Selene~
It was finally filming day.
My co actors had already been informed that I was going to join them on set but I almost didn't want to see them in all their judgy nature.
The new casting announcement hadn't even gone out yet. They'd decided to delay it to avoid more controversy around the project.
Seeing that the old lead had died and was then replaced with an ex star.
The fact that all of my interactions with the producers and directors had been online made it clear, they wanted to keep this under wraps for as long as possible. But if they were this ashamed about it, why cast me? It felt like they were willing to ruin the project.
I left home with my favorite hoodie, my work jeans and a pair of sneakers. Of course, I didn't leave home without my favorite face mask. The studio was buzzing as I walked in. A few production assistants nodded as I walked past them but I felt the shift in the air. The small whispers, the stares, it was hard not to notice.
A lot of curious whispers were being passed around but I already steeled myself before coming here that I wouldn't be pushed around just because of my past. I kept my mask on and said nothing, making my way to the makeup trailer.
I didn't need help finding my way around a set, I had enough experience to know where everything was supposed to be. I reached the set's makeup trailer and let myself in. I pulled down my mask and faced the middle aged woman who was the only one in the trailer.
"Hello, my name is Selene Grey and I'll be under your care."
She smiled. Her eyes were surprisingly warm. She handed me a warm cup of coffee and I took it.
"You're here," she said. "It's been a while."
"Yes, it has."
She gestured for me to take a seat in the tall makeup chair by the mirror and I did. It had definitely been a while but she was still as warm as I remembered. She was one of the few people who actually tried to check on me when it happened but I'd been way too broken to accept her kindness.
"I'm glad you're here." She said.
Well, that made one person.
"No one else is here. Wanna hang out here for a while until they're ready for you?"
I nodded and she smiled and left the trailer.
She probably knew I wasn't quite comfortable to be around people yet so she gave me this privacy. It was honestly so nice of her, it seemed Gladys never changed. She was my favorite makeup artist back in those days, she always had a story to tell and was the most fun person to be around.
I sat there in the quiet trailer and took sips of my coffee. Outside, I could still hear the thud of hurried footsteps but in here, it was like time was moving slower than usual.
I knew that I'd eventually have to walk out of here and face them, all of them. We would be working together on this project for a while. And while I knew that they'd expectations of me was not high, I wanted to try my best to not make the whole atmosphere seem weird.
I had not seen any of my co actors and I had not been invited to the read through. While their faces had been everywhere, in trailers, teasers and all that, fans kept speculating about the mystery female lead.
I hadn't seen Christopher's crazy brother since that night, or anyone who looked like they were out to kill me either. I hadn't seen Mr. Joe Morales either even though he was the one who put me in this situation in the first place.
"Well, well…"
I looked back to find the owner of the voice, I hadn't noticed when the door of the trailer shot open.
"Look who it is. Selene Grey."
"Sophia." Her name came out of my mouth like it was a slur.
Sophia Patel, we grew up together, acting and all. You could say there was once a time that we were… friends. But of course, that all changed after my unfortunate incident. Both she and Lena suddenly went all cold on me when it happened. I didn't blame them, I would've probably done the same thing.
But it didn't make it hurt any less.
"You know, I thought you'd have the decency to not show your face over here." She said. "Since you're taking the spot of our dearest friend."
What a load of bull. After Lena died, people were speculating that the main role would've gone to Sophia since she was also a very talented actress, but then I was chosen instead and I just knew that it hurt her pride in a way I couldn't imagine.
"Seen Luca yet?" She snickered.
That was a low blow.
Sophia leaned against the door with her arms crossed, her glossy hair was pulled into one of those effortless ponytails that probably took two stylists and a curling wand to perfect. She always looked amazing, even when she was being a bitch.
"No?" She said as she tilted her head. "That's strange, with the way you were all over him that night, I'm surprised you haven't gone to look for him yet."
I turned to her. "Cut it out, Sophia. Neither you nor I completely remember what happened that night but we both know exactly what you did, it just didn't end up on the media."
That was enough to make her scoff and leave.
I hadn't thought it through. I was just so excited to get back into acting that I forgot what a nightmare I had gotten into excluding the whole supernatural thing.
A guy whom I was involved in a scandal with.
My ex best friend.
And a non human.
What a matchup.
It didn't take long for Gladys to come back and do my makeup. Shooting was about to start, I didn't have much scenes today but I was determined to do my best and make them all regret looking down on me.
When I was done with makeup, I was led to the dressing room. It was cold, or maybe it was just me. I slipped into the outfit that was prepared for the first scene all while getting looks, snickers and stares from the staff.
I felt… uncomfortable to say the least.
Once I was done, I walked towards the set with stiff legs. The first scene was simple enough, it was where Amara would bump into her childhood friend on her first week of college. Simple enough.
But guess who played the childhood best friend, of course, it could be none other than Luca Grant.
There he was, standing and looking effortlessly as always. His eyes met mine for just a second, enough to make my stomach turn. I turned away first.
The assistant director clapped the board. "Places, people."
Everyone got into position and I did too.
"Scene twelve, take one. Action!"
I moved forward. I was supposed to jog into frame, bump into him, spill my water all over him and then recognize him like I was remembering my first crush.
But instead, I froze.
I did manage to run and I did manage to bump into him, but the warmth I was suooosed to fake didn't come. Instead, I expressed a twisted, strained smile. Luca furrowed his brows at me.
He looked so natural, so calm, so at peace. This was the first time we were seeing each other since that night so why was he so at peace with all of this?
"Cut," the director called after a long, unbearable pause.
Murmurs erupted from all sides.
"Don't tell me she forgot her lines."
"Look at her, she probably remembered that night."
"Can she even still act?"
I blinked and realized that I hadn't even spilled the water.
"Again, from the top." The director yelled.
I hurriedly bowed. "I'm sorry," and went back to my initial position.
My palms were clammy.
Focus, Selene. You've done this a million times.
"Take two. Action!"
I bumped into him again but like before, my movements were stiff, my face didn't process surprise and the line that was supposed to flow seamlessly ended up sounding robotic.
"Oh! I didn't see you there… Luca…"
Oh, God.
"Cut."
The director stood up from his chair, he was rubbing his temple. He was annoyed, I could tell. He didn't have a choice in who to cast for the role and the person who was casted was now giving him trouble.
"Selene, can I talk to you for a second?" He was trying not to sound frustrated but he obviously was. I followed him aside.
"I know it's been a while but come on. It's a pretty simple scene. Why'd you accept the role if you were going to mess it up?"
Side laughs. I could hear them, they made sure that I did.
"I'm sorry." I said.
He walked away. "Again."
This time, however, I couldn't even manage to start running.
"Cut!" The director stood up and threw away his head piece and placed his hand on his head out of frustration.
Fuck. I may have forgotten how to act.