New chapter kind of the day! I hope that a bit of acting and romance will bright up your day.

***

3^rd June 2014

Dear Diary,

It’s been two days since that stupid scene was played out. As I thought, Joe is not doing too well. He never leaves his hotel room. He’s nothing but staring at the picture of them together. I know it because he only lets me in, and we just sit there in silence… Yep, he doesn’t want to talk even to me! What about Alice? She begins to regret what she has done. She sees that this situation is too tough for him… When it comes to me, I’d like to go back to LA on Monday, and of course, I don’t want to go there alone. And I won’t really be alone because the rest of the group will be with me… When it comes to Joe, I don’t know if I can do anything with him. It’s awfully bad…

On another subject… Alice’s friend turns fifteen today, and Harry wanted to wish her a happy birthday. Anyways, me too! He really likes her and her hair. Yep… Now that’s popular to show interest in people we secretly have a crush on by showing consideration to their hair?! I have no idea what all of this is about, but… Well… Never mind…

Now let’s move on to the rest of our story…

*

The first episode and a few more from the second season of Friends Dreamers were filmed in the end. It was the time of the sixth episode, and it was shot in July 2013. In this episode, the plot is extremely interesting because finally, some romances appear! Alice falls in love with Justin and is jealous of his relationship with his new girlfriend. In fact, it wasn’t too hard to play… I think you know why, diary…

What about me and Joe? We didn’t act like friends at all because we were like a couple! “Come on, Joe! Ask me finally if I’ll be your girlfriend! I have our photo on the wallpaper! I can’t stop staring at you!” – these were my thoughts before we started shooting this episode, which turned out to be a tipping point in our relationship. But I won’t reveal anything now because everything will be clear soon anyway…

My dreaming about Joe was interrupted by him:

– Tomorrow is going to be a pleasant day. Don’t you think, Lau?

We were sitting in my living room watching TV. Titanic. Joe’s favourite movie… He always cries on it… Like I said… He’s such a romantic!

– Yep. I love spending time on set.

– I’m talking about the episode we’re filming tomorrow.

I looked at him and he looked at me either and gave me such a big smile.

– And why is that? Explain it to me because I don’t understand.

– Because Alice will be jealous and you’re playing her role.

– And you like this fact so much?

– Sure! I think Justin and Alice should be a couple. Just like people who play these roles.

I couldn’t believe my ears!

– You know… I agree with you one hundred percent – I blushed.

Somebody give me water! It got so hot in here! Yes, I mean now!

– How about…?

– Yes?

The boy got closer to me. We were inches away from kissing when Sindy and Brian stormed into my house. Without knocking! “I will kill them when they’ll be having a sweet sleep at night!” – I thought. Not only because they behaved rudely, violating the privacy of the residents of my house, but also because they interrupted such a sweet moment of us…

– Why didn’t you invite us to the movie? It’s a classic! – Brian was a bit indignant.

– Easy, Brian, easy – the blonde tried to calm him down.

– At least you’re worried – he smiled at her.

– Wow. It looks like I may not know about something here – Joe got interested.

– What? No! No way! – they said simultaneously.

– Well, then it’s all clear – my words.

Our friends joined us, and that’s how that day passed… No one was explaining anything, but love was in the air… And everyone knew it…

*

Two weeks later the episode was already filmed! I hadn’t thought it would go so fast! I mean, that time had passed quickly… From that moment, when we watched the movie together at my place, it felt like only one day had passed!

It was evening. I just came out of the dressing room and bumped into Joe. It couldn’t be better, I know!

– Hey, girl! What’s up? – he tried to say it manly. And he succeeded!

– Oh. How nice of you to notice that I’m a girl!

– And you’re charming as always – he laughed and winked at me.

“Okay! That surprised me a lot! Do friends act like this?!” – flashed through my mind.

– Thanks. Tomorrow promises to be a very nice episode to shoot. Don’t you think?

– Very! I will be jealous of you and Cody, which is true.

Who is Cody you’re probably wondering… He’s my childhood friend. We’ve played together before. In school plays. It’s something unusual that later we met again, and it was no longer an amateur meeting on the stage of the school theatre!

