STS Ch-15

“You want us to do what?” Peter asked incredulously, eyes wide as he leaned back on the couch like he was trying to distance himself from the absurdity of what he’d just heard. Beside him, Ash looked equally stunned, his mouth opening slightly in a silent whoa.

“Exactly what I said,” I replied, grinning at two of my best friends’ bewildered expressions. “I want you two as my assistants on the film set.”

“In Fiji?” Ash asked, blinking like he needed to make sure he hadn’t misheard.

“Yup,” I nodded, leaning forward with enthusiasm. “Listen, I know you two hate your jobs, so why don’t you come with me and try something else for a change? Maybe you can learn more about filmmaking while you’re there. You could even land something more permanent in Hollywood if they liked your work.”

Their expressions began to shift from disbelief to curiosity.

“They’ll pay you $10k each, in addition to free transport and accommodation,” I added, sweetening the deal. “For four months, you’ll live on a beach, get a tan, and if you play your cards right, bang some hot chicks.”

Ash sat up straighter, his eyes lighting up. Peter still looked unconvinced, but the mention of sun, sand, money, and babes had clearly caught his attention.

When Michael got me my contract, I had read it cover to cover, something I doubt most actors did. That’s when I realized a few “standard” provisions hadn’t been explained to me in person. Michael hadn’t bothered, probably because he thought they were no big deal. But it was my first film. I didn’t know what the standard was. The biggest surprise was that I could bring along two personal staff, paid by the production, separate from my own salary. If I didn’t, they’d just assign someone else to the job.

“Will there be a lot of chicks?” Ash asked eagerly, his mind clearly already on the beach.

“Fiji is a paradise for girls,” I said smoothly, keeping my tone confident. I knew the island where we’d be filming was remote, and there likely wouldn’t be many women besides Julie, if any. But I also knew from experience which buttons to press to get these guys on board.

I shrugged casually, playing it cool. “People from all over the world go there to relax and unwind. Including single girls.” Technically, it wasn’t a complete lie.

“I’m in,” Ash announced without hesitation, slapping his knee as if he’d just made the best decision of his life.

Bingo. Now I just had to convince Peter.

I turned to him and raised an eyebrow. “So?”

Peter narrowed his eyes, arms crossed. “What exactly would I have to do as your assistant?”

“Anything and everything I need,” I said with utmost seriousness, sitting upright. “For example, if I need water between takes, it’ll be your job to get it to me. If I went to get it myself, I’d waste the entire crew’s time. Essentially, your job would be to make sure the least amount of my time is wasted so I can focus and do my job without interruptions.”

Peter stared at me for a beat, then he crossed his arms. “I won’t be your errand boy,” he announced flatly.

“Oh, come on!” Ash rolled his eyes, throwing his hands in the air in exasperation. “You know Noah. He’s the best guy out there. How is that any different from your current waiting job, huh? You don’t have a problem serving total strangers, but you’d object to doing it for your best friend?”

Peter didn’t even acknowledge Ash’s words. He kept his eyes locked on me, his expression unreadable but firm. I knew this look all too well. It was one of his classic tactics, silent pressure, designed to make the other person crack first.

But I didn’t bite.

The reason I had chosen Ash and Peter for this job was simple: I trusted them with my life. And neither of them had anything solid going on in their careers.

Peter had been my closest friend since we were kids. We used to swim together at the local pool, racing each other until his limbs gave out. He was a year ahead of me in school, but that never mattered to us. Our bond ran deeper than grades or age. We met Ash and Lenny in our respective classes a few years later, and soon enough, the four of us were inseparable.

Lenny, who was the youngest and the most well-off, would never accept this offer. He still had a year of school left, and I knew he wouldn’t dream of taking time off for something like this.

Peter and Ash, on the other hand, had both taken up temporary jobs as waiters after they failed to get into good colleges. Peter was a solid swimmer, better than most, but scholarships for swimming were limited, and scouts always preferred me. He never said anything, but I knew some part of him probably resented that.

“That’s not in my hands,” I said finally, keeping my voice even. “This is a role paid for by the production team. If they think you’re not getting enough work, they’ll assign you more tasks around the set, and you’ll have to do them. I can’t shield you, man.”

Peter held my gaze for a moment longer, then looked away with a resigned sigh. “Fine. I don’t like this, but I’ll do it. Only because it pays well.”

“Fuck yes!” Ash whooped, throwing a fist in the air. “I have a feeling these will be the best four months of our lives. Thanks for inviting us, Noah.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, smiling at his excitement. “Just make sure to get along with everyone on the crew and do any task assigned to you. If you don’t, they’ll send you back and hire real assistants with experience.”

