Page 51 of What I Like About You

When it comes to my anxious brain, it’s less about knowing and more aboutbelieving.

“I’m not Le Crew,” I say.

“You’re not,” Autumn says. “You could be, though.”

It’s surprising, the words coming from Autumn. There have never been any one-on-one opportunities to get to know her—I don’t work with her and she’s not Jewish, so I pretty much only see her at school. She has no reason to assure me I could be a part of their friend group.

So for the first time, I consider believing it.

Before I can answer, I see Autumn has a contemplative look on her face and pulls out her memo pad. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch her write down our exchange in dialogue.

“Seriously?” Molly asks, looking at Autumn.

“What? This is as organic as it gets,” Autumn says before taking a long sip of her soda and turning to me. “I need to write a scene. I’m not a writer—I’m a DP. I’m applying to film school, but most creative portfolios need a writing sample in addition to a short film. In other words, I’m screwed.”

“DP?” Sawyer asks, appearing behind Molly and wrapping his arms around her.

“Director of photography,” Autumn and I say at the same time.

Autumn’s head snaps up, her eyes meeting mine. “Wait, you’re into film too?”

That’s when I get my first real smile from Autumn Williams.

I shake my head. Swallow. “My parents. They’re a directing team—”

Autumn cuts me off. “Levitt—oh myGod. Madeline and Ari Levitt? They’re yourparents?”

“Yeah, that’s them,” I say, kind of shocked she knows them by name.

“Oh my God! I mean, I thought maybe, for, like, half a second. I almost asked, but that’s like asking if you’re related to Joseph Gordon-Levitt.”

“To be clear—you’re not, are you?” Molly asks.

I laugh. “I wish.”

Molly sighs. “Damn.”

“I lovedGentrify, U.S., like,somuch,” Autumn continues, ignoring Molly’s disappointment re: JGL. “Your parents got screwed.”

“They’ll appreciate that,” I say. “Do you want to go into doc?”

“Maybe,” Autumn says. “I just know I need to be behind a camera, telling underrepresented stories. Whether that’s through narrative or documentary, I’m not sure yet.”

“That’s what college is for,” I say.

Autumn smiles at me. “Exactly—which is why my writing sample needs to be perfect. But my dialogue is trash, Halle.Trash.”

“It’s true,” Nash says.

Autumn flips Nash off. “And I don’t have Sophie to rewrite it for me anymore. She was brilliant.” She sighs. “So I’ve been writing down lines I think would make good dialogue. For inspiration.”

“Let’s remember thatyoubroke up withher,” Nash says.

Autumn swivels in the bar stool to look at Nash. “Shut up.” Then she turns forward to face me. “Soph is a freshman at the Savannah College of Art and Design. We were never going to work long term.”

“I can help. If you want.”

Autumn lights up. “Really? That would beamaze. Did your parents let you on location?”

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