The newly bought cotton blanket feels heavenly on my legs as we sit down on the grass for a picnic. I look up at my date's dark brown eyes and smile.
"So Erik, what made you finally ask me out on a date after all these years?"
His glistening smile lights up his face.
"Well, we have been friends for a while now and I really like you so I figured I would give us a try."
"You like me," I ask as my face flushes red.
He reaches over and takes my hand in his.
"Yes I do actually."
"Well it took you long enough," I say laughing.
"What is that supposed to mean exactly," he asks with a questionable look.
"I have been waiting a long time for you to tell me how you really feel about me so that I can tell you that I like you too."
I tell him as I smile ear to ear. His eyes shine as he gives me a skeptical look.
"Wait really? Are you telling me the truth right now?"
"Why would I lie to you about how I feel?"
"I guess you wouldn't lie to me about it. So you really do like me then?"
He scoots over and leans in closer to me.
"Yes," I whisper softly as my face flushes again.
"Well you wouldn't mind if I did this then," he asks as he leans in.
My breath catches in my throat as his hand caresses my cheek and his lips come closer to mine. As they are about to touch, I hear someone yell.
"Cut!!!"
Sighing with relief I get up off the blanket and step away from my fellow co-star.
"Geez Marcell, I almost thought you were going to have us continue the scene," I say as I roll my eyes.
The famous director laughs.
"Well it would have been fun to see just how long you two would last in the scene."
I grimace, "seriously it's not funny. I swear to it if you make me do that scene again, I will walk out and not bat an eye."
"Calm down Davina. I wouldn't take it too far; you are my star after all. Plus I know how much you dislike Kyle here but remember dear, we are filming outside today which means we have an audience."
My eyes glance over to the right where a crowd of cheering fans have gathered outside the park fence to watch us film our scenes for the day. My obnoxious costar Kyle wraps his arm around my waist as he waves to the crowd of fans.
"Is it really that bad being my co-star?"
I try to put a smile on my face as I wave to the fans.
"Having a loathsome costar is okay but having to pretend to date the same guy just so our movie will make the top list, is what I cannot stand."
He pulls me closer to his side and kisses my cheek.
"Ugh, seriously Kyle!!!"
I pull away from his grip and walk over to the director in disgust.
"Marcell, are we done for the day? I would like to go home and wash all of Kyle's germs off of me if possible," I ask as I wipe my cheek with the back of my hand.
He sighs, "well I guess we can be done for today but I want you both at the studio bright and early in the morning, okay?"
"Yeah we'll be here. Come on Davina, let's go home."
I glare at Kyle, rolling my eyes.
"It's not home. It's a stupid house I grew up in that my manager is now making me share with you for this dumb publicity dating stunt."
He follows me as I stomp my way to the limo. As we are getting closer to the screaming fans, I decide it will be better to not make bad publicity for us or the movie after all. So I quickly lose the attitude and get into character putting the biggest smile on my face.
Kyle's shocked face is priceless as I wrap my arms around him to pull him in for a hug. He brings his lips to mine and the crowd of fans erupt in an absolute thunderous applause as I try not to get sick from Kyle's kiss. We pull apart from each other and wave as we climb into the limo. I sit at the far end, putting as much space as I can between Kyle and I.
"Geez Davina, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to get away from me," he says with a smirk on his face.
"Well I guess you're not as dumb as I thought you were because I am doing just that."
"Why do you hate me so much? What have I ever done to you?"
I sigh heavily.
"Look for one, I don't like your cockiness or your obnoxiousness."
He smirks again.
"Well I can't help the fact I'm just an all-around awesome guy."
"See that right there is what I'm talking about. You are so full of yourself that it's not even funny."
"So you don't like me because I'm being myself?"
"No offense but the cockiness gets annoying after a while. Plus, it's not like I enjoy being forced into dating someone I do not care for in the first place. It's repulsing."
"So, you admit that we are dating then," he says while grinning.
I sigh as we finally pull up to my old brick mansion, the same exact one I grew up in.
'Why did I not choose a different career path? Maybe then, I would not be in this situation and would not have to be forced to let Kyle live with me.'
"No Kyle, we're not dating. It's all pretend just so we can get publicity for our new movie. It's all for the cameras."
"You'll warm up to me eventually."
He opens the limo to be immediately blinded by bright white flashing lights. My eyes focus on the paparazzi surrounding the front lawn. I silently groan as I take a hold of Kyle's hand and pose for pictures. With a fake smile I thank everyone for coming and pull Kyle along with me into the house. I mentally make a note in my mind to remind the guard at the gate about not letting paparazzi in.
Finally, away from everyone, I let go of Kyle's hand and walk over to sit down on the couch.
'Why can't everyone just leave me alone? If only I hadn't agreed with my mother about following in her footsteps to becoming an actress.'
Kyle walks over to sit beside me on the couch.
"Come on Davina, you know you like me."
His hand abruptly lays on my knee and starts to slowly move up my leg. My skin begins to crawl.
