Good Boy, Sad Girl

11: Noah

I'm getting ready for work when Vinnie sends me a link to an article. Danielle went on a date last night.

I feel a mix of sadness and anger. Why didn't I just tell her that I liked her instead of waiting? I'm so stupid.

I hurry up get ready and start walking to my car. The sun is barely rising, and the sky is a mix of orange and yellow.

I admire it for a little while before taking a picture and getting into my car.

When I arrive on set, I see Danielle talking to Allison. She looks annoyed. It must be a serious conversation.

Danielle glances over and sees me. She rolls her eyes and then proceeds to walk away quickly.

How does she plan to avoid me whenever we're about to be together all day?

Allison looks annoyed as she makes her way to my car.

I brace myself for a lecture as I get out of the car.

"Listen, I know you both are hurt right now, but we can't let this affect the movie." She takes a deep breath. "I know that I'm supposed to support both of you, no matter what you're going through. However, this is one thing that I always advise people I work with never to get romantically involved. It always complicates things. Nobody has ever listened to me, but I still advise them that's going to end badly."

"I'm sorry, but it's not easy to just completely get over somebody."

"I understand, but you have to understand that my job is to make this movie happen. This is the biggest movie of this year. I understand that what you're going through sucks, and I'm sorry that this happened and ruined your friendship. It's my fault. I'm the one who had the fake dating idea."

"Yeah, it is your fault, so I'm glad you're claiming responsibility, but I'll try my best to put on my best performance."

***

It's time to film a scene with Danielle, and I'm very nervous because I have no idea how this will turn out. After all, she's very angry with me.

"Action!"

We're sitting on a bench. I lean over and whisper in her ear. She's supposed to laugh, but her face is blank.

"CUT!" Allison yells and marches over.

I start hyperventilating and trying to take big breaths, but I can only take shallow ones. My hands begin to sweat, and I quickly get up.

I don't know how I'm supposed to do this. It's not like I can just completely erase everything that's happened from my brain.

The fact that she can't even act right now proves how upset she is. She's on her phone, not even bothering to check if I'm okay.

"Noah, calm down," Allison says.

She walks over to me and starts patting my back.

"Calm down, it's okay," she sighs. "Everybody takes five."

Allison takes me to the other side of the room, away from everybody.

"It's okay. Everything is okay. You need to take your time, and you need to just calm down. It's nothing to get upset over."