Page 20 of The Actor: Harrison

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I smile, but I can feel it’s forced.

She frowns. “I’m going to repeat the question and you are going to avoid the bullshit. Are you okay?”

I can’t stop a sincere smile spreading across my face. It’s small and uncertain, but it’s there. “Why do you want an answer, if you already know everything?”

“Because I don’t need to hear that answer,youdo.”

I’m taken aback by her words but decide to humor her. “No, I’m not okay,” I say out loud and surprisingly I feel a weight leave my chest.

I snap my gaze on her and she smiles. “Do you feel better?”

Surprisingly, my answer this time is yes and I don’t need to lie about it.

“Everybody already knows what happened, right?” I want to know.

She nods “It was impossible not to hear you two shouting. And it’s not like you’re on good terms,” she admits, and I’m not surprised to hear that.

“Do people think I’m a diva?” There is no other way around this. The sooner I take off the band-aid, the better.

She shrugs and thinks a bit about it. “Not exactly. They know you’re used to much higher-budget movies, but they don’t think you’re spoiled. You’re funny and easy to work with. I think they don’t know why you and Sierra are on such bad terms. I think they’re taking bets about when you’ll have sex or when one of you gives up and walks away.” She giggles and I admire her being so genuinely a happy person.

“No way am I going to have sex her. I’d rather stab my dick with a pencil than stick it in any part of her.” I scoff.

“Idiot.”

“I’m serious. She is one of the hottest women I have ever worked with, but I can’t even stand the idea of having sex with her. I hate her so much I just can’t,” I explain.

“Geez. Thank you for not even considering me on your hotness list!” she jokes.

“You’re like my little sister. I couldn’t make a move on you,” I say honestly. She’s so sweet I would run over her like a bulldozer.

“That is the most unflattering thing a man could say to a woman.” She raises a scolding eyebrow at me.

“Sorry, girl, but I’m just being honest. I’m not used to flirting with women I’m not interested in, not if it’s not clear for both of us that it’s just a game. Especially if I have to work with them.”

She stares a me for a long moment, studying my face like it’s a piece of art.

“You know, Harrison?” she asks. “You are a rare gem. Don’t ever let this industry change you.” She stands up and walks to the door. “I’ll wait for you on set. Take your time,” she adds before slipping out of my trailer and closing the door behind her.

It was the strangest conversation I ever had on set, but surprisingly refreshing, dampening my anger.

***

The afternoon flies by surprisingly smoothly and the scene goes down without any hiccups. I’m so happy when Sienna calls it a day, sending us off early, I almost run to my trailer to get changed.

When I hear a knock at the door, I answer with a smile thinking it’s Viola.

“Come in!” I holler while I put on my sweatshirt.

I’m surprised when I finally put my head through the neckline to find Sienna looking at me.

“What do you want?” I ask a bit more bitterly than intended.

“Here. I sent my assistant to grab you some pasta. She told me it’s vegan, like you asked.” She hands me the paper bag.

“Thanks,” I murmur not knowing what to say.

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