"Jack Champion," the name hummed over and over in your head. He was the one to play the role of your lover and today you were to meet him.
To be honest you weren't sure that you ever wanted to play a part in a cheesy romance movie. Horror had your heart and you were such a big fan of scream that it was impossible to turn down the role. That and your manager would have your ass for turning down such a legendary role most would only ever dream of.
You weren't sure how you felt going from a nobody actor to an A-list movie star overnight practically. It really wasn't something you ever thought of. Sure you dreamt of it from time to time, especially when you were little and your mother held you by the hand to bring you to various auditions as a child. You never thought it would actually happen and never really desired it either. You had fun acting and being in movies bringing characters to life but you were content with just enough to get by.
The only problem with this gig was it was a romantic role and you despised the concept of love. What was the point of it and why was the world so obsessed with it? When all love stories end in tragedy if you wait long enough.
Still, a role was a role. You've kissed people on set for movies before with small relationships on screen but never the main romantic protagonist. Especially for being the first movie protagonist without Neve Campbell there were big shoes to fill and surely your social media would be flooded with hate and undesired criticism. Frankly, you would've turned down the role in a heartbeat if it wasn't your favourite franchise.
Anyways, today was the day you were to meet Jack, running through your lines together in the first scene where your character meets his; Ethan Landry. Nerdy cute boy who held a deep dark secret.
Jack was the same age as you, 18, but he had practically grown up on set, and while you were familiar with it since a child you had mainly worked on smaller, more indie films until somehow being noticed. So it was more than a little daunting to meet him, compared to you he was a professional. So were you nervous to meet him? More than a little.
You practically held your breath as the door opened, doing your best to keep looking at your lap as he stepped through the door. How long should I wait until looking...? You wondered.
"Jack," the script-manager stood to their feet, going to meet him.
You stood to your feet allowing yourself to give him a glance over while he was shaking hands. You've seen him in photos where he looked pretty much like a generic gym guy. In person though he was much softer. He looked nerdy and cute with his curly fluffy hair but clearly his toned frame underneath made you feel a little intimidated. First impressions were important, especially with your destined lover.
You fluttered your eyelashes a little shy as his brown eyes looked into yours. The moment he spoke you realized that despite your nerves he was adorable and sweet, seemingly awkward but that just added to it.
"Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Jack." The words were simple but as he held his hand out to yours his voice seemed to hum through your body.
Your eyes catch for a moment on the metal chain around his neck as you move your hand to his. His grip was just firm enough as if he noticed how timid you were.
His eyes seemed to shine in the light while you spoke "Hey, I'm y/n but you probably already know that."
You feel heat rise to your cheeks as you wonder if you unintentionally came off way too cocky. He seemed to find it amusing though as he let out a small chuckle.
The director seemed to find this a good sign as they glanced between us "good, you're acquainted. Are you ready?"
It dawned on you again that this was the guy you were going to be having to do sex scenes with.
"Yeah, I think so," his voice answered and you were too afraid that if you tried to speak a squeak would come out of your throat instead.
"Don't worry," his voice was softer than you expected, he must've noticed your nerves. "I don't bite."
"But do you stab?" You found yourself wide eyed and he laughed; the sound hummed through your entire body again, swirling around your heart like silk.
"Sometimes," he replied slyly and you mirrored his smile, tucking your hair behind your ear nervously. It was then that you noticed he was wearing a black Stabathon shirt that seemed to frame his body perfectly.
You tried to distract yourself by focusing on the character you were to play. She was meant to reflect on the average female viewer of the movie and an insertion of the average scream horror fan. It was a total "I can fix him" plot line with a cheesy romance of a girl stopping a boy from being a mass murderer. Completely unrealistic and if anything just plain bad advice, if you felt like living anyways. Still, you liked her and her strength in the script especially towards the end.
Your nerves were still fluttering when you sat across from Jack at the table. You didn't realize how tightly you held the paper script until you noticed there were wrinkles in the corners.
Relax, y/n. Nothing you haven't done before and nothing you can't handle.
Amongst all of the stress with Jack you almost forgot your other co stars were there too including Devyn. She was to be Anika, your Instagram model roommate. Essentially the polar opposite of who you were to play; you were someone who wore horror movie shirts and ripped jeans while she was always trendy. You were thankful for the comfortable wardrobe at least. Even though your characters were totally different, you grew together that way encouraging growth and adventure.
"Hey, y/n," Devyn had a sweet smile and comforting aura about her that you enjoyed.
"Hey," you smiled softly.
"Ready?" Jack asked. He was looking at you intently and you forgot how to form words for a second.
Devyn glanced between you both and it took all of your willpower to not blush. It felt like everyone at the table was thinking about the same thing: the fact that you two were going to have to have sex together.
You nod though with wide scared eyes "as I'll ever be."
Devyn laughed leaning over to touch your arm gently.
Someone read out loud the setting and you weren't sure who. Your eyes were reading your first line over and over in your head. When it came your turn to speak though the words came easy. At least with Devyn aka Anika it had. She made it feel like you were already best friends and roommates. She suggested you room together too to help even further.
The wandering thoughts somehow helped distract you from the guy sitting across from you, puzzling over his script like it was a crossword. It took all of your strength to ignore the way his muscles flexed when he moved.
