A Broken Act

ACT XVII

Much to Erwin's delight, Eren returned to his usual self the next day. Well, that was when he was at work. When he wasn't in front of the camera, however, it was another story.

When we were younger, Eren really had a short fuse. He would get into plenty of fights, no matter how much Carla told him not to. I used to be the one to tend his wounds and scold him, which he will return with an apologetic look and his face and a muttered, "It won't happen again", but I knew better than that. In the short span of weeks I spent with him working, I saw that it has changed and he could control his anger better now.

However, it wasn't the case now. He was always frowning, always on edge. I could see that he was trying his best not to release his anger towards any of his coworkers, but it was clear to see that he was failing. Everyone was wary of him, that's why he always stay away from everyone. During breaks I could see him staring at nothing, looking too deep in thought. The calls he received from whoever it was were ignored, Eren putting his phone in silent. I decided that it was much better that way. He almost gave me a fucking heart attack when he shouted during one of his damn phone call earlier in the day.

Sighing, I leaned back on the seat I'm resting on, loosening the tie around my neck. Acting was a tiring work. You would think that it's fucking easy, but no. Memorizing the script, remembering how to execute it with the right emotion and actions under bright, blaring lights together with the time span that we needed to meet, it's fucking stressing.

"Here Levi, have some soda." I turned to look at Hange who was offering me a can of Pepsi. I love the drink, but you couldn't be too sure if it came from someone lunatic like Hange. Eyeing the beverage with suspicion, I shifted my eyes from the drink to Hange's face and back to the drink again.

Hange sighed. "Just take it, will you?" They took my hand and shoved the drink in my palm. "I didn't do anything to it.

I narrowed my eyes at them. "You better be fucking sure."

When they nodded, I opened the can and drank, feeling the acid burn through my throat. I didn't say anything and focused on the script in my hand, feeling Hange sat close to me.

"How's everything going?" Hange inquired, peeking at the script in my hand.

"Good. We're already halfway through, but there's still a lot left to film."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you something. I just remembered it, but Erwin said that you and Eren will have an interview tomorrow at the hotel's lobby. Erwin thought that it would be better if you two get more exposure to the mass."

I shifted on my seat, eyebrows furrowed. "You're shitting me, right?" Hange shook their head. "You're not? Fuck."

Out of all the things in this line of work, the thing that I was dreading for the most was interviews. Talking in front of a camera while some person asked you questions that sometimes were too personal was on top of the things that I hated the most in this industry.

"Do I really have to?"

Once again, Hange nodded. "Of course. You and Eren are required to show up."

"Fine," I grumbled half-heartedly. I didn't want to go, but it's not like I had a choice.

Now that we were working our ass off, days seemed to become shorter. We woke up early in the morning and went to sleep late—tiring when you have to move around all day. Later that night, when I was done showering and ready to rest, I sent a text to Farlan asking how everything's going as I laid on the bed. Eren arrived minutes later, doing what he did last night—proceeding to shower as soon as he came before talking to whoever it was that called him. This time he was calm, but I could hear the edge of his voice.