Hooking up [KJ Apa]

Chapter Ten

I walk into the studios with a heavy heart. I keep thinking back to the conversation I had this morning with Vanessa. Was Keneti really just a rebound?

I shrug it away as soon as I walk in the writing office. It's time to go over the ideas for episode 6. I take my seat at the very end of the long table, where all newbies are seated. And since I'm the only one that's new at the moment, it doesn't feel like the newbie corner.

Other writers start piling in as they start talking to each other. They usually ignore me, because they're mostly all men and they think I'm just some wimpy girl, but now a woman has just come sitting next to me.

"You're new?" She rhetorically asks.

"Yeah, just started a week ago." I answer sweetly.

Better keep some people close over here.

"Great. I'm Britta, one of the more regular writers. Robert normally writes on his own and lets us revise, but I heard you wrote a scene and got it filmed yesterday."

"That's true. It was just a small one, a filler."

"But still a great opportunity in this world. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Our conversation ends when Robert walks in with a pile of scripts. He puts them down in the middle of the table as the others take a seat at the table as well.

"Good morning, everyone." He greets us all together as we murmer our own good mornings, "This is the first draft for episode 6. There are still several scenes that have to be remastered, so that's when you people come in. I want each one of you to write out two scenes that are lined out for you." He hands out the papers, "Make sure that it fits in the rest of the story. Deadline is the day after tomorrow."

He dismisses us right away. I stand up and grab my stuff together as he calls out my name. I stop and turn to face Robert.

"I have a special assignment for you." He starts, "I have this one sequence of scenes that I just can't figure out."

He pauses.

"And?" I inquire gretig.

"And I want you to write it. It's spread over several episodes, but there is this scene I need as soon as possible."

"I'll get on it then." I smile.

He now turns around to leave the same way he came in.

"Robert?" He faces me from the other side of the room, "Thank you for giving me all these opportunities."

"Just make sure when you win an Emmy, you mention me." He laughs.

"Sure will."

I exit the writing room and immediately go to Vanessa's trailer. I need to clear the air completely between us. She is, after all, one of the only friends that I have made over here. I knock until she finally opens the door.

"I thought you might not answer." I say with a smaller voice than I imagined.

"I was planning on doing that. But you look so... I was going to say pathetic, but that's not the right word."

She lets me pass, so I enter her trailer.

"I know." I sigh as I sit down, "I'm here to clear the air."

She sits down next to me, waiting for me to continue. I do so, yet with a heavy heart.

"I'm not going to stop soon. I know that it's fucked up, but it's also one of the most sober decisions I made. I'm going to tell you everything about Landon one day, but I'm just not ready now. Please understand this. You are the only one that didn't treat me like Keneti's 'long lost friend'. You treated me as me."

"I do understand." She answers, "I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"And if I do, it's my own fault."

"That's not what I meant. But you can count on a 'I told you so' when things go bad."

"When?"

"Oh, come on! Everyone knows the stories of fuck buddies. One falls for the other and the friendship is gone. You're already halfway there." She winks.

I slap her playfully as we both laugh on her couch. It takes a few minutes until we can catch our breaths.

"You know, I hate being in love with him. It messes with my head, but it weirdly feels like this is how it should be."

"Let's get some Frappuccinos with Mads and forget that this happened." She changes the subject as she stands up, "Well, it's something I can't really forget, but let's just act that I don't know."

"Good plan."

I stand up and join her outside. Madelaine walks up to us, being all happy to see us, as the conversation of just now disappears in thin air. Vanessa flashes me a smile to show her that all is forgotten as we walk away from the trailers.

________

I lay on my bed with my laptop in front of me. Normally inspiration would come to me in an instant, but this time the only thing that catches my attention is my Instagram feed. I like picture after picture, and even leave some comments on pictures I'm tagged in.

I sigh as I snap a picture of my black laptop screen to post it on Instagram.

I immediately get responses of fans. Yet, they're not all positive. My stomach churns as I read all the hate directed towards me from the Riverdale fans. Apparently they don't like an ordinary model to write for their favorite TV show.

Well, screw this. I'm not ordinary.

I'm about to close Instagram, not letting the haters get to me, as I get a DM of one fake redhead.

kjapa: Weren't you supposed to come over tonight?

I curse at myself as I shoot him a short reply. I close my laptop and put it in its case. I push it into my overnight purse, the one that's always ready for spontaneous sleepovers, swinging it over my shoulder as I leave my hotelroom.

I'm in dying need of my own place.

_______

Hi, guys!
So, I normally don't do this to make sure that the story reads easier, but I just wanted to thank everyone who reads this story. This is one of the only things that got me through tough times the past month. You can always vote and comment throughout the story to get to know me, as I would like to get to know you guys too!

So, first question for you guys: where are y'all from?
I'm originally from Belgium, but I'm studying a semester abroad in Philly!
Let me know where y'all are from in the comments!

- Tess