Mallory

The next morning, Mallory got ready for work like she always did, but this time it was slightly different. She walked with a bounce in her step, and could not resist the urge to constantly smile. For the first time, she knew what early love felt like. And let's just say: it was grand.

Even though they've only known each other for a short amount of time, Mallory couldn't help but feel the connection between them after he left late last night. They made the "dinner of champions" (as Chris called it) which was just Mac N' Cheese. He promised he'd get more into books and get in touch with his "weird" side, and she vowed that she wouldn't ever change. He liked her the way she was, and he thoroughly expressed that. She lent him three books, and he left. Yes, they said goodnight and exchanged constant "thank you"s, but no. They did not kiss. Even though Mallory was feeling the connection, she has never kissed someone. And she sure didn't want it to be on a first date. But, (SPOILER ALERT: she soon would feel the urge to.)

The morning flew by in a blur; by late afternoon things kind of settled to a slow pace. The shooting today didn't involve any Captain America scenes, so Chris was wondering around set, talking to various people, including Mallory.

Chris: Hey, Mals!

Mallory: Hi.

Chris: So, how are you doing on this hot day?

Mallory: Fine. Hot though. How about you?

Chris: Tired. I stayed up reading The Catcher in the Rye last night. I'm almost done.

Mallory: Wow you're a fast reader.

Chris: Have to be to learn parts in a short amount of time.

The conversation continued on until Mallory forced Chris to get some rest. He told her to do the same, soon realizing that she couldn't- she was working. She watched as he walked away, his shoulders low like he hasn't gotten sleep in awhile. She hasn't either. After last night she lied awake in bed, her thoughts churning about her experiences with Chris. She always thought that celebrities were stuck up snobs, but Chris showed her otherwise.

Soon Scarlett Johansson sat down in her chair, to take a break from the scene.

"Hey how was the bar?" Scarlett sarcastically asked her brows raised.

"Oh fantastic! Chris got drunk off his mind and started rolling around on the floor." Mallory could have a sense of humor, and it made her proud.

Scarlett laughed and threw her head back. "That's great."

"Thanks."

"So, where did he really take you?" She leaned close, as if it was a secret.

"Um, a Patriots game," she answered with a tiny voice.

"Oh how marvelous! That's new."

"New?" She felt a rock hit the pit of her stomach.

Scarlett's eyes grew wide when she realized what she had said. "Oh no dear, not like that. He hasn't had very many mistresses. I mean to me that's new. I wouldn't have ever thought of a minor league baseball game as a date option."

"Oh okay!" Mallory felt relieved.

For the rest of the day, Mallory sat there prepared to do makeup, until the director said she could leave. Apparently she was done for now and half of tomorrow. Mallory felt relieved. She could finally sleep.

-

When she got back to her apartment, Mallory began organizing through various boxes. She unpacked the majority in her room and in the living room; only a grand total of six remained throughout the house. She listened to and old record from her uncle as she unpacked, thinking of Chris. She couldn't get him off her mind. Finally, she sat on the couch, picking up a book. She didn't look at the title, she just read. Eventually she was halfway through the book when her eyelids began to fall. She couldn't focus on the words, so she laid down and pulled the throw blanket over her. Soon she fell asleep, still listening to the music playing softly on the record player behind her.