(A/N: I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy the chapter, you all know that I can't leave well enough alone. I do not own any of the companies, books or franchises mentioned here. Lastly, I apologize for the lack of consistency in regard to updates. This semester has gone wonderfully (2 A's!), but I've been way busier than I envisioned. And when not doing school stuff or working, I've been lazy, which is on me. I know a lot of you have expressed concern about where I'm going with this story, and if I have a direction with it. Don't worry, I know where I'm going with it, and have since July. Thank you for reading. –James)
Sydney POV
I sip my mocha and keep up with Austin and the rest of our group while tryng to block out the people trying to take discreet photos of us.
Me specifically.
Once we stop, I get on my tiptoes and whisper "How are you so good at this?"
He barely laughed, then whispered "It's a skill. You've got it too. Just be you."
"That's hard…"
He pulled away from me, then rolled his eyes and turned back to our guide.
Technically we're supposed to be at school, but Mom and Dad let us stay home after Austin felt so bad last night.
We fell asleep right after turning on the movie, but around 2 I woke up by Olivia smashing into me, and Austin out of the room.
I found him throwing up in my bathroom.
He didn't sleep much after that, but made me go back to sleep.
Olivia helped by being quite cuddly.
When I got up with my alarm, I found Austin reading another one of the inflammatory articles that were written after he revealed he'd be out until next February.
They're completely ridiculous. He's playing it smart and not putting his future at risk.
But tons of writers are saying he's being selfish, that he can't play thru a injury and should tough it out.
What they don't know is that Austin bought dinner for his whole team and explained the situation to them Sunday. He said he'd play thru the pain and put off the surgery until December if they thought they needed him.
They voted unanimously for him to get the surgery.
Austin told me on the drive down here that he was going to come Sunday, but everyone just hung out, had fun and chilled out.
He feels bad that they're going on without him, but mentioned that a lot of them were adamant that he gets better, and not to worry about them.
So, after Mom and Dad said that we should stay home from school, and Austin said he didn't want to just hang around the house, we started looking for something to do.
We settled on coming down to the ForeFront Pictures back lot and going on a tour.
After that, probably a quiet lunch.
The other thing we discussed on the drive down here, is the whispers that have been floating around.
They're barely whispers, and Mom totally dismissed them when Tori came over and mentioned them like a month ago.
Sorry, off track again.
They might be making a new Hunger Games movie trilogy. Like after Mockingjay, and how things are going.
I'm very excited, and am really hoping it's true.
Next time I see Jennifer I'm going to gather up the courage to say hi, and then actually ask about it.
If anyone, she would.
You can't have the Hunger Games without the Girl on Fire.
I still can't believe she follows me on Splashface.
Out of nowhere, everybody around us laughs, then the mass of people starts moving again.
We stop in front of an old set from the original Harry Potter movies.
Mom and dad were livid when they remade them.
They boycotted them out of principle, at least that's what they said. But they paid for Kevin and I to go see them.
Only problem was, they sucked.
Overall, they flopped compared to the first rendition. As it turned out, Mom and Dad were far from alone in their sentiment.
They haven't released the third movie yet. Apparently they're having a "major" script rewrite.
Aunt Jade was probably right when she said that they're probably not going to get past this movie. After all, what is there to rewrite? You should be going off the source material!
I didn't go and see the remake of the second one. I stayed home and had a marathon of the originals with Mom.
Had a better time anyway.
Better food and company for sure.
Austin laughing brings me out of my reverie again.
I probably should be listening instead of daydreaming.
We paid good money to get in since we didn't reserve a time yesterday.
I focus in on the guide and hear him describe how Daniel Radcliffe used to read the book they were filming at the time so he could throw some little known detail into his next scene and give the fans a little something extra.
I'm thoroughly enjoying myself when I get a tap on my shoulder.
I feel Austin turn around behind me as I turn to see who it is.
"Excuse me, would both of you come with me please?" A man in a suit, looking like security asked,
I swallow nervously as Austin said "Sure, is there some sort of problem?"
"No Mr. Harper. A few people would like you and your girlfriend to come to the business side of things if you don't mind."
"Sure, I don't mind." I smile.
I wonder what this is all about.
The man smiled and led us away from the group, and thru a door.
"Sydney! Hey!"
I blink and recognize who it is.
It's Jennifer Lawrence.
"Hi! How are you? I was hoping to see you soon! I wanted to talk to you!" I smile, then hug her.
"Oh, really? Just DM me then. We can talk anytime." She smiled at me, and then turned to Austin.
"Look at you. Taking the world by storm and raising hell at the same time." She teased him.
Austin nervously laughed. "Yup, that's me. A bunch of trouble."
"I heard about your arm. I take it that's why you're not at school right now?"
"Yeah, he didn't react too well to the painkiller they gave him." I say.
Jennifer frowned. "Oh. Well do you need something?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you. I appreciate it."
"Oh no problem. Let me know if you do need something." She said, smiling at him.
She's the best.
