Act Like Love

Chapter 3

I felt it in my bones. Grant wasn't going to show.

I sit in the brightly lit, though exceptionally bleak, black box theater and ten minutes past the time our meeting time. I knew he was off doing whatever Hollywood actors do on a Saturday night.

Maybe he's at a press junket for some movie coming out, or with the other pretty Hollywood people admiring their appearance. A face party, where they all sit around with mirrors admiring themselves while drinking oxygen infused water.

I snort at the thought.

To pass the time I study the lines and decide to come up with few blocking ideas. If I tell Professor Dunhill that I am working hard on the scene despite my scene partner refusing to meet with me, he might give me a another scene partner. At worst, he could give me a pass and let me do something else for the grade.

I managed to memorize the first of the three page scene, but only glanced at the other two pages. In order to block it properly I start reading the rest of the scene. Flipping to page two I take in the words until my heart stops.

A kissing scene.

Half way through the page the character Jason, in a last ditch effort to win back his wife, kisses her. My heart sinks even further when I realize Alexa doesn't fight the kiss but gives into it. It's passionate, heated and terrifies me to the core.

I take a deep breath to rationalize everything. This is acting. What did I expect? Eventually I would have to do a kissing scene. I played Juliet in my high school production of Romeo and Juliet, there is a kissing scene in that play. Though, the theater teacher Mrs. Cortez, felt it more appropriate if Romeo only kiss Juliet on the cheek. Which didn't match the text, but she said no one would care.

Groaning I push the paper to my forehead trying to hide from the idea of kissing my scene partner. At least Grant didn't show. I may get away with not having to do one. I really thought I would kiss someone outside of acting first before this.

"Trying to learn your lines through osmosis?" Grant's deep rumbling voice comes from behind me.

I turn to see him moving down the steps from the corner door. Dark jeans and a faded logo T-shirt hugs his body.

"No, just tired." I straighten and avert my eyes. Guess I will be doing that kissing scene after all.

Great.

"I want to apologize for being late." He sits two seats down, throwing his black leather messenger bag on the chair between us.

My nerves begin to wane as he takes responsibility for his actions. This is a first. Maybe what I said to him Tuesday got through and we can work to make a great scene. I can almost see that A for this class blinking back at me on my computer.

"I haven't been here long. Just trying to study my lines."

Grant shifts his body to face me, his lips hard. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. You were right you know."

Tilting my head trying to remember our conversation from Tuesday, "About what?"

He released a sigh and something changed in him. Grant appeared tired and some of the shine in his eyes dulled. "I don't want to be in this class, but not the reasons you think. As for a scene partner, I'll be honest, you are one of the better actresses I have seen."

I can't stop the goofy grin that breaks my face in two. He thinks I am good at acting? I am stunned.

"It's not like we have done much acting in class. I am sure, with all the actresses you know, you are just being kind. But, I think it's nice all the same." I feel the heat flood my cheeks and dip my head.