𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕀𝔼𝕊 𝔽ℝ𝕆𝕄 𝔸 𝕎𝕆ℝ𝔻 ～ 𝘋𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘯 𝘖'𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯

5) Presenteeism

Presenteeism (noun) [prez-uh n-tee-iz-uh m]
The practice of coming to work despite illness, often resulting in reduced productivity.

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You sluggishly walked out of your trailer as you put on your cozy off-white sweater that you're mother gave you on your birthday.

Step by step, you gradually got closer to the other people on set. Filming was taking place for a new movie that you starred in.

You saw Dylan sitting ahead and quickened your pace. "Hey [Y/N], what's... Up?" He started the greeting but suddenly looked worried, "You look terrible, like a walking zombie! Are you alright?"

"Wow, thanks for that... Cheerful greeting!" You sarcastically stated. "No, I really mean it. Look at yourself," Dylan said and opened his phone camera. He held it to your face and you got the fright of your life!

"Oh my Lord! What the...?" You exclaimed, startling everyone around you. You felt the features of your sore, pale face.

Your eyes were red and had bags underneath. Your lips were cracked and dry, begging for a drop of water. Your hair was a bird's nest and you looked like you hadn't slept in days.

You coughed, which started the ache in your throat. "I don't feel so good," you croaked. Dylan dragged a chair next to him and gestured for you to take a seat. He placed a hand on your forehead to check if you had a high temperature.

"You're really hot," He said and his eyes widened, "I mean, your temperature... It's high." You smiled as he laughed nervously.

"Okay, I'm going to go to Benjamin and explain that you're not going to be able to shoot today," He told and began to walk away. You held his hand to stop him. "But it's an important day. We're doing an important scene," You said between coughs.

"You can barely talk! How are you going to act in this condition? I don't think even the best make-up could make you look normal!" He joked, which made you chuckle.

You sighed. He was right. You were tired, unable to even walk ten steps without the need to sit down and you couldn't speak properly.

You sneezed, which surprised Dylan a bit. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around you. You smiled at his kind deed. You couldn't help but admire him. He was always looking out for you and always cheered you up with his comments and jokes. He's a real sweetheart.

He came back shortly afterwards , with the movie director by his side, and stood in front of you. "Oh [Y/N], are you okay? I hope its nothing too extreme!" Benjamin said. You smiled, "I'm fine and I think it's just a cold. I shouldn't have had all that ice cream day before yesterday, knowing that its freezing cold outside," You answered with sniffs.

"Well, I hope you get well soon. I always have a back-up plan for shooting so... Don't stress about it and rest as much as you can!" Benjamin advised. I nodded and he walked away. Dylan held his hand out.

You took his hand as you stood up. "Where are we going?" You asked. "Somewhere that will make you feel better," Dylan smirked. Where was he taking me?

It was such a surprise. Wow. The set's doctor.

"This makes me better already!" You said in a fake tone. You were never a big fan of visiting the doctors. Dylan rolled his eyes, "Just go inside. She'll give you some medicines and stuff to make you feel better."

"Fine!" You huffed and stomped inside the doctor's trailer. "I'll see you later," Dylan said and shut the door of the trailer. You turned around as someone greeted you.

"Hi [Y/N], what can I do for you? Benjamin told me that you were not well. You look horrible!" Dr. Alex Roberts said.

"Yes, I know that," You said and took a seat on the bed. The trailer looked like a hospital room. There were cabinets and drawers on the other side of the room, going along the walls and floors. There was a small sink near the door.

Where you were sitting was a bed with curtains on the side. Dr. Roberts started checking you with her stethoscope and other tools.

Soon she walked towards the cupboards jammed with medicines. She took out and Advil: Cold and Flu tablet and gave it to you with a glass of water.

You swallowed the pill, the water dousing your parched throat. "Thanks doctor. That was something I needed," you said and cleared your throat. Dr. Roberts smiled.

You walked towards the rest of the cast and crew. A scene was going to begin. "BOO!"

You jumped and turned behind. "DYLAN!" You slapped his arm and he laughed, "Don't do that ever again! Please, you seriously scared me."

He grabbed your hand and pulled you towards his trailer. "Why are we going there?" You asked while trying to break free from his grip. "Benjamin said I have the day off. I'm not needed in any scenes so I can take care of you," He answered as he opened his trailer's door.

You smiled at his expressions. He had a grin on his face that was like when a child is given a bag of candy to eat whenever they want to.

His trailer was pretty much the same as yours but he had lots of pictures stuck on the walls. You walked closer to a few, fascinated at the photos. Then you spotted one you couldn't take your eyes off of.

You pointed at it, not saying a word. It was a picture of you and Dylan ball dancing together in a large hall. You wondered where that picture was from but remembered it was a scene from the movie you were shooting right now.

You both were smiling in the photo, a palms-length of distance between your faces. You were wearing a long, beautiful white dress while he wore a tuxedo. You missed that day.

"Yeah... I should take that down. I'm sorry," Dylan said as pulled it off the wall. You held his hand and took the picture from him. He looked confused.

"Why? Why do you want to remove it?" You asked as you put it back on the wall. "I-I thought you didn't like it," he replied. You smirked, "It's a cute picture."

You sat on the couch and took off the Dylan's jacket that he gave you. "You have a really nice trailer. Its so cozy in here!" You stated as Dylan sat next to me.

"Thanks. I tend to bring some memories with me so I don't feel home sick, and make new ones that I add to my collection," he said and looked at you.

"So, what do you want to do?" He asked. "Well, we could..." You started.

*****

You guys watched a movie, actually two movies, played video games, ate LOTS of food, told each other embarrassing stories. All that hasn't even scratched the surface of what you did together.

"Thank you, Dylan. I haven't had this much fun in a long time," you said as you took a sip of your hot chocolate that Dylan prepared for you. He placed an arm around you, "The pleasure is mine."

You rested you head on his shoulder and closed your eyes. Nothing could make this day any better.