"Come on… any minute now…"
I tapped my foot impatiently as I stared at my phone. 4PM couldn't come any faster. I have to be home by 5! Or else I wouldn't be able to see my bias' guesting! Prof. Leon is still rambling about whatever. Honestly, I wasn't really paying attention to his class— a lot of us are not. The moment he shares about his life, I automatically tune him out.
"Okay, that's all for today. I'll let go you all 10minutes early today; just don't forget to pass your essay on time next week!" Prof. Leon said.
"Good bye, sir!" I waved at him as I ran past him. There's no time for any delay. I calculated my travel time, and I'm going to be home by 4:45PM should the train be in my favor.
"Dani!"
F*ck! What now?! I turned back to see my junior running towards me.
"Sofia, what's up?" I smiled at her.
"Sorry to bother you, these are the scripts for our upcoming play. Mr. Anthony wants them to be proofread by you." Sofia handed me a stack of paper as she pants. In return, I handed her some tissue for her to wipe the sweat forming on her forehead.
"I'll finish this over the weekend. Thank you, Sofia." I smiled sweetly at her as I walk away.
OMG! OMG! That took 5minutes of my time! The train station will be packed if I don't hurry!
***
"Change the channel to Channel 2!" I shouted as I enter my home.
"It's already at Channel 2. We know how much of a fan you are of Lucas Flynn." My sister, Shanette, said as she rolls her eyes at me.
"Let her be. It's the first time I saw you sister be interested in someone. It's cute." My mom teases.
"Excuse me, it's not that I like Lucas Flynn, but rather his character from Moon Flower— Theodore August." Theodore August is the character played by the actor Lucas Flynn. It's set in a fantasy world where he is the male lead who is set to protect and love the heroine. He's an extraordinary lone swordsman with long beautiful dark hair and piercing eyes. He encountered the heroine in a village where she was protecting a child from an abusive nobleman.
"That's enough! For someone who prides themself as a nobleman, what you're doing is not noble like." Theodore catches the fist of the man who almost hit the heroine for protecting the commoner child. Seeing how tall Theodore is, the angry, stout middle-aged nobleman, was lost for words. Never in his life was he humiliated in public not once, but twice. People were starting to gather around more.
"Hmp! It was the child who ran into my carriage! He should be taught not to run in the middle of the road!" The nobleman shouted.
"It was your carriage that ran into him! You were driving too fast in a narrow road!" The heroine defended the wounded child.
"Ha! How dare you shout at me, you wench! Do you want to be whipped?!"
Theodore shielded the woman with his body as the red-faced stout nobleman commanded one of his knights to grab the woman.
"You don't want to do that," he warned. The nobleman took a step back as he heard how low his voice became. Gulping and sensing the ominous aura Theodore was emitting, the nobleman had no choice but to let go of the situation.
"Let's go! We've wasted enough time here." He instructed his knights as he got in his carriage.
"Thank you, kind sir. I was afraid I would really be whipped by that man." Theodore spun around to look at the heroine. She's laughing? He thought as he was looking at her. What happened was not a laughing matter, but somehow, she was. He was mesmerized by the scene in front of him. She was talking to whom he assumed the parents of the child. The way she caresses the child's face to stop him from crying tugged something inside of him. Somehow, every fiber in his being was pulled by this woman infront of him. He felt the need to protect her in any way possible.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome, the man of the hour, the ever so gorgeous, Lucas Flynn!" The host introduced him enthusiastically on screen. Danielle supressed a scream as the actor walk into the screen. He's gorgeous, I'll give him that. But he's even more gorgeous when he's Theodore. She thought to herself. Unlike Lucas' character, he has short blonde hair and he has this playful image.
"When are they going to start talking about Moon Flower?" I said impatiently.
"Girl, you're just really interested about Theodore August, huh?" My sister asked teasingly. "It's the same person!"
"Of course not! How could you compare Theodore to that chump?"
"Did you just called Lucas a 'chump'?" Shanette burst out laughing. "I don't get it. Lucas was the one playing Theodore."
