Off Script | Pedro Pascal

The Space Between

Genevieve tilted her head. "But?"

"But I can't stop thinking about someone else."

She didn't have to say his name.

Genevieve offered a small, knowing hum. "Pedro."

Joanna rolled her eyes. "Don't start."

"I'm not starting. I'm just watching. You're like a cat pretending she's not interested in the laser pointer."

"I'm not interested."

Genevieve gave her a flat look. "Jo."

"I can't be interested. It's dumb. He's an actor. He's older. He probably thinks I'm just some dumb moody ginger with a nicotine problem and too many sarcasm issues."

Genevieve chewed another slice of clementine and shrugged. "Or maybe he thinks you're sharp, talented, and slightly terrifying, which- same."

Joanna flicked the cigarette away and watched the ember skid across the pavement. She didn't answer. Didn't know how. 

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Inside the soundstage, the air was cool and dim, all equipment hummed, and the distant echo of shouted instructions was heard. Joanna moved through it like a ghost, clipboard under one arm, headset adjusted but off. She didn't need to be fully tuned in for this part- just available. 

Pedro stood near the camera rig, arms folded, talking quietly with the director.

He warns in costume, yet just jeans and a grey T-shirt, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. His hands moved as he spoke. He smiled at something, but it was small. Guarded. 

Joanna looked at him a beat too long.

Then turned away.

She didn't want to feel like this. Didn't want to be constantly measuring the space between them like it mattered.

But it did matter.

Because Pedro used to come into the wardrobe trailer and talk to her about everything and nothing. He used to ask what music she had on, used to joke about her terrible handwriting on the fitting schedules. He used to see her.

Now?

He barely looked in her direction.

And it left a strange emptiness in its wake.

She caught sight of Theo waving at her from across the room. He mouthed something she couldn't hear, then made a face like Can you believe this chaos? She smiled. Forced, maybe but real enough. 

Then her eyes flicked back to Pedro.

He was watching her.

Not smiling. Not looking away. 

Just watching.

Joanna's breath caught, somewhere between her chest and her throat.

She looked away first.

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By the time the day wrapped up, Joanna had a headache from the inside out.