The last time she had was day Hamilton left. That seemed like ages ago. While Jake hadn't spoken to him in two years, Will had. They always steered clear of discussing what had happened. Hamilton didn't talk about Jake and Jake didn't talk about Hamilton. It was just the way things were.
After a while, she managed to calm herself down and asked aloud, "Why am I reacting like this? It's been two fucking years for crying out loud!" She sensed the irony in her last words, which caused them to laugh a bit.
Picking her head up, Will wiped the tears from her face and stroke the side of her face gently. He took her hands and stood up, she following his lead. They walked towards the staircase. Though she didn't want to admit it, she knew that it was true. She was so unnerved by his call because well…she wasn't over it. Or him for that matter. "Get a hold of yourself Jacqueline," she expressed quietly.
In silence, she and Will made it up the stairs. They reached the door to her room when he vocalized what was running though his mind.
"Get some rest. In the morning we'll go out. Do something to get your mind off this." He kissed her forehead and started across the hall to his room. Suddenly, he stopped and spun around to face her.
"Hey Jake."
"Yeah?"
"Happy Birthday."
Jake smiling, "Thanks. Love ya Krudski. Night." With that she disappeared into her room and shut the door.
Will stood there, staring at the door and whispered, "I love you Jake."