"Come on, it'll be fun. There will be lots of boys there." Devyns voice next to you piped up "you like boys right?"
"Sometimes," you said with a sly undertone the exact way Jack had said to you earlier. The idea had popped into your head the moment before you said your line, and although you were looking at Devyn you felt him look up from his script with a smile.
While you did take the tone and attitude from him, it was your head-canon that your character was bisexual even though the line likely just meant that she wasn't interested in the types of boys these parties attracted.
The next lines seemed to come more naturally as you played off one another. She was the encouraging roommate trying to get the shy one to go with her to the party. Really Anika was a great friend to your character and you admired that, perhaps wished you had it yourself.
When you reach the scene where you both pour a glass of alcohol you find yourself wishing you had one, knowing it was soon to be the first dialogue between you and Jack.
You effortlessly deterred the fuckboy in the script that was later to harass Tara when you found your heart started to race, pounding louder and louder in your eardrums.
"What kind of boys do you like then?" Anika asked.
"Cute, nerdy, fluffy haired boys," you answered. The words came naturally because it was true for you too. You avoided looking across the table.
"Ah, the first murder suspects." She replied and you wondered how your character didn't take the hint then and there. "Well, let's drink to you finding a boyfriend. Or at least some good dick."
She held up her water bottle to you and you laughed genuinely, doing the same as you clinked your bottles.
"Perfect," the script director commented while you drank.
Out of the corner of your eye though as you drank you met his gaze, forgetting your unspoken rule to not look across the table. Brown and soft, his eyes made you feel like there was no one else in the room except you both. Your heart seemed to catch in your throat as he smiled softly.
Too quickly the moment had passed though as someone's voice narrating the scene popped the bubble you shared together. You looked down at your script biting your lip knowing what was to come.
Jasmin had spoken up for her first dialogue with you as Mindy. Her voice was very different when she acted, more confident and cocky as her character was especially about horror movies. You knew your character couldn't compete with her on trivia but she had the same adoration for horror. The lines of your shy character came easy, especially with your genuine discomfort with romantic relationships.
But now you knew it was time. Your first lines with Jack.
While Anika and Mindy have their playful conversation you imagine being there at the party. Loud sounds, people talking, constant movements and noise. Usually you would try to avoid letting yourself feel this anxious but it was important for the script.
You imagined yourself flopping against the old college couch as the script manager narrated.
Jack's voice was suddenly different, softer this time and more nervous as he looked at you but not into your eyes as if suddenly nervous.
"You look like you'd rather be anywhere than here," he said with a cautious smile.
"Yeah, well, you're not far off." Part of you wondered if you were having a real conversation or were acting. "I'd rather be watching scary movies. I'm only here because Anika invited me," and because your manager would kill you if you turned down this opportunity.
"Me too," his eyes sparkled as he looked at you before glancing down to his lap "oh, uh, I mean about the scary movie part."
"Oh yeah?" Despite your character's confidence you felt your arms start to shake, trying your best to suppress it. "What one's?"
You found yourself leaning across the table pressing your elbows into the sturdy wood to hide your shaking. You held your head in your hands as if actually on a date with him, curiosity mixed with shyness. A date with Jack Champion...
"Slashers," he admitted, only making careful glances into your eyes as his character Ethan would. Jack gestured to his Stabathon shirt playfully and it took all of your being to not giggle.
You channel your laughter into excitement for your line "I love slashers! They're like my comfort movies."
Somehow, some way, he started to make you feel more comfortable just sitting here talking to him.
"I would've panned you for more a Quentin Tarantino fan," he admitted and you remembered you were supposed to be dressed as Mia Wallace.
"Oh don't worry, I am. D'Jango? Kill Bill? How could I not be!" You exclaimed "you have me there. Slashers though, they have my heart, truly. Just I couldn't turn down an opportunity to dress as Uma Thurman."
"Understandable, pulp fiction is what really got me into movies." He smiled looking into your eyes the steadiest he has since reading the script. "What's your favourite slasher?"
"Hmm, I have to say stab." When you answer Jack's face turns into surprise and shock as he gestured playfully to his shirt again.
"Really?" He says with eyebrows raised and you swallow your laughter.
Talking to him was so... natural. So fun as you bounced off of each other's lines so effortlessly. Perhaps this wouldn't be as difficult as you thought it would be.
In fact when the narrator started reading the scuffle between Sam and the fuckboy you started looking forward to more small talk with him, something you normally dreaded.
"Hey," you whisper to Jack loud enough for the others to hear. He leaned forward across the table playfully as if to listen to your secret "uh, how about that movie?"
Mason, who played Chad, looked at Jack with an impressed gasp. Devyn did the same to you but hers was more shock that melted into approval.
"Y-yeah, I'd love to," for some reason hearing Jack stutter made something stir in your stomach.
That's when you realize the racing in your heart, the way your cheeks heated when you looked at him and the light fuzzy feeling in your stomach.
No. No way I was in love with Jack Champion. No, no, no, no. Your thoughts buzz and spiral as you recite your lines. This can't be happening.
"Wonderful," the director praised as the scene ended, "If I didn't know any better I could've sworn you were actually nervous with a crush on Jack," he chuckled.
You felt Jack's brown eyes on you as you looked at the director, swallowing hard before you spoke "thanks. I practiced."