"Ms Vega?" A young woman appears in the doorway and knocks tentatively. "Ms Vega, they're ready for you on set. Are you ready?"

"Yeah," I say, struggling to get up, "Where's Beck? Are we walking down together?"

"Mr Oliver is already in position," she explains and I frown.

"What?" I gasp, "Am I late?"

"No, no, not at all," she laughs, "But he told the director that he didn't want to see you in your costume until they film that first scene. He wanted his reaction to be real."

"Oh wow," I sigh, "See this is why he's the talented one. He thinks of these things. Have you seen him in his costume though?" She nods impassively and I smirk. "Does he look fit?" I ask, and she smiles.

"Yes," she replies, "He looks really good. But then again, so do you. I think you'll take his breath away."

"Thank you," I grin, "What is your name by the way?"

"Sally," she says, "This is my first big movie."

"Mine too," I share, "We'll learn together. Come on, we should go."

We walk down to the set and Max appears at my side. "Hi, Tori!" he says brightly, "You look absolutely stunning. Okay, this scene is very simple for you. You're just going to walk across the room, arm in arm with Nurse, okay? You look straight across there, do not look at Beck this take please."

"Okay," I nod, "I think I can do that."

"Awesome," he says, bouncing across the room and talking to someone out of sight, "Okay, everybody quiet on set! Lights, Cameras and…Action!"

I walk across the room, laughing quietly with Jane, who is playing Nurse. I don't make eye contact with anyone else until the director calls "Cut!" I glance at Jane, who nods encouragingly at me, and murmurs, "Don't worry, they weren't filming you that time. That take was all about Beck."

"Okay," I nod, "This one is about me though, right?"

"Yes," she agrees.

"Okay, guys that was great!" Max shouts, "Oh, Beck, absolutely gorgeous! Right, Tori, you're going to look over your right shoulder this time and see him for the first time. We want to see the love at first sight, okay?"

"Okay," I nod nervously, "Right shoulder, okay."

"Quiet!" Max shouts, "And action!" Jane and I start walking again, but this time I glance over my right shoulder and I have to catch my breath. Beck looks absolutely striking; his costume is so effective that for a split second, I actually believe he is Romeo. He looks at me like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time and then Jane tugs on my arm and we keep walking. I glance back twice, still taken aback by how amazing Beck looks, and on the third glance I shoot him a coy smile. He grins back at me and then Max shouts, "Cut!"

"Oh my god," I sigh, picking up my skirts and running across the set to where Beck is standing with Max. He hugs me carefully, trying not to dent my costume and says, "You look breath-taking."

"I was about to say the same about you," I laugh, "How was that, Max?"

"That sort of talent can't be taught," he says happily, "I'll do one more shot, but I don't think we're going to get much better than that. I'll show you the clips when we've done this one, but seriously it was absolutely perfect. Better than I dreamt it."

"Okay," Beck grins, "One more take then. I'll talk to you in a bit, Tor."

"Sure," I say, squeezing his arm and hurrying back over to Jane.

"Hang on a moment," Max shouts, "I just need to readjust the lighting!"

"How long have you and Beck been going out?" Jane asks, and I laugh.

"No, no, we're not a couple," I insist, "Beck and I are just friends!"

"But you're so close," she says, "And besides, I saw the way you looked at him just now! You clearly love him!"

"Yeah, I do," I reply, "He's my best friend. But that's it, I swear. Anything else was just acting."

"So the two of you have never hooked up?" she says, "Ever?"

"No, we have," I admit, "But we were drunk, it was just a mistake. He's back with his girlfriend now, and he loves her very much."

"Oh, girlfriend," Jane says, "We'll have to get her out of the picture first."

"No way," I insist, laughing, "She's a friend. I could never do that to her, or to Beck."

"He loves you too," Jane says, ignoring me, "Wait until you see the clip, you'll see it."

"Beck's an outstanding actor," I comment, "Anything I see won't be real."

"You don't get it, do you?" she says, "He asked the director to film this scene first. He insisted that he wouldn't see you before that first take. He did all of those things because he knew that he wouldn't have to act."

"You're being ridiculous," I laugh, "Do you know what scene we're doing next? Or are we actually filming the moment where Romeo and I meet?"

"No, we're not doing that this week. Beck wanted to do the first sight one, but Kyle, who's playing Tybalt, can't get here until next week so we can't actually do the speech for that scene yet. The one they're filming next is a Romeo one," she says, shooting me a glance which shows she has noted my change of subject, "but they need to spend that time prepping you for the balcony scene."

"Okay," I nod, "Is it really gonna take that long?"

"Yes, probably," she chuckles, "Max has the most complicated braid planned. The hair team are baffled."

"Okay everybody!" Max shouts, "Beck, Tori, just the same as last time please!"

We repeat the take and I am surprised to find that I get the same feeling as I look at Beck. My stomach churns and my mouth goes dry, but I still find the sense inside me to repeat my movements from the previous scene, right down to the smile. "And cut!" Max yells, "Utter perfection! I'm speechless! There are no words! Gorgeous! Breath-taking!"

"Well done," Beck says, crossing to my side, "And you must be Jane?"

