A Wistful Summer's Night

Chapter 35: Anniversary

Two years later

"Cut!" I shout.

Yoongi and I focus on the large monitor in front of us and I hold a headphone to my ear.

"Damien, Haru! Come here." Yoongi waves with his hand to the actors.

They rush over and peer at the monitor "Play the clip back, please!" I say.

My eyes glue themselves to the screen and focus intently on the scene's light, mood, colour, expressions and dialogue.

From the corner of my eyes, I peek at Damien and Haru's faces; their hair and clothes are drenched, which is to be expected. We've been filming this scene on the beach on the shoreline, this is the 7th take.

I look at Yoongi, he's been acting as my mentor on this film giving me advice here and there. He's not here every day; he wants me to take the reigns and own this project as my staple piece representing me as a director.

As usual, Yoongi's face doesn't give much away to what he is thinking.

I turn back to the screen and focus.

"Play it back again."

I exhale loudly.

Okay, I've made up my mind.

I face Damien and Haru whose faces look both cold and slightly anxious. I smile "Great work guys, we'll pick it back up tomorrow."

"Really? Thank you." Haru says.

"T-Thank y-you." Damien stutters and shivers.

"Can we get some towels over here?" I holler. The costume department runs over and quickly covers Damein and Haru before walking them off the beach.

I twist in my seat "So...opinions?"

Yoongi pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose and raises his eyebrows "Layla. You are the director."

"I know." I straighten in my seat. "But that doesn't mean I don't want my mentor's opinion."

A small smile spreads on his lips "You're interesting to watch direct you know."

"Is that a good or bad thing?"

"Hmm..." He crosses his arms over his chest "Both?"

I twist my eyebrows together and pull a face.

"I've mentored a lot of directors, some good some bad." He takes his glasses off and rubs his eyes "But you, you are quite fascinating to watch. You're dedicated and know exactly what you want which is good."

"And the bad?"

He moves in his seat to fully face me "You're still not sure of yourself." He puts his glasses back on "Don't get me wrong, your confidence has increased massively but it's still got a long way to go."

I half smile "Thanks."

I stand from my seat and stretch "Let's wrap it up, guys! We'll meet back up tomorrow."

"Oh yeah, there's someone here to see you," Yoongi says.

"There is?"

"Yes, they've been patiently waiting." He nods his head in the direction behind me.

I turn around and see a figure standing in the distance next to the entrance sign of the beach. They take their cap off and I realise it's Jimin. Jimin! I spin back around to face Yoongi and he waves me off.

I jog up the beach towards him and crash into him. I grin "I thought we were gonna catch up tomorrow?"

"Well call me impatient." He smiles "How's it going?"