Between Then & Now // Hugh Jackman

9 // Growing Closer

Focusing on the poster came difficult with yesterday's outing. I was sitting in the art room again, staring at a blank sheet of paper. Hugh's attempt to jumpstart my motivation might have worked if we hadn't stopped at that bookstore.

I couldn't remember why we did, but like with Hugh I was drawn towards it by some invisible force. I was the one who opened the door and walked in. Didn't say a word about it, but once I found that book I got my answer.

Hugh had shown up next to me after I put the hardcopy back on it's shelf. He hadn't said anything, but even if he didn't ask, I knew he was curious, and me rushing out of the bookstore right after I read through that small paragraph probably only fueled it. He had to have thought it was strange but the whole way back to Alana's apartment, he didn't bug me about it.

Now, I was repeating the motions, racking my brains for ideas and coming up short. I didn't want to be wasteful so I'd only drawn on a few sheets of paper this time. Unlike last time, I ventured out of the room and wandered around. I checked out some of the nearby rooms. One was filled with costumes. Another with props. The majority of the rest were dressing areas. I didn't make it as far as the stage, not wanting anyone to see me.

Alana had a permanent scowl on her face since Hugh took me out last night. She was also giving me the silent treatment, so when I needed to borrow more clothes, she just pointed at the bathroom where she had left me another pair of shirt and jeans.

I didn't want to see her either so I remained in the back even though there was a part of me that wanted to see Hugh rehearse again. He was captivating, and honestly, if I was going to get any inspiration from somewhere, he'd be the likely person to help me find it.

Even after not giving him a concrete reply to him wanting to get to know me more, he didn't take my silence as a rejection, because after rehearsals had ended, we found ourselves at the Royal Botanical Gardens. If possible, Alana's face hardened to stone after we dropped her off at the apartment.

She was definitely not a girl's girl. Then again was I? Because there I was strolling along a winding path covered in flowers and other small plants, trees further off, with a guy I knew she had a crush on. We weren't exactly friends, but I still felt bad about it. If I were her, I guess I'd be upset too. Maybe not to her extreme and being overly blatant in my dislike for that person but I couldn't blame her for hating me.

This place, with all the greenery and ponds, it offered a more tranquil space to talk personally. To get to know someone better without all the distractions and loudness of the city, which I was sure had been Hugh's intention when coming here.

The change of pace is welcome. The atmosphere was serene, immediately relaxing me and giving way to the stress of being cooped up in the art room and getting on Alana's bad side without hanging tried to. It was nice to get away from all that.

Not the wristwatch though and my impatience to visit the repairman tomorrow. I couldn't ignore it forever even if I allowed myself just this moment of reprieve.

As Hugh and I walked along the path, the leaves of the trees close by rustling with the slight breeze, we just enjoyed nature for a little while. The various floral scents and chirping of birds. The pond to our left rippling with each small gust of wind.

It was so peaceful. I had never been anywhere like this before. The last couple days had been the same. Hugh was showing me around to all these beautiful places. Bondi Beach. The Opera House. He really made me feel like a true tourist when in reality I was just your run-of-the-mill time traveler. As if that was normal.

We continue our stroll until Hugh found a bench by one the ponds and sat down. I would rather keep going than sit, rather keep us from getting to know each other and put everything at risk, but the more time I spend with him, the harder it is to walk away, so I take a seat beside him, eyes on the clear water in front of us.