Method Acting || Joe Keery

T E N

"Hi," I say back quietly, begging him with my eyes to fix whatever this is that's happened between us.

Joes eyes look up and down, over my face and he licks his bottom lip. He looks like he's about to say something when Shawn walks over to us.

"You guys ready?" He asks.

Joe and I both nod and we are ushered over to our marks, sitting on the bleachers of the gym.

"Action!" Shawn yells.

* * * *

"I'm going to go out and get supplies," Steve says to me.

I pull a face.

"But, we have plenty of supplies," I say to him, confused.

"We're going to want more before we run out," Steve says, rolling his eyes.

"But, we have time. Why would you go out now when it's dangerous, and we don't even know what we're up against. It's just stupid," I say to him pulling a face.

Steve's face begins to redden.

"Stupid! Stupid? Stupid to risk my life to look after you- all of you! Really?" Steve shouts.

He stands up and starts pacing up and down the steps of the bleachers, running his hands through his hair and shaking his head.

"What is your problem Steve? I'm just trying to make sure we are being smart about this," I snap back at him.

Steve stops and looks at me. Hands on his hips and he rolls his eyes.

"So I'm not smart. Stupid, not being smart. I get it, that's what you think of me, Kaya," He says. His chest rising and falling as he tries to keep his composure.

My face softens as I realise if hurt his feelings, and I stand up and walk over to him. I reach out and grab his hand. The feeling sending a burning feeling throughout my body, running through my veins.

"I don't think you're stupid, Steve," I say to him softly, looking up into his eyes.

His face softens, as he looks down into my eyes.

"I'm sorry for saying it's stupid, I just don't want you to get hurt," I tell him.

"Why not?" Steve asks me.

My breath quickens as I look at him. I want to tell him how I feel, but I don't want to hurt Robin by dating her best friend. I can't tell him. I drop his hand.

"We can't afford to lose anyone," I say, looking away.

Steve huffs, annoyed with my answer and steps back.

"I'm going," He says sternly and storms off, leaving me standing on the bleachers.

* * * *

"Cut!" Shawn yells out.

After a few takes to make sure all the angles are in, we are done. Joe rushes off towards the trailers as I'm talking to Shawn, and I quickly finish our conversation so I can follow him.

When I get to Joes trailer, he's already inside and I hear the sounds of guitar playing. I knock on the door.

"Open!" Joe shouts out.

I take a deep breath and open the door slowly. Once I'm inside I see Joe with his guitar on his lap as he writes in the open notebook next to him. When he looks up and sees that it's me, he lets out a long breath and quickly closes the notebook and puts it away.

"What are you working on?" I ask him.

"Nothing," He says, putting down his guitar.

"Joe..." Is all I can manage.

He's treating me like a stranger and it hurts more than I could have ever imagined. Tears begin to sting my eyes and I turn away, not wanting Joe to see.

"Charlee?" Joe asks.

I look at him, but when I see his face the tears start to fall. I quickly wipe them away, and start walking towards the door.

"I'm sorry to bother you," I say quickly as I walk.

Joe rushes to get up, and steps between me and the door.

"Woah, woah, woah," Joe says, putting his arms out to stop me, hovering them in the air.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what to do here," He laughs, referencing his hands hovering over my arms.

I let out a small laugh and he drops his hands by his sides and smiles at me.

"What's wrong?" Joe asks me.

I shake my head slowly.

"Really?" I say, almost scoffing.

Joes face falls and he bites his lip.

"I'm sorry," He says to me.

I look in his eyes.

"Why haven't you talked to me?" I ask him.

Joe drags his hand down his face and he sighs.

"I didn't know what to say," He says finally.

"Did I do something wrong?" I ask him.

Joe shakes his head furiously.

"No. No. It's not your fault. I just - I just didn't know how to deal with it," He tells me.

"Deal with what?" I ask him.

Joes eyes darken as they search mine. He steps closer to me.

"You felt it, I know you did," He says to me softly.

My breath shallows, and I'm suddenly very aware of the way my chest rises and falls with each breath. The air around us is electric. One move and everything could change. But he has a girlfriend and I can't be that person. I take a step back.

"Joe, you promised me we wouldn't lose our friendship," I tell him.

The look on his face hasn't changed, but he nods slowly.

"I know, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I hurt you," He says to me.

"Don't shut me out like that again, please?" I say, crossing my arms.

"I don't want to lose you," I tell him.

Joes face changes and he takes a deep breath.

"I don't want to lose you either," Joe says, and he sits down on the couch inside his trailer.

I sit down next to him, making sure to put some space between us so things don't feel so intense.

"I'll figure it out," Joe says, looking at me.

I shake my head.

"You don't need to figure anything out Joe. I want to be friends, you want to be friends. Nothing happened, nothing has to change," I say to him.

Joe nods slowly.

"Yeah. Yeah, you're right," He says.