"Yes," Jane flutters her eyelashes, "It is such a pleasure to meet you. You were outstanding in that last take!"

"Thank you!" he says, but his eyes don't leave me. "Did Max tell you what we're doing next?"

"No, but Jane said that you've got a scene without me next?" I reply, "What are you doing?"

"A scene with Father Laurence and Nurse," he says, "I think it's the scene just before I'm exiled."

"Oh wow," I gape, "So we're already married by that point, or…?"

"Yes," he laughs, "We're already married by that point."

"They're really throwing you in at the deep end, huh?" I tease, "How are you feeling about it?"

"Fine, actually," he says, "I'm happy we did that scene first, I know who Romeo is now."

"Good," I smile, "Well, good luck! I'll see you in a bit; apparently we're doing the balcony scene?"

"Yes," he agrees, "We are. You know your lines?"

"Yeah, I think so," I frown, "I'm gonna run them while I get my hair done."

"Alright for some," he teases, "I'll see you later, Tor. Do you wanna get dinner later and run lines for tomorrow's scenes?"

"Yeah, sounds good," I smile, "But won't Jade mind?"

"She knows this is important to me," he says soothingly, "And to you, although she'd never admit she cares. We're going out on Saturday night."

"Lovely," I reply fondly, "Right, break a leg babe."

He blows me a kiss mockingly and then walks over to Max, while I follow Sally back up to the dressing room. "How was that?" my hairdresser Tina says, "Apparently you were outstanding."

"I dunno," I shrug, "Hopefully it was good. Max seems happy. Do you think I'll get to see what they got?"

"I'll run down right now!" Sally says keenly, "Ask him for you! Oh and Henry and Lilian are outside, may I show them in?"

"Sure," I smile, brushing down my dress. I am nervous to meet my on-screen parents and anxious to make a good impression, but they instantly make me feel at ease. "Tori!" Lilian says, rushing in and embracing me, "A pleasure to meet you, my dear!"

"Nice to meet you," Henry winks, "We just watched your first scene."

"How did I do?" I say anxiously, "Honestly?"

"You were outstanding," Lilian promises, "I couldn't have done it better myself! You and Beck have such on screen chemistry; Max has cast this so excellently. Honestly, Tori, it was fabulous."

"Thank you," I blush, "Are you filming today?"

"No, but we wanted to see you in action," Henry says, "Max was raving about you all weekend; we had to see the two of you at work!"

"We're doing the balcony scene later," I say nervously, "I'm scared."

"Don't be scared," Lilian murmurs, "It's just the two of you in that scene. Just pretend you're back at school, rehearsing with Beck, eh?"

"Okay," I nod, "So when do you actually start filming?"

"Tomorrow," Lilian says, "You and I have a scene with Jane where we're trying to persuade you to marry Paris."

"Who is playing Paris?" I ask, "I don't think I've met him yet."

"No, you won't have," Henry frowns, "He's not arriving until Thursday, he got tied up in Atlanta. You've probably seen him on TV though – Lance White?"

"Lance White?!" I gape, "Lance White is in this?"

"Yeah," Lilian laughs, "He is such an attractive boy."

"He's 30 years old," Henry says, "Hardly a boy, but yes, he is very good looking."

"Not better looking than Beck though," Sally says, winking at me, "Here, Max said you can watch this." I play the tape and the first take comes up. The camera pans across the room, past me, and fall on Beck. He's staring at the screen without looking at the camera, and I can see the look of love in his eyes. He's created the character of Romeo perfectly and I sigh, impressed.

"He's good," Henry comments, "Very clever young actor and he's captured the essence of Romeo. Very, very impressive."

"Is mine on here too?" I ask Sally, who nods, pressing a button, and it starts to play. I like the shot and I think I look like Juliet, but I cringe inwardly – my acting is nowhere near as good as Beck's.

"Incredible," Lilian whispers, "You've brought her to life in one shot, Tori, it's spectacular." I shrug and she laughs, rewinding it slightly. "Look there," she says, "That blush – so innocent and naïve, it's just right. And there, that little smile, like you can't believe you're even seeing him. Really, Tori, it's wonderful."

"Lilian's right," Henry insists, squeezing my shoulders reassuringly, "It was a very good performance. Don't you think for a second that you don't deserve to be here, because you and Beck are about to outperform every single person in this film."

I smile gratefully at them and they leave, so I am alone with Sally and Tina. "Right, Tori," Tina says, "I'm gonna need you to hold still now."

"Sure," I nod, inhaling sharply, "Sally, would you mind running lines with me? This balcony scene is so important; I need to make sure I am word perfect."

"Of course," Sally says brightly, "Where's your script?"

I am standing quietly in a corner of the set, half reading over my script but half watching Max talk animatedly with John and Darryl, who are playing Benvolio and Mercutio. They've just finished filming a scene with Beck – his third scene already - who has rushed off to get changed, so while we wait for him to come back, Max is breaking down their characters.

"Hey," Beck says quietly, and I jump.

"Don't do that!" I hiss, turning to him with a smile, "How are you?"