"Seriously Kyle you need to back off. I don't like you that way," I say, putting my hand over his to try and stop him as fast as I can.
Ignoring my pleas, he pushes my hands away before he pushes me down on the couch. His hands start to roam over my body. Sadly, my arms are stuck under the weight of him so I can barely move.
"Just give in already. You know you want to Dee."
Okay this has gone on long enough and needs to stop right now.
I ram my knee up to connect with his groin. He immediately groans and let's go of me to fall on the floor. When he reaches for me again, I growl and pull away from him and the couch.
'Did he not get the hint that I do not want anything to do with him from me kneeing him? Can he really be that dumb?'
"You do not get to touch me ever unless we are in public and have to pretend to like one another."
Slowly he gets up off the ground to face me again.
"Come on Dee, is that all you got?"
Anger boils up inside of me as he takes another step toward me. I let out another snarling growl and swing my hand toward him this time. My nails connect to his face to cause four bloody cuts on his left cheek. He brings his hand up to his face and stares at the fresh blood on his palm. I raise my fist to hit him this time but stop in mid-air as a voice suddenly appears to the right by the front door.
"Davina, stop this right now!!!"
I look over to my right and grimace to see a five foot short older woman with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a brand-new white Armani suit with red bottom high heels.
I sigh, "Well hello mother. I see you still enter without knocking."
"Well I did buy this house when you were little and it's still technically under my name, so I see no reason for me to knock when I come over."
I sit down on the couch as my mother gracefully walks over to examine Kyle's bloody face.
"This is going to be hard to explain to the press. I'm sorry Kyle but you'll have to wear a lot of makeup for a while to cover up the marks my ungrateful daughter left when you leave the house."
"It's okay Martha, Davina didn't mean to make me bleed, did you Dee?"
I laugh, "of course I meant to do it. It's your fault for not leaving me alone like I told you to you pig."
"You agreed to follow in my footsteps as an actress. That includes having to do things you don't want to do just for publicity."
"Yeah, things like fake dating my co-star but that does not include letting him force himself on me."
"You're overreacting dear, can't you just pretend to like Kyle? It's not that hard."
I glare at my mother.
"Sometimes I wish I would have just said no to following in your footsteps."
"Well, you definitely cannot go back on your word now. By the way, are you still wearing the necklace I gave you?"
I reach down to hold the moon shaped necklace my mother gave me when I was a little girl right after my father left us.
"Yes I am, I never take it off, why?"
Martha nods her head as she seems to be thinking about something really hard.
"I just want to make sure. Your actions toward Kyle lately seem to be more chaotic. The necklace is supposed to have calming elements to help you control your anger issues. You should not ever take it off ever, you understand?"
I sigh, "no offense mother but is there actually a reason why you are here today?"
She smiles brightly as I watch her face light up with joy.
"Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to tell you. I received a call from the All Star Industries and they want you for their next upcoming romantic movie."
'Another romantic movie; I wish I can just get a break once and a while.'
"When do they want to start filming," I reluctantly ask.
"Right after the director is done filming his current movie. Actually in fact, he is the one that recommended you. His name is Marcell. Do you recognize the name?"
'Are you kidding me? Marcell? The director of my current movie wants me to star in another movie of his? Ugh this is so not happening to me, it can't be.'
I sigh, "yeah I know him. He is the current director I have right now after all. So have they decided who my co-star will be yet for this new movie?"
My mother looks at Kyle and frowns.
"No they have not. I thought Kyle here would just be given the role but they said they want your help and opinion on the matter of your costar this time. I don't know why they don't let Kyle do it. You guys are such a perfect fit."
"So what does that mean for me exactly?"
Kyle looks back and forth at my mother and I, completely confused in the moment. I look back at my fake boyfriend and grin.
"It means I will be doing auditions with Marcell and that I have the final say on who my co-star is going to be for the movie," I say with attitude.
Martha happily sits down on the couch beside Kyle.
"That is correct but don't worry my dear because Davina will pick you as her co-star. I have already gotten you an audition; besides you two are dating so you're bound to get the part."
'What?!? Is she seriously blind to how I feel about all of this right now? There is absolutely no way in the whole world I am picking Kyle as my new co-star. No money or movie role is worth having to put up with him any longer than I already have.'
"Mother, how do you know if I am going to pick him or not? I'm not the only one who gets to decide who my co-star will be, you know."
"Darling all you need to do is show up to watch the auditions and I will take care of the rest."
I notice the devious look in my mother's eyes.
'Ugh, she will stop at nothing to get her way. Hopefully I can talk to Marcell about the new movie before my mother gets to him and begs for Kyle to have the co-star role. I can't let that happen.'
"Look mother, for the last time Kyle and I are not dating. Now if you will excuse me, I am going upstairs to get some sleep for our early filming session tomorrow."
Not even looking back at the two most selfish people in my life, I climb the stairs stomping to my room. I turn to lock the door then search my dressers for pajamas. After choosing a silky pink ensemble, I switch the light off and lay down in my queen size bed. Hoping tomorrow will be a better day; I push everything out of my head and fall fast asleep.