𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐝'𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

𝘍𝘐𝘝𝘌

TEARS started streaming down my cheeks out of nowhere, a wave of sadness crashing over me.

If this is what getting done filming feels like every time, this whole acting thing is going to suck ass.

Suddenly, I feel a pair of slim arms wrap around my shoulders.
"Trust me, it doesn't stop feeling like this, but it gets easier to say goodbye." Lily says, tightening her hold.

"It's just been the best first acting experience. Everyone in the crew and cast have been nothing but kind to me, and I have appreciated it so much." The tears gather on my chin, dripping onto the concrete with tiny splash noises.

"Aww, y/n don't cry, you'll make me start." Lili frowns as she jogs over, hugging me on my left side.

"If you think I'm scared of a sappy moment, honey, you've got a big storm coming." Anthony jokes, trying to conceal the fact that he was sad as well. He adds himself to the huddle, hugging my right side.

"Timothée, get in this right now." Lily commands, lifting her head from my back to search for him.
He was standing a few feet away, staring at the ground.

"I agree with y/n, this has been one of the best, most welcoming experiences of my life." He chokes, starting to step forward.
"Come here." I whisper, and once he gets close enough, I pull him in- creating a full group hug.

We stand there for a minute, softly crying on each other's shoulders.
"You guys, we still have a whole day of filming ahead of us. Please save the waterworks for later." Julia scoffs, but before she walks away, we see tears welling in her eyes too.

We finally pull apart, wiping our faces and runny noses. We look at each other, and can't help but start laughing.

"We're so cheesy." Anthony giggles. Lili tries to use some breathing techniques to make her cheeks less flushed, but can't contain her chuckles either.

"Okay, if you guys are all good now, let's get this circus started." Julia claps.

I turn to Tim, who's still staring intensely at the ground. All I do is slither my arms around his waist, trying to put all the comfort and understanding I could muster into it.
He doesn't hug back for a second, but soon engulfs me tightly, putting his face in the crook of my neck.

"Come on, let's finish this." I mumble into his sweatshirt. He nods, reluctantly letting go.

ツ

"AND CUT." The main cameraman called out, something I had grown accustomed to.
We were back in Simi Valley, the sun setting around us. It was picture-esq.
I never wanted this to go, but all good things must come to an end.

"Alright everyone, attention please." Julia cups her hands around her mouth, microphoning her voice, dragging me out of my thoughts.
"Let's first give a round of applause to our camera crew." We all started clapping, Anthony whooping.

"Secondly, to our production and directing team." Julia smiles as she takes a bow with the rest of her team, some whistling for them.

"And thirdly, last but certainly not least, to our cast."
The clapping sounded like thunder as Lily linked arms with Lili, Lili with Anthony, Anthony with Timothée, and lastly, Timothée with me.
We all bowed together, attached like a chain to one-another.

The amount I was smiling hurt my face, but I couldn't have cared less. I had never in my life felt this happy.
These people were like family now: they were all my friends.

                                             ツ

"CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG—" Everyone hollered and cheered as I finished the whole pitcher of jack & coke.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, laughing as I high-fived random people I couldn't even make out.

My vision, to say the least, was blurring every few seconds. It was the after-party, and I had had enough to get me tipsy, and then some.

I stumbled past everyone, who had moved on to someone else chugging a nondescript alcoholic beverage, to the balcony.
I swayed over to the edge, throwing my arms over the fencepost.

I looked down, almost vomiting in my mouth at how high-up I was.
But then I looked up.

"Wow.." I whispered under my breath.
We were far enough into the countryside of Simi Valley that the sky could actually show through the city lights.

"I know, tonight is gorgeous."
I didn't even look away from the stars; I knew that voice.
"Mhmm." I hummed back, sighing in content.

The only thing turning my attention away from the sky was the burning feeling of eyes on me. I looked to my right, where Timmy stood beside me, his gaze quickly shifting to the night sky.
I smiled, turning back.
I took my pointer-finger, pointing at the brightest 'star' in the sky, "Do you know what that star is?"

"Which one?" Timothée's eyes squinted, confusion written on his features.
I stepped closer to him, taking his hand in mine, showing him where to look.
"Right about.. there."

He glances at me, my head on his shoulder, before looking where I was showing him.
"Oh, that one.. No, I have no clue." His chuckle came deep within his chest: soft and sincere.

I take my hand away from his, placing it on the railing we were both leaned against.

"It's actually not a star, it's a planet."
His eyes go wide, his smile spreading contagiously.
"Really? Which one?"
"Venus. This is the only time of year you can see it, actually."

We go into a comfortable silence, my head still resting on his shoulder as we continued to admire the planet side-by-side.

He broke the stilled quiet after a minute:
"I'm so happy I met you, y/n."

I lift my head from his shoulder, grinning like the Cheshire Cat:
"I'm so happy I met you, too, Timothée."