They decide to rent a car and drive from Portland to New York since the appearance of them together on an airplane would probably cause quite a stir. They enjoy the time together in the car, trying to find obscure places to stop along the way for food and bathroom breaks. He is just happy to be holding her hand over the center console as he drives and she navigates.
The closer they get to Skylar's house, the more nervous she becomes, "What if they don't like me?" she worries.
"Trust me, it will be fine," he assures her as they pull up to his childhood home in a quaint suburb in Rockland County. They climb out of the car and he reaches for her hand as they mount the steps and ring the doorbell.
A younger looking girl with brunette hair flings open the door, "Oh my God, Sky!" she exclaims, "She's real! I can't believe Anna Kendrick is actually dating my big brother and staying at our house!"
"Anna, this is my sister, Brielle," Skylar introduces.
Brielle pulls Anna into the house by her hands, examining her carefully, "You're even prettier in person, and so tiny! Milan, Jace, you gotta get down here!" she shouts up the stairs.
"Sorry," Skylar mouths to Anna, who smiles nervously.
There's a sound of feet shuffling, and then two guys arrive in the foyer. They both resemble Skylar, though one is taller and one is shorter than him. "This is Milan," Skylar says, gesturing to the taller one, "And this is Jace. Guys, this is Anna."
Jace looks her over, looking mildly impressed, "Dude," he said, "I thought you made her up. It's so unfair that you always date such hot women."
"Yeah really," Milan agrees.
Anna bites her lip, since the guys are obviously referring to Camp. But before she can say anything, a woman enters the room. "Ah, there's my baby, finally home for a visit! And you must be Anna," she says, hugging her.
"It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Lipstein," Anna says politely.
"Pish-posh, call me Meryl," Skylar's mother replies. "Please, come in! Barry should be back any minute. I sent him out for groceries."
"Yeah, because you were obsessing over what Anna might like or not like, so you made everything under the sun for dinner," Brielle says, shaking her head, and her brothers all laugh.
"I like everything, don't worry," Anna tells her, and Skylar squeezes her hand.
"You want to see Sky's room?" Brielle asks. "It's a nerd haven," she adds, and Skylar shoots her a warning glance.
"I'd love to," Anna laughs, following the girl up the stairs.
"You'll learn to ignore Brie," Skylar tells Anna, "Everyone else does."
Brielle flings open one of the doors to reveal a room covered with posters of various Broadway shows, bands, and movies. He has a variety of awards on display, which upon closer examination are all related to drama and singing. It's exactly how Anna pictured his room would look.
"I'll let you two get ready for dinner," Brielle says, closing the door behind them.
Skylar sighs, taking Anna's hands in his. "Sorry about that, they come on a little strong," he apologizes.
"They're great, don't worry," she smiles reassuringly, and he kisses her.
"Wow," he grins widely at her, "Anna Kendrick is in my bedroom. I'm the envy of every man in America."
She rolls her eyes, but is smiling, "Uh huh, yeah right." She raises her eyebrows before saying, "Hey, what about Europe and Asia?"
He laughs, pulling her closer to him and kissing her softly. "Seriously though," he whispers into the shell of her ear, causing her to shiver, "I'm so happy you're here."
"Me too," she replies, leaning into his embrace.
She meets Skylar's father Barry downstairs as they sit down to dinner, and Brielle wasn't kidding, Meryl really has made everything. Everyone talks animatedly during dinner, telling stories about Skylar's childhood and teasing him mercilessly. His face is beet red and he covers his face in his hands as they share a story about how he had to wear tights in his middle school play and prance around the stage singing.
"Aww," Anna says sympathetically, rubbing his back as she smiles at him fondly. She shares a few embarrassing stories of her own to even the score, and the Lipsteins are all laughing when she finishes.
"So Anna," Brielle interjects when everyone is happily munching on dessert, "If you marry my brother will your last name be Astin or Lipstein?"
