Falling For The Co-Star

Night Out With The Cast

The director instructs us to restart the scene and that's what we do. I concentrate on doing what I'm being paid to do and put my embarrassment aside. When we were told to have a break, Donnie comes closer to me with a smile on his face, saying "well well, I see we meet again Gabby. So you're going to be my character's new partner, this will be interesting." I blush. I nod. "I guess I am." I look around for Dawn. "Are you okay?" Donnie asks me. "I'm just wondering where Dawn is, I need to find a vending machine for a drink." He motions for me to follow him, I find my legs following his command and I discover that we are in a lounge place, there's sofas, tables, kettle, fridge and a tv. "This is the green room so when we're not doing scenes, we're here or outside having a smoke, or in the dressing rooms." I thank him. I watch as he goes to the fridge then he pauses to ask if I want something from there too. I walk towards him and peek inside the fridge and point to a bottle of pop. He hands me the one he has and gets himself a bottle. I take a good swig and feel the relief as I refresh my energy. "Thirsty?!" My eyes shot to where Donnie is now sitting, surprised that he was watching me. "I feel nervous. I want to do a good job here." He motions for me to sit down next to him. "Gabby, just relax and enjoy yourself. Is this your first job?" I tell him that although I've had roles in theatre group and the odd little parts in different shows, this is my first major role. Dawn appears at the door, looking a little perplexed but relieved alerts us that we're back on set. "I've been wondering where you got to but glad you've met your co-star, Donnie, seems like he's maybe taking you under his wing." Then she winks at me. I just look at her. I tell her my agreement though.
I just look at her. I just smile at her.
Before each scene, I'm constantly reading through my script which I screenshot on my phone to remind me. We've been doing the scenes here on the set but next week we will be in the city centre, which will be fun but nerve wracking as I don't know what to expect. According to the script, the scenes in the city will be more physical and I'm keen to give them a go. Anyway, I'm lost in my thoughts when I need to get my head in the here and now.
"So we going to go and get them then?" My character; Clarissa asks Danny, who is being played by Donnie. "Yes. How many times have I gotta tell you?! Are you stupid, never mind don't answer." Clarissa screws her face with irritation. The scene continues as our characters bicker.
The carries on for the rest of the week. Dawn comes to greet me and invites me to join them all for a few drinks to celebrate my first week as a cast member. Reluctantly, I agree. "Great! I'll see you later on." I'm waiting for my taxi to arrive when Donnie is running towards me. "I hear you're joining us later, it'll be nice to get to know you better away from work." Aww. I'm so glad he's nicer than his character who I'm not sure about. He gently rubs my shoulder, smiles and wanders off. Finally my taxi arrives. The first thing I do is have something to eat. Then I go to shower and get ready. I'm stood on a stool to reach to the top of my wardrobe but I feel something fall, as it hits me in the face, I end up losing my balance and tumble off the stool! Argh! I sit on the ground rubbing my ankle. It happens to be the same one I hurt on my first day at work. My face also hurts. I try to move my cheek muscles by smiling with no luck, it definitely is painful. I crawl to my bed and pull myself up. My mirror which is on a stand is on my bed so I pick it up. Great. There's bruising appearing already. Right near my eye. Letting my ankle rest, I decide to do my makeup. Looks like I'm going to have to try to cover up the bruising. Hopefully no one will notice. Half an hour later and I'm finished doing my makeup. Just as I'm deciding on what footwear to put on, I hear my brother Carl entering the front door. "Hey up, it's only me. You ready, sis?" He saunters through to my bedroom and notices my slight limp. "I had an accident. Which should I wear?" He rolls his eyes with a smirk. "Gosh sis, you are so clumsy but, are you okay? Pick those wedges. Don't want you falling again." Picking up said wedges, I limp back to the bed and he helps put them on me. "You sure you don't mind dropping me off?" He shakes his head from left to right.
Outside the bar, I climb out of the car and take a few steps away from the vehicle when Carl yells out of the window for me to wait there. He moves the car to the empty parking spot just down the road and rushes back to me. I feel his arm linking with mine. "I'm staying with you, then I can get your drinks and stuff, making sure you don't hurt yourself even more." I roll my eye sideways. "I saw that missy!" He laughs. "I'll be alright once I'm sat down and got a drink. I know you care about me and I appreciate it." We're soon inside and after getting my drink from the bar, I search for Dawn and Donnie. It's quite busy in here so it takes me a few minutes until I spot them at the far corner. Carl still has his arm linked with mine, carrying my drink, we slowly move towards everyone. Dawn is the first person who sees me. She stands up and rushes over. "Hey girly, was beginning to think you changed your mind. Oh hey!" She gazes at me and lingers at Carl. I observe the exchange between them. He clears his throat. "Oh hey Dawn, I'm here. This is my brother, Carl. He'll be gone in a minute." Looking at them both, their faces smiles disappear slightly. "Erm yeah. I'm just helping her out. I'll be back later to pick Gabby up whenever she's ready. Don't want her to falling again." Dawn places her hand on his chest, yeah I can't believe she fell on her first day." Carl corrects her "this one fell earlier and hurt her ankle again." He face says it all, disbelief. I go to take a step and the pain hits in my ankle. Carl goes to pick me up, to my horror. "Carl! Put me down. I'm okay. I'll go sit down. Just help me to my seat, okay?" Reluctantly, he lets go off me and wraps his arm around my waist. "I'll sit you down then go to the bar to ask for some ice." I thank him. Finally sitting down, I glance around me to see everyone. Dawn goes with my brother to the bar, chatting. She's laughing. They're hitting it off rather nicely. He deserves to find a girl who makes him happy.
Vanessa comes to say hi and we make small talk. Due to the storylines this week, I haven't had much interaction with many of the cast members but Vanessa has been really friendly towards me when we have seen each other. "Here we go, let's put this on. Stay there unless you need to do your business and even then ask for help. There's a few guys here who can help you, I'm sure." I look at him, sighing to myself. "Thank you. I'm sure I'll be just fine. I'm a fully grown adult Carl." He kisses me on the cheek and tells me to call him if I need him or when I'm ready to go home. Again I thank him and wave him off. Dawn is back by my side and she immediately starts to talk about Carl.
Donnie slides in next to me on the opposite side. Pointing to my ankle, he asks "is this from the accident on your first day?" I giggle and explain my events from before I left home. "Want to know what I think Gabby?" I raise my eyebrow in anticipation. "You're a trooper. Still coming out even though you are hurting." I try to reach for my drink but struggling, and the next thing I see is Donnie picking it up to give to me. "Thank you. It's going to be fun tonight with this ankle." He rubs my shoulder gently. "Give us a shout if you need anything okay? We're a good bunch here. So how are you feeling now you've done your first week with us?" I think to myself for a second. "It's been good. Tiring a little bit. So much fun though. Especially to see what happens behind the scenes." We chat for some time, conversation is light and fun. Dawn strides over and tells Donnie she needs a girly chat with me so can he depart his seat. We both laugh. "I'll see ya a bit doll!" He winks and heads to the bar.
"Gabby, I need to know more about Carl." I ask her what she wants to know. "Is he single, does he have kids and what's he like?" I quickly glance over at the bar to where Donnie is standing. He has his back to me. I take in what he's wearing; dark long sleeved top, jeans and a hat that he keeps putting on and off. He looks good. "Well, he's single. No kids. He's lovely, kind, caring and is fun. I'd be lost without him. You like him?" I already know the answer but want to see her reaction. She blushes.
Some time later, the bar staff have called for last orders. I've already sent a message to Carl. He's on his way. A lot of people have left.
Carl walks in and head's straight over to where I'm sitting, it's much easier to see now it's not as busy. "Hey Carl!" Dawn suddenly appears. She gives me a hug. From the corner of my eye, I spot Donnie by the main doors. He's looking back at me, a smile shows on his face, waves his fingers then disappears. "Can I gift you a lift Dawn on the way?" He then picks me up off my feet and carries me outside to his car, with Dawn following us. Once we're all in the car, conversation begins so easily with them two. I observe the way they keep glancing at each other in the rear view mirror and the flirting doesn't go amiss between them either. I wish I could be more open and be able to flirt as easily as they are doing. I'm so awkward. I need to pretend I'm the characters that I play, might have more chances then, haha!
Once outside Dawn's home, although it's hard to see with it being dark, looks fair modern and not too imposing. I try to ignore them two as they flirt while saying good night to one another and Carl waits for her to get inside the home before setting off.