Herophine Stories

ONESHOT I: 10 Years 'After'

 2029

MALIBU, CALIFORNIA

10 years AFTER

I smooth down my suit jacket. Straightening out the sleeves, and trying to calm my breathing. Offering a smile to the camera as I enter the venue. The grip that I have on my dates waist loosening absentmindedly as my eyes search the crowd.

It's been four years since I last saw Josephine Langford.

Four fucking years.

We kept in touch for a while following filming, but eventually life got in the way. The way it always seems to. 

Not talking for weeks became not talking for months, and then years. 

Until suddenly I didn't talk to her at all.

My heart has been hammering in my chest ever since we got to the vineyard, and my hands won't seem to stop shaking. I'm sure my date notices, but I'm not sure if I care.

I have been trying my best not to pinpoint what it is that has me feeling this way. If it's just tonight's event in general. The memories it brings up. Revisiting such a huge part of my life and career again. Something that holds so much significance to me, yet feels so far away at the same time.

Or if it's really just the prospect of seeing her in person after all this time.

A part of me knows it's the latter.

A part of me that I burried deep down, a long fucking time ago. And the feeling of it rising back up within me after all this time is more than a bit uncomfortable.

Tonight is the 10 year anniversary of the premier of the first After film. The single most pivotal moment in my career as an actor. The fated seed that I eventually grew roots from.

And despite everything that came with it - the good and the bad - the experience of making those films is a huge part of what made me who I am today. I know that I wouldn't have the success that I have now without it. I have never been blind to what the franchise afforded me, and the opportunities it provided me. 

I also know that without it I would have never met her. And despite everything. I would never fucking wish that.

So here I am. Ten years later. A little older. Barely wiser and fucking bricking it.

Voltage has decided to hold a little reunion event in honor of the milestone. They've invited the press. Rented out this beautiful winery and from what I hear - nearly the whole cast is going to be here to celebrate.

I was surprised and grateful to see that Anna even made her way out with her family. There were a lot of regrets there - decisions I made when I was young that I thought were for the best but strained a relationship that I really did hold dear at the time. One I maybe took for granted.

I've seen Jen so far, of course. Met Shane and his wife. Spoke with Anna and had some photos taken out front, but it seems the other guest of honor is still nowhere to be seen.

I know she agreed to come tonight. I confirmed this all with Jamie before I agreed to anything myself. There would be no reunion without her. So if she wasn't going there's no way in hell I was, and I had made myself very clear about that to all involved. Refusing to repeat any old mistakes.