The set is lit with soft mood lighting, which sets the scene’s tone. Danger and Ria move under the sheet, facing each other, making it harder to see clearly, but I can just make out enough. They’re so close to each other that it’s making my skin bristle, especially as they’re both half-naked.
“Action,” the director calls out as the music starts.
My skin prickles with goose bumps as I watch Danger miming to Ria, caressing her cheek and looking lovingly into her eyes. She smiles back at him the same way, and I feel sick.
What the fuck!
Why can’t I get these feelings under control?
This is all a non-issue, and I know it.
The tempo of the song shifts slightly, and suddenly, Danger rolls over on top of her. Ria laughs while I shift uncomfortably as they continue to stare longingly at each other.
His body on top of hers.
Pressing down firmly in places onlyIshould.
My teeth grind together as his face dips to her neck. I watch his hips rock slightly while a quiet growl echoes from my chest as my body heats. My heart pounds furiously before a bead of sweat forms on my temple.
They roll over, and Ria is now on top of Danger, straddling him. His hands run up her back as she sits upright and looks down at him while he continues to mime the words to “I’ll Take Your Breath Away.” She gasps like he’s literally taking her breath away.
My lips purse, and then a soft, delicate hand slides into mine. I grab it tightly, not even checking whose it is, but taking the support as I watch Ria act like she’s in complete fucking ecstasy.
Jesus, I need to get this shit in check.
Cool, calm, collectedruns through my brain for some reason, then “Cut,” is called by the director.
Thank fuck,I think to myself. Wondering if somehow Whisper’s incantation in my brain seeped out into the room.
Don’t be ridiculous, Nate!I berate myself.
Ria laughs and quickly jumps off Danger like nothing’s happened while I huff and turn around, needing to breathe.
“You didn’t run through the script, did you?” Lunar asks from beside me, her hand still in mine.
I subtly shake my head while trying to control my breathing.
Lunar exhales. Taking her hand from mine, she turns to face me, then lunges forward, taking me into an embrace. I’m tense at first, but I quickly give in and melt into her hug, needing comfort.
“Hey, it was hard for me to watch, too. Don’t worry, it’s okay to be upset,” she says.
I nod and hold onto her, probably longer than necessary, but I need comfort right now. “Thanks, Lunar. I really should have read the script. I’m guessing I’m going to have to watch that another five times again today?”
Lunar pulls back and winces. “Probably. They like to shoot it more than once to get all the angles, but you don’t have to watch them all if you can’t, Nate. Ria will understand. Hell, I’m not sure if I can watch them all.”
“I wanna support her. I’m well aware that being with her means she is doing this stuff in her movies. But fuck, I think watching it for the first time with my friend is kinda… well, fucking horrific. If it were a stranger, I’d cope better, but this, with Danger, it’s fucking shit, Lunar.”
She weakly smiles. “I think that’s why it’s easier for me. She’s an actress and not someone I’ve known for years.”
“Sorry, I’m being pathetic.”
“No, not at all, Nate. It’s essentially like watching your girlfriend cheat with your friend. If it’s not voyeurism in its simplistic form, I’m not sure what is.” She laughs, but it’s strained. “It’s hard… trust me. I know she likes you. You just have to remember that fact.”
I nod as the director calls, “Action” a-fucking-gain. I screw my nose up and turn to see the same images hit me again and again. Danger is lying next to Ria, caressing her cheek. He mimes to her… she laughs.
Taking a deep breath, I grab Lunar’s hand and sit back down, preparing myself to watch this scene reenactment a few more times.
Cool, calm, collected?