– What?!

“Did I hear right?!” – flashed through my mind.

– I said Justin would be jealous of Alice and Elliot, which wouldn’t be hard to play.

His face was saying that he was incredibly nervous.

– I think I must go now – I looked at the time on my phone.

– Wait! I’d like to ask you something…

– Well, I’m listening.

– Wouldn’t you like to… Umm… You know…

In that very moment, my phone rang. It was Sindy who was calling.

– Maybe I’ll pick it up, and you’ll think about what you wanted to tell me… Hello?

The boy looked sad…

– I got you the second volume of ‘The Mortal Instruments’!

– Seriously? Aaa! I love you! Come to me at 8 P.M.!

The girl agreed and laughed into the receiver. I hung up and looked at the still sad brunet.

– What did you want to tell me? Hurry because I have to go.

– It’s not important anymore. I’ll talk to you later.

We said our goodbyes and I went ahead and then left the studio. And yes, Sindy and Brian got home earlier than us that day… And well… I simply had no time to haunt for the book I wanted to read, but my dear friend offered some help! Isn’t she lovely?

*

I sat in my room and thought about what Joe probably wanted to tell me… “Maybe he wanted to ask me out? Or maybe he meant to say that he doesn’t like me anymore?! Man! This uncertainty is killing me! But I couldn’t drill a hole in his stomach any longer… I must let him tell me what he wanted when he’s ready. Nobody’s chasing us!” – that’s how my thoughts looked like at that moment.

I heard a knock on the door of my room and after a while Sindy was already sitting next to me on the bed. She brought with her the promised novel.

– Thank you for the book! I don’t know how to thank you!

– One hug is enough.

– Ah. Of course!

I hugged my friend because that’s what she asked for.

– You know… On my way here I met Joe who looked sad. Well, he’s literally hanging around your house and I think he’s watching you through the windows. He was asking me about Cody. Are you a couple and stuff… Do you know what he’s about?

– Excuse me?

This news completely took me by surprise! Isn’t he jealous by any chance?

–You heard right. Sorry, but I must go now. There’s a lot going on!

– Oh, ok. I heard your brother is coming to visit you this week and you will look after him.

– Unfortunately, today is that day. I must go now.

I said goodbye to her, the girl left the room and judging by the conversation in the corridor, she bumped into such a one brunet who was probably eavesdropping. I know, we’re a great match!

I decided to look out and see what was going on.

– Joe?

– I wasn’t eavesdropping at all! Don’t blame me!

– Relax. I’m not blaming you for anything.

– Ok, I’m going. Bye! – Sindy’s farewell.

– Bye – we said it at the same time. We looked at each other and smiled.

– I’m sorry.

– Joe. You don’t have to apologize.

– I have to… You know… See ya!

He didn’t wait for my answer. He immediately ran out of the corridor… Strange things…

I returned to the room. I decided to get ready for sleep and I was falling asleep still thinking about the brunet. It’s become normal by now…

*

Joe really looked jealous! During the filming of the next episode… In one episode, Alice was jealous of Justin and in the next one he was jealous of her, they confess their feelings, and it ends up kissing in the garage. The next day we started shooting seventh episode with Jalice kissing. “I’m so nervous! I’m gonna kiss Joe in front of camera! And not once!” – I was thinking then. What I meant is that each scene is put through several attempts… And the best shot is chosen for the final footage that spectators see later.

We were on set, and we’ve just played the scene where Justin and Alice are walking out of school holding hands. It was right before the garage scene.

– I simply love our show!

–  Really, Joe? Why is that?

The brunet didn’t answer. He just looked at our hands and everything was clear to me. I finally freed my hand from his grip.

– Our big scene is coming. Are you afraid of it?

– I don’t fear to sing like Alice.

In fact, I knew he meant the kiss, not the actual singing moment (which Alice avoids like the plague because she thinks she doesn’t have a good voice), but I just didn’t know what to say for that… So, I didn’t say anything… Until he decided to explain his own words:

– I meant the kiss.

– You know… We’re professionals and friends. It doesn’t have to be weird.

