Chereads / Grey Lies / Chapter 52 - Childish

Chapter 52 - Childish

The Next Day....

I've brought Kate to the set (with permission of course) to meet Monst- I mean Ms. Norris. "Monster Norris" is actually a nickname given to her by the crew because... figures.

I mean, she literally scares the bajesus out of the staff or the cast everytime they make a mistake.

Kate and I are about to approch her when a familiar voice calls out to us.

Neha: Oh, my God! Look who it is! I never thought that I'll see you again!

... Damn it, I forgot that she was going to be here today too. I turn my head to face her and it almost feels like I'm doing this in slow motion.

Ashton: Hieeee....

Neha: Don't you "hi" me! Why didn't you tell me that you met her?!

Ashton: Um- H-Hey!!

Neha abruptly shoves me aside and hugs Kate.

Kate: Oh!

Neha: It's been so long, hon! How've you been?!

Kate: Well, I...

They both go off in their own world, catching up. Kate seems really happy to meet her too. Seeing her happy.... Makes me happy too.

Neha was the only real friend she had back then so I guess-

Neha: And you know, this one used to be SO down all the time after you left! He even started drinking for a while and ended up-

Woah, woah, woah! This is NOT about me! And you're definitely not telling her that story!! I'll die of embarassment!

I pinch Neha's back. HARD. Her shoulders jerk up in response as she tries to stifle a scream. This makes Kate worried.

Kate: What's wrong?

Neha:... Nothing.

She replies in a squeaky voice as she stomps her heel on my foot.

I let out a funny noise and Kate knits her eyebrows.

Kate: Okay, you're both acting really weird right now.

Ashton: A-Are we? Oh, what was that? We need to get changed? Sorry, I'll have to leave now.

Kate: Huh? What about Ms. Norris?

That's right. I walk her over to Ms. Norris and make a quick introduction. Somehow, they instantly hit it off. Huh, a miracle indeed.

After sharing a few words with Kate, she turns to Neha and me with a stern expression.

Ms. Norris: What are you two still doing here? Get your behinds back to the set!

Both:..!!! Yes, ma'am!

Neha and I scurry off towards our green rooms.

Neha: She went from 0 to 180 really quick.

Ashton: Tell me about it, it's like she has a switch.

We make small talk on our way.

Neha: I see that Kate's back in your life, huh.

Ashton:... Yeah.

Neha: Well, it's not like you both ended on a bad note or anything so,.... are you two going to remain friends or get back together?

Neha doesn't know about my family background so I obviously can't tell her everything. But, to hold on to the promise, I have to acknowledge our relationship in front of others.

Ashton: We got back together.

Neha: Okay, then-.... Wait, what did you say?!

She stops in her tracks and grabs my arm.

Ashton: I said that we-

Neha: Yeah, I heard you! WHAT is going on in the stupid brain of yours?! The last time I saw you, which was not too long ago, you were still hung up on that Blaire girl!

Ashton: Her name is Claire.

Neha: That's not the point! What were you thinking?! You can't use Kate to get over that woman, it's not fair to her!

Ashton: It's not like that, really. Things are.... complicated.

Neha:...

Don't look at me like that! I don't know how to explain this to you without telling you about my real background!

Neha: Hahh, there you are, with the "scum of the earth" act all over again. I don't know what I'm going to do with you.

Ashton:.....

She's making me sound like even more of a jerk than I am! Wait... Did I just admit it..?

Neha: Speaking of scums, I hear that you and your "bestfriend", Raymond, are auditioning for the same role in a movie.

She clearly knows how much I hate him and yet-

Ashton: Hold up, how did you get to know that?

Neha: I have "resources", y'know.

She says nonchalantly. And by "resources" she means the connections she has with the underworld and all.

I almost forgot that Neha is only half indian. Her mother was actually an 8th generation Hongkong mafia princess.

She met Mr. Kumar while she was in hiding and pretended to be Nepali trader in order to get his family's approval for their marriage.

She looks so innocent and charming, you'll never guess that she is very likely to become the next leader of a mob. I'm just surprised that she hasn't looked up my background yet.

Ashton: What about it?

Neha: It's not like I can control you both so I request you to behave yourself.

Ashton: What are you talking about? I am a very good boy.

.... Just what is wrong with me?

Neha: The last time you both met, you greeted eachother with curse words.

Ashton: Alright, I'll give you that, but I haven't done anything else that's inappropriate since.

Neha: You stuck half a dozen thumbtacks to his chair.

Hahaha, that was a hilarious one! However, if I smile, let alone, laugh, she'll probably beat the crap out of me.

Ashton: It was just a harmless prank.

I reply, stifling a laugh.

Neha: His derriere didn't think so.

Ashton:...

Oh well, what are you going to do about it? It's been years already.

Neha: I swear, you both are just annoying little children inside adult bodies.

Ashton: Fineee... Sorry, mom.

*Smack!*

Ashton: Ow! What'd you hit me for?!

Neha: Don't talk to me like that! I'm only 33!

Entire studio:.......

... They all heard it. I should probably start thinking of my last wishes now.

Neha:... Well, now it's official, Kate's going to hear "that" story.

Ashton:..! Noooooo!

~EXTRA~

Author: So, Ashton, what is the "embarassing story" in question?

Ashton: Wh-Wh-What the hell?! I'm not telling you that!

Neha: Then I will!

Ashton: Where did you come from?!

Neha: This is how the story goes: Ashton was very down about being alone again so he started drinking. However, as we all know, he has a very low alcohol tolerance! One day he drank a little more than usual and felt very dizzy. To sober up, he bought a can of cranberry juice. He was walking towards our apartment, sipping the juice when he tripped and passed out on the floor. His clothes got soaked with the juice and got mistaken for blood by our neighbour the next morning. She screamed "A dead body! It's a dead body!!" so loud that everyone woke up to see what the ruckus was about. What they saw was Ashton sprawled across the floor covered in "blood". They almost called the cops when he suddenly woke up and scared the **** out of everyone! He was so embarrassed that his face turned redder than the "blood"!! HAHAHA!

Ashton: Sh-Shut up!

~To be continued...