Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 42: Between Burgers and Breakdowns

After the interview, Judah, Stephanie, Timothée, and Zendaya headed to a local burger joint that Timothée swore by. The place was small and unassuming, with a neon sign flickering in the window—the kind of spot where nobody cared who you were, perfect for a low-key night out.

As they slid into a booth, Stephanie immediately seemed tense, fiddling with the edge of her napkin. Judah tried to keep the mood light, joking about how surreal it was to be grabbing burgers with two major Hollywood stars. But Stephanie, still wound up from the interview, couldn't quite let it go.

"I just... I don't know, I still feel like we should've been more professional back there," she said, her voice tight. "I mean, you guys are here promoting Dune, and we spent half the time talking about toothbrushes."

Judah shifted uncomfortably, while Timothée and Zendaya exchanged a glance. The vibe at the table dipped slightly. Timothée, ever the peacemaker, just smiled and took a bite of his burger. "Honestly, I think it was refreshing. We do a lot of interviews, and it's nice when it's not all about the same stuff."

Stephanie, clearly not catching the hint, kept going. "Yeah, but... you know, it's our job to keep things on track, and I just feel like—"

Zendaya, sensing the awkwardness, put down her burger and gently interrupted. "Look, the interview was fun. Don't sweat it, seriously."

Stephanie offered a weak smile, but it was clear the moment had already soured for her. A little while later, after some stilted conversation, she made her excuses to head out early, still looking a bit frazzled.

After they said their goodbyes, Zendaya turned to Judah, giving him a light tap on the shoulder. "Hey, don't leave yet. Come with us. There's this ice cream spot I've been dying to try."

Judah blinked in surprise but couldn't help the smile creeping across his face. "Yeah, sure," he said, feeling the tension lift.

As they walked to the ice cream place down the block, the conversation flowed easily. When they reached the shop, they ordered their ice cream and found a bench outside.

Once settled, Judah couldn't contain his excitement. "I've gotta say, the first kiss scene in Dune just... got me. It was so powerful, like it wasn't just about the kiss, but everything it represented. It felt epic."

He hadn't realized he was getting a little choked up until Zendaya put a hand on his shoulder, offering a comforting smile. "I get it," she said, nodding. "Those last few days of shooting, especially the scenes with Paul and Chani, were so emotional for me too. We all knew we were creating something special."

Timothée nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it was intense. I'm just so relieved we're doing another movie. There's so much more to explore, you know?"

As they enjoyed their ice cream, the air was cooler, but the atmosphere felt warm and relaxed. Judah felt like he was part of something surreal, something bigger than just a chance encounter. He wasn't just some guy conducting interviews; he was sharing a moment with people who had created something that meant the world to him.

They talked late into the night—about movies, life, and everything in between. For Judah, it was a night he wouldn't forget.