– You’re right. As always!

I just smiled in response.

The scene of the kiss isn’t so banal because Alice comes into the garage where Justin’s band was rehearsing, the band leaves, and Alice starts singing an extremely romantic song for Joe while she doesn’t like singing at all! This confession of love ends with Justin joining in the second verse and kissing. In the end, it turns out to be a beautiful duet… I can’t remember the name of the song now… Oh, no, wait! I think it was entitled Perfect…

Our nice chat was interrupted by the director, who shouted that we were about to shoot the next scene.

*

The moment has come! Joe kissed me, which was a genuinely nice feeling. Like eating chocolate ice cream. My favourite flavour! The scene itself was repeated five times, and honestly, each kiss was magical. Time stood still. Just me and him in a perfect world, inaccessible to others…

After THIS scene, work was over for that day, and I went straight to my dressing room. “I’m so happy!” – I was thinking all the time.

After a while, Joe came into the room.

– Hi. Can you come to my place at 6 P.M.?

– Sure. Should I be afraid of it?

– Just enjoy the thought of it – he blinked to me.

Too sweet to me! I decided to leave the studio as soon as possible to go to his house sooner than later. By the time I got there, it was exactly 5:58 P.M. Just… Perfect! I knocked and entered the building. I saw him sitting on the couch. I looked around and the whole house seemed empty. I think he had sent everyone to their bedrooms upstairs…

– Hi Joe. Here I am as you wanted.

– That’s cool – he smiled at me. – Can we talk? It’s particularly important to me…

I noticed that he was nervous. “What’s the matter?” – I was asking myself frantically.

– Okay. What do you want to talk about? Did something happen?

– A lot has happened lately… And… I’d like to talk about us.

– About us? – he surprised me a bit.

– The thing is, I don’t want to be your friend.

– What?

Ouch. It hurt me. I could feel tears in my eyes. I held on with all my might. But I had to hear him out! The beginning didn’t sound good, but it’s never worth losing hope too soon!

– Because I want more. You may laugh at me, but you must know that you are very important to me.

He looked at me with hope in his eyes.

– I won’t – I smiled at him. – Because I feel exactly the same.

He smiled back.

– Well… Would you like to be my girlfriend then?

“Ah! Words I’ve been waiting for so long! Wait a minute…! I have to answer! How to use a tongue?!” – that’s literally what I was thinking at that time. Instead of answering, I nodded my head. Seeing it made Joe so happy and he pressed me to him with all his strength. His perfume had an angelic scent that made me a little dizzy. I didn’t let it show, but I remember this feeling perfectly… And I love it when he’s close like that. Millions of butterflies attacked me… It was a massive attack… They all covered me… I felt nothing but tickling joy… “I just love my life!” – I thought.

We finally stopped hugging.

“So, what happens next?!” – I began to wonder… After all, I’ve never been in a relationship, and Joe has. Now I can’t remember the name of his first girlfriend, but that was before the show even started. “What if I’m not good enough for him?! What if he breaks up with me soon?! Now he got a comparison! What if it’s just a beautiful dream?!” – I asked myself millions of questions and it was like firing bullets from a machine gun… Yep…

Ah, and that’s why he was afraid… He never told me about it, but something must have gone wrong in his first relationship… Maybe they were just too young for such things? I really don’t know what happened, but I do know that it’s the cause of many problems… But let’s get back to the thread I’m talking about here now…

I asked him if he could do something for me and he said:

– Everything for you. What? Something happened?

– Umm… No… I just want you to pinch me – I offered him my arm.

– Lau. Are you feeling well?

– Yes. Just do what I’m asking for.

The boy did what he had to do, and I felt pain. This way I was sure it wasn’t a dream! And I remember saying it aloud. Then I fell into his arms, he pulled me to him with all his strength and ran his hand through my hair.

– It’s just a beautiful reality – he whispered in my ear.

– I can see it now. I’m a lucky girl.

– And I’m the happiest man in the world. But you made me wait so long… Well, I have to ask you something.

– I’m listening – I stopped hugging him again.