"How do you not get it? He maybe playing a character, but Theodore is a whole different person! You've seen Moon Flower, you know what I'm talking about." I stood up from the couch, "Theodore has this charisma of a gallant swordsman. He has this look in his eyes that says 'you'll be safe'. And the way he treats the heroine, makes you want to believe in love." I said feeling giddy, clasping my hands together. I've never swoon like this before. To be exact, this is the first time I felt like this. There's just something about the character of Theodore August that she just love. She doesn't see an ounce of the actor Lucas Flynn in him.
"Oh my gosh! You are so weird. Hahahaha!"
"Oh, shut up Shanette!" She told off her sister feeling her cheeks warm up.
"Shanette, don't you have a favor to ask your sister?" Their mom inserted.
"Ah, yes. I have this thing this weekend that I can't go to because I have to attend a makeup class." She said rolling her eyes. "Could you, pretty please, go in my stead? You'll do me a huge favor."
"What is that thing you have to do?" I asked hesitantly.
"Well, I got this gig and it pays well. You just have to go there and they will give you instructions on what to do."
"Fine. Give me the location and time."
"Thank—"
"But you have to do my share of washing the dishes this weekend!" I added before she could thank me. As a retort, Shanette threw a throw pillow at me.
***
Is this real? Oh my gosh, this is real!
I was stunned as I got to the location Shanette gave me. The gig she was referring to was an extra to my favorite show Moon Flower! No way this is real. I'm gonna see Theodore! Shit! Oh my gosh. I can't do this. Can I do this? Her mind was in overdrive. She's excited to be part of her favorite show but she's not sure about being one of the extras. If I were to be one of the back support, there'd be no problem. I'll just think of it as another play. Danielle was part of their university's theater group— the production team to be exact. She's not comfortable in large crowds so she's perfect for the prod team.
"Shanette Crane!"
Danielle, breathe. It's gonna be okay. You're just be playing one of the extras. No reason to be panic now. She breathe out slowly trying to calm herself down. Her hands are getting clammy by the second.
"Is Shanette Crane here?"
It's a no dialogue scene. No reason to panic. Everything's fine! Just be grateful to be part of Moon Flower! She could feel the tension building up more.
"Last call! Shanette Crane!" She was startled by the loud voice calling her sister's name. Fuck!
"Here! Shanette Crane," holding one of her arm up as she realized 'she' was being called.
"Are you deaf? I've been calling you multiple times." One of the prod team snarky said.
"I'm sorry," she muttered
"Sign here. Then you may go to the dressing room on the far left." He instructed. "Ah, don't loose this stub. If you do, you won't be able to get your crew meal and you won't be paid. Understood?"
"Yes, thank you." I said as I get the stub from him.
"It's her! Hyacinth June!"
I felt my neck cracked by the way I suddenly looked at my right. Oh my gosh, it's the heroine! Hyacinth June! I gasped at the sight of her. Emma Robins was the actress playing the heroine Hyacinth June. Just like her character, Emma Robins is a beauty to behold.
"Hi everyone! Good morning!" Greeted Emma with a smile. I felt my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't believe I get to see her in person! I felt all the tension leaving my body because of her. I suddenly had the energy to go through this shoot!
***
"CUT!"
I unwittingly closed my eyes because of the booming voice of the director.
"What the hell are you doing?! You're delaying the shoot because of your antics!"
"I'm sorry!" I loudly said. Fuck! What the fuck are you doing, Dani?! Get a hold of yourself!
"One more mistake and you're out!"
"Okay, let's take a short break everyone. Be back after 15minutes." The assistant director said trying to defuse the situation. I sighed loudly. I didn't mean to make a scene. If anything, I want this to be done. Calm down, Dani. You have to breathe. Your sister's name is at stake here if you fuck up! She may not have another gig from this company if you fuck up! I decided to walk towards the forest part of the location to take a breather. As I walk further in, I can hear a voice and a whooshing sound. I was frozen in place when I found out the source of the sound.
"You have to run, Hyacinth! You have to live. You have to survive, even if it means giving up my life for you… I don't have any regrets. So smile for me. You—" Fuck! I cursed myself as I stepped on a branch and made a crunching noise.
"What the hell? Who are you?"
