Behind Closed Doors (Tibette)

Introduction

*This first part introduces us to the very start of the relationship between Jennifer Beals and Laurel Holloman*

Laurel's p. o. v

I remember the very first day in which there was a gathering of The L Word cast members, a sort of formal introduction to get a feel for one another. We met in this small restaurant in Vancouver where we would be shooting our show in less than a week. I have to say that I was a bit nervous to meet my fellow cast mates. As I approached our agreed meeting place I saw Kate Moennig (who I instantly knew was playing Shane), along with Leisha Hailey, Mia Kirshner, and Erin Daniels. I was a bit embarrassed because I assumed I was late, although the agreed meeting time was 4 p.m and it was only 3:50 p.m. I greeted all the members and noticed the one person missing, Jennifer Beals. Out of all the people I had to meet, she was surely the person I felt the most anxious to meet. I've come to know her from a few of her movies and her interviews. What elegance and intelligence she exuded. Within 10 minutes of my arrival, Jennifer came stumbling in with many apologies for her late arrival.

"Wow", I bumbled under my breath as she approached.

She was radiating beauty and sophistication. I couldn't help but to be the first one to approach her with adoration.

"It's so nice to finally get to meet you," I awkwardly say as I shake her hand.

Jennifer's p.o.v

"It's an extreme pleasure to meet you, Laurel," I replied to her eager and frantic introduction.

I approached the other girls who seemed to be silently witnessing the greeting between Laurel and I. Each one of them had a charm that I immediately noticed as I said my greetings.

"Shall we go eat ladies, or we could just stand here and pretend like we're all not starving."

Laurel began to laugh uncontrollably, which I found very strange. Was my joke that funny? Not at all.

As we all seated, 3 people on each side of the table, we began small talk.

"So ladies let's start off my telling each other one quirky detail about ourselves shall we?"

Mia began speaking in such a sweet and tender voice, "well, this is not a quirk, but I want to start off by saying how much gratitude I have toward this incredible project we're about to embark on and what joy it brings to me to be able to work with such lovely people," she finished.

I wasn't yet ready to say such bold words, as our project hadn't yet started and i've only known my cast mates for less than 20 minutes.

Laurel's p.o.v

You just know, you know? When you meet a person and you feel this connection. At least for me, I knew that Jennifer and I would have an amazing bond. I'm not saying I have feelings towards her, but you just know and I knew.

I interrupted Jennifer as she was about to reply to Mia's statement.

"That was lovely Mia, as am I very appreciative to be able to work with such fine ladies," continually keeping my eye contact on Jennifer.

"One of my many quirks is getting to know each person individually on a deeper level before shooting, if you can consider that a quirk. I just can't seem to fully engulf myself into a project until I get to know who my cast mates are outside of acting. It helps, a lot."

The girls all looked at me with confusion, but that confusion suddenly turned into understanding.

Jennifer's p.o.v

There was something about Laurel that intrigued me all of a sudden. I couldn't fully comprehend why, maybe it was her open honesty and lack of filter when she spoke, something i've always wanted to posses. There was also another part of me that told myself to stand guard. Who knows why?

As the evening proceeded with more conversation about our lives, I noticed that it was already 7 p.m. I apologized as I frantically asked for the check because of the obligations I had to uphold, which I could not mention.

"I am very sorry ladies, but I have an important meeting scheduled," I stated.

"This late in the evening?," Shane questioned me as I gathered my belongings."

"The evening has only begun, come on Jennifer", Laurel pleaded.

"I am terribly sorry I must go, I promise to make it up to all of you."

~~~~~~~~~

The girls decided they would all walk Jennifer to her car as they said their goodbyes.

"Jennifer, here's my number, please call me soon", Laurel said as she slipped her a piece of paper with her cell number.

"Will do, " Jennifer said with hesitance.

The evening was short, but nonetheless everyone enjoyed the company of one another and could see that they would get along as filming time approached.