The After series has been filmed.
Now it's time for a cast and crew reunion party. The pandemic restrictions have been lifted and people can travel.
Hero and Josephine haven't seen each other since the end of shooting 'After Ever Happy'. They have...
I've done about 20 lengths of this pool and it's only been about 40 minutes. I've no idea how long these spa treatments take. I decide on going to chill in the jacuzzi instead. I hop out of the pool and make my way to the alcove where the jacuzzi is located. Looking at its size, I want to say this jacuzzi can probably accommodate up to 10 people. I've definitely seen smaller ones but it looks very inviting with all those bubbles. To be honest the last time I was in one of these things was with Jo for 'After We Fell' the famous jacuzzi none condom scene. Long days of filming.
I settle into the circular seat. The water is lovely and warm and bubbly. I don't want to sleep but I guess a doze wouldn't be too bad. While I wait for someone if anyone would join me. I'm secretly hoping that Jo will turn up and we can have a chat about the whole hoodie ordeal. I just don't think she should wear it around other people. Especially since later, quite a few other cast members will be joining us. I lay back and close my eyes, only to open them seconds later when I hear a voice. "Hero, Hero are you round here?" Jo of course. "Yeah here Jo!" I see her head pop out from round the corner. She isn't wearing her towelling robe anymore. Just her bikini. I stare... I can't help it.
"Hero?"
I snap out of my gaze and look to her eyes. Her cheeks are pink as she walks over and drops into the jacuzzi beside me. "Hey" I say because I don't want to embarrass myself. "Hey" Jo quietly responds. We sit in silence for a few moments. I wonder what is going through her head. I wonder if perhaps she's feeling what I'm feeling. I wonder if she knows how lovely she looks. I'm not sure why I'm thinking this but it's true. Every time we're doing something with the press, Jo is always dressed appropriately. Whereas me, I'm always in some casual outfit. Unless of course I have to wear a suit or something smart. I never fail to remind her every time of how good she looks. I may not always use the words "beautiful" or "stunning" but she always looks it. She smiles at the water bubbling around us and wiggles her toes.
Before we even have the chance to start a conversation, Anna appears round the corner. Jo who had been leaning into me slightly, quickly moves a for inches away. I'm unsure as to what just happened but I don't want to confront her about it. "Sorry guys, I've just heard from some of the cast. They are on their way" I climb out and offer my hand to Jo. She takes in and steps out. She doesn't let go of my hand straight away but when the realisation that she is still holding my hand finds her, she lets go suddenly. "Oh...um sorry" "Not at all" we walk back towards the changing rooms. I can't but think, that her small hand felt so warm in mine. That her skin was soft even though she had been in the hot tub. I step into the shower and wash of the water which is probably full of chemicals or chlorine. I'm not normally one to touch myself in a particularly public place. I'm in a cubicle and it's just me in these changing rooms. I start to think about Jo. How gorgeous she looked in her bikini and how it fitted her body perfectly. I come without even realising I was near. I was too consumed by my thoughts.
After an eventful shower, I quick dress into my clean clothes and scrap my hair back before shoving my cap on my head. If I have a hair crisis, a hat or cap is my option. I walk into the lobby, to find only Anna there. "You looked cozy?" She smiles as I walk up to her. I'm unsure what she means. Is it because I'm wearing a new hoodie? Anna sees my confusion on my face and clarifies her question. "With Jo I meant. In the hot tub" she winks at me. I feel some colour rush to my checks and I hope it's concealed with the heat from the shower. "I didn't mean for it to look like that. She just sat next to me" I tell Anna. Who seems to wave it off and just nods and little and smiles.
Jo joins us a short while later. Her blonde hair tied back and looks only dry on top. She smiles at me and I just smile back. It doesn't need to be anything dramatic and I don't need to tell her how I feel. Maybe I won't ever because I still don't know how to navigate these feelings, whatever they are. Anna tells us that Inanna, Pia, Khadijha, Swen, Sam, Shane, Dylan and Dylan will be arriving around 5pm. Looks like it will be just us young ones these evening with Anna of course. The main cast and crew get together is tomorrow. You know the type where everyone dresses up and you have a sit down meal and a dance. Tonight is definitely something much more casual, so I plan to go in a top and jeans. Jo will probably wear a dress or something, but nothing too overly formal.
The 3 of us pile into the lift and land on floor 40. Ann says we should take our time in getting ready. As this is supposedly a low key get together, we haven't hired an stylists or makeup artists. I think we are all capable of doing those things ourselves sometimes. On my way to my room, I feel a small tug on my arm. Jo is there. "Hey you okay?" "Yeah I'm fine, are you?" "I'm good. Do you want to come in?" We've reached my room now and I'm entered my key card. Jo nods as I open the door and allow her to enter. She doesn't seem the least bit surprised by my room. I'm not sure as to whether it's because our rooms are the same layout, or because none of my stuff is unpacked and I have some random items on the floor already. Jo looks into my small closet area and a smirk appears on her face "Do you need any help unpacking?" I look up from where I'm standing by the window. "Um sure if you want to help...I mean you don't have to!" She chuckles and wanders in without answering. "You and I both know Hero, that if I don't help you, you won't unpack at all" she calls laughing from inside. I nod even though she can't see me.
I follow Jo into my closet area. She is already at work, my suitcases are open on my floor and she putting my clothes away. "I presume you don't want me to look in your garment bags that are by the door?" She asks whilst folding one of my hoodies. "You can, unless of course you want to be surprised. If that is the case, don't look!" I tell her. She smiles at me as we both continue in our task. A little while later we are done and Jo goes back to her room to collect her outfit that needs pressing. We both head down to the 2nd floor and into the laundry department where we hand our outfits over. The woman at the desk informs us that our outfits will be ready tomorrow morning. It's now around 3:30pm, which means that the others will be arriving in an hour and a half. I suggest to Jo that we both start to get ready for our evenings entertainment. Although neither of us know what it might entail. I'm personally just really looking forward to seeing everyone again. I head back to my room and say bye to Jo before stepping inside. Tonight's outfit is really simple and casual as tomorrow is where I will be dressing up so to speak. As I'm not going all out fancy, I've only chosen to where a T-shirt and jeans, nothing special but something that looks nice. I'll probably chuck a hoodie over the top or a jacket. Jo will look lovely in anything she wears. I've seen her in basically any and every outfit you can imagine.
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I change, attempt to do something with my hair and then make my way down to the lobby alone. I've no idea if Anna or Jo will be there but I'll be the welcoming party of all else fails. I see Anna sitting in one of the lobby chairs and go over to join her. "Is Jo not with you?" I shake my head. "I thought maybe she was down here already" Anna shakes her head as well. It's not like we need to wait for Jo or she needs to be here. If the others arrive, Jo can just join when she's ready. A waiter comes over and serves us 2 bottles of champagne and 11 champagne glasses. Apparently it was ordered in advance by Pia. I'm about to open the bottle and pour it out to get us started, when I hear voices. "Hey Hero, I hope your not thinking of starting the party without us!" That's Inanna of course, loud and lovely. "I wouldn't dream of it!" I chuckle as the group make their way over, with Swen bringing up the rear. Just as everyone has given hugs and warm hellos, I here the lift open. "Jo!" "Hey Jo!" I guess she's here now then. There is another round of hugs and hello before I finally end up filling all the glasses and hand them out.
We all clamber into the 3 lifts and land on the 3rd floor where the reception rooms and pool are. Tonight we're only using the smaller reception room and bar. Tomorrow we have the run of the place. Sam almost runs over the bar and asks to turn on the disco lights. We all take seats, which are scattered throughout the room.