"Good," he nods, "You?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," I reply, "It took Tina an hour and a half to do my hair, so I'm not looking forward to undoing it tonight, but yeah, I'm good, excited to do this scene."

"Ah, Beck, you're here!" Max says, delight clear on his face, "Tori, are you ready to go? Shall we get you up on that balcony?"

"Sure," I nod, "When do I walk down?"

"Here," he says, pointing to a part on the script, "And you enter here. Okay?"

"Got it," I agree, "Are you filming it in chunks, or are we just gonna run it as one?"

"Just as one this first take," he says, glancing at Beck who nods in approval and shoots me a wink, "We'll see how you and Beck do, and then we'll break it down if necessary." He turns away from me and shouts, "Is Jane in position?"

"Yes," Jane shouts back, showing him a thumbs up, "Ready to go when you are!"

"Okay, Beck," he says, "Whenever you're ready. Quiet on set! And…action!"

Beck starts his monologue and I take care not to look at him or show any recognition of his presence on my face. I listen carefully though, taking pleasure in the lilting rhythm of his words and when he breaks off, I murmur, "Ay me." He gasps as though he has just been given the best gift of his life and says something so quietly I can barely hear him. I manage to hear the end of his speech though and I continue into my monologue.

We act out the whole scene, only interrupted occasionally by Jane's shouts, and then as I make my final exit, as Beck says his final line, silence falls on the set. "Cut," Max says softly, grinning, and then for a while, nobody speaks. I walk down the steps and cross to Beck's side, slipping under his arm, and he asks, "Well? Was that…okay?"

"Have you ever been on a movie set before?" Max asks, "Either of you?"

"A couple," we shrug, "Why?"

"Have you ever – ever – heard silence on a movie set before?" he asks and I frown, before we shake our heads in unison. "Those moments are few and far between," he explains, "and they only happen when some really extraordinary work has been done. Take five, you two. I need to look at how it looks on film."

"Okay," Beck says, pulling a face at me, "Come on, Tor."

We walk away from him, still slightly confused, and sit down in our chairs, where immediately Jane, John and Darryl appear at our sides. "Was that good then?" I ask Jane, who rolls her eyes at John over my head.

"Yes, Victoria," she says, "That was good, if you wanna understate things."

"I think it must be because you're used to doing stage work," Darryl says, shaking his head as if he's been underwater for hours, "I've never seen anything like that on any film set before."

"Okay," Max says, bouncing over, "Guys, that was such great work. I loved it. I just need you to redo it exactly like that, so we can get it from different angles, okay? We're gonna break it down now, so we can get the shots we need."

"Sure," I nod, "We starting with Beck's monologue?"

"Yeah," Max says, "If you could get into position for me?"

Three hours later, we are only halfway through, but Max rings a bell. "Beck, Tori, that's you done for the day. We'll pick this back up again first thing tomorrow, and then Tori, you've got one scene with Lilian and Jane, and then you're both back in school for the afternoon. Okay?"

"Sure thing," I nod, "Thanks Max."

"No," Max says, licking his lips, "Thank you, you were both amazing today."

"Do you want a lift home?" Beck asks, "We're getting dinner at yours, right?"

"Yes please," I smile, "Let me just get changed and I'll meet you downstairs in a bit?"

"Okay," Beck nods, "See ya in a bit!"

"So," I say quietly, "That's what making a movie is like."

"Apparently," Beck laughs, "Max is very excitable, isn't he?"

"Very," I agree, "So what are the boys like? John and Darryl? They seem nice enough."

"Yeah, no they're awesome," Beck says, "I really like them and they're taking this very seriously, really working hard to get inside their characters, which is harder for them than it is for us because there's so much out there on Romeo and Juliet already. Did you meet your on screen parents?"

"Yeah," I reply, "They're called Henry and Lilian and they are so nice. They seem to be very experienced, very honest too. I think I'll learn a lot from them. Who else did you work with today? Oh, Jane obviously, but who's playing Friar Laurence?"

"A man called Sean," he replies, "He's another one who is very experienced, but he didn't break the character the entire time he was on set, so I have no idea what he's actually like. Max called him Father the whole time, like he's way into that Daniel Day Lewis method thing."

"So who have we still got to meet?" I ask, "The Prince?"

"Yes," Beck nods, "Also Tybalt, who is being played by someone called Kyle Harrison, and I haven't met Rosaline yet either, although I don't know if she's actually in it."

"Yeah, Jane said Kyle can't get here until next Monday," I reply, "I don't know about Rosaline, but I'll tell you who else we haven't met yet – Paris. And you'll never guess who's playing him!"

"Lance White," he laughs, "Yeah, I know, Darryl was telling me. He's coming on Thursday, right?"

"Yeah," I say, practically bouncing in my seat, "God, I wonder if he's as gorgeous in person."

"Probably," Beck frowns, "I bet he's a total idiot."

"Hey, you're just jealous," I tease, "You're not the fittest guy on the movie anymore."

"Aren't I?" Beck raises an eyebrow and I blush, laughing.

"No, you are," I reply, "but Lance is a close second. Wow."

"Here we are," he says, jumping out of the car and walking round to open my door, "So what we having, Vega?"

"I don't know," I reply, "What do you want?"