At the audition venue, Lucas didn't have to linger in anticipation of his turn to perform; he was promptly escorted to the audition room alongside Neil.
To put it plainly, Lucas wasn't subject to the usual audition rigmarole he had experienced with previous projects.
This time around, Lucas was under the representation of a manager, and with Neil's assistance, the role seemed almost tailor-made for him. The studio had Lucas in mind for the part of Peeta Mellark, believing he was an ideal fit. Thus, Lucas's audition was more of a formality—a quick confirmation, an opportunity to iron out any potential scheduling conflicts, and a chance to gauge his rapport with the newly selected cast members in a chemistry test.
Upon entering the audition space, the atmosphere was already buzzing with actors mingling and connecting.
---
Jennifer was deep in conversation with her fellow "Hunger Games" co-stars, including Liam Hemsworth, Sandra Lafferty, Paula Malcomson, and Wes Bentley. Yet, even as she engaged with them, her gaze kept wandering, as if she was on the lookout for someone.
"Are you looking for someone?" Liam asked, catching her in her distracted state.
Jennifer turned towards Liam, caught off guard. "Uh... No," she hesitated, choosing to keep her thoughts to herself.
Liam gave Jennifer a puzzled look before turning his attention back to the ongoing discussions with the other co-stars.
---
As Lucas and Neil were guided by the receptionist to where the other actors had gathered, they observed the actors already deep in conversation, while the "Hunger Games" production team managed the auditions for various roles in the project.
After pointing out where the newly cast actors were mingling, the receptionist excused herself, leaving Lucas and Neil to join the group.
Approaching the new cast, Lucas spotted Jennifer among the actors. Seeing her in animated conversation, he couldn't help but smile.
As they made their way closer, the actors noticed them. Jennifer, catching sight of Lucas, her eyes sparkled with recognition, though her expression remained composed, betraying little surprise.
"Hi everyone, it's great to meet you all. I'm Lucas Knight," Lucas greeted the group of actors warmly.
"And I'm Neil, his manager," Neil added with a smile, extending his greetings to the actors' managers who were present.
"Hi, Lucas and Neil. I'm..."
Following Lucas and Neil's introductions, it sparked a round of introductions from the other actors and even some of their managers.
As names were exchanged, Lucas couldn't help but offer a friendly smile, especially noting that Jennifer merely gave him a slight wave.
Walking over to the young actress, Lucas teased, "You don't seem too surprised to see me here?"
"Hehe, I'm actually quite surprised," Jennifer responded, her tone playful. "I just don't make a big show of it."
"Is that right?" Lucas chuckled, enjoying the banter.
"Absolutely. Seeing you sporting a new look has definitely taken me aback," Jennifer replied with a soft laugh, a sparkle in her eye.
Their laughter filled the air, and then Jennifer playfully reached out to touch Lucas's head, where his hair was just beginning to grow back.
Truthfully, Jennifer wasn't entirely taken aback to see Lucas joining her in the new film project, though she did feel a mix of relief, happiness, and a touch of surprise — she had half-expected his presence.
After all, it was she who had suggested to the "Hunger Games" production team that Lucas would fit the role of Peeta Mellark perfectly. She believed they would share great chemistry on screen.
The casting team had assured her they would take her recommendation into account, but deep down, Jennifer hadn't fully anticipated they would act on her suggestion. Discovering Lucas had indeed been cast in the film brought her a great deal of joy.
Meanwhile, the production team and studio were already convinced of Lucas's suitability for the role, having been impressed by his portrayal of Arthur in the recent film "Inception."
Jennifer observed Lucas, noticing his markedly leaner appearance and the stubble on his head. With a mix of concern and amusement, she asked, "Looking at you now, why does it seem like you haven't eaten in days? And what happened to your hair?" She couldn't help but laugh softly at the last part.
Lucas responded with a smile, casually rubbing his head, "I guess I got a bit too immersed in my role for the latest film project that wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. I'm currently on the mend, aiming to get back to my prime condition soon, hair growth included..."
"Wow," Jennifer was genuinely impressed. Lucas's current state spoke volumes about his commitment to his role. "That project must be something special. I'm really looking forward to seeing it... I hope you don't mind me asking, and I understand if you can't share much, but what's the film about?"
Lucas nodded, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity, "It's about a man who's fighting cancer..."
"Oh... I see." Jennifer's response was tinged with understanding as she took in Lucas's transformed appearance. "That explains why you look this way."
"What do you mean?" Lucas teased, a playful glint in his eye.
"Nothing," Jennifer replied with a smile. Despite Lucas's current look being a far cry from his usual healthy glow and his signature blonde locks, her perception of him remained unchanged.
Jennifer kept her thoughts to herself, especially with her manager nearby, but she had found herself thinking about Lucas quite a bit over the past few months since their work on "Like Crazy"...
Initially, Jennifer had convinced herself that any feelings she harbored for Lucas during their project were fleeting, bound to fade with time and the distractions of her busy life. Yet, the opposite proved true; the longer Lucas was out of sight, the more pronounced her feelings became. Her experiences with the fluttery nuances of young love were limited. In her youth, Jennifer grappled with hyperactivity and social anxiety, which made school challenging and social interactions, especially with boys, somewhat awkward. She found solace and a sense of freedom only when she was performing on stage, where her anxieties would melt away, leaving a profound sense of fulfillment in their wake.
Despite a somewhat isolated adolescence, feeling often lonely and friendless, it was in her professional interactions with Lucas that Jennifer felt a unique sense of comfort and serenity. This connection made her feel drawn to him, even though she was uncertain if he shared the same sentiments.