Chemistry

Chapter 4: Phone Number

         -A toast! -Emily shouts pouring me some vodka. -To the most incredible actress to ever live on this planet. And also to Sarah Paulson. -She says and I laugh. -To you!

-To me! -I smile, raising my shot glass and drinking it right after as Emily pours vodka in her mouth, straight from the bottle.

-What a crazy life... On one day, you randomly meet the goddess Sarah Paulson as you get one of the most iconic parts in cinema history. On the next day, I get a free drink for being friends with the academy award winning actress Mona Young.

-Is that your ambition? Getting free drinks because I'm gonna win an Oscar? How could you want something so dull and yet, so surrealistic?

-First of all; bitch, you can totally win an Oscar, believe me. -She says pointing the bottle at me and I roll mt eyes with a laugh. -Second; how could you not want free drinks?

We laugh and get drunk for a couple of hours, speaking nonsense and laughing our asses off.

-So... -Em says with a happy and tired drunk voice. -Sarah?

-I know, right? -I sigh.

-I'm not trying to say that you'd cheat on Jack, but he definitely has a reason to be jealous. -She scoffs.

-Oh, fuck you. -I grin. -I'm not even gonna repeat the "I'm not gay and as if I had a chance with Sarah fucking Paulson" speech.

-More like "I am pretty gay and will be fucking Sarah Paulson". -She smirks and I push her.

-Do not call me gay, especially in front of Jack. -I slur my way through the words.

-Why? Is being gay a bad thing? -She teases.

-C'mon, Em. You know him. No wonder he stormed off earlier.

-He stormed off because he's an ass, not because you gave him a reason to. -Emily says picking up the vodka bottle again.

-Nuh-uh. -I take the bottle away as it touches her lips. -That's enough drinking for today.

-Mom! -She yells jokingly, frustrated.

-I'm sorry sweetheart, but one of us has got to be responsible. -I get up from the couch and grab a Pepsi in the kitchen. -I'm going to my room, gonna try to sober up. -I shout from the hall.

-Okay, talk to me when you're ready to come out. -She answers with her "half asleep" voice.

-Come out of where? -I pause before entering my room.

-The fucking closet, you lesbian! -Emily shouts with more energy and I stifle a giggle, going inside.

I sit on my desk and drink the cola gradually, trying to not sleep on the spot. Jack was such an idiot today... So what I'm playing a lesbian? It's just acting. He's got no reason to be jealous of Sarah. Even though she's way nicer to me and respectful, and kind, and cute... Not to mention that she's an incredible actress and he ain't got no job. Plus, her body is just... Oh fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck! This can't be happening. I can't get along with a woman I met less than a day ago more than I do with my boyfriend. Although, to be fair; I am a huge fan of her and she's super hot. Wait, no! That's not something I should think about. I'm taken. I am straight and I am not single. I am dating a guy who's... A fucking...

-Are you okay? -Emily's voice interrupts my thoughts.

-Sure, why wouldn't I be? -I ask, trying to hide how frustrated I am.

-You just crushed that can of Pepsi in your hand there, but aside from that... -She says and I notice the crumpled-up tin can in my hand.

-It's better for recycling and... Stuff. -I say, giving up on pretending.

-Hey... -Emily says with a soft voice, touching my shoulder. -What is it, huh? You had such a fantastic week... And it's only Monday, 3am... -She jokes and I giggle. -Is it because Jack McJackass was a total jerk to you today?

-Not really. -I smile at the nickname.

-What is it then?

-It's nothing, I just... I've been with him since high school. We never had problems together, it's just been working so well since then... Why does it have to get complicated now, of all times?

-Is it complicated? I mean, what happened today was just him being a dick, that's normal for him. -She says and I stifle a laugh. -And this morning you were all: "I love Jack, we work together and I'm totally straight.". -She says mocking my voice.

-It's not him. -I say quietly after a chuckle. -I just don't think it's going to work for long...

-I hate to question you on this; but why?

Just as I'm about to answer, we hear the doorbell.

-It's still 3am, right? -I ask, getting up.

-Yeah, did you order a serial killer or something? -Emily jokes as I go to answer the door.

-It's Jack! -I shout to Emily in a whisper after I see him through the peephole.

-Oh fuck! -She whispers with a chuckle, disappearing from the hall and going to her room.

Again, I take a deep breath and open the door.

-Mona... -He says with regret all over his face.

-Save it, Jack. -I interrupt with a soft voice. -You regret the way you behave, you apologize and I forgive. I'm well used to the routine.

-I... -He seems speechless.

-I'm sorry you went through the work of coming all the way here at this time for nothing, but everything's okay. We're good. You can go now. -I say closing the door.

-Mona. -Jack blocks the door and pushes it open. -Let's talk. I can tell when you're upset.

-Oh, can you? -I ask ironically.

-Yes, I can. -He says getting a little angry.

-I wonder how. I mean, it's not like I make it clear or anything. -I tease angrily and he looks away. -It's not like you should know that I'm upset at the exact moment you do something to upset me.

-I'm sorry, okay? -He yells.

-Jack, I have neighbors, can you please just go...

-I got upset too. -He interrupts me with a normal voice. -I'm glad you got a new job and it's a big deal or whatever, but you have to understand; do you think it's nice being the boyfriend of the girl playing a dyke? -He asks, actually seeking for sympathy. -Let's just call it even. Okay?

-Wow, Jack... -I chuckle. -I heard a lot of shitty apologies from you, but this? This one's the worst. -I say slamming the door on his face.

-Damn girl... -I hear Emily saying behind me after a moment of silence. -I didn't know you had it in ya.

-Neither did I. -I say as I walk to my room.

I lay down on my bed and watch my phone get flooded by Jack's messages. I sigh, annoyed as fuck. I can't believe my boyfriend was able to ruin today for me. Before I put my phone down, I see a text by my agent: "Just got the info and the script! Congrats kid, you did it!". I smile at myself and read the second text: "Also, the director asked me to send you this; your coworker's phone number!". As I carefully read each digit, I wonder why the fuck and who the fuck? I add the phone number to my contacts and nearly fall off the bed as the profile pic loads:

-Miss Paulson is one sneaky bitch... -I giggle, admiring how cute she looks in the photo.

I finally put my phone down on the nightstand after looking at it for minutes in disbelief. I smile and scream into a pillow, hugging it extremely hard. I can't believe my favorite artist was able to make and save today for me.