35.
March 3rd, 2020
“Ijust feel like this isn’t on the same tangent as our characters’ rapport,” Kenneth said as he scratched his jaw, and then glanced down at the script pages in his hand.
I pushed my hair back and rolled the pages I was holding, and then slid them in the back pocket of my jeans. “Yup. I think this should be more of a tough love kinda situation.”
When Kenneth and I had seen the scene changes in our script for the day, we’d raised our concerns and questions about it to Ross. Because he knew he couldn’t argue withbothKenneth and I, Director Dearest had given us a free reign to do a little improv while we performed the scenes, which, to be honest, was pretty cool.
Kenneth and I were busy throwing ideas at each other with respect to the vibe we wanted to create for the audience, and I was very happy and relieved that I had such a talented and experienced actor like him by my side for a project this tangible and challenging.
He was about to respond to my suggestion, but stopped and looked to his right when Amara stomped over to him with a scowl on her face.
“Why are you touching your face?” she asked, and then crossed her arms over her chest.
Kenneth swallowed. “Uh…”
“You were scratching your jaw right now, Kenneth!” she chastised. “I just finished doing your makeup, so can younot?!”
He raised his hands in surrender. “Sorry, sorry.”
Her scowled deepened. “You’re doing the next touchup by yourself. I’m not fixing what you so carelessly scraped off.”
He frowned. “Seriously?”
“Very.”
“But I don’t know how,” he said in defeat.
She lifted a shoulder. “Should’ve thought about that beforescratching your fucking jaw!” She said the last four words a little too loudly, which made a few crew members snicker.
Kenneth pursed his lips. “Fine, but if I look like a deranged clown during the takes, I’ll just put the blame on you.”
Amara turned and looked at me. “Talk some sense into him.” She pointed a finger at Kenneth’s face. “Do the bro-talk or whatever.”
“What’s bro-talk, baby?” Kenneth asked her, which made me chuckle.
She whipped her head at him. “Do. Not.”
He looked at me and mouthed, “Help,” but before I could say anything, someone grabbed my bicep, turned me around, and threw their arms over my shoulders before pulling me flush against them.
I smiled as I placed a hand on her waist, but my joy faded almost immediately when I realized…
“Baby, you’re crying…” I cupped the back of Zaira’s head as she continued to sob against my chest. “Babe, hey; talk to me.” The first thought that came to my mind was: Ross must’ve done something. That old bastard must’ve made an uninviting move on her.
Kenneth and Amara stopped their argument and looked at me, and I knew by the expressions on their faces that they, too, were thinking what I was.
Anger flared throughout my body as I clenched my jaw. I saw red. Fuckingred.
If Ross had touched her, or even made an attempt at it, then he’d lose his fucking hands.
If he’d looked at her the wrong way, he’d regret the day he was born.
I’d make that motherfucker pay, no matter the consequences.
Kenzie marched over to us, with Dylan and Shane right behind her. She, too, was crying, which both confused and scared me further.
“Will someone please tell me what’s wrong?” I asked as I looked between Dylan, Shane, and Kenzie.
