Chapter 6

Zoya's POV

I struggled to keep my eyes open during the lecture. I was fully aware that juggling an acting job with tight schedules and crazy hours, all while studying, would be absolutely exhausting. However, I was unwilling to compromise either my job or my studies. I knew I had to find a way to make it work.

I attended three table reads, hoping to see Olivia there. Unfortunately, she wasn't present in any of them. Since the new first episodes didn't feature any scenes with her, I found myself in separate table reads. This was a mixed blessing. On one hand, it allowed me to focus and make a strong first impression on Ezra and the rest of the cast. On the other hand, I missed out on seeing Olivia, which was disappointing.

I glanced over at Sebastian, observing his usual focused nature as he diligently took notes and actively engaged in the lecture. In contrast, I found myself struggling to stay attentive. It had already been a month, yet my notes mainly consisted of doodles of Olivia's name. I couldn't help but acknowledge that when midterms arrived, I would be in serious trouble.

Sebastian interrupted my thoughts by snapping his fingers in front of me. "Should we be heading out? You can continue your nap in the comfort of your own bed," he chuckled. It would have been amusing if I wasn't burdened with the fear of failing.

"Oh, I'm completely fucked, aren't I?" I groaned in frustration.

"Is it really that bad?" Sebastian asked, settling back down next to me.

"I feel like I've absorbed close to zero knowledge this semester," I lamented with a deep sigh