To the Moon and Back {Chandler Riggs}

F i v e

The 4th of July.

Not my favorite holiday, but the Riggs seem to love it. I sit in one of the lawn chairs in my patriotic bikini, watching Chandler threaten to drown Grayson in the pool. The music is blasting and the aroma of William's barbecue can be smelled for miles.

"Here," Lizzy says, handing me a bottle of sunscreen. "You don't wanna get burnt like you did at Universal." I accept it and start rubbing it all over myself. I plucked up the courage to invite Lizzy and Cameron over this time. Cameron is sitting on the edge of the pool nearest to William, helping him with the food.

"Are you gonna get in the pool?" Brianna asks from the side. Her swimsuit may be the skimpiest out of all of us. I debate whether or not to get in. I actually love to swim. I used to be on the swim team in middle school and I wasn't bad.

"Is it cold?" Lizzy asks. I can tell she's also debating whether or not to get in.

"You get used to it." Brianna shrugs before swimming off to Chandler. Lizzy reluctantly steps in and wades in the shallow end, leaving me to sit on the patio by myself.

I watch as Chandler piggybacks Brianna in the pool and I feel a pang of jealousy. I'm not even sure why. My own boyfriend is sitting not twenty feet away from me in this very backyard. Why can't my stupid emotions just stop toying with me? It doesn't help that Chandler had to bulk up a little for season seven and is now more toned. I find myself staring at him as a drop of water falls from his collarbone, rolls down his abs, and disappears somewhere in his swim shorts.

"Savanna." Someone calls, snapping me out of my daze. It's Cameron. Guilt immediately rushes through my body.

"Huh?" I ask as innocently as possible.

"Food's ready, babe." Cameron informs me, holding up a plate containing a hot dog, potato salad, and what looks like baked beans.

"Oh, yeah. Be there in a second." I assure him. He walks away and I turn to get one last look at Chandler, but everyone has already filed out of the pool and is waiting in line at the grill.

~

"I'm gonna use the restroom." I tell Lizzy who is absorbed in a conversation with Chandler's friend, Sam.

"Uh hu." Lizzy mumbles absentmindedly, turning back to Sam.

I go inside and do my business. When I open the bathroom door to leave, I find myself face to face with Chandler.

"Oh, sorry. Bathroom's all yours." I say, stepping out of his way.

"Wait." Chandler says, grabbing my wrist gently. I turn around and wait for him to continue.

"Yes?" I ask when he doesn't say anything. He lets go of my wrist.

"I need to ask you something." He says. His blue eyes are wide and he almost looks nervous.

"Yeah, sure. Anything." I tell him, nodding my head.

"Can you act?" He questions.

"What kind of question is that?" I blurt, sounding a little more rude than I intended. I guess I can act. I mean, I used to be in school plays and I've been on commercials before, but that just seems like an odd and random question.

"Let me rephrase," Chandler says. "We need a girl your age on the show. It's a pretty big part and I could get you a script and an audition as early as next week."

My heart stops. I know exactly what character he's talking about. Why else would they need a sixteen year old girl to play a "big part?" I've read The Walking Dead comics before and I have a feeling it's Lydia.

I could be on my favorite TV show, hanging with my idols, and going to premieres. That sounds like a dream come true, but I know I can't.

"I can't, Chandler. With all that's going on with the modeling and I'm just getting settled, I just... I can't. I'm sorry." I feel like a bitch as the expression on his face changes from one of hope to one of disappointment.

"That's okay. I get it." He says, walking away.

What did I just do? I just let a once in a lifetime opportunity slip through my fingers. Am I stupid?

"Chandler, wait!" I call after him. He turns around and smiles at me hopefully.

"Yeah?" Chandler asks, taking a step closer to me.

"I'll think about it."