Jared's Joker

Walking the red carpet

(Liz POV)

Looking at myself in the mirror, I was truly impressed. I can't remember the last time my makeup was this done and I wore a dress like this. It was really something.

I hadn't let myself go but I had been so far detached from set life that it felt like a lifetime ago. I had gotten used to the natural look and messy buns, donning them everyday ever since I had stopped my work as an extra for the squad film. And yet here I was getting ready to walk the red carpet.

"Alright hun, you should be good to go. I'll be there at the sidelines just in case there's a malfunction but I'm 100% sure it's gonna hold up perfect!" The artist said as she finished spraying some setting spray on my face. I looked like a doll and I loved it!

"Thanks love!" I chirped excitedly.

Before I even had a chance to stand up from my seat, the door to the trailer we were in was open and a man stood in wait.

"The limo is ready for you miss," the man spoke politely. I nodded and waved goodbye to the makeup artist. As I walked out and towards the limo, I spotted Margot inside it.

She was seated and waiting.

"Hey you made it!" She said as she extended her hand, helping me up in the SUV. I took the seat beside her and smiled.

"Yeah! David was able to convince me," i laughed as I got comfortable. Looking ahead of me I saw Will Smith and his son sitting quietly as well as a few of the other leads. No sign of Jared, which was good. I was relieved for some reason.

"Well, that's great darling, it's always nicer to have more people on board!" Margot said sweetly as she patted my hand.

I smiled back and looked out the window. As we rolled up to the red carpet, we saw people in the crowds screaming and jumping excitedly. Once the door was open to the limo, we stepped out one by one. I was the last to go out, since I really was no big deal. Well, not as much as these guys. As the limo driver helped me out, I was instructed to follow the red carpet.

Walking slowly down, I was bombarded by photographers and reporters. Thankfully, David had told me to address select ones but also to take my time and talk to the crowd if needed. I gracefully walked down the carpet. I was mainly concerned about seeing Jared but no sign of him yet indicated I was still in the clear. Reaching the end of the path, I stood alongside the cast I had come here with and faced where we had come from. The crowds were now roaring and cheering as they looked at all of us.

But before I could continue to breathe easy, i saw a figure in white taking slow strides down the carpet towards us. I spotted him immediately and at that exact moment he saw me. I knew it was me he was looking at, his face was still. I could sense a hint of nervousness but I decided that as an actor he'd be much better at masking those feelings.

"Looks like the gangs all here," Will said with a smirk as he watched Jared walk down to us.
I looked away pretending to look at something interesting as Jared made his way to us.

"Well hello," his smooth voice was like honey and his non threatening tone was somewhat comforting. I felt his eyes on me so much so that I was enticed to look back at him as well but I fought the urge.
Once they were all engaged in conversation I walked a few steps away from the group and smiled at a few fans, even taking some pictures with them.

After several minutes we were instructed by David to walk into the theatre to view the final product.
I sat at the far edge of the last row which was reserved for the cast.
As the rest of the cast poured in, I watched Jared walk up to me, eyes staring hungrily down at me. I briefly made eye contact but looked away as quickly as I could.
Why did I feel this way?!
He sat in the only seat right next to me and as I watched him from the corner of my eye, he focused his attention elsewhere.
What was he up to?

A few short seconds later, I received a text.
Call for sex: You look amazing.

I blinked a few times at my phone. He must have been pulling my leg, surely he didn't mean this.
We hadn't spoken in months, it was as if that last little conversation completely ruined us. And for what? It was all for naught.
There was no reason for us to be on bad terms.
Well, bad enough to not converse at all for the past 9 months we hadn't seen one another.

Maybe it was better this way.

Putting my phone down, I didn't reply. From the corner of my eye I saw him looking down at my phone. He seemed a little frustrated but played it off well. He went back to his phone and I could see him typing quickly.

And a few short seconds later, my eyes read the product.

Call for sex: What went wrong?

What did go wrong? That was the question.

Me: I don't know.

I swiftly shut my phone off and made it clear I had the way I threw it in my purse. Looking up at the screen the movie began. And I could hear Jared beside me sigh as he put his phone down.