The Real War

Prequel: Meeting Tom

I had met Robert Downy for lunch the day before I started shooting for Guardians of The Galaxy vol. 3. It had been the second time since I got the part that he wanted to meet with me as a from of welcome into the family and this time was already feeling much different than the last. The first time I met him it was at an office on Marvel property and this time he asked me to meet him at a burger bar in the center of LA. I had just moved to Los Angeles and I was quickly realizing that I had packed for much cooler weather than what the city had to offer (I kind of thought the idea of LA always being hot was an exaggeration but I was wrong,) So I strolled up to the boujee casual restaurant in the only warm weather option I had: My green and white tee shirt dress with matching stan smith sneakers.

I half expected Robert to be waiting for me at the door as I was clearly susceptible to getting lost so when I entered the restaurant and I don't spot him in the hostess section I start to question if I went to the right place. Just as I go to reach for my phone to call him I hear him shout for me from the other side of the bar. When I spot him I also realize who he is with: Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Tom Holland.... Now Robert left the detail about other people joining us out of his invitation but even after knowing him for a short period of time it wasn't much of surprise to me. He did mention that I should friend the "youngins'" as he called them.

Robert meets me halfway and brings me into a round of air kisses and a hug before guiding me over to the group. Zendaya gets up and comes in for a hug first, "So nice to meet you! I'm Zendaya but Zen or Z is fine too." She gushed to me. She was even more stunning and charmingly awkward than I had ever imagined. Then Jacob met me with a handshake and a kind smile as Robert took the reigns in introducing us, "Jacob this is Rachel, Rachel this is Jacob. And finally this is Tom.." Jacob cleared the way for Tom to step forward and as we both went in for air kisses we somehow picked to go the same side and for a split second our lips pecked before we drastically aborting. "Oh my gosh I-I'm so sorry! I Didn't- I didn't mean to do-" Tom started to panic as the rest of the group all just froze watching the awkward unfold. I put my hands up to calm him down, "It's okay! I went the wrong way too! It's okay" I was just word vomiting back to him before we were rescued from the others. "Way to go, Tom." Jacob laughed and Zendaya chimed in, "Real smooth." The both teased him and Robert wasn't far behind them, "That's one way to break the ice I guess..." He said and gestured me to take the empty seat between him and Zendaya at the booth.

In any other instance something like that would have thrown me into a panic attack but there was something about this group of people that made me feel comfortable and at ease. At least on the outside. On the inside I was definitely shouting expletives and praying to God I wasn't blushing. I turned my attention to the menu as I tried to shake off the awkward interaction that just happened. I couldn't believe Tom Holland, spider-man, just kissed me.... And by accident.

"So Rachel, when do you start shooting?" Jacob asked and snapped me back into reality. I put down my menu and picked up the conversation with a new state of coolness than five minutes prior, "Tomorrow, actually!" From the corner of my I see Robert nodding as this was information he already knew. "Oh wow! How are you feeling? Excited?" Zendaya leaned in fully invested in the moment. I took a breath in to respond but once again RDJ jumped in, "She's nervous" He exposed and I turned to him mouth agape and he instantly realized his mistake, "Dude! Don't make me sound uncool!" I pestered him and the whole group laughed. "What are you nervous about?" Tom finally speaking, clearly having calmed down from our misstep. I looked at him directly catching his deep brown eyes. Who could lie to those eyes? So I let my guard down, "Well this is my first big thing, you know? My first movie, even!" I confessed and then watched the three of respond in shock.

"The first movie you landed is this one? Not even like indie projects or anything?" Jacob questioned. I nodded, "This is the first movie I even auditioned for. Before this I was strictly stage acting." I informed him and Zendaya reached for my arm, "Damn. You must be good!" She complimented and again I saw Robert nodding out of the corner of my eye. He was part of my auditioning and hiring process so it was because of him that I even got the job. "Yeah," I continued, "So I kind of have this pressure of the unknown and I really don't want to let anyone down." Tom had a big reaction to this, "Rachel don't worry, darling. We've all been there and yeah its intimidating but the people who work on these movies are so helpful and welcoming. And you're clearly well matched to the 'big leagues' you'll being starring with to get the gig so you'll fit right in." When he finished speaking he smiled at me in such a way that I couldn't help but return it. "Thanks. That means a lot." I said sheepishly right before the waitress came over to take our order.