Behind the Time - Herophine

6

AUGUST


HERO

I was playing football with the M-Boys when one of them asked if I could be on a video call with a friend of him, because she likes me and my job so much, how can I say no?! I try to stay a lot of time with the M-Boys, while I had a "calm" routine, I cleaned the house, trained, watched my series, talked to my girl, everything was fine, everything was "easy".

In August Jô sent me a selfie of her and a big picture of me at a Flaunt Magazine event in Los Angeles. I had done a job for the same magazine in London once, and they were celebrating the success of the LA jobs. I just laughed at the photo of her trying to kiss my campaign photo. She said that she needed to be quick so no one saw her and found out our little secret... I love having secrets with her.

"You're beautiful as always!"

I send it to her and she sends me emojis with heart eyes, and fireworks. I can only smile at that, this time the emojis she sent me made sense, because usually she sends a camel, or a zombie, Jô, being Jô, but I love her anyway. She looked beautiful, wearing a black dress with a coat and glasses, sexy without meaning to, as usual. She told me that there was a live show and expensive champagne, that she would definitely enjoy drinking several glasses, we were talking all night that day, she insisted on showing me every detail.

_____

A friend of mine invited me to join him to a live performance, it was in London, in a nice space, it had a calm mood and the people who sang were very good, it's good to spend this time with my friends, we always enjoyed it a lot. And as always, someone could find me among so many people, little by little I'm getting used to it. But I'm still not famous! I'll never be...


August is a special month! This month a young girl was born, who turned my life upside down, and made me see things I didn't even think about feeling and learning. I wake up and the first thing I do is text to her.

"HEEY CONGRATULATIONS!!! Today is your day and a little bit mine too, because you are very special to me, so today is a special day for me. A day to thank for you being here and for transform me, my mind and my heart. I love you so much, and I want you to enjoy every second of this day, just because it's yours. I'm here to enjoy it with you! Even though I'm away... Thank you for teaching me, for change me, for all the moments we live, on screen and behind the scenes."


JOSEPHINE

This message from Hero made my heart leap, my breath quickened with each word I read. A smile crossed my face, I send an audio to my favorite Brit:

"Look that!!! If I got a text, it's because I'm important!" I know he prefers to call, or send audio, so I'm flattered that it's such a beautiful text and full of feelings.

"Heroo, I love you toooo, I miss you, I wish you were here with me, but I know you're here in thoughts. Thank you for waking me up with this beautiful message, I shivered with every word, I'll enjoy it, and I have to thank you for you are in my life. I'm counting the days to see you again! I'll call you later! Love you."

As soon as I finish the audio, Hadley walks into the room with a tray full of food for me to feast on, delicious food. Let the celebrations begin!


My birthday passed, we didn't do much, we opened a wine, me and the girls, who live with me, were laughing and talking until the day was over, eating snacks, drinking and talking about life's problems. I talked to my family in Australia, some friends, read messages and fan montages, not everyone because it's impossible! But I have never been so grateful to have each of these people with me on this very important journey. I spoke with the After family, we connected the video call all together, they sang and wished me a Happy Birthday, each one in a place in the world. I was very happy, they are everything to me, I am very lucky. And to end my special day, there's nothing better than talking with someone special. I ended the night with him mocking me with every word that came out of my mouth. I was drunk, and I started talking with my Australian accent, and that made Hero laugh a lot, so much, that one of the only things I remember about that call was his delicious laugh.
That was Hero's idea: spending the last few seconds of my day with me, the best birthday present.

_____

"Hiiii Herooo!"
"Hello, beautiful."
"I miss you."
"I miss you, Jô."
I get silly on the call. My birthday had already passed a few days ago... And it was the last time we'd called, the last few days had been hectic for us. It was time for the famous interviews and promotions for the new movie.
"Where is it?"
"Where's what?"
"Your hair shaved!"
"Ahhh!" He starts to laugh, that good laugh he always gives. Every year, after shooting and starting to promote the movie, Hero cuts his hair and listens to all sorts of complaints from fans. "I'll shave soon... The interviews are coming up, right..."
"Uhum..."
"I wanted to travel the world with you again..."

In the first After movie we traveled to some countries to promote the film and do interviews, it was really good... At that time we were so focused on doing everything right that we didn't even think about anything different than doing a good job. We had no idea how much feeling we had for each other.

"Maybe next year... In the last movie..."
"Yes... The last one..." We stopped for a moment... What will become of us next year, without the After's franchise to "connect" us... Will this all end? "We've lost the chance to stay since those trips..." I can only smile at what he's just said:
"And... What would you do to me if we were traveling together?"
"Josephine Langford, are you trying to have phone sex with me?" Hero loves to use quotes from the movies we shooted in our real-life conversations.
"No!" I couldn't stop laughing. "I just want to know what would have happened if we knew that..."
"What...?"
"Everything we feel for each other..."
"I think we would have jumped from room to room, from country to country..."
We laughed, it would have been great... Who knows, next year...


The interviews started, we took a few days off just for that, it was pretty tiring, a lot of people asking us questions, about everything, about the shootings, the fame, what we're going to do in the future, what we're doing in the present, everything. Some questions we have already answered at least 50 times, but we always answer again.

I felt that this time we were different, calm, it was usually awkward talking about Hero to other people, but this time not. The same happened to him, who had talked a little too much about me... Yeah... Little by little they're realizing what's happening to us, we won't be able to hold back for long. Are will?

We chatted through messages during the interviews. Hero sent me pictures of the drawing he was making. It was Hardin his characther, and I was smiling. While the interviewer was talking to me he focused on his artwork, and it was funny, it looked like a drawing made by a ten year old child.

"Jô, can you not say the same things as me in your answers? People will be suspicious about us! Thank you."
"Funny! You're the one who always agrees with everything I say! And can you stop stuttering when you talk about me? People will be suspicious!"

I send it back to him who smiles. I hope no one suspects these off-screen conversations we have...


Fans go wild when, at the end of the month, Hero participated in online fan interviews. He held video calls of two minutes each, with girls from all over the world, the money raised would go to institutions he already helped. How can I not fall in love for this man?
I was afraid that he would say something about us during these interviews, but the little I saw, noticed how affectionate and considerate he was to the fans who spoke to him, I was very proud. Then he told me in more detail what he thought of the experience and even suggested that I do it someday. Maybe one day...