In Between

I Wish He'd Stop Pretendin

The next few days in Vancouver were a whirlwind. Walker was in town for *Percy Jackson*, and I was buzzing to hang out with him. It wasn't just the excitement of seeing a friend; there was this undercurrent of something more, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

We met up at a cozy café downtown. Walker insisted on treating me to brunch, and I wasn't about to argue. We talked about everything—his role in the movie, my upcoming projects, and random trivia that made us laugh.

But beneath the laughter and easy conversation, I sensed something was off. Walker was putting on a brave face, trying to keep the mood light, but I could tell he was holding something back.

"So, how's filming going?" I asked, trying to get him to open up.

"It's good! Busy, but good," Walker said, his voice cheerful but his eyes betraying a hint of exhaustion. "A lot of work, but I'm really enjoying it."

I nodded, sensing there was more he wasn't saying. "You don't look like you're enjoying it that much. You sure everything's okay?"

Walker hesitated, a forced smile on his lips. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just... a lot on my plate."

I could tell he was avoiding the real issue. "You know, you don't have to put on a brave face for me. If something's bothering you, just say it."

Walker's smile faltered, and he looked away, fiddling with his coffee cup. "It's not that easy, Y/N. Sometimes it's just easier to keep things light, you know?"

I reached across the table and put my hand over his. "You don't have to keep up a front with me. We're friends, right? If you need to talk, I'm here."

Walker looked at me, his eyes softening. "Thanks, Y/N. It's just... there's a lot of pressure. Sometimes it feels like I'm just supposed to smile and go along with everything, even if it's not how I really feel."

I saw the vulnerability in his eyes and wanted to offer more support. "I get it. And I'm here for you, no matter what."

We spent the rest of brunch with a bit more ease, but that moment of honesty lingered in my mind. There was clearly more to Walker's feelings than he was letting on, and I was determined to be there for him.

Later, as we walked around the city, Walker seemed to relax a bit more. We joked and laughed, and I tried to keep the mood light. But that underlying tension was still there.

As we said our goodbyes for the night, Walker gave me a warm hug, holding on a bit longer than usual. "Thanks for today, Y/N. It really helped."

I smiled, feeling a mix of affection and concern. "Anytime, Walker. Just know I'm here for you."

Watching him walk away, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something deeper going on. I hoped that with time, he'd open up more. For now, I'd be patient and supportive, hoping our friendship—and maybe something more—could help him find his balance.