"So what's up? What's going on?" I ask her.
"Oh, well I want to take you somewhere. I think you'll like it, but you guys can't talk about it. In fact, they might have you sign something saying you won't talk about it."
Austin and I exchange mysterious looks.
"Any other details?" Austin smiled.
"Not at this time. C'mon. And Sydney, what'd you want to talk about?" She said, then starting down the hallway.
"Well, uhm, I've been hearing whispers that they might be making another Hunger Games movie. Is that true?" I ask.
"Please say yes." Austin added with a smile.
Jennifer laughed, then smiled.
"Oh…rumors. So pesky."
Oh.
"Oh." I say.
YES.
YES YES YES.
"Contractually, I'm not allowed to talk about movies that ended over 15 years ago. So I can't say anything right now."
"Right now." Austin parroted.
Jen smiled.
"You're a good listener. Now get in." She opened a door and whisked us in.
I follow Austin in, then freeze.
Oh my god.
The whole room, consisting of about 30 people are all turned and are looking at me.
But I'm only noticing two people in particular.
Gale and Peeta.
"Okay, I got her. Sorry about the delay. She wasn't at Windfall. She was at McGonagall's." Jennifer said, then slipping past Austin and I
"Sydney, Austin this is Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson. I'm sure they need no introduction."
Both of them got to their feet and came over.
Josh came to me and shook my hand.
"Hey ghost child. Nice to meet you." He smiled.
"Hi." I say nervously.
He's small.
Way smaller than I expected. He's basically my height.
Then I'm craning my neck up at Liam.
Holy Jesus he's gorgeous.
"Nice to meet you. Jen's said a lot of nice things about you."
"She has?" I say quietly, looking over and seeing Austin looking star struck, but still way bigger than Josh.
"Of course I have. You're everybody's favorite right now."
"Sit down, we'd like you to be in on this meeting." A man at the front of the table said.
"Uh, sure." I say.
Austin and I sit down, and Jen sits next to us.
Josh and Liam retake their seats.
"They've heard by the way. Syd asked me about this as we walked over here." Jennifer said to the man with gray hair, who is clearly in charge.
Austin opened his mouth to say something, but quickly thought better of it.
Josh let out a quiet laugh and smiled at him.
Then a PA gave us each a bottle of water.
"Oh. Thanks." I say.
"So both of you have heard the rumors. That we're looking into a 5th Hunger Games movie."
I nod.
"Well then you're behind in the news. As you probably can guess, it's happening. We're still writing the script, but looking to fill out the cast."
Rye and Willow.
Ooh.
I smile. "Ooh. Can't wait to hear who you choose."
The guy in charge smiled and said "Yeah, well you're in the mix."
I crick my neck and look over to Jennifer.
"What?" Austin smiled.
"But I haven't done anything. Like literally." I say to her.
"Hey." I hear Josh say, and I turn to look at him. "We're not looking for experience. We're looking for a specific type of person and personality."
Liam then said "We don't care if we take a beating with whoever we chose."
"I got killed when I got cast. Look how that turned out." Jennifer said, then turned and gave the finger to an empty wall.
The whole room laughed.
She's theatrical in person too.
Not a bad thing. Quite the opposite.
"We want the right person. And you fit that type." The director said.
"What's the type?" I ask.
"Pretty, yet strong. Independent. Can pull off a certain look."
"What look?" I press.
"Can't say unless you get cast." Jennifer said.
"Think, what do you picture Katniss' daughter as?" Liam said.
I open my mouth to reply, but he cut me off.
"Ahp! Don't say it. Just think. I bet you've got it."
"Oh come on. Let her throw out her idea. A new voice can't hurt." Josh said, then turning to me.
"Uhm…I was thinking something like Katniss in the Capitol. But she didn't go thru what she did, so she's very different from her mom." I say.
A moment of silence followed.
"You know what you're doing Squish." Josh said to Jen.
"Oh shut up."
"Did I do good?" I ask shyly.
"We were in here for a week, trying to come up with a good character idea for both kids. That's what we came up with for Willow."
"Willow?" Austin asked.
"Katniss and Peeta's daughter's name." Liam said.
"But I haven't done an audition or anything."
"We know. That'll come." Josh said reassuringly, and then tapped my foot under the table.
"But for now, we'd like to have you and Jen go girly on Willow stuff." Liam smiled.
"Yeah!" Jennifer yelled, then turning to high five me.
I smile and play along.
"Okay, well you 5 go to lunch, We'll do the boring stuff." The director said.
Jen, Liam and Josh all got to their feet.
I fall into line and walk out of the room.
"So, we're hungry. Can we do this over lunch?" Josh asked.
"Sure, you okay with that?" Jen looked to me.
"Yeah."
"Uhm, I'll get out of you guys' way then…" I hear Austin say.
"No! No. You're coming too." Jennifer grabbed his arm.
"We need you. They'd overpower us otherwise." Liam joked.
They're practically the same size.
"I…alright, I just don't want to get in the way." He said quietly.
