Foreign

Chapter 37

Josh puts his hand on my lower back and pulls me a little closer. I put my head on his shoulder. After everything that's happened tonight, it feels safe. Josh really had my back and I'm grateful. Hero is standing next to the bar, he's looking at us. He looks miserable but when he notices that I'm looking at him, his face hardens. He scowls at me. Melany is nowhere to be found, he's drinking alone. I look away and my gaze finds Scott who's also drinking alone. He's sitting at one of the smaller tables with a bottle of bourbon. It looks very sad and depressing. I don't know what's up with him lately. He used to be so cheerful and happy all the time. Now he's so sad every time I see him. I wonder why. I've been so absorbed with my own problems lately that I haven't talked to him in ages. I need to find him tomorrow. The song ends and I let go of Josh. I'm very tired and my hangover isn't completely gone.

"Can we go? I need some sleep!"

"Yeah, sure."

We walk over to the table where all our friends are.

"One last round?" Brody asks with wiggling eyebrows.

"No," I groan. "I need some sleep!"

"We need to celebrate that you'll be an on set assistant again!" Brody insists. "I heard Mr Perlman talk to Greg. They have a meeting tomorrow."

I can't help but smile. Finally, some justice!

"Okay, one last round."

Brody cheers and fills our glasses.

"To justice!" He says.

"To justice!" We all reply.

It's the perfect end to an eventful day.

"Okay, come one, another busy day tomorrow!" I say after we finish our glass.

Brody groans.

"Gosh, she's already bossing us around and she's not even on the job yet!"

Diego and Isabella laugh.

"Move it, Brodes!" I give him a slight push out of the restaurant.

I say goodnight to my friends and Josh walks me to my room. Do you know that awkward moment at the end of a first date when you're not sure what to do? That is what this felt like. We just stand there, not sure what to do or say. Awkward! Josh is the first one to speak.

"Goodnight, Charlotte," he says and he gives me a kiss on the cheek. His lips linger and I'm not sure if I hate it. It doesn't feel wrong. Too soon, yes, but not wrong. Josh obviously is a good guy and he's very attractive. He really stood up for me tonight.

"Goodnight." I stammer. I feel the blood rush to my cheeks. He chuckles and smiles. It only makes him more sexy. I rush inside my room and close the door. My breathing is a little too fast. I shake my head and go to my bathroom.

Once I'm in my bed, I can't help but smile. What a day! It really feels like that saying 'one door closes but another one opens'. The good news is that I'm going to Australia! That's like the trip of my dreams and now I'm actually doing it! If Tommy hears about this, he'll be so jealous. Back in the day, when we were still friends, we always talked about travelling to Australia together. I take my phone and put a note in it to search for tickets tomorrow.

I'm also thrilled to work on set again. I know it's not official but I'm confident Mr Perlman will talk to Greg. Maybe there's a way to work around Melany and Hero? Maybe I can prep the sets and work on the schedule but not actually be present when they're shooting without Josh. I could also help Josh with his lines and be on set during his scenes, to help him. Sounds like a good idea. I'll talk to Greg about it when he calls me in for a meeting. How lucky am I to meet Mr Perlman! I still can't believe Hero though. Why didn't he defend me? I know we're not together anymore but come on! That was a nasty thing to do. That door closed forever. After tonight I'm positive that Hero is dating Melany and that probably also means the baby is definitely his. There is no way we'll get back together now. The knowing makes it more real and official. It also means he's made his choice. But somehow it gives me some peace. No more wondering. No more mind games. It hurts like hell, yes, but it's good to know where I stand. Now I can close this chapter and get over him. Well, try at least. When I reflect upon the summer we had, I smile. Those sweet memories are filled with love, sun and us. It's all we have left now. He was my home and now without him I feel foreign in my own life. A single tear escapes my eye. We were good for each other and we taught each other a lot. We will always have this summer and I will never forget him. My Hero.