– Will you please me and agree to go on a date with me?

– Pleasure is all mine.

And to be honest… I felt like we were acting in a Shakespearian play. Yep… I think you know what I’m thinking about, dear diary… I was so glad I was about to go out with him soon! “I wonder what we’re going to do…” – I was wondering. No associations…

– Saturday, 8 PM?

– Sure. What did you come up with?

– That’s a surprise. All I can say is that you need to wear comfortable clothes because we’re going to be walking a lot.

– Are you serious?! On the date?! Ugh! – I didn’t like this idea.

– Yes. Because sport is healthy, grouchy – he put his tongue out.

Oh, nice stuff! Showing tongue to your very own girlfriend?!

– Oh, okay – I did the same. – By the way, changing the subject… Tomorrow we’re recording the second part of this story with Jalice, and we have a week off, right? I forgot what the director said…

– So, where were you then…? Well, yes, that’s what he said… Maybe we’ll go somewhere with the whole gang for this week off?

A week of break came after the end of the seventh episode. It was summer vacation, July was almost over, so we were given a week off in the middle of filming of the second season… I mean… There were six more episodes left to shoot… Twelve weeks of work! Until November!

– It’s a great idea! Sea, mountains, or forest? Anyways, I’m going to talk to Sam at once after getting home and it all will be sorted out.

– Okay, okay. Camping?

– Okay – I agreed and looked at my watch. – Wow! Imust go now, because I won’t get up in the morning and I’ll be a zombie on the set.

I squinted. Why not?! You only live once!

– Until tomorrow – he said with a laughter.

I said goodbye to him, left and rushed to my house. I immediately went to my sister’s room and explained everything to her. Then I got ready for tomorrow and went to bed.

*

I was on set, and we were shooting the last scene for that day. What was it about? Justin goes to Alice’s house and sings her the song they sang in the garage earlier. It was a beautiful romantic scene. It wasn’t long and complicated, so an hour later everything was recorded.

It was an evening and I was sitting with the brunet in my dressing room, and we were talking innocently like:

– You know… You look nice today. So… Kissable.

– Thanks – I blushed. – You also look pretty… Cool.

WHAT DID I SAY?! SOMEONE TELL ME WHY I SAID SOMETHING LIKE THIS!

The boy blushed and bit his bottom lip.

– It’s nice of you to say so.

– By the way… You gave an impressive performance today.

I tried to lighten the mood. I wasn’t the only one who was uptight like hell… Well…

– Thanks – he grabbed my hand. – And you’re lovely each time I see you.

– Mmm. Go on.

The boy came a little closer to me.

– I’ve been planning to do something else.

– I wonder what…

After saying these words, Joe kissed me. I won’t describe what it’s about because you probably know what a kiss is… But maybe I could say a little bit more anyway… I threw my arms around his neck, and he held me like he was afraid that I could run away. I mean… That’s how I felt about it…

Yep, it was absolutely divine, nice, so oh my! But on the other hand… The butterflies flew away… Why so fast? What’s wrong?!… Maybe we rushed a bit?… Or maybe love is not only butterflies? Maybe other feelings are more important…? Hmm…

We finally stopped doing what we were doing. The brunet looked… Disappointed?

– Am I doing something wrong? – he asked.

Honestly? I didn’t know what to say… On the one hand, it was nice, but on the other… Something was missing… Today I understand that our love was different. We were close to each other, but we shouldn’t ever do anything by force… Our love is such a gently sparkling bonfire while he found the stronger feeling that he was truly looking for with Alice… Deeper and honest, crazy love… This one is a huge fire that, if not tamed, can burn an entire town… Oh you little devil… But never mind… Let’s stay in the past…

– What? No… Why do you think so?

– It feels like I do everything… By force…

– You know… I’m just wondering… Isn’t this happening too fast? But it doesn’t mean I won’t go out with you… Ah… It all will work out, you’ll see.

– Alright. Come here to me – he spread his arms.

I did as he asked. How I love cuddling with this man! “Maybe there’s still hope…” – I thought.

We stopped hugging and I said:

– Okay. Now get out of here because I must change.