"You won't. Trust me. Now let's eat, before I take a couple of inches off Josh." Jennifer said, then smiled at me.
"Hey!"
(5 hours later)
Austin pulled to a stop and killed the engine.
Then looked over to me.
"I still can't believe it." I say.
He smiled at me.
"I can't either. But I'm excited for you."
Wow.
"I'm sorry you can't tell your grandma." I say.
"It's cool. You can't even tell your mom. Just that you may have gotten a movie offer."
"You'll help cover for me right?"
He leaned over and kissed my cheek.
"Always. You're my girl on fire."
I laugh, then say "That made no sense."
"Yeah…I'll workshop it. Stay tuned." He smiled at me.
"C'mon. let's go be mysterious." I say, then hop out and lead the way to the door.
He pecked my cheek just as I open the door.
"We're back!" I call out.
A cheer rained down from downstairs, and a moment later Corey and Ellie, holding Olivia came to hug us.
"Hey!" I smile while hugging Corey.
Olivia smiled, then grabbed for me.
"Where is everyone?"
"Downstairs in the studio. Your mom had some idea that couldn't wait." Ellie said as Corey ran back upstairs.
"Good seeing you!" Austin said teasingly.
Corey stopped at the top of the stairs and stuck his tongue out, then dashed off.
Ellie and I laugh.
"Hey." Austin poked Olivia's nose.
In response, Olivia smashed her face into my neck.
"Wrong person silly." I say.
Olivia just giggled.
"Let's go see what's up. Oh, and what took you guys so long? Mom said you guys were supposed to be back when we came home from school."
"I…"
"She can't say anything." Austin said.
Ellie stopped on the stairs and turned to me, causing Austin and I to stop.
"I don't get it. I can keep a secret."
"This isn't about you Ellie. This…I don't know how to describe it without giving away a glimpse of it." Austn said.
Ellie just looked back to me.
I nervously nod.
"It's good?"
I smile. "It is."
"Then I'll drop it. C'mon."
I swallow and look back to Austin, who shrugged.
"They're here." I hear Ellie say, as I hop off the stairs.
"Hi!" Tori smiled, as everyone is indeed here except Mom.
"Where's Mom?" I ask.
In response, Andre tapped on the recording booth's glass.
Austin laughed, then Mom popped out.
"What?"
"Hi." I say.
"You're back!" Mom turned around, smiling.
"How'd the tour go Syddo?" Dad asked, perched in a director's chair and looking relaxed.
"Good." I say.
"Something happened that made them late. They wouldn't tell me." Ellie said quickly, then grabbing a bottle of water and nonchalantly sipping it.
"No, she can't say anything. And I signed off my secrecy." Austin backed me up.
"Like a project or something?" Uncle Beck said.
I shrug, then look to Mom.
Who looks hurt.
"Mommy, don't be sad." I say quickly, coming to hug her.
"I…I'm not sad. But we're all on your side. We don't want you to make a wrong move." She said, then hugging me.
"It's not a wrong move. I…" Austin said, then put his hands on his head and walked in a big circle.
"I can't say more without spoiling some of it. But it's good." He eventually said.
"Alright. Is the secrecy that important?" Dad asked.
"Yeah." Austin replied.
"Good enough for me. And good luck. With whatever it is." Jade came and hugged me.
"Gotta be some sort of movie." I hear Uncle Beck say.
I immediately tense up and look to him.
"Ooh." Uncle Andre said.
"Dada!" Olivia said happily, finally realizing we're with her parents.
"Why would you say that?" Ellie asked her dad.
"They were at ForeFront Pictures for a tour. They come home 3 hours late, and can't talk about something that happened. I just put the pieces together."
Suddenly I get tackled from my left.
I blink and see it's Mom.
"Congratulations angel." She said, then kissed my cheek.
I smile happily.
"Alright movie star. We've been waiting to get dinner. Upstairs." Dad waved us towards the stairs.
"What are we having?" Ellie asked.
"Chinese." I hear somebody say.
"Hey, don't forget that your father is leaving on Sunday. You have to be here." Mom said to me.
"I will be."
My run thru is Thursday night.
"Better be. Otherwise I will leave with out you." Dad smirked at me at the top of the stairs.
Before I could reply Olivia whined loudly and grabbed for somebody behind me.
It's not for Austin, he's beside me.
"I'm here. C'mere…"
"Mama!"
I follow everyone into the kitchen, and Dad called my brothers down and started getting everyone's orders.
Since I know what I'm getting, I start going thru emails.
I smile when I see one from a keverdeen.
"Hey Sparkles. I attached some links for dresses. See you Thursday. I'm channeling my inner Cinna and betting on you. Don't lose, otherwise I'll have to do this movie for the money ;)
Jen"
I hear Austin laugh over my shoulder.
"What's so funny?" I hear Aunt Tori ask.
"Nothing. Joke on Splashface." Austin covered for me.
I think I've got a good shot at pulling this off.
Oh my gosh.