A silence falls over the table, Meryl's cake-filled fork poised in midair as she gapes at her daughter.
"Brie," Skylar mutters, shaking his head.
Anna doesn't miss a beat as she replies, "I'd take whatever name he wanted me to have."
Skylar reaches for her hand under the table, his way of thanking her silently as Barry changes the subject to something far less awkward. When the meal is complete, everyone stands to clear the table. "I'll be right back," Anna tells Skylar, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading upstairs for a bathroom break.
"So," Meryl says to her son as she stands at the kitchen sink washing dishes. "She's lovely, son."
"Yes, she is," he replies fondly.
"But I'm wondering if you two are moving too fast. Talking about marriage already?" Meryl questions.
"Mom, Brie brought that up. And yes, Anna and I have discussed it casually to see if our visions of the future align, but that's it," he explains.
"She loves you," Meryl says with absolute certainty, "I can tell the way she looks at you. And you two are so in tune with each other. I never got that when you were with the other Anna. I've never seen you this happy before."
"Really?" Skylar asks.
"Really," Meryl replies. "She's special, that one. I just worry about you because it's my job as a mother to worry about her son. And I know that you know that things aren't always going to be easy, but if you find real love, you do whatever it takes to hold onto it."
Skylar gives his mother a kiss on the cheek as he grabs a towel to dry the dishes. "Thanks mom."
"So, do they approve?" Anna asks him later when they're alone in bed in his room.
"Yes," he smiles at her, kissing her nose, "As usual, everyone loves you."
She grins mischievously, straddling his hips, "Prove it, mister."
He doesn't need to be told twice.
The rest of the visit they spend meeting his childhood friends, hanging out at the house, and just enjoying the time together. On New Year's Eve she brings him as her date to a swanky New York City party filled with A-list celebrities, and she seems to know everyone. She proudly introduces him as her boyfriend, and his insecurities fade, at least for the evening.
"I can't believe you and Tom Hanks are on a first name basis," he whispers in her ear as Tom and his wife Rita walk away from them.
She smiles, whispering back, "Surreal, isn't it?"
He gives her a long kiss goodbye when she leaves a few days later, first bound for Los Angeles and then Seattle to film her next movie. They don't see each other for two months, as Ground Floor resumes shooting and her schedule doesn't allow her to fly back into town. They call and text constantly, and he misses her so much it actually hurts. But they're both so busy that neither one of them can do anything about it.
It's a weekend in early March, and Skylar heads to a coffeehouse near to his place in the city. He's sitting at a table, sipping the hot beverage alone when he hears someone approach him from behind.
"Skylar?" he turns and sees Camp standing there.
"Hey," he greets awkwardly.
"Mind if I join you?" she asks, pointing to the chair opposite him.
When he doesn't say anything right away, she sits down. "So, how've you been?"
"Great," he replies with as much enthusiasm as he can muster. Only, he isn't great, he's miserable. The love of his life is hundreds of miles away, and he hasn't seen her in months. His entire body aches for her.
"How are things going with Anna?" she asks.
"Anna's amazing," he replies instantly.
"Yes, amazingly busy," Camp corrects, and he frowns. "Look Skylar, I care about you. I always will. But I'm worried for you. Kendrick is an A-lister, and we're not. She's in the big leagues, and she doesn't have time for you. Look at us, Skylar. We're both in television; we have the same schedules, the same social crowd, and the same interests. You could be so much happier with me."
"I am happy with Anna Kendrick," he interrupts, "And you and I tried for two years to be happy together, and something was always missing for me. I'm sorry, but I really think you should leave."
"Have it your way," Camp replies, "Be miserable and alone if you want. You still have my number if you ever change your mind."
That night, he doesn't hear from Anna. Some nights she films late into the night, and he ends up falling asleep waiting for her call. When the phone rings the next morning, he's groggy still when he answers.
