Junior Year Box Set

“Believe it or not, I don’t want you to step in. If I can’t stand up to Saul, I shouldn’t be your manager. I just wanted to let you know that I normally don’t use that kind of language in a business setting.”

We arrived at the studio, and it was off to the grind.

◊◊◊

My other love interest in the movie was Diana, who was played by Leah Johansen. Leah was a dark-haired beauty who never smiled. She’d won the role because Diana was supposed to be the serious one. Halle bet me that she was probably a freak in bed, which I couldn’t see. I believe Halle was just yanking my chain.

The other main guy was Zak Verwood, who played Jake Armstrong. Jake was supposed to be the good-looking bad boy. He had golden sun-kissed hair and looked like a Ford model. Zak had grown up close to where the Jameses lived. He’d been a senior when Halle was a freshman, so she kind of knew who he was. I got the impression that Halle didn’t like him, for some reason.

The other two girls were Tanya Hendricks, who played Faye Chamberlain, and Jessica Chase, who had the role of Melisa Glaser. Tanya was a total flirt and had her eyes on Zak. She was tall at about five-eleven and looked athletic. I found out later that she’d been a volleyball player at UCLA until she hurt her knee and then decided to give acting a try. Jessica was the bubbly one of the group and seemed to be the glue that held it all together. She was also the oldest, at twenty-three.

At the end of the day, Rita sat down with each of us individually to give us acting tips. I was left till last because Fritz was taking us all home. It was no surprise when Halle followed her mom into my trailer.

“I have some of the dailies from this morning,” Rita began as she plugged her tablet into my fifty-five-inch TV with an HDMI cable.

She began to play a scene Halle and I had been in together.

“I can tell you’re a model. You’re aware of where the camera is and how you should present yourself for the best effect. I love that you’re comfortable in front of the lens, and you follow Jessup’s direction without any problems. I talked to Jessup, and the only criticism we have is that you need to be more the brooding teenager for this role.

“You’re in love with Diana, who’s been your sweetheart since you were kids. New to the school is Cassie, who for some unknown reason you’re attracted to. While you need Cassie to complete the circle, you’re not sure if it’s a good idea for the two of you to be together. You’re afraid you’ll do something that’ll hurt Diana. I’m not seeing the turmoil that we need. What I’m seeing is that you’d willingly be with either of them,” Rita said.

Halle smirked at the last statement.

I thought about Tami and how I would’ve felt if she and I were dating and Halle came to our school.

“I think I understand what you want. Can I borrow Halle and we do the scene again right here?” I asked.

“Sure,” Rita said.

“Give me just a second.”

I stepped back into the bedroom and opened up my old feelings for Tami and how much I’d loved her. Then I thought about Halle and how special she was to me, and how I would feel if I couldn’t be with her. I was surprised how easy it was to rip that wound open, but I thought I was ready to do the scene.

The first time through, I was a little too emotional. Rita had me dial it back some to a dull ache, and I tried again.

“That was perfect. I could kiss you,” she blurted out and then did.

I guess my mind locked because I was stunned. Halle and Caryn burst out laughing, and Rita turned red.

“David, I didn’t mean to do that,” Rita said.

“Looks like he’s fine with it. You just checked off one of the items on his bucket list,” Halle said.

“Actually …” I started as I held up a finger.

Halle jabbed me in the ribs to keep me from revealing the full extent of my list of things I’d like to do with Rita. I took her direction on this and shut up.

◊◊◊

On the way home, Fritz asked me if I wanted to go to his dojo to work out before we ate. I, of course, agreed, but then I almost bailed on him when I smelled the food Rosy was making. I was quickly falling in love with her. She gave me a couple of empanadas to hold me until dinner.

Fritz had Paul and Jane with him. I was jealous when he let Jane ride shotgun. We pulled into a vast complex that was gym, dojo, and boxing facility, all wrapped up into one. Fritz had already registered me, and they had a membership card waiting.

“Let’s warm up, and then we can spar,” Fritz said.

“I’m not sure I should,” I said.

Cassidy was worried I would hurt someone if I sparred with them. Unlike what was commonly taught, Cassidy wanted me to never pull my punches. She’d taught me to fight for real because she reasoned that I wasn’t learning this to play around. If the time ever came to use my skills, she wanted me to be able to defend myself.

“David’s afraid he’ll hurt you,” Fritz shared.