the love rectangle

un

One: *steps closer to Two* could i at least get your name?

Two's eyes widen. his lips part. yes, he's finally going to get it.

and then.....nothing. i bite back a groan.

we've been at this for hours and i'm questioning everything from my descision to return to acting to the management team for casting Two as the second lead, and everything in between. i'm irritated; we've redone the same scene again and again and he still can't get it right.

Two's eyes remain blank.

what is going on??

One: *arm leaned against the wall next to Two's head, whispers* you're supposed to be saying the word "sure" right now.

Two: wh-what?

One: yes, that's the delivery, but it's the wrong word.

shit. did i just say that out loud? but also what the hell is wrong with this kid? he's not stupid, i know he's not. when we were reading the script he had it memorized faster than any of my previous co stars, even Four. his delivery needed some fine tuning but he was good.

am i the problem?

Two: uhm........

i sigh and pull away from him, taking my arm off the wall. i had hoped the lapses in focus would abate once we were up and moving around but clearly i hoped wrong. i feel a tug at my sleeve as i turn away and pause. i look at the hand on my arm. Two's hand. i stare at it for a minute, before following his hand to his arm, then tracing his arm to his face. has he figured out how frustrated i am with him? i meet his eyes, searching my brain for the next part of the script but i'm drawing a blank. the thing no one tells you about acting is if other people are getting their lines wrong, it is very hard to get yours right. i can recite entire portions of the scripts from every show i have been in with occasional prompting; however, i suck at doing the prompting. which is apparently what he needs.

we are not a good match. the show will be a flop since there is zero chemistry between the main leads. i can feel it in my bones.

his eyes are no longer blank. there's a hint of panic there, a little fear, and some desperation. he must have sensed it too, how obviously this is not working. he's not supposed to grab me but, maybe he's ad libbing. maybe i should help him. that's what actors do when the script isn't working, they improvise.

i cock my head to the side and lean back into him. my right forearm finds the wall again, next to his head; my left hand catches his as he lets go of my arm, then slides up his arm to his shoulder as his arm comes to rest against the wall. i focus on the collar of his shirt, pinching it between my fingers; i have no idea what he's doing with his face right now since i'm not looking at him but i am really hoping he is following my lead, even though i have no idea where i'm going. i notice his throat contracting as he swallows so hopefully he's doing something. the director not interrupting us yet means one of two things; he's so dismayed he has lost his ability to speak or we have successful fooled him into thinking we are doing this on purpose and he's waiting for the magic to happen. time to roll with it until he stops us.

i move my left hand to the right side of Two's neck, running my thumb along his jaw. he licks his lips and i look at them - thanks for the prompt, kid - before moving my eyes to his. we stare at each other and his breathing hitches.

One: yes?

Two: s-sure.

oh my God. he did remember?!?! i don't have much room left to maneuver with so i decide to use my eyes. i drop them - not to his feet, to his knees, then slide them over his body before meeting his eyes again and smiling slightly.