Harlem’s POV
I pour myself a cup of coffee and sigh. Drama classes are a lot harder than I thought but I’ve co too far to give up now or ever. I though I’d have seen Ezra today but he hasn’t been here since our eting last ti which was almost two weeks ago. I an, its not like I’m expecting him or sothing, but I’m always reminded of our last conversation.
Maybe I was too harsh, again. I sigh and barely stop the coffee machine before it overpours my coffee.
What am I even doing? Thinking about soone that will probably never give a fuck about . Besides, we made a truce, I plan to say out of his way and he plans to stay out of mine. We made a deal. So why? Why am I having contradicting feelings?
"Hey" Renee, one of the other female casts say to . I like her, she’s so nice and pretty. "Hey, how’s it going?" I say and take a sip of my coffee with as much sugar to kill a bear.
"Sa way it’s going for you Harlem." She says amused at the way I’m drinking the coffee like it’s my last. I chuckle and drop the cup. "Yeah, it’s a long day"
"Yup, but it’s our last training day so it couldn’t be worse than this" True. We’re going to start shooting next week. The play we’re expected to do has to be one of the most wholeso, heartfelt plays I’ve ever heard of or imagined in my head. The play follows a woman nad Seraphine, once forced into a golden cage by a powerful ruler she was told to love: The King. Thirteen people surround her throughout the story, not as background characters, but as living representations of her emotions, mories, and the people who shaped her suffering. They move, speak, and breathe as one collective force; they are her shadow chorus. I’m literally so excited for it.
"Right." I mumble. "But anyways, where having a ’last class party’ at Briannon’s place tonight, you coming?" Oh, one of the female cast mbers. "Sounds like fun, I’ll let you know if I can make it. Tonight yeah?" I ask
"Yup. I’ll send you the address if you decide to co. See you in our final class "she waves and walks away. I down the coffee and return back to class.
-------
I stand in front of a bungalow with a bottle of Hennessy in my hand and my phone in the other. This has to be the place, right? But it’s so quiet. I thought parties were a ’break the roof’ kind of situation.
I walk to the front door and knock. I hope I look good in my leather jacket and black heeled boots. Soone opens the door and its Zach. I smile at him and he looks surprised to see .
"Hey Harlem, co in please." I do and when I walk in, I see a few other cast mbers inside the living room sitting, playing video gas. The place was lively with chatter and laughter, not too overboard and not so insignificant.
Briannon walks in from the kitchen and looks shocked to see . "Harlem, I didn’t know you were going to co, if I did, I would have upped my ga" she walks up to and hugs warmly.
"Why did you guys think I wasn’t going to co?" I ask, and Zach and Briannon look at like it’s obvious. It’s not.
"Well, you’re more of a lone wolf kind of girl" Really? "Yeah, you always have your head in a book reading or too busy for jokes or just generally very serious" Zach adds.
"Wow, I guess you’re right." I state a bit shocked. But it does sound a lot like "Yeah, but it’s all good though, and we’re glad you ca. Co, Renee and the rest are in the Kitchen" she drags to where the kitchen is.
I walk in to hear laughter and chatting. I see Renee and so others around the kitchen table and butter my whiskers, Lucas as well.
"I see you guys started all the fun without "I say and drop the bottle on the table. "Yayy! Harlem is here guys" they whoop and hoot and clap for . I just shake my head smiling.
"Nice of you to join us Harlem, your cast mbers were trying to get information out of on who I might be dating and who I slept with last." Lucas says walking over with a cup to my side.
I sit on one of the empty chairs and help him pour so. "Guys why would you be putting our producer on the spot? That’s so unethical" I say with mock concern. "But did he answer though?" I add and they start laughing.
"Well, he’s not dating anybody and even if he is, he’s pretty good at hiding it "Renee says. "Sorry guys I know it hurts you that I have no one to go ho to" he states sarcastically and takes a sip from his drink.
"Maybe it’s just sothing that we don’t believe "I say as a matter of fact. "You’re rich, you’re good looking, you’re rich. I an I’ve checked off all the boxes here "I say looking at him incredulously because how though? I an, if HE’S single, is there even any hope for the rest of us?
