Hollywood's Golden Runaway

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"There's no way that they're going to make us film in this," Sydney presses her face up against the misted glass. She refers to the torrential rain that has come on in the night. It has been two weeks since we saw Olivia and Liam and I made some form of breakthrough with whatever it is between us. Since then I have rebuilt my emotional walls and Liam and I's on-set chemistry has only gotten stronger. I don't know whether I'm fighting to convince myself that everyone's words are true or fighting the urge to come clean about everything because of the pressure I have felt over the past two weeks. Or both.

Sydney remains ignored as Brenna's attention remains drawn to the T.V. screen, some other recent re-run of a reality show, with a steaming mug of hot chocolate cradled in her hands. I don't understand Brenna half of the time, how she can find so much satisfaction in watching herself on the television over and over again. I don't question what makes her happy though. Liam stands close to my side, his right arm lazily curled around my waist as I prepare some coffee and he stirs a cup of instant soup for himself. I take comfort in the presence of his body so close to mine, just feeling his warmth makes me want to hug him, whether it's coming from him or the instant soup.

"I'm sure Ethan will tell us what's happening soon," I assure Sydney as I walk over to her to offer her a cup of coffee before joining Brenna on the sofa, immediately switching the channel over to a sitcom. She gives a disgruntled shout when I change it but her mouth closes when Liam sinks down next to me, I feel his hand on my shoulder before he sits down. My eyes are only closed for a second before they are jolted open by the rapid knocking on my door. Sydney lets in the guest and Ethan enters, shaking himself off like a wet dog. Even without saying a word, we know what news he is bringing.

Liam mutes the television while I hand Ethan a towel to dry himself. The girls settle themselves and I perch on the edge of the sofa. I feel Liam's fingertips whisper over the small of my back, but I rein in my reaction in front of the others. Ethan takes his time running the towel over his soaked hair, and we wait in silence. He doesn't waste time.

"Where are Tatiana and Alex?" We all avoid his gaze. His eyebrows raise with displeasure and a note is scribbled onto the notepad tucked away in his arms, before he returns his attention to us.

"You can probably all guess what I'm going to say already," he admits, with the towel slung over his shoulders. Without saying it expressly, we know we're being benched for another day and Sydney lets out an exasperated groan, throwing her head back. "I'm sorry, the rain's just too heavy for us to be able to get any usable footage. We're going to look over the script and see if there's any other scenes we can shoot instead. In the meantime however, I would suggest finding something to do. Maybe go into town, I hear that it's a lot bigger than it looks."

We remain silent for a moment, only replying with nodding heads and having said his piece, Ethan starts to wrap himself up to re-enter the almost Amazonian weather. Liam gets up to help,

"Thanks for letting us know, Ethan. I think we'll take you up on that. I know that being cooped up in these trailers is definitely making some of us go stir-crazy." He gives Sydney a pointed look, to which she laughs sarcastically and flips him off before returning her attention to her phone. I smile at the exchange, watching Liam's face in a way I don't think I have before.

While helping Ethan shrug into his coat, Liam feels my gaze on him and our eyes meet. Only for the slightest of moments before he smiles, like we're sharing a secret that only we know. Ethan stepping away from him breaks the moment and we both snap our attention to him. The door opens, inviting a large gust of cold wind inside with it. My bare skin ripples with the goosebumps, making me involuntarily shiver and curl into myself. 

"I'll get some news to you all soon!" He's forced to shout over the roar of the rain, "have a good day!" And with that he runs into the torrential atmosphere. Liam is quick to slam the door closed behind him. The TV is unmuted and we return to our previous state for a few minutes after the intrusion of the cold weather. It's a peaceful quiet, and Liam comes to sit by my side again, and again I find myself pulling closer to him.