“Three years ago.”
“Noah—”
AJ felt his grief open like a massive fissure. Strange. It bordered that black sadness inside him but wasn’t a part of it. AJ couldn’t fathom what could possibly have happened to Noah that would so vastly outweigh his mother’s death.
“It was honestly a relief,” said Noah, as the quake quieted.
“Still,” said AJ, a little distracted. “I’m sorry. I…liked her.”
“She liked you,” he said. He sighed. “To tell the truth, she was never one for Thanksgiving. Honestly, neither am I. I just feel bad that my aunt’s home alone.”
Ugh, Eudora.“She could always summon the Scottish King,” muttered AJ.
A grin split Noah’s face and he laughed, enjoyment gusting off him like sun-soaked wind.Wow.AJ couldn’t stop her answering smile.
Other people were staring at them now, and the rest of the world returned. Dave still held court; Toni had risen and was now speaking animatedly to Ian and Em near the door.
Noah was still smiling. As AJ refocused on her food, he wiped his eyes, that wild wind dying down. It made no sense, but AJ felt certain it had come from within that large black mass.
They stayed near each other for the rest of the night. Over dessert, they conversed with various castmates while remaining close enough to touch. Em retired around ten; five minutes later Toni left with Ian.
“You don’t think—” whispered Xiaobo. “But shehateshim!”
“Enemies to lovers!” cawed Drunk Dave.
AJ shook her head. Ian was her boss. She tried not to think of him as a sexual being. And Toni…Toni had been in a funk ever since AJ had been cast as Alara. Maybe this was what she needed to shake it off. A distraction. A night away from the rest of them. From AJ. Some attention from a producer. At least, if it came up, Ian could tell her how reluctant AJ had been to play Alara.
A few minutes later, AJ, Xiaobo, Dave, and Noah left for the guest terrace, where they gathered around the firepit and drank until midnight. It was by far the latest AJ had been out in L.A. and the drunkest she’d been. She wasn’t falling down, but her inhibitions were low enough to accept Noah’s offer to walk her to her room when Dave and Xiaobo left to hook up.
They ambled through the grove, arms brushing as they spoke. Then at her door, Noah appraised her in such a reserved-but-caring Noah way that AJalmostblurted it out:So what happened?
But she didn’t.
Because they were still in work clothes, and it would be dumb to stirthe pot with a coworker. Because Noah suddenly looked so young rubbing his eyes in the moonlight. Because she already knew she wouldn’t like the answer, and she wanted to not be mad at him a little longer.
For a handful of minutes, they stood in her doorway trading jokes under the stars.
Then AJ said good night, slipped into her room, and tried not to think about him as she undressed.
Todd’s Coverage, Episode 8:“Life Preserver”
When disease breaks out at a fire weaver refugee camp, Dr. Iris insists their crew stop to offer aid. The Captain, Zora, and Bill risk discovery to scavenge for supplies. Rho battles his growing attraction for Ana as the two help Dr. Iris vaccinate the colony’s children.
It had been astrenuous episode to film. They’d taken a bus out to Oxnard, where a set had been erected to mimic a refugee camp. Having so many children around added to the dystopian atmosphere. Their dirty faces and torn costumes were affecting; the incessant roughhousing between takes was not.
As Ana and Rho helped Dr. Iris administer the vaccine, Noah glanced down the rows of pallid extras. Perhaps he was reminded of Simmons. AJ wondered about the end. His mother’s quality of life had been poor when AJ had met her; another four years of decline seemed unendurable. No wonder Noah had been relieved.
His eyes were on AJ now; she could feel his gaze like a caress. Every time she looked up to find him watching, she’d go a little softer. As ifshewere the one he was contemplating instead of Ana.
As if this were real.
She’d dreamed of him again last night. They’d been on Eudora’spatio, dancing toNOW 4’s track twelve, “Get It On Tonite,” by Montell Jordan. AJ had been watching from outside herself. Or was she remembering? She knew this day: the only time Eudora had ever left them alone. They were deep under, in a trance, when Eudora had slipped inside. Noah had moved then, his eyes black. AJ was back in her body as he grabbed her, held her, rolled his hips into hers until she ached.Closer. Please.She was hollow, breathless as their brows touched.Please.Her hand found his belt, and as he hauled her up against him, an electric pulse surged between her thighs, and—
A boy ran across their path, chasing after a dusty ball, and AJ almost tripped.
Noah caught her by the arm. “You good?” His eyes danced in the glaring sunlight.
“Fine,” said AJ, glad her cheeks were already red from the heat.It was just a dream,she told herself.Wasn’t it?
