The Only Exception | Armin x Annie

Chapter 8

Annie's Point of View

I went in the place where the next scene is. Bertholdt is already there and I greeted him as soon as I came in. Armin was there as well but I ignored him. I thought it would be better this way for the both of us and it would be easier for me to remove my feelings for him.

Historia came in with a large bag and began refreshing my make up as I sat down and just recalled my lines in my head. It has been the fifth day of shooting but I successfully went through those five days without interacting with Armin. Although there were times that I almost gave up and wanted to talk to him, I still chose my dignity. I'll just think of that night as a one night stand with him. I didn't want to stay as his friend any longer. It hurts being 'just a friend'. 

"Okay let's start!" the director said and we all went to our respective places. 

This movie had all the perfect places, the romantic atmosphere, and the perfect dialogues. As an actress, I fully immerse myself in every role I play. If Violet was in love with Finch in the book, then I'll act as in love with Bertholdt right now. Using the perfect facial expressions, the right tone of voice, and the perfect look of the eye, I locked eyes with Bertholdt. 

It was a fun movie and most of the scenes were amusing even though most of the time, it was just the two main characters. It was as if they were the only people left on earth. I may have succeeded in ignoring Armin for the past few days but he was living in my mind rent free. Every time I look at Bertholdt during acting, all I could think about was Armin. 

He was always watching us from afar as we acted. He was so close yet so far. I wanted to hug him, embrace him, talk to him. I miss him so much that it hurts. Unconsciously, tears started to fall down my cheeks.

"Annie?" Bertholdt whispered worriedly.

"Cut! Annie this was supposed to be a fun scene why are you crying?!" The director yelled at me and I flinched as he got closer. I looked behind him and I locked eyes with Armin who looked like he was worried. I looked away and bowed to the director, saying sorry again and again.

"We've done this scene for a hundred times already why can't you grasp the right emotions for this scene?" The director looked frustrated. I was about to say sorry again when Armin spoke.

"She did grasp the right emotions for this scene. We're still at the first part where Violet hasn't been saved from depression yet. She should be emotionless." Armin walked towards me and cupped my cheeks which had taken me aback. I saw how the other people in the production team looked surprised. With his thumb, he wiped my tears and beamed a smile at me.

"Let's avoid the tears and be emotionless at first Annie, okay?" He said before leaving with the director to go back to their spot. I could feel my heart beat loudly again. I tried my best to avoid him but if he continues to act like that, I might fall all over again. I wouldn't want that especially if I'll be just a friend.

"Are you alright, Annie?" Bertholdt asked me one more time. I nodded and flashed him a smile before Historia approached me again to fix my make up.

"Let's start all over!"

---

After several hours, we managed to finish several scenes from one place. We all bid our farewell to each other before leaving the place. I was busy fixing my things when I heard a familiar voice coming from my back.

"Annie, can we talk?" I turned around and saw Armin. I inhaled deeply and exhaled sharply before flashing him a fake smile.

"Hey Armin I'm sorry but I don't have time." I said and went passed by him but he grabbed my hand again. I closed my eyes as I remember a particular scene that happened weeks ago. I wouldn't want it to happen again if it means nothing to him. I opened my eyes before I turned to face him. There it was, his pleading face that I couldn't resist once again. 

"Why are you ignoring me these past few days?" He asked with his soft voice. I looked around and saw people being busy cleaning up their own stuff. I sighed and clenched my fist. I've tried my best for the past five days just to ignore him but here I am again.

"Friends can ignore each other, can't they? They won't be talking 24/7 with each other, Armin." I faked a laugh as I confronted him.

He slowly let go of my hand which I hoped he didn't. I'm so fucking in love with him that when he does the bare fucking minimum, I fall so hard again. And here I am touch deprived, hoping he could lay his hands on me longer.

"Good job today. I'm sorry but I have to go, Bertholdt is waiting for me." I said and walked away from him. As I got out of the place, a woman stood in front of me stoping me from my tracks. It was Christa Lenz.

"Long time no see, Annie." She smiled at me brightly. The look on her face made me want to puke so badly. We weren't in good terms before and it just worsened throughout the years.

"What is a singer doing at a movie set?" I asked with a hint of boredom on my voice. She laughed so loudly and abruptly stopped before looking at me with a deadly gaze.

"And what is an actress doing at an author's place so late at night?"

So she knows.

I sighed and tried to calm down. What does she want from me? Is she going to use this against me?

"Annie, if you don't want your career to be ruined, then stay away from my boyfriend." she taunted.

"You forgot the 'ex' there." I said and chuckled before looking at her with the sharpest look she could ever get in her life. "Your EX boyfriend tasted delicious by the way."

She looked so full of me and any time now, she'll be exploding. I was just messing with her but I didn't realize she'd take it seriously.

"Annie!"

"Annie."

I looked in both ways from the voices who called out to me. It was Armin and Bertholdt. They both came at the same time, looking at both me and Christa cluelessly.

"Let's go eat dinner, Annie. What are you doing out here in the cold weather?" Bertholdt took off his jacket and placed it on my body. I haven't noticed the cold weather not until I felt his warm jacket on my skin. I turned around to look at Armin and Christa before flashing them a genuine smile.

"Great job today, Armin. Do you guys want to join me and Bertholdt for dinner?" I asked sarcastically even though I hated the fact of coming together with them, especially if Armin is with her.

"Tch. Why would we come with you?" Christa rolled her eyes and slid her arms between Armin's but Armin gently moved farther away from her.

"I'm not forcing you to come, Christa. But anyways, good bye then. Let's go Bertholdt." I said and smiled at Bertholdt before clinging onto him.

We left the both of them and went inside his car. It was another long day. I wasn't successful in ignoring Armin but I was successful in showing him that I wasn't madly inlove.

Somehow a part of me hates the fact that Christa was his ex girlfriend. If only I met him earlier then I could scream to the whole world that I love him. But would it be the same if I met him earlier?

What if I haven't read his book that day and what if I didn't go to his place that one night?

Would everything change?