Method Acting || Joe Keery

T H I R T Y O N E

"Charlee, your line," Maya says to me, breaking me out of my daydream.

I shake my head slightly as my eyes bring the room back to focus.

"I'm sorry. I got distracted," I tell Maya.

At this point, a more accurate description of the situation would be that distraction has been my default setting all day.

I look at Maya sitting on the other end of the couch, script in her hand, as she sighs.

"What's going on Charlee? You've been so distracted today, this isn't like you," Maya questions me.

I can hear the concern in her voice.

"She's right Charlee, this isn't like you. Normally you take running lines way too seriously. What's happened?" Robert adds.

I look over to Robert, who is sitting on the couch across from us. We are sitting in our regular spot in the break area.

I pick at the hole in my jeans, gathering my thoughts.

"Nothings happened. I'm fine, seriously guys," I try to assure both my friends.

Robert and Maya exchange worried glances, unconvinced.

"Charlee," Maya says softly.

I look into her eyes, and I can see she's genuinely concerned.

"Did something happen with Joe again? Is everything okay?" She asks me.

I sigh. I feel guilty for making them worry. I swallow, and look at my friends.

"No, no. He's fine. We're fine. It's just... I think... I love him," I say.

My heart feels as though it's going to fall out of my chest as I say the words out loud.

Maya gives me a look.

"You only just figured this out?" She laughs.

I frown at her, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion.

"Yes. This is entirely new information for me," I say slowly.

Robert sighs, and I look over at him.

"It's normal for this to be weird for Charlee, she doesn't normally let people in like this," Roberts gently explains to Maya.

Maya nods slowly at Robert, and then turns to me.

"Did you tell him?" She asks me.

I shake my head fiercely.

"No way. I don't even know if I should tell him yet. He said he wants to take things slow... besides, don't you think it's a bit early?" I say to her.

Maya just stares at me, saying nothing but shaking her head slightly.

"He will take it well. Trust me," She eventually says, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

As she looks at me, I'm reminded of the fact that Joe had talked to her about me for a long time before her and I were ever friends, and that they still talk. She knows him best, so I should trust her judgement. Right?

"There's also the fact that... I've never said it to anyone before," I say in a small voice.

Mayas eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Robert looks at me sadly. He already knew this about me.

"Anyone?" Maya asks me.

I press my lips together, stalling my answer.

"Like, friends and family, yeah. But never anyone I've dated," I say.