Media Secret: Hidden Johansson

Calm before the Storm

The week leading up to Comic-Con flew by in a blur. Each day felt like it had a countdown attached to it, ticking away the hours until the world would finally meet *Jupiter*. There was an air of anticipation, a strange mix of excitement and anxiety that I couldn't quite shake.

On the Wednesday before we were set to leave for San Diego, I found myself sitting at home, alone for the first time in what felt like forever. It was a rare day off, and I was taking full advantage of the quiet, mentally preparing myself for the frenzy that was about to hit.

My phone buzzed on the coffee table. Brie's name flashed across the screen.

**Brie:** "Hey, wanna grab a coffee? Last chance to breathe before Comic-Con madness."

I smiled and quickly typed back.

**Me:** "Sure. Meet you at that place on Sunset?"

**Brie:** "You got it. See you in 20."

I grabbed my jacket and headed out, thankful for the brief moment of normalcy before everything kicked into high gear.

---

The café was quiet, tucked away from the usual chaos of Sunset Boulevard. When I arrived, Brie was already there, sitting at a table near the window, sunglasses perched on her head and a cup of coffee in hand.

"Hey," she said, grinning as I sat down across from her. "Thought you might need a little breather before the storm hits."

"Yeah, you're not wrong," I replied, ordering a coffee. "Feels like everything's about to change."

Brie shrugged. "It's Comic-Con. It's crazy, but you've done big events before. You'll be fine."

I nodded, but something in my chest still felt tight, like I was bracing for impact. "It's just... I dunno. The whole *Jupiter* thing, the year off, the pressure—it's all just building up."

Brie studied me for a moment, her usual playfulness replaced by concern. "Look, I know it's been a rough year for you. But you've made it through worse. You're strong, Thomas."

"Yeah, but this is different. The fans, the expectations... it's all just so intense."

Brie sipped her coffee thoughtfully. "You've been back in the game for a while now, and you've handled it like a pro. But I get it—Comic-Con's a beast. And the Florence thing... that's a whole other layer of stress."

I flinched at the mention of Florence. Even though I'd been trying to move on, the hurt still lingered, a dull ache that wouldn't quite go away.

"I thought I was getting past it, you know?" I said, staring down at my cup. "But it's harder than I thought. Seeing her with someone else... it just brought everything back."

Brie reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "That's normal. It's going to take time. But don't let that stop you from living your life, from enjoying this moment. You deserve to be happy too."

I looked up at her, grateful for her words, but still feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. "I just... I don't know if I'm ready for all of this."

Brie smiled softly. "No one's ever ready for Comic-Con. But you've got a whole team of people who've got your back. And I'll be right there with you."

I nodded, feeling a bit of the tension ease. "Thanks, Brie."

She waved it off. "What are best friends for?"

---

The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about everything but Comic-Con, enjoying the rare chance to hang out without the pressures of work looming over us. It felt good, almost normal, to just sit and talk without the weight of the world on my shoulders.

By the time we left the café, I felt more grounded, more ready to face what was coming.

"See you tomorrow at the airport," Brie said as we parted ways. "And try not to stress too much, okay? It's gonna be fun."

I laughed, giving her a mock salute. "I'll do my best."

---

Thursday morning came fast. I was packed and ready to go, my suitcase by the door as I waited for the car to take me to the airport. My mum had called the night before, wishing me luck and telling me how proud she was. Rose had even jumped on the phone, asking if she could come with me to "see all the superheroes."

As much as I would've loved to take her, I knew Comic-Con wasn't the place for an eight-year-old. The crowds, the noise—it would be overwhelming. But I promised her I'd bring back something cool from the event.

The drive to the airport was quiet. I leaned my head against the window, watching as the city sped by, my thoughts drifting to the panel and the announcement of *Jupiter*. It was a big moment, not just for the movie, but for me. After everything I'd been through, it felt like a turning point.

At the airport, the cast and crew gathered, ready to board the private jet that would take us to San Diego. Chris was already there, joking with Sam Elliott about something as they waited by the gate. Natalie waved when she saw me, and Taika was busy making a video for his Instagram, documenting the trip.

"Here he is," Chris called out as I approached. "The man of the hour!"

I rolled my eyes, but smiled. "Hey, guys."

Brie appeared next to me, her arm slung casually over my shoulders. "Ready for the circus?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I said, feeling the nerves creep back in.

"Don't worry," Taika chimed in, holding up his phone. "If things go south, we'll just throw Chris under the bus. He's used to it by now."

Chris chuckled. "Yeah, sure. I'll just stand there and flex, and everything will be fine."

The group laughed, the tension easing as we made our way onto the plane. The next few days were going to be intense, but in that moment, I was surrounded by people who had become like family. It wasn't just about the movie anymore—it was about the friendships we'd built along the way.

As the plane took off, I looked out the window, watching the city shrink beneath us. Comic-Con was looming, but for the first time in a long time, I felt ready. Not just for the event, but for whatever came next.

San Diego here we come