"Hi," she says softly, "Sorry I missed you last night. We didn't stop until midnight, and I wasn't sure if you'd still be awake."
"It's ok," he replies, but something sounds off in his voice.
"What's wrong?" she inquires.
"I ran into Camp yesterday at the coffeehouse," he explains, "And it was just…weird. And she said all of these stupid things that for some reason I can't shake."
"What did she say?" Anna asks, trying not to become upset at the idea of him with his ex-girlfriend.
"That I'd be better off with her instead of you. That she and I are more compatible because we're both in television, that you're still way out of my league and I'm only kidding myself in thinking it can work," he blurts.
"I see," she says quietly, "And do you agree with her?"
"I told you I thought what she said was stupid," he answers.
"Yes, but it doesn't sound like you really think that," she argues. "Just be honest with me, Sky."
Her use of his nickname almost breaks his resolve, but he needs to let this out, "Honestly? Lately I've been thinking that it might be more than I can handle. I miss you so much, I'm practically going crazy, and I just don't know how much longer I can keep going on like this."
As soon as he says the words, he regrets them, but it's too late. There's a long silence on her end of the line.
"So you don't want to be with me anymore? That's it? It's only my first film since we've been together and you're already giving up on me, on us? I love you Skylar, like, really love you, and if that's not enough than I don't know what is."
And with that, the line goes dead. He throws his phone across the room, and it clatters to the floor. That was not how that conversation was supposed to go. He waits about five minutes before climbing out of bed, picking up the phone, and calling her back. The call goes straight to her voicemail, meaning she shut her phone off.
"Hey it's me. And I'm sorry. Please Anna, I love you and I need you in my life. Things are hard, yes, but I would rather see you one day a year than not be with you at all," he says into her voicemail before hanging up. He only hopes that she calls him back.
She doesn't.
He carries his cell phone around with him all day even though he never leaves his apartment. He takes a quick shower around five in the evening, afraid to miss her call, but there's still no word from her when he finishes.
He sits down on the sofa to watch television and eventually falls asleep while watching it sometime around eight o'clock. He wakes to the sound of his cell phone ringing. Hoping it's Anna he quickly picks it up to see that the caller is his mother.
"Mom?" he says sleepily. He has a horrible headache, having not eaten most of the day.
"Skylar," his mother says, "Are you sitting down? Is your TV on?"
"Yes and yes," Skylar replies, wary of his mother's tone.
"Turn it off," she tells him.
"Why?" he questions, reaching for the remote.
"It's Anna, honey," his mother says softly, "Something's happened."
He rises to his feet in an instant, grabbing the remote and switching it to the news channel. "What mom, what's happened?"
But he doesn't need to ask, because his television screen holds the answer. There's an image of a crushed car and emergency lights flashing.
"Academy Award nominated and critically acclaimed actress Anna Kendrick was involved in a motor vehicle accident this afternoon sometime around seven PM local time. The 29-year-old Kendrick was travelling south on route 5 towards the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport when she was hit head on by a drunk driver who crossed over the median into oncoming traffic. Kendrick has been airlifted to Highline Medical Center. We will keep you updated on her condition as more information becomes available."
"Oh my God," Skylar says into the phone, falling back onto the couch as he tries to process what he's just seen. Her car was crushed. What was she doing driving there anyway?
"You haven't gotten any calls from anyone else yet?" Meryl asks him.
"No," he answers, "I don't even know if her parents know."
"I'm sure the hospital contacted them," Meryl answers, "But they couldn't call you because you're not family. I'm so sorry I had to be the one to tell you this, honey."
"I need to go, Mom. I'll call you as soon as I know anything, ok?"
He hangs up and immediately searches on his phone for the next available flight to Seattle. His cell phone starts going crazy with calls and text messages from people who are obviously just learning about the news, but he ignores them all. He quickly throws some items in a bag, and calls a cab to the airport.
