Hitchhiking

Part 8

Callie:
For the last few weeks, I've been sleeping in because, for the first time in years, I have no responsibilities.

I naturally wake up around nine in the morning. As always, I fling my legs over the side of the bed, stretch, then work out in the room for about 45 minutes. Although I'm away from my normal life, most other aspects stay the same, especially my morning routine. By the time I leave the room for the first time, I find Scarlett packing her bag for work.

When she sees me, she smiles warmly. "Good morning, Callie. How'd you sleep?"

"Good."

"I'm about to leave. Are you ready to go?"

"Uh, yeah."

Scarlett stands up straight and looks at me, seemingly studying me. "You sound unsure."

"No. I don't know," I shrug.

"Did you want to stay behind?"

"I don't know," I admit again.

"Hm. Well, what will you do here if you stay?"

I sigh softly. "I guess you have a point. Don't really... have any friends here."

"Just come. I think it'd be good to not be alone."

I force a small smile. "Okay."

We leave together and a car brings us to the set.

"Callie, you're here!" RDJ practically squeals with excitement as if I'm not here every day.

"That I am."

He puts an arm around me and ushers me away from Scarlett. I just accept my fate and let him lead me around. "I was hoping we could spend the day together. I have no scenes today."

"Did Scarlett put you up to this? You guys don't have to pity me. It's enough that you took me in."

"'Did Scarlett put you up to this?'" he mocks. "No. I'm doing this because I want to."

A real smile starts to grow. "Then sure. I'd love that. Where to?"

"I was thinking of breakfast first. Then we can explore the city, get lunch, do something cool, then head back for the dinner."

"The dinner?"

"Yeah. Did Scar not tell you? There's a cast dinner tonight. We tend to have one every couple of weeks. It's a good way to bond."

"Oh, that's cool."

"So, ready to go?"

"Let's do it."

-

Breakfast was amazing. Robert took me to a fancy cafe place and I got an amazing omelet. After that, he showed me some of his favorite things here. A botanical garden and a huge park. We're going to the aquarium and possibly the zoo after lunch. That's where we are right now.

"So, tell me about yourself," Robert prompts while we eat lunch.

"Well, what do you wanna know?"

"Anything. Interests, friends back home, anything you want to tell me, I'd love to know."

"Well, before I got— before I left, I worked at this really cute and vibey coffee shop called Roasters Room. I loved everyone I worked with. It was such a good job."

"Maybe if you ever go back, you could take me there."

"I'm sure I'll go back eventually. I do have one person I want to see again."

"And who's that?"

"My, um, girlfriend." Just saying the word makes my heart flip before it sinks with the thought of June. I instinctively go to check my phone before realizing June is in school right now.