The Makeup Artist (Norman Reedus)

Friends

They were shooting the scene where The Governor blows up the guard tower as they progress with their war with the Prison at the end of the series, so today they had fire engines and paramedics on set just in case.

Walking into the make up trailer Mia stopped working on an extra and hugged Louise, all Louise was getting was hugs when all she wanted to do was scream. "You look good babe, im here for you okay" she whispered so the extra didnt hear, Mia let Louise out of the hug as Louise caught sight of Mia's engagement ring from Sean "sorry, dont mean to flaunt it" Mia said twisting the ring on her finger. Louise shook her head "dont be silly...please! Its fine for god sakes, shit happens " Louise reassured her trying to play it down. Sean proposed to Mia a month ago, Norman and Louise were ecstatic for their friends but their relationship was falling apart at the time.

Louise caught eyes with Norman as she walked down to set to apply makeup to the actors/extras, they gave eachother saddened smiles, breaking Louise's heart more. Eventually she came round to Norman for makeup she could feel eyes looking at them, everyone had a good idea they were splitting , and they were not sure how this would go down. Ignoring the eyes Louise worked on Norman "you okay?" She whispered "mmhmm" was his reply, "professional right?" He whispered back.

Everyone was excited to watch the Governor's attack on the prison and they all lined up off screen to watch it. Louise could see Norman from the opposite side, he wasnt looking at her, she couldnt stop looking at him, this made her sad so she went off to have a cigarette alone.

Leaning on the trunk of her car she sucked in a long drag and looked up at the sky as she blew it out, she could hear someone walking towards her, secretly praying it was Norman but knew it wouldnt be, he was working and they had to be professional now. They placed a hand on Louise's shoulder causing her to jump out of her skin "smoking is bad for you, and i should know" Louise shot round to see who it was who made her jump it was a fireman, "hi...didnt mean to startle ya" he apologised holding out his hand "I'm Derek" he added holding his hand out to her, Louise bent down and stubbed her cigarette out and then rises  back up to shake his hand "Louise" she introduced herself. She didnt know what to say after that so stood with her arms folded somewhat awkward. "So are you an actress or?" Derek asked taking his helmet and gloves off as he ran his hand trough his dark brown hair. "Makeup girl" she nodded "you here for the explosion?" She asked knowing he clearly was but felt awkward if she didnt say anything. He smiled and nodded. Louise left the conversation at that and headed back to work.

Mia noticed her returning from her car and she had noticed Derek talking to her, running up to Louise "he is seriously cute" Mia squealed looking back at him as he stared at Louise. "Nope" was her blunt reply so Mia pulled her back "come on...you can" she tried to make her feel better but Louise tried to keep walking but Mia pulled her back again "Lou...you and Norman, you ended what, 4 months ago now, you may of acted the part in front of us but we all knew..come on. Its over now...move on baby" Mia tried to justify it to Louise who was showing no signs of listening and carried on walking away.

As the day went on Louise spent most of it hiding away in the trailer spinning on the makeup chair, Mia came in with a cold can of cola and stuck it on Louise's back causing her to scream out "da hell Mia?" She laughed wiping the coldness from her back "made you laugh" Mia joked. "Fireman is out there.." Mia signalled with her eyes to outside hinting for Louise to go out there. "Mia i cant, Norman is here...and besides im not interested" Louise protested. "Fine be a spinster" Mia replied holding her hands up in defeat.

Louise chatted away to the extras and some of the actors between takes, catching up with Andrew he strayed away from the subject of her and Norman which she liked, she was fed up of 'sympathetic smiles' from everyone, lighting up another cigarette with Andrew, Norman came over borrowed a light and lit up too. "How ya doing?" Norman asked with genuine interest. Louise smiled and said she was good, "how long you two here for then?" Louise asked breaking the silence "few more hours" they both replied looking at their phones for the time. "I finish soon" Louise added before Derek called out to her "smoking again? Tut tut" he played smiling towards her causing the men to turn and face him. Louise looked at Norman as he realised Derek was flirting with her, he looked at Louise and gave her a nod and walked off with Andrew. Was that nod the 'ok'? Or what? She thought.

Louise was getting in her car when Mia ran up all excited "what?" She asked as Mia tried to catch her breath "what!" She asked again as Mia had her hands on her knees, "here" Mia handed her a piece of paper "got Fireman's number for ya" Mia said through breaths. "Oh Mia--" Louise tried to speak but Mia cut her off "look just fucking text him...you are single now...even if it is just a night of passion..." Mia winked and left Louise with the paler as she walked back to work. Louise screwed it up and shoved it in her bag and drove home.

Sitting on her bed she pulled her phone out her bag and un scrunched the paper Mia gave her. Derek's number in front of her eyes, she typed in the number and then deleted it. She couldnt do it.