Ash beat his chest like a proud soldier. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it, and make sure the princess here doesn’t laze around either.” He nudged Peter with an exaggerated wink.

Peter responded by smacking the back of Ash’s head, and within seconds, the two were engaged in a half-serious wrestling match, grunting and laughing like kids.

“Kids these days,” I muttered, shaking my head with a smile.

Sure, I’d recruited them. But I also knew that once they found out what role they had agreed to be my assistant for, they’d tease me to hell and back.

I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

(Break)

(Timeskip)

“Now you could finally pass off as an island native,” Randal said approvingly, his arms crossed as he eyed me like a sculptor inspecting a half-finished statue. “Not fully there yet, but a few more days of real tanning under the sun will finish the job.”

I glanced down at my bare torso, arms, and legs. He wasn’t wrong. My normally fair skin now held a deep, sun-kissed glow. If it weren’t for my unmistakably blonde hair, I could’ve passed for Latino, or even half-Black, maybe.

“Same for you, Julie,” Randal added, turning to the girl standing beside me. Like me, she was in swimwear, her posture relaxed but poised.

The idea had been hers: practicing our scenes in costume, or in this case, as close to costume as it would get. She figured if we got used to being around each other like this, it’d make us more natural on camera. I didn’t mind too much.

While I wore a snug pair of Speedos, Julie had gone with a bikini that hugged her curves and highlighted her perfectly tanned skin. With her vibrant red hair cascading down her back, she looked stunning, like something out of a painting. If we weren’t on a professional set, I probably would’ve asked her out already.

“Thank you, Randal,” Julie said shyly, offering him a warm smile.

Randal nodded with a little bow of his head, ever the composed professional. But only when it concerned her.

“So,” he continued casually as we both started slipping back into our clothes, “are you ready for your flight tomorrow? All packed, I hope?”

I nodded silently, tugging my shirt on, while Julie answered out loud.

“I am,” she said with a sigh. “Packing for four months was a nightmare, but I finally managed.”

I gave a soft hum before glancing at her. “Your parents finally talked to you about it?”

Julie winced slightly, like the subject still stung. “They will. When I’m back. I’m sure of it.”

I reached out and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. “Of course they will.”

Her parents weren’t thrilled about her taking a role like this instead of staying in school. It was something I could relate to, thanks to my father, but the circumstances were too different to draw a direct comparison.

“If they don’t,” Randal interjected with a grin, “I’ll adopt you. You’re way too cute to be disowned.”

Julie laughed, and before I could say anything, she stepped over and hugged him, an affectionate, lingering hug that had a quiet sort of closeness to it.

“Thanks, guys,” she said, stepping back.

But she didn’t look at me, let alone offer the same hug.

“Hey, that’s unfair! Where’s my hug?” I asked, feigning indignation.

She waved me off without a second glance. “You’re not getting one, Romeo. Randal gets one because he’s such a darling.”

Right. Or more like because he’s not straight. Girls always seemed more comfortable being physically affectionate with gay guys for some reason.

“You wound me, Juliet,” I said, clutching my chest like I’d been stabbed in the heart.

Julie smirked and backed toward the door. “As much as I’d love to keep this going, I still have a few things left to pack, and I’m not doing it last minute. So, see you tomorrow.”

And just like that, she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her.

“I guess I should take my leave as well,” I muttered, still half watching the door.

Randal hummed in response, then turned to me with a glint of something in his eyes. “Have you given any more thought to what I told you about Julie? About bringing more authenticity to the role?”

I frowned, the memory of our earlier conversation surfacing like an unwelcome ripple in calm water. His original suggestion had struck me as asinine at best, pathetic at worst.

“I think it’s unnecessary and kinda exploitative,” I said slowly, choosing my words with care. “If something’s meant to happen between us, it will. No one has to engineer it.”

Randal gave me a look as if I’d just confessed to believing in unicorns. “That’s not how things work, Noah. The first thing to ask yourself is: do you like her or not?”

“Of course, I do,” I shot back, almost offended. “Only a moron wouldn’t.”

It was a fact. Julianne Moore, young and fearless, was hot-as-fuck. And the best part? She knew it. She knew the effect she had on me and still walked around like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. Playing the fool, pretending she hadn’t noticed.

“Then what’s the problem?” Randal pressed. “I’m not telling you to lie to her. I’m offering help, just a little nudge. I’ll arrange a few moments for you two to be alone. That’s all. If you fall for each other, it’d be perfect for the film and the promotions later on. Real chemistry. Headlines. Buzz. That’s how you make a blockbuster.”

This wasn’t the first time he’d brought it up. He’d worn me down before, and he was doing it again. Brick by brick, my resistance was crumbling.

“Alright,” I sighed after a beat. “Do what you gotta do, and I’ll do me.”