It's the longest flight of his life, even though it's only two and half hours long. He tries not to go crazy looking at news websites while he's flying, and the ones he checks have no new information, just that horrible picture of the car she was driving. By the time he reaches Highline Medical Center, it is in the early hours of the morning. He pushes through a crowd of reporters at the entrance to the hospital, all of whom yell questions at him about Anna's condition, but he ignores them all.
He reaches the front desk and asks for Anna Kendrick, the receptionist is an older woman who looks at him skeptically. "Miss Kendrick is under high security here, sir, for her protection. We can't just let anyone back there to see her."
Another much younger woman approaches them, "I've got this, Eleanor," she tells the older woman. "Skylar Astin, right?" she asks him.
"Right," he says, "Please, I need to see her. Is she ok?"
The young woman gestures to the doors leading to the bank of elevators, beckoning him to follow her. "Look," she tells him, "I could get fired for this, but I'm a huge fan of yours and Anna's, and I know you're her boyfriend. So, I'm going to give you this pass and let you in, as long as you swear never to tell a soul."
"Thank you!" he exclaims, hugging the stranger, and she looks like she's about to faint as he runs through the doors into the hospital. On the back of the pass, the woman had written Anna's room number and location. When he reaches her doorway, there are two security guards present. He approaches them, holding up his pass.
"Name?" one of them asks.
"Skylar Astin," he replies, showing his identification, and the man glances down at his clipboard.
"Ok," the guard says, "You're on Mr. Kendrick's list, go ahead in."
He opens the door to the room and Skylar steps in, the sterile smell of the room and the sound of machines beeping assaulting his senses. He rounds the corner to see Anna, looking frail and small in the hospital bed. Her eyes are closed, but he sees no cuts, scrapes or bandages. He sits down next to her bed and gingerly picks up her hand, rubbing the back of it softly with his thumb.
"Anna?" he says tentatively. He doesn't know if she's in a coma or just sleeping, or what her injuries are, but she's breathing, and her heart is beating, and she's alive. "Oh thank God," he says aloud, leaning his head on their joined hands.
Her eyes flutter a few times, and then open. She blinks, trying to adjust to the ambient light in the room before turning towards him. "I was coming to see you," she says, her voice hoarse.
"Oh honey," he breathes, reaching out a hand to stroke her hair, "I'm so sorry. I'm an idiot. I acted like such a dick. I just missed you so, so much, and it was making me crazy."
"I know," she says, smiling weakly at him. "I overreacted. The thought of you with Camp makes me crazy. And I guess a part of me is always afraid that you'll realize that I'm nothing special and you won't want to make this herculean effort to be with me."
"It's not herculean," he whispers, "It's just that I'm being selfish and I want to be with you all the time."
"I guess we'll just have to do another movie together then," she replies.
"Pitch Perfect 3?" he jokes.
"Right, because everyone wants to see a 30 year old playing a college student," she laughs.
"Why not? Camp did it already," he quips, and she breaks into laughter.
"I love you," she tells him. "I'm sorry I didn't make it to see you. It was going to be a lot more romantic than this."
"Now, what could be more romantic than a hospital room?" he asks sarcastically.
"Well for starters, I was going to show up at your place wearing just a trench coat, which when you answered the door and forgave me, I was going to open to reveal this really sexy red lingerie that I got in Seattle. And then we were going to make love all weekend long."
"I would have enjoyed that," he says, his tone a bit more husky than he intended. "So, are you hurt?"
"No, not really. I have a few bruises but nothing major. I hit my head and was unconscious for a while, but they say I'm really lucky. They're just keeping me here for observation."
"I was so afraid. To think I had to hear about this on the news and from my mother," he says, carefully climbing into bed with her and curling his body alongside hers.
"I gave the press a statement saying I'm fine just before you got here. I'm so sorry," she tells him.
"Shh," he whispers, kissing her hair, "Just rest. I love you. I'm not going anywhere."
And he doesn't.