Dead Ends // Hugh Jackman

Chapter 11

Volunteering on a Saturday afternoon has become one of my favorite parts of a routine. I like that I get to help others and strengthen my own talents while doing so. Going out to lunch after with all my friends makes it even better.

"Can you believe the summer semester is almost over?" Presly leans forward on his side of the table.

As a kind of celebratory meal, we're having lunch at Pepper's. It's a sit down restaurant. Not of the fast food kind, but not exactly fancy either. We have all of next week off until the Fall semester begins, so it's not like we won't be seeing each other for that long, but I think we'll all take any excuse to hangout and have fun.

"Thank, God." Ruth exclaims. She sits beside him in the booth we're at. Avi and I are on the other end while Carlos sits at the edge in a metal chair.

It was one of the only spaces available, or else we probably would've sat somewhere where we could all fit comfortably. That, and Ruth prefers booths. The seats aren't terrible for her back.

"It's only a week break," Carlos says with a shake of his head. I'm not sure he finds Ruth at all amusing.

"It's a much needed break. I don't care how long it is." She shrugs. Nothing ever really bothers her, which I admire. I don't think she has any problems getting what she wants.

But, I have to agree with her on this. It gives me time to really focus on drafting my query letter and synopsis. It has to be perfect. Even without Hugh's recommendation, I have to show the agent that I'm serious about this. That this is my dream I want nothing more than to live. I need to put my heart and soul into it without any distractions.

Avi nudges into my shoulder with her own. "Speaking of breaks, is it okay if I put reading your book on hold? My family wants to travel."

I immediately nod my head. "Of course, that's okay."

We don't talk about what happened with her dad all that much. I don't think she really wants to. I know she's worried and wants to spend as much time as possible with him. He's fully healed from the accident, but I think it scared her of what will inevitably happen to us all some day. I just hope it's not anytime soon for anyone of us or our loved ones.

"Now that you bring that up, I've been meaning to ask," Presly wears a curious and eager grin, "Did you get your book back? And, more importantly, how was the show? This guy over here won't tell me a word."

He points to Carlos, who seems to be in daze after Presly asks.

I'm not a very good liar, so when they all turn to look at me, I avoid the first question entirely.

"It was really good, I think. I don't really have anything to compare it to, but I enjoyed it."

Presly is pleased with my response. "Was Hugh Jackman as dreamy in person as he is in his interviews?"

I let out a soft chuckle. Oh, if only he knew that I didn't just get to see him in the stage but actually talk to him face to face. But, I can't tell anyone that. I promised Hugh I wouldn't.

"Well, from where I was sitting, he was absolutely breathtaking," I say it with a hint of humor, but a part of me believes it.

Presly groans. "I'm so jealous. You send your book to the wrong person, and you got a ticket to Music Man."

"I got lucky." And, it's true. If it hadn't been Hugh, I'm sure none of this would've happened at all.

"Have you seen him at all?" Presly directs the question to Carlos.

When I turn to face him, I find him looking at me strangely as he answers. "No, I got close though at the show on Wednesday."

To the other three, it might seem like a normal response, but the way he says it as his eyes are on me feels like he knows I'm hiding something.