“Great!” Randal grinned, stepping forward to give me a spontaneous hug. “You won’t regret it.”

I’m already regretting it. And for God’s sake, stop hugging me, Randal!

(Break)

“I’ll miss you, Noah,” Daisy whispered into my ear between quiet sniffs, her arms wrapped tightly around my torso. “I don’t know if I can handle Dad alone without you.”

Now this was a hug I didn’t mind.

“You’ve got Zach,” I said, gently running my hand through her hair to calm her. “He’ll keep you company.”

“But he’s Zach,” she whined, pulling back to look up at me, her brows knitted with frustration. “You know how irritating he is.”

I snorted. “You’re almost fourteen. Stop acting like you’re four.”

She gasped in mock outrage and smacked me lightly on the chest. “You’re so mean!”

I chuckled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “You know, Dad and Zach, they’re both hopeless. That’s why you have to be the mature one. You’re the boss of the house. Only the other two don’t know it yet. Can you handle them for me?”

She nodded slowly, even if she didn’t look thrilled about it.

“Will you stop that already?” Zach called out from a few feet away, rolling his eyes dramatically. “People are gonna think you’re lovers, not siblings!”

“See what I have to deal with?” Daisy deadpanned, and I nodded in sympathy. Zach was a jackass.

Naturally, I had to respond like any good older brother would.

I marched over, locked Zach in a firm headlock, and delivered a solid noogie to his skull.

“Ow! Ow! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” he yelped, trying to squirm free. “Didn’t mean that! You’re the best brother ever! Ow!”

I let him go after a couple of minutes. Zach clutched his head in exaggerated pain.

“You’re an asshole. That’s what you are!”

“Am I?” I stepped toward him slowly, and he immediately ducked behind the only other man present.

I looked up and met Jordan’s eyes. He had that proud, quiet look he always got when he thought I’d done something right.

“Thanks for driving the twins to the airport,” I said sincerely. “It means a lot.”

He shook his head. “Don’t even mention it, son. You just go out there and be the best damn actor you can be. I’ve got everything covered here.” He gave Zach a light pat on the back. “They’ve got my number if anything happens. Don’t worry.”

I nodded. With Jordan, that kind of reassurance actually meant something. He’d follow through, no doubt.

“I think you should head in now,” he said, nodding toward the gate.

“In a minute,” I replied, then turned to my brother. “Zach, stop acting like a bitch and come out.”

He did, reluctantly, clearly expecting another headlock. But this time, I pulled him into a genuine hug.

“Ugh, are you done with the mushy stuff?” he muttered, trying to squirm away. I ruffled his hair and let him go.

“Look after Daisy, alright?” I said, voice firm. “If anyone so much as looks at her the wrong way, break a jaw. Just like I taught you to.”

Zach snorted but nodded. The joking dropped from his face just enough to show he understood.

“Good man.” I smiled, noticing how he still stood a head shorter than I. He’d hit a growth spurt soon, I could feel it. I’d been the same until I was fifteen and a half.

After a final round of goodbyes, I turned and walked toward the boarding area just as the loudspeakers called out the first boarding group.

“There you are!” Ash’s voice rang out. “We thought you got cold feet or something.”

“As if.” I rolled my eyes. “Why haven’t you boarded yet?”

Peter answered, “They’re calling first and business class only. We’re back in the economy section, remember?”

Oh. Now this was awkward.

“You’re not in coach… are you?” Ash asked, the realization dawning like a slap in the face when he saw my reaction.

“In my defense,” I said quickly, “I didn’t know it worked like that.”

My lawyer, Michael, had put it as a condition in my contract that I would fly either first class or private. When I later joined SAG, I realized why they agreed so easily. As per the union rules, SAG members weren’t allowed to fly economy; it had to be premium economy at the very least. I figured the rest of the crew would have similar accommodations. Clearly, I was wrong.

“Just go,” Peter said, deadpan. “Go enjoy your business class seat. Leave your peasant friends behind.”

I opened my mouth to clarify, but… I didn’t. Instead, I just nodded solemnly and walked toward the check-in counter, where they were now calling first class only, not the business class.

The flight attendant, beautiful and professional, took my boarding pass and personally escorted me to my seat. It was right next to someone I’d grown surprisingly familiar with in recent days.

“Hi, Noah,” Julie greeted me with a polite smile. “These seats are crazy comfortable.”

“Hey, Julie,” I replied, sinking into the plush leather. She wasn’t wrong; this was next-level luxury.

As the flight prepared for takeoff, I noticed something: we were alone. The only two passengers in the entire first-class section.

Was this just a coincidence… or one of Randal’s subtle machinations to push us together?

I wouldn’t put it past him.