Hel-luuur. Ha ha. The start of a Bella-and-Edward-as-movie-stars fic for you to enjoy.
Stars in My Eyes
Chapter 1
"Did you hear about it?!" Someone screamed. I jumped and, turning around, Jessica's face came into my view.
"Jesus, what?" I said and closed my locker's door.
"Oh my god! Bella, they're filming here!" It was like she didn't hear me or hadn't actually invited me to her conversation.
"Who? What's filming here?"
"Jeezus, bella! That movie Blood Song!" she admonished. I remembered the commotion this morning out in the parking lot. I was wondering why there were barricades, non-school personnel, and why we were being ushered in through the back versus the side entrance we always used. I could have asked what was going on while I entered, I was going to, but I didn't. Still, the news hit me like a brick.
"Oh! Really? How do you know it's that movie?"
"Because, Bella, I saw Robert Pattinson outside!" She opened her locker and fussed with herself in the mirror. "That's why I'm looking like this. I caught him outside and he gave me an autograph! Damn, he's hot. Hotter in person, especially when he's touchable!"
'Wow… was lost on my lips. Maybe I could have gotten an autograph too if I stopped him that morning. What would have I said anyway? I looked down. I probably look like shit. I always did.
The bell for first period rang, and Jessica finally finished messing around. I fell into step with her, walked with her to class, feeling that creeping sense of 'destined for permanent mediocrity'.
Everyone was talking about it. Chatter filled the halls and classrooms. Why did they choose this school to film at? We were smack-dab in the middle of nowhere, lost amongst the forests of the Olympic peninsula. And why was it hush-hush until now? Maybe the only ones who needed to know were those who ran the town and they wanted to avoid an over-excited public. I guess I understand. Hopefully these kids didn't make them leave.
"I'm guessing Jessica told you?" Angela asked.
"Yep," I said, getting in my seat next to her.
"I can't believe it! Do you think we'll be on camera?"
"I don't know, maybe." God, I hope not. Not today.
"I know Jess is hoping to be," I turned around with her and saw Jess fixing her hair using a compact while simultaneously talking to mike.
"Of course," We chuckled. The teacher then strode in.
"Ok class, I'm sure you've all heard that 'Blood Song' movie is going to be filmed at this school- and that is of course amazing, but we must respect them. All of them. Even the actors of their space and privacy, and so on. I expect you to act like it was any other day. These circumstances are not an exception to the school rules either. Now onward with the lesson,"
The class returned to normal, sort of. There was still an undercurrent of excitement. My other classes were the same. We got a speech from the teacher before class, then the lesson ensued. At least there wasn't as much homework. Thankfully…
I walked around school like it was any other day. I doubted I'd run into anyone special anyway. So when I went to my locker to change my books before going to lunch, I was vaguely aware of the little hunched group to my left down the hall. Do I hide, what do I do? I tried not to look and stuck my head inside my locker. I could easily hear what they were saying.
"I can't believe she would just leave like that,"
"I'm not surprised," That voice…
"We need to find a replacement, and soon, shoot the whole beginning again. A couple days lost and I don't even want to think of the money!" The director? No, couldn't be-
"We're going to be at a standstill for a while to sort everything out, I'm sorry," Someone apologized.
"Don't be. I'm thinking if it didn't happen now it would happen later, and that would've been worse. And when will you find a replacement?" He asked, he sounded apprehensive.
"Hopefully we find someone, settle the contract fast enough. 'Til then, sit tight at the hotel. Don't quit on us out of frustration. I'll drive you back,"
That was the last that I heard before I left for the cafeteria. My friends were at their usual spot, and I walked my salad from the bar over.
"You guys! I swear it was Tanya!" Jess fervently whispered. That name got my attention.
"But this deep into production?" Mike asked.
"Angie's right," Lauren said. I looked at everyone.
"What are you guys talking about?" I said.
"Apparently Tanya skipped out of production," Mike said. I swear he was into gossip as much as Jessica. A match made in heaven but they still wouldn't get together.
"Damn, I was hoping to see that ass," Tyler said, always the sleaze but Lauren seemed to like that.
"You're disgusting," Ben chided. Now, Ben I liked, so did Angie. I can't wait for them to finally get together.
"Hopefully not. I'm really excited to see them film it and see our school in the end product," Kate said.
"I wanna see the tech in action. It's so cool!" Eric said.
"Hey, Austin, wanna bet?" said Conner.
"Maybe it's true," I started. They all turned to look at me. I always got the full attention since I rarely talked. Well, I've already opened my mouth, so…
"I was at my locker when I heard the director, producer and maybe Edward, talk about it,"
"Did you see him?" The girls chorused.
"Uh, no. I didn't even look,"
"Oh," They mumbled, clearly disappointed.
"If you ever see somebody, you need to pay attention!" Jessica chided.
"What did they say?" Angela asked. She's definitely an angel.
"Well, they needed privacy and it's none of my business. They said that they couldn't believe she backed out so soon, and they're stressed about finding a replacement on short notice."
"We'll see," Austin and Conner shook hands.
"What are you guys getting on?"
"That they'll find someone soon. I bet not," Austin said. And they'd have to rope Tanya back in, somehow.
The rest of the day was easier. I found out a few teachers were into the series. That was sweet, that they liked Young Adult novels. I guess we all have something we'd like to escape. At the end of the day, everyone found out what happened somehow. It wasn't much of a mystery how, though. There were a lot of gossipers in school. There's hardly anything to do in a small town like Forks.
I drove home extra careful, the roads were slightly flooded. Dad was already home, watching a game and he shouts his hello. I shouted back from the kitchen, putting in steaks to marinate and aluminum wrapped potatoes into the oven.
"School must have been exciting today," He said.
"Why- Oh. Something like that."
"I thought you'd be excited about that?"
"I am, but I think the lead actress quit. No one knows for sure or even why,"
"The women at the dinner were chatting about it, saying how the lead actress, Tara was it?"
"Tanya,"
"Yeah, her. They said stuff about her being callous and, well, to put it mildly, other terrible things."
"They saw her?"
"I don't even know for sure." I stared for a while then cleaned up the table.
That night, I hoped with all that I had that the filming would continue. I can't wait to see it, to see Edward for the first time. I snuggled my pillow and fell asleep.
Great Escape could be an alt. title, but for now, here ya go.