Lessons Learned

Chapter Two: Bound in Words

 [Brad’s Point of View]

The send button stuck out amongst all the other words splattered across the screen.  One click and I would be chained to corporate authorities and ensured a stressful twelve to eighteen months.   Did I really want that?

A grin unfolded on my lips.  Definitely.

The sharp click of the mouse signified the next step in my career.   I was no longer just Brad Lovett the actor, I would forever be remembered as Aaron, a foreign entity born between the ocean and the core of the Earth.  Whether that was a good or bad thing was yet to be determined. Regardless, the role sounded pretty cool to me.

Though, as much as I loved acting, it wasn’t the only reason I wanted the job.  In fact it probably didn’t have much of anything to do with why I wanted the job.  It was the girl who had signed the contract with me.

My on-screen companion was to be Angie Lassiter, who just so happened to be my girlfriend.  Truth was, with our hectic schedules, it was rare for us to ever spend time together.  Our relationship consisted of a phone-call or video chat every once in a while and going on date once a month… sometimes.

With this contract I’d emailed I gained a guarantee that Angie and I would be spending every day together for the next year.  To say I was thrilled would be an understatement.  My small grin had grown into a huge smile.  Just me and Angie; a whole year to make up for all the days we’d been apart. Of course, we would be surrounded by other people and a ton of cameras, but I knew I’d enjoy it nonetheless.  Suddenly the excitement became too much to handle and I knew just the person I wanted to celebrate this with. 

I already had my coat on and was ready to pick up Angie when she walked through the door.  “Hey,” she said, releasing a breath.  My arms instantly wrapped around her waist, scooping her into the air.  Angie giggled.  “What are you so excited about?”

I pulled her closer, giving her a crooked smile.  “Guess who you’re going to be starring with in your next movie?”

She released a little squeal.  “You got the part?”

“Yeah,” I laughed, pulling her into a hug.

“Brad, this is so great!” she exclaimed, holding me tighter.

“Definitely,” I agreed.  She pulled back a little bit to look at me.  Her hazel eyes stared into mine and I brushed a loose strand of blonde hair out of her face so I could see her better.  She truly was beautiful; I don’t know how I’d gotten so lucky. 

“I have to go the bathroom.” she said, interrupting my inner thoughts, “Be right back.”

 “Okay.”

“Don’t miss me too much while I’m gone!” She giggled, skipping off to the bathroom.

I laughed. “I’ll try not to!” I yelled as I heard her close the door.

A grin stretched across my lips even though she was gone.  I hadn’t been this excited for a movie in a long time.  Sure, I mean, I loved acting and everything, but after doing it so long – practically since birth – it had kind of lost its effect.

Honestly, if I could start over, I would choose to have never been a child star.  Having started at such a young age, I’d never truly gotten to know what it’s like to be normal.  Since I was four years old, all I’d known were movie sets and the shuffle of moving from place to place.  I think it would’ve been nice, you know, to feel normal, to be able to take a walk without being bombarded by fans, or be enrolled in an actual school with other people, instead of being alone with only a private tutor.

“All this acting has made me so tired,” she spoke again, entering from the hallway, “let’s go outside.  I need to get some fresh air.”

“If you insist,” I said, making a grand sweeping gesturing with my hand while taking hers and leading her out to the balcony.

Darkness had already begun to engulf the space around us, the tip of the sun almost beneath the horizon.  My arm instinctively wrapped around Angie’s shoulder, tugging her closer to me.  She began to play with my fingers that rested on the railing, making a humming noise.

“Hey, Brad?” she said, sounding tired. “Do you ever, I don’t know… get tired of living like this? I don’t mean the money or anything, that’s kind of awesome, but all the attention and work? I mean, I love the attention in a way, but sometimes I just want some privacy. I think I just need a break; a vacation or something to get away from all the stress. Is that crazy?”

“No, it’s not. We all need breaks every once in a while. Maybe we can squeeze one in before we start filming.” I said, kissing her hair.

“Maybe,” she replied, tilting her face up towards the sky. “Oh my God, look; it’s a shooting star!  We have to make a wish!”  She rushed out excitedly, closing her eyes.

I wish I was normal.

I knew it was impossible.  This was my life, it always would be, but it was nice to believe that it could happen one day. 

“What did you wish for?” I whispered in her ear, leaning closer to her.

“I can’t tell you or it won’t come true,” she replied with a teasing smile. 

We didn’t say anything for a long time, just silently enjoyed each other’s company.  Finally Angie released a sigh, and I found myself smiling at her for the umpteenth time that day.  “Come on, you’re tired, let’s go to bed,” I said.  She didn’t argue.

xxx

'Ello loves!  (Sorry, I wish I was British).  So this is Elyse, if you haven't figured it out yet.  I don't got much to say, 'cept thanks so much for reading chapter two!  I know my writing sucks compares to Heather, (trust me, I know), but...eh....I hope this wasn't too bad!

So I actually have to tell you all that when we first started writing this, I did absolutely nothing.  I still do nothing.  Heather made the account, checks it, posted the story, made the cover, and did all of this other stuff....and I did nothing.

SO EVERYONE NEEDS TO APPRECIATE HEATHER.

The next chapter is mine too, but don't expect it too early.  For two weeks now I've been brainstorming on this One Direction Fan Fiction and I'm so freaking excited...and I might burst if I don't start writing it.  I'll try to focus on this story..but with my attention span...good luck.

~ElyseWeasley

P.S.  I HAD A LOT OF FUN FINDING A PICTURE OF HARRY STYLES FOR THIS.  And the song posted just makes me happy.  (I COPY HEATHER.  I KNOW.)