The boy agreed, blinked to me, and disappeared behind the dressing room door.

*

Saturday. It was the day of my first date, and somehow, I didn’t feel like going on it, because I knew we would be walking a lot. Ugh! I know! I’m lazy!

I heard a knock and who did I see at the door? Joe with a bouquet of roses and a smile tied to his face. Literally…

– Flowers for you – he handed them to me.

– Seriously? I thought it was for my mother – I was making jokes, but I couldn’t hide some kind of… Weariness?

– What’s wrong with you?

– Hmm… Maybe I simply didn’t dream of walking God knows where on my dream date.

– Oh, come on! There is only one mile one thousand five hundred yards to the beach.

– Excuse me?! Oh no, no, no, my dear. After one thousand yards you will carry me there! – I laughed straight in his face.

– I actually like this idea – he smiled.

– Oh, really? We’ll see about that – I waggled my finger at him.

*

An hour later we were on our way. “I think I still hate this idea” – I thought… I put on my running shoes, but my feet already started to hurt. And it was terribly hot!

– Ugh! Are we there yet?!

– We’ve already walked one mile four hundred yards, grouchy.

– I have enough. I’m not going any further. I have no more strength.

I sat down on the grass by the path to protest this way. Indomitable Laura!

– Oh, come on, Laura! Don’t be like that!

– Like what?!

– You mean to make me angry all the time!

– Maybe I have a reason!

– Stop!

– No, you stop!

He turned his back to me.

Now when I’m thinking about it… We were acting like spoiled, bad-mannered kids. Yep… To be seventeen…

– Oh, don’t be so mad at me – I said after about two minutes of silence.

– I’ll consider your offer.

– Ah, fine. You can punish me by throwing me into the ocean.

I didn’t know that I should regret saying that already then…

– Interesting proposition – he turned around to look at me.

I decided to get up and said:

– But carry me to the place at first.

– Fine – he said with a displeased expression, but I think he was just pretending…

Joe obediently carried me, and we were on the beach an hour later. I was hoping he forgot what I had said earlier… But, well… You’ll see what I mean soon…

The boy walked over to the car and took out a basket.

– What’s your car doing here?!

– Waiting for the owner?

Well, this fact shocked me. “We could’ve come here by car! Take it easy, Laura. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale…” – I was thinking.

After a quarter of an hour, we were sitting on a blanket and eating treats from Joe’s basket. Candy, nuts, fruit… Oh! How I love oranges! Yep, it’s easy to make me happy…

After a while, the brunet said:

– It’s not that bad, is it?

– You’d better not talk to me today.

– Oh, come on! Can’t you see how nice it is? – he embraced me.

– Well, maybe just a bit – I put my head on his shoulder.

After a while, Joe grabbed me and suddenly started running towards the water. Of course, I was screaming and beating him as hard as I could, but it didn’t help at all. We landed in the salty ocean. He looked happy and I wanted to drown him. Yep…

Then we dried off in the sun without saying a word. And it was good that there was silence between us because I was angry like hell. Finally, the boy started collecting stuff. He dropped me home, but we were silent the whole time, but I noticed that Joe thought about telling me something… In the end, we just said goodbye as if nothing had happened…

That’s how a nightmare date no. 1 with my beloved man looked like…

*

Such a past life of mine… This sentence sounds like poetry, I know…

It starts like a fairy tale and ends with disaster. What’s wrong with me?! Ahhh okay, it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s in the past…

In the next one I will tell you how it was on the camping. Every time I recall it, it makes me laugh! Anyways, you’ll see soon…

P.S. “Love comes when you least expect it…”

Alice… What have you done! Joe has completely shut down! Miraculously, I reached him somehow. It’s a pity to talk… If he gives up on the band and his career, I think I’ll hang myself right with him… Great! I’m starting to lose my head just like him! Ah, Alice… We must do something…

***

Do you know that I added a few paragraphs here today…? Probably not…! So, now you know!

If you like this story, feel free to check out the whole thing in the form of a signed book or e-book! And there is the special collection too.

I’ll be back soon!

Love, A.A.