The Broken Road - A Zac Efron Novel (18+)

Chapter 35 - Homecoming

I was overwhelmed with excitement as I rode to the set directly from the airport, watching as the city passed me by.

When I finally arrived, I ran up the steps of the makeup trailer – eager to surprise Zac. I flung the door open and was greeted by utter silence.

The disappointment on my face must have been apparent. Allison, our hair stylist was the only one present.  She was leaned up against the counter, cell phone in hand.

I took a deep breath as I surveyed my surroundings.

"They had an early call time, they've been filming since three or four this morning," Allison yawned.

"Right then," I sighed out. I made my way to the makeup chair and took a seat.

"So, you two worked everything out then?" Allison asked coyly as she began inspecting my hair.

"I think so," I smiled sheepishly. "There's so much I've been dying to say to him, but it just didn't seem right over the phone."

"Right. Well, he's been dying to see you too. You should have seen him this morning. I've seen actual children who weren't that excited on Christmas morning. And he looks really good today."

"Really good?"

"Really, really good," Allison laughed.

I sighed in my chair. "He really is a gorgeous man, isn't he?"

"Insanely hot. Don't worry, we'll make you look amazing," Allison smiled as she rested her hands on my shoulders.

An hour later, she had done just that. I admired my reflection in the mirror. My hair was swept back in a curly pony tail. My makeup was soft and natural and I was wearing a sleek black cocktail dress and black heels.

A production assistant arrived to take me to set and I bundled myself in a large fur coat to block out the freezing winter air before walking across the street. I arrived amidst a sea of people and the sound of everyone gathered in the small space was deafening. My eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of Zac, but there was none.

I took my spot near the podium and glanced at the script briefly to make sure I had my lines memorized correctly and waited for my cue.

"Action!" the director yelled.

I approached the podium, making eye contact with the extra who was standing there.

"Thank you, Ray Florissant," I said as I cleared my throat. "Does anyone have any questions?"

I looked out into the sea of people, and there, standing to the left of center, was Zac. My breath caught slightly and I had to draw on all of my strength to not register the joy I was feeling on my face.

"Yeah, I have something I'd like to read, from my novel," Zac said as he approached a bookshelf, retrieving a book from it and opening it to a random page.

"It's not really the type of place you can share from your own work."

"Thank you so much, honored to be here," Zac said as he stepped forward.  "Tough act to follow," Zac said.

"Then don't," the extra replied.

"Big fan of your work," Zac said to him.

"I'm so sorry," I said to him.

Zac stood in uncomfortable silence, before he began the same dialogue we had during our very first scene we filmed together.

All I could focus on was him. His ocean blue eyes that I could get lost in for hours. The stubble on his chin that would scratch my cheek as his perfect pink lips would caress mine. His hands that would comfort mine and his fingers that could send chills up and down my body.