11:11 | Cameron Boyce Story

Seven

Cameron

I honestly feel like I'm about to get married or something. I have never felt so nervous about a scene in my entire career.
We've filmed all of the episode up to the kissing scene, which I have five minutes to brace myself for. If it wasn't for my father threatening to send me to rehab, I would be drinking the nerves away right now.
Bob waves me over to him, so I slump towards him and sit down, "Cameron," he says, "Remember what I told you the other day about moving on, okay? Time heals you, son, maybe this screen romance will trigger something new."
I glare at him and get to my position, "You don't know me."
The click of the slate echoes around the room and the scene begins. Bonnie's character, Chloe, is leaving New York and she's saying goodbye to all of the Ross kids.
She hugs Bertram, Jessie, Zuri, Ravi, Emma, and then pauses and I pull her into me, hugging her tight. The script says to not let go, so I follow what it instructs.
"Come on, Chloe. It's time." Mrs Chesterfield speaks up.
Chloe looks me sadly in the eyes and my palms start to sweat, "Luke, I have to go home."
She turns her back and walks towards the elevator. Now's the time. Don't think, just do.
"Wait." I grab her hand and pull her back, drawing her into me.
Our lips touch, and I kiss her emotionlessly, just like any other actor in any other TV show.
I let go of her, "Now you can go."
"And cut!" The director yells, "Perfect! That was adorable! Lunch break, be back in two hours."
Bonnie and I separate and I run out of the set and into my dressing room, avoiding eye contact with anyone passing.
My shaky hands lock the door behind me and I rummage through my bag and take out a half empty bottle of vodka. I drink it all. Every last drop. My guilt and anger drifts away with a single breath, but I have to keep telling myself one thing.
It meant nothing to me. I didn't feel a thing. I am not falling for Bonnie Thompson.

***

Bonnie

I'm excited for this scene. And I'm curious too. I want to know if he's actually going to kiss me, or if he'll run off like he did before. Maybe he'll be a good kisser.
"Bonnie, it's time." Bob says to me, gesturing for me to get to my position. I nod back and jog towards the elevator.
The slate clicks and the cameras start rolling, beginning the scene. My character, Chloe, is leaving New York and going back home.
I hug each of the Rosses but stop at Luke, and then practically leap into his arms and don't let go, just as the script tells me to.
"Come on, Chloe. It's time." Mrs Chesterfield tells me.
I look at Luke sadly in the eyes, "Luke, I have to go home."
Then I turn my back and walk towards the elevator. Here we go. Let's see if he runs in fear this time.
"Wait." He grabs my hand and pulls me back, drawing me into him.
Our lips connect as his hands move to my face. He's soft and gentle, but his kiss is emotionless. His hands are ice cold, but his cheeks are burning red from the embarrassment.
He lets go of me, "Now you can go."
"And cut!" The director yells, "Perfect! That was adorable! Lunch break, be back in two hours."
Cameron sprints away, just as I knew he would, but he mumbles the words 'I'm sorry' over and over as he runs.
Curiosity gets the better of me and I silently head in his direction. He shuts himself away like usual, but the door opens a crack so I can peek in.
Another bottle of vodka emptied. He could get fired from the show, even Disney Channel, if they knew about this. Tears stream down his face and the words his shaky, drunk voice say break my heart completely, "It meant nothing to me. I didn't feel a thing. I am not falling for Bonnie Thompson."
Well, Cameron Boyce, I think it's time you opened your eyes. Because Bonnie Thompson is falling for you. Hard.