Fake it and Smile

1 Let's Face It

Aubrey London's Point of View

I was still in highschool at the time, auditioning for the role of Red Riding Hood in a nearby production of Into The Woods. I was in a few acting programs through my school and hoped that this role would be the start of a career.

But in my mind, I was preparing myself for disappointment that way I don't get my hopes up. As I was deep in my thoughts, listening to the song I was supposed to sing, a young man around my age walks in talking on the phone.
"Yeah Ma, I'll be fine." He says nervously. I guess this was his first time.

He hung up his phone then walked over to the desk to check himself in.
"Sorry if I'm late." The teenager stutters, raising a hand to tuck in a piece of his brown hair inside his grey knit beanie.
"What's your name?" The lady at the desk with silver locks smiles softly, also noticing his nervousness.
"Oh um... Scott O.," He sighs before saying his last name quietly.
"Sorry what was that again, kiddo?" The woman asks not hearing him.
"Handler." He stutters.

She nods in reply and checks his name off the list.
"Application?"
"App... application? Um it should uh... it should be around here somewhere... uhhh..." So called Scott stutters checking the pockets of his tan bomber jacket, then those of his black jeans, his hands shaking from the nervousness.
He points a finger up with a "Just a moment" gesture as his brown eyes widen in fear.

Everyone watched in amusement, trying not to laugh for they have been in that situation before. Feeling bad for him, I clear my throat to grab his attention. The boy around my age snaps his head up to look at me in fear.

I point to his left hand, which held the one paged document.
"Oh my.. thank you.." He sighs in relief before handing it to the receptionist.

That was my first impression of "the" Oren Johansson, who I eventually got to know as Scott Oren Johansson Emers, my performing arts genius of a friend. A few seasons after I met him that night, he started a clean comedy club during our freshman year at a university. Oren Johansson was his stage name that he took from his middle name and his mother's maiden name.

But back to that night!

Scott was looking around for an empty chair but was unsuccessful. I noticed that I was sitting on the middle of a small bench, and scooted over. He sat next to me saying a small thank you, as I continued to read the music sheets in my hand.

"So you sing?" The boy asks, making me turn my head to look at him.
"Yes." I nod before looking back to my sheets.
"Sorry, I'm just kinda nervous. I acted before at school but never for a theater. So..."
"No auditions before." I added before he gave me a nod. "No worries, I understand. What are you gonna do for tonight?"

His fingers played with the watch on his left hand as he replied "I'm planning on singing 'Unchained Melody'... I know it's kind of an oldie."

"Hey its a tough song, if you could pull it off... that's good for you." I shrug taking notice of the pins on his messenger bag. Star Wars, Doctor Who, West Side Story, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Thunder Cats, Adventure Time, Batman, Beatles, Stranger Things.... we have the same fandoms.
"What type of characters have you played before?" I asked as his personality began to intrigue me.
"You'd hate me once I say my favorite roles I played." He laughs.
"Because of the characters or cause of jealously." I raise an eyebrow in amusement.

"Some of them were pretty arrogant."
"Go ahead, take shot." I smirked before crossing my arms.
"Alright..." Scott clicks his tongue before he gives me the list. "Mercutio, Jim O'Connor, Birdy, and Javert."
"You got some solos and awesome monologues there. Must've done something right."
"I just tend to be a bit over dramatic, that's all."
"That's better than me." I chuckle.

"Alright then..." he leans back crossing his arms. "What roles have you done?"
"Outside of class? Then it's one that people hate." I blush.
"And that is?" He takes his turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Patty from Grease."

Within an instant his face cringed. So as I said before this was the start to our famous friendship. Scott and I have been together through the thick and thin. We got our parts for Into the Woods as Rapunzel and Rapunzel's Prince, then ended up going to the same University.  As time passed we got numerous jobs together on stage or film.

Yet, the more jobs we got, the more people thought we were dating.

It was odd, but we learned to put those sayings aside because it was as if we were brother and sister. Fake it and Smile was the term that we used.

So this is our story. Not a romantic one, but one of our friendship and career together. This is the story our family.