A Chance Encounter (Chris Hemsworth X OMC)

Forced Fun

"That's it," Allie exclaimed as she walked into Wyatt's apartment without knocking. "Come on. Get out of those exercise clothes, get a shower and put on something spiffy. We're going out."

Wyatt had just gotten home from a run around the neighborhood. He stood at the kitchen island, his slender body clad in sweat-soaked shorts and a tank top. He had been chugging a water bottle and Allie's sudden intrusion startled him into swallowing the wrong way, resulting in a light coughing fit. "Um, come on in?" he said when he finally recovered.

Opal, his tiny orange and white cat had already retreated to one of her many hiding places when Allie barged in. Allie stood on the opposite side of the island resting against it with her hands palm-down on the granite surface. She fixed a stony expression on him. "I mean it, Wyatt. You don't do anything anymore."

Wyatt scowled and wiped some sweat from his forehead. "I do stuff! I do all kinds of stuff," he replied defensively as he crushed the water bottle and tossed it into the nearby trash can.

Allie folded her arms over her chest. "Oh? What stuff do you do, Wyatt?"

Wyatt matched her posture. "I go to auditions...go to the gym...read..."

Allie nodded her head knowingly as she watched Wyatt struggle to find more answers. "Right. All of that sounds like a great time."

"I like going to the gym."

"Yeah, yeah. I know you like being active and stuff. And auditions are a necessity. Reading is a nice pastime. But what about fun?"

"Fun?" Wyatt asked.

"Yeah. Fun. F-U-N. Webster defines it as enjoyment, amusement, lighthearted pleasure?"

Wyatt shook his head. He knew exactly where this was going. "Allie-"

"2 months!" Allie cut in. "It's been 2 months since your show got cancelled and you dumped Brian. 2! And you're still moping around."

Wyatt scowled. "I think moping is a really generous term."

"I'm not the only one who feels this way. Elizabeth and Darren said so too."

Wyatt smiled and leaned against the cool stainless steel refrigerator and enjoyed the way it felt against his skin. "Okay. I'm willing to admit that maybe I've been a little reclusive lately."

"You haven't gone out with us in 2 months," Allie reminded him again. "Every time we try to invite you it's always the same excuse. 'I'm tired'. 'I just got home from the gym and don't feel like getting out'. Or my favorite: 'my book just got really good'. Face it- you're a 24 year old shut-in."

Wyatt was about to say something when Allie walked around the island and took him by the arm before practically dragging him along the hallway toward his bedroom. "To be so little, you're really strong," he observed.

"Yeah, it happens when one of my best friends is ruining his life."

"That's a little dramatic."

"I'm serious. You're young, hot, successful, with good teeth, a great body, and an actual personality. Get your head out of your ass and start living." Allie yanked him into the en suite and turned the shower on before turning around and gesturing for Wyatt to follow. "You get into this shower and wash up. I'm going to pick out your clothes. And then you and I are meeting Elizabeth and Darren for drinks."

Wyatt rolled his eyes. "Okay. Just one drink."

Allie smiled. "That's all I ask," she said before turning around and closing the door.

"Allie?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Thank you."

Allie's stern features relaxed into her usual mirthful demeanor. "I do it because I care."