Unexpected Co-star

Part 1

I never imagined I'd be here—on set, staring at the man who has been an icon for years. Hugh Fucking Jackman. HUGH JACKMAN. It sounds surreal even in my head, and yet, there he is, walking onto the soundstage like he owns the room, which, to be fair, he sort of does.

I grip my script tighter in my hand, trying to focus on the lines in front of me instead of the fact that I'm about to act opposite one of the biggest stars in the world. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that this is another job. Just another project. But it's not, and I know it.

"Emerson?" The director's voice snaps me back to reality.

"Yeah?" I glance up, my eyes darting between the script and Hugh, who is standing a few feet away, chatting casually with the crew. He looks completely at ease, like this is a typical day in his life— and it probably is. For me, it feels like I've walked into some alternate universe.

"We're ready for rehearsal. Let's block the scene."

I nod, pushing down the nerves bubbling up in my chest. This is what I've worked for. I belong here. I've done enough indie films and small parts to know how the industry works. Still, working with *him* is a different league entirely.

I walk over to my mark, trying to keep my footsteps steady. Hugh finishes his conversation and moves toward me, offering a friendly smile. He's so fucking tall...and handsome, gorgeous even. "You must be Emerson, my co-star," she says extending his hand.

For a second, I just stare at it. *Emerson, pull it together.* I quickly take his strong hand, forcing myself to smile back. "Yeah, that's me. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too. I've heard great things about you," he says, and I can't help but raise an eyebrow. *heard great things?* I'm barely out of my "Hallmark Films" era. There's no way Hugh Jackman has heard anything about me.

"Thanks," I mumbled, not really sure how to respond to that.

The director claps his hands, brining my focus back to the scene. "Alright, this is the big meet-cute moment. Hugh, your character has just bumped into Emerson's at the café, and you've spilled her coffee all over her. You're embarrassed, trying to apologize, but she's not impressed. Let's feel that tension between you two."

I almost laugh at the absurdity of it. *tension?* Right now, I'm mostly these because I'm standing and breathing the same fucking air as HUGH JACKMAN. But I need to be professional. I'm professional. I can do this.

"Ready?" The director asks.

I nod, and Hugh gives me a playful wink before the scene begins.

"Action."

In an instant, the set transforms. Hugh steps into his role as effortlessly as he does everything else. He's all charm, stammering apologies as he pretends to mop up invisible coffee spill on my shirt.

"God, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there," he says, his voice layered with the perfect mix of embarrassment and sincerity.

I roll my eyes, just like I practiced. "Yeah, well maybe you should pay more attention next time," I snap, brushing past him.

Except I don't *feel* the moment like I usually do.  I feel...off. My timing is wrong, my delivery stiff. It's not my acting; it's the sheer disbelief that I'm acting with him.

"Cut!" The director calls. "Emerson, that was good, but let's try it again. Give me a little more frustration. Remember, you're not impressed by him at all. You think he's just another guy who can't get his life together."

I nod, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. Of course, he thinks I'm not nailing it. Maybe I'm not.

Before we start anything, Hugh leans in, lowering his voice so only I can hear. "Hey, you're doing great. Don't worry about it. We've got this."

I blink, surprised by his kindness. He could have easily stayed in his superstar bubble, but instead, he's offering encouragement, like we're equals. It takes me a second to process it, and then I realize I've been holding my breath. I exhale slowly, letting his words settle.

We reset, and this time, I focus more on the moment and less on the fact that Hugh Jackman is standing less than a foot away from me. When the director calls for action, I find my groove. The frustration in my character's voice feels more natural, and I see Hugh's expression shift in response. There's a flicker of surprise in his eyes, like he wasn't expecting me to push back as hard as I do.

"Cut!" The director calls again, but this time, he's smiling. "That's the energy I'm looking for. Great job, Emerson. Hugh, love the reactions."

I let out a breath of relief. It wasn't perfect, but I'll take it. Hugh gives me a nod, and I catch a glimmer of respect in his gaze. It's small, but it's more than enough.

"Looks like we'll have some fun with this," he says, grinning. There's an ease about him that's contagious, and for the first time today, I feel like maybe— just maybe— I can handle this.

As we prepare for the next take, I realize something: Hugh Jackman might be a movie star, but at the end of the day, he's just a guy doing his job. And so am I.

Maybe working with him won't be as intimidating as I thought.

Maybe.