"I'm sorry, I didn't know there was someone here. I didn't mean to interrupt you," I apologize to Theodore. Even though he has this irritated look on his face, he still look so gorgeous! Theodore August in flesh! I can't believe it. I'm so happy that I might cry.
"I specifically told them not to hire any die hard fans as they will disrupt the shooting. Who got you in?" He scoffed at me.
"No… I'm just…" I sniffled.
"What are you doing? Are you crying?"
"I'm just shoo happy to shee you…" I said letting my happy tears flow. I move towards him slowly, absorbing every little details about him.
"What?"
"Happy to shee you, Theodore…"
"Hey! Don't go any nearer!" I can't believe this. He's standing in front of me. I feel like if I touch him, everything will be alright. I wanna hug my bias so bad.
"Hey! Stop!" Lucas shouted at me as he pulled of his long wig off. And suddenly, all that Theodore magic was gone. Without his wig, Lucas Flynn looks ordinary.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I was overwhelmed by Theodore."
"You mean you're overwhelmed by me?" He said pointing at himself. I frowned.
"No. I said, I'm overwhelmed by Theodore. Not you."
"But I'm Theodore—"
"You're not the same." I cut him off. With this, Lucas exhaled exasperatedly.
"Are you nuts? Or is this your way to be noticed by me?" He grinned as he handed me his script book. I just stared at it not knowing what to do.
"Take it. I'll do you a favor by fanning me with this," he nudge closer the script book to me. "You're one of my fans, consider this as a fan service." He winked at me as he said his punny joke.
"Ahahaha! Of course, of course. I'll fan you a bit before going back to the shoot." I said hiding my dislike for him. I knew it! Lucas Flynn, you conceited jerk! I try my best not to say that out loud. If this is Theodore, I just know he won't be acting like this pompous ass. I couldn't believe he's playing my bias! If I could just smack you with this script, I would have!
"You're fanning too fast, miss." He commented.
"Done! Here's your script back. Thank you very much. I'm going back to the set." I turned back around after I smiled fakely at him.
"Hey, you!"
I pretended not to hear him and speed walk my way out of the forest. "Ah!"
"Didn't you hear me, miss?" Lucas said as he grab my arm. I shook him off and made a face at him in which he laughed at.
"Unbelievable. Are you doing this on purpose, miss? I have to admit, I'm starting get curious."
"Nope. Not doing this on purpose. I just… don't feel you as a person."
"But I thought you liked my character, Theodore?" He grinned. I exhaled loudly before answering.
"I like Theodore, yes. But you and him are completely opposite of each other. Theodore is a gentleman, a sweetheart, a knight in shining armor…" I smiled dreamingly, holding my cheeks. Imagining Theodore in the recent episode of Moon Flower makes me blush. Ah! I think what I'm feeling is not a crush anymore. I think I'm in love with Theodore!
"Are you…drunk?" The sound of disbelief brought me back to the present. Somehow, Lucas seems to be offended by my remark.
"I'm perfectly sober. Anyway, I said what I said. You and Theodore, not the same person." I turned my back at him once more.
"I'm not sure what to feel with that," Lucas said as he catches up to me. I stopped on my track and looked at him.
"What are you doing?"
"What?"
"Why are you walking beside me?" I asked.
"Because it's time for me to get back on my shoot?" He grinned mockingly as he walk away from me. He's getting on my nerves! So much for an ordinary day!
"Mr. Flynn?" I politely called after him as I remembered something.
"What's with the sudden formality?"
I put on my best smile before catching up to him. "Can I ask for a favor? Can I have a photo with you?"
"You should have just said that right from the start, miss." He smiled invitingly as he beckons me towards him.
As I readied my phone, I asked if he could put on his Theodore wig without looking at him.
"You want to have a photo with Theodore?" He asked begrudgingly.
"Yes! A picture with my bias is a dream come true!" I beamed. "Well? Can you put on your wig, Mr. Flynn?" He just stared at me before once again turning his back.
"Wait, Mr. Flynn! I just asked for one pho— ah!" I lost my balance trying to run after him.
***
Everything seems to happen in slow motion. Lucas Flynn tried to grab me to regain my balance, but instead I somehow pulled him towards me. We both fell into the cliff that we didn't know was there. Then, everything went dark.