"Well, if you want to know so badly. I haven’t found the right woman yet" he says shrugging.
"Damn, that’s sad" Briannon says pouring herself a drink as well. It really is. "But I’m sure you will find sobody eventually" I say. He looks in the eyes with a sad smile and sothing else I can’t place.
"I hope"
We joke a bit more and play so gas and dance and can I just admit how much fun I’m having? I see why they were all chosen to do what they do. They’re real people, and you can never get tired of real.
I sit beside Briannon’s pool and stare into my drink. It’s only the second cup and that’s because I have to drive ho. I sit there and think about my life. Yeah, that’s ; thinking about my life at a party.
I think about how it’s changing for the best. How so few years ago when I rode to Germany on a train from Poland with just $500 and two bags of luggage, I didn’t believe I would make it this far. Especially after what happened at ho. When every job turned down because I had no work experience and they didn’t trust where I ca from.
When I finally stopped at the Beatdown Bar and Gio took in like a big brother and gave a small room to stay in till I could get mine. I’m struck by the amount of money I’m going to be making by the ti I’m done with this: $50,000 btw. How I couldn’t ask for a better set of people to work with for the next five months. I’m filled with overwhelming love and hope for the future. I sincerely believe miracles do happen.
I wipe the single tear that falls from my eye and take a sip of my drink.
"Am I interrupting?" I startle a bit and turn to see Lucas in all his blonde glory staring at . "Uhm, no, of course not" I say trying to smile.
"You can stop all those fake smiles with , I’m a play producer, I know acting when I see one. Mind if I sit?" Right, of course.
"Yes, please do" I say shifting a bit. He sits besides and stares at concerned. "Everything okay Harlem?"
"Yes, everything’s fine" I state and drop my cup. No more of that.
"Nobody died?" he asks . I laugh a bit. "No, everyone I know is still alive" I assure him.
"Hmm, then I wonder what’s making you cry? Because you’re too beautiful to be crying" I’m montarily shocked and I wonder if he’s drunk but nevertheless that’s sweet.
"Thanks for the complint but I’m crying tears of joy" I say truthfully.
"Oh, that’s not bad, mind telling what it is so I can share the joy with you?" he says turning towards and leaning his face on his palm like it’s gossip ti. Yeah, he’s definitely a bit drunk. Maybe I can tell him so of it?
"Well, I’m just happy to be around wonderful people like you guys and, you know, I’m just rembering how far I have co. It’s a sweet lancholy experience" I say and stare at the pool in front of . I’m surprised no one is skinny dipping or sothing because those folks are pretty drunk.
"You want to know why I picked you?" I look back at him and he’s staring into my soul. I nod.
"I noticed you from not too far away when you were walking to the bar at the sponsorship event, and you looked to be present, but not so. You seed to be in a world of your own and I could tell you were different from the people in that room and I was drawn to that, and so I decided to invite you for the interview and you didn’t fail . So, my intuition was spot on" he says with a satisfied smile.
"Thank you. That’s really sweet and it’s encouraging to have people think about that way." I say genuinely from my heart, trying not to cry. He opened doors for I thought I would need to work harder for, by just seeing potential in from afar. I’m grateful.
He brushes off." Don’t thank Harlem. You’re doing a favour as well" he says as a matter of fact. "But now that we’ve put that out of the way, how do you intend on going ho? You need a ride?" he asks and stands up offering his hand. I take it.
"No thank you actually, I ca with my car and I’m hardly wasted. I think it’s you actually who needs to be driven" I say amusedly. He looks at like I just told him I’m going to rate Nexa Stage with just one star.
"I hold my alcohol well mind you. It’s just the stress of the week talking. Don’t underestimate a producer" I laugh and pat his arm.
"Aright then, I’ll take your word for it. But I’ll be on my way now, good night" I say and walk away. I wish everyone a good night. Till we see at the start of the shoot. Then, I get in my car and drive off, feeling like a new person.
The future just got a lot brighter.
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