Flightless Birds

Touring the Studio

I quickly cover my chest and grab another towel from the bathroom. I wrap it around my torso and head back into the sitting area.
I  glance up at Tom who is still laughing. "Sorry about that."
" It's not a huge deal. Today is just a test run after all, so nothing is ruined and we don't need do overs." He throws his towel into the chair next to him. " How about you take me on a tour of the studio though? We can get another water on the way."
Both Steve and Chelsea roll their eyes. They know the will be cleaning up the mess.
" We can leave as soon as I get everything dry." I grab his towel and place it on the ground, soaking up the water that is all over the tile.
Steve pulls me up. " Don't worry about it. We'll get it under control. Do what you need to do today and you can treat us to lunch tomorrow." He gives me a wide grin and winks at me.
I nod. " Alright. Let's go then."
I lead the way out of the trailer and begin to walk in the direction of the makeup and hair department.
"Uh, you do realize you haven't changed shirts, right?"
I look down. I completely forgot! OH GOD. " Oh gosh, you know it just slipped my mind. We'll make a quick stop by the costume department."
Luckily it's close by so I don't have to go around much longer with a completely see through T-shirt.
As soon as we reach the door of the costume department I of course run into James, the guy who has tried to get into my pants since I've started this job.
" Sophie, where's the car wash at? I'll be sure to drop mine off." He winks. " I didn't realize you were still trying to pay off those student loans."
I roll my eyes. " You're such a pig, James." I shove my way past him and walk straight to Cynthia.
" Hey girl! How are you?" Cynthia is always in such a great mood. I don't understand how she does it.
I point to my shirt. " Not so great. You got anything for me?" I look over at Tom. He's still a little damp. " And for him?"
She doesn't even ask. " Of course!" She goes into another room and returns with a dark gray v-neck and a black v-neck.
She hands me the dark gray v-neck. " Here you are." Try to contain your excitement Sophie." She hands Tom the Black v-neck. " Words from the wise, avoid liquids and Sophie. The two don't mix well."
He chuckles. " So this isn't the first time this has happened?"
We both shake our heads no.
His chuckle grows louder. " Is there a place that I could change?"
I motion for him to follow me. " I'll see you later Cynthia!"
She waves me goodbye. " I'll see ya later girl."
We walk down a brightly lit hallway and I walk into a dressing room. I peek out the door to Tom. " Pick one."
He nods and walks into the one across from mine. I quickly change out of my wet T-shirt and into my dry one. I stuff my wet one it my purse and leave the tiny changing room.
Tom walks out shortly after I do, holding his wet shirt. " What do I d-"
I grab it from him and stuff it into my bag. " Ready?" I give a quick smile and walk back down the hallway and leave the costume department.
We then walk to the makeup and hair department. I open the doors. It smells strongly of hairspray.
" This is the wonderful hair and makeup department where all the magic happens. Millions of teenage girls envy these talented people for making simple folks like me and you look A-plus on the red carpet. And on the big screen." I hold my arms out and bow. " But you already know all of this. I'm sure you've heard this hundreds of times."
He bows as well. " I have, but never as animated. You make it sound spectacular."
I can feel myself blush. " Moving on!" We continue our journey through the hair and makeup department then walk through double doors into the cafeteria.
"This," I motion to everything behind me. " Is where your gourmet meals are prepared by the most skilled chefs in New York."
"Really?" He asks in amazement.
"Well, we settle. but they are till ace chefs!" I give him a wide grin. " After the tour we can come here for lunch and you can meet some of the other amazing people you will be working with for the next few months."
" That actually sounds wonderful." He seems to be enjoying his tour so far, but he is very quiet which concerns me. We continue walking. We leave the cafeteria and cross over to the filming studio. I turn around to face him. " So are you liking everything so far?"
" U-"
I hear a loud honking noise and shouting. I'm looking right at Tom. He steps forward, grabs my waist and pulls me into him, moving the both of us out of the way of a speeding golf cart.
I gently push away from him. "GOD!" I yell at the disappearing golf cart. " PEOPLE  LIKE YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE!!" I have the urge to run after the dumbass driving it.
Tom quickly grabs my wrist. "Are you alright?"
I'm instantly relaxed. "Oh, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. This happens all the time. "
" You're just prone to accidents!" He looks deeply concerned.
" Maybe it's sign from god." I say sarcastically.
He let's go of my wrist. " Let's just continue this tour without either of us dying."
I nod in agreement. We finish crossing the street to the filming studio. It takes about two hours to completely tour it. By the time we leave it's one o'clock in the afternoon.
We walk back over to the cafeteria. Tom has been so strangely quiet the whole time. Even more after I nearly got ran over.
I stop before we walk into the cafeteria. " What's the matter?" I ask.
He looks up from his shoes. "Hmm? Oh, nothing's the matter. I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Care to explain?" I cross my arms over my chest.
He nervously laughs. " Not at the moment, no."
I shrug my shoulders. " Well, just always know I'm here to talk." I walk into the cafeteria, Tom following behind quietly.

______________________________________________________ Tom's Point of View_______________________________________________________________

I don't know what to think of all this. Sophie is so lovely. Her pale skin, dark brown hair with hints of red, her deep, bright blue eyes, her incredible smile that is somewhat lopsided which makes it so much more beautiful. She is quite a sight to see. And I will have the opportunity to see her everyday for the next few months.
We walk into the cafeteria. People are staring left and right. It's like they haven't seen a famous person before. I don't understand. I just stare straight ahead. Straight ahead at Sophie. Her tall figure striding so effortlessly forward.
She turns around. " Everyone's staring at you." She flashes her wonderful smile at me.
I can't help but smile back. " Do I look alright? Maybe its my hair."
She laughs. "You look fine. Maybe it's me?"
I nod my head no. " I highly doubt that"
I watch her try to hide her blushing face. " Well let's get some lunch then."
She walks up to the salad counter, grabbing a tiny box of prepared salad. I look around. I don't really know what I want.
I walk over to Sophie. "What would you suggest?"
She jumps up a little. I guess I scared her." Oh! Uh," She thinks for a second. "The Panini's here are really good."
She points over to the line where they will be. I get in the line and wait. A few people turn around and move out of the way.
" You go automatically to the front." One guy says.
" Oh it's no trouble." I say. " I'll just wait."
"You sure?" He asks.
I nod. Really. It's not like I'm prince William for god's sake. Although I am good friends with him. That's beside the point. I try to shake my anger off. I look to my right and see Sophie waiting for me. The anger completely dissolves from my body. I'm beside myself. I don't know how I'm already so interested in someone so quickly.  She looks up and sees me looking at her. I quickly look away. Five minutes later I'm at the front of the line. I order my panini and go back over to where Sophie is standing. We walk over to where Steve and that insane woman Chelsea are sitting.
Sophie sits next to Steve. I sit between her and Chelsea.
Sophie and Steve begin talking. I begin eating so I don't have to start conversing with Chelsea. Steve and Sophie start laughing. Her laugh is so cute. I have to repress my smile. I quickly finish my food.
I stand up and throw away my trash. I go back to the table. " I'm going to go back to the trailer and leave shortly after."
Sophie looks up at me. " Do you want me to go with you?"
" We were getting ready to leave too." Steve pipes in.
" You don't have to but you can." I say as politely as possible.
"Steve will you wait on me?" Chelsea asks quickly before they get up to leave.
He rolls his eyes. " Yeah, Yeah."
I move out of the way so Sophie can get up and throw her things away. I follow her back to the trailer. She unlocks it and steps in. I follow behind.
I grab my bag from the tiny resting room in the trailer.
"So where are you staying at?" She asks.
" Oh, I've uh rented out a condo until filming is over."
" That's nice." She replies. " Sounds better than staying in a hotel."
I nod in agreement. She grabs her bag the opens the door.
" I'll see you tomorrow!" She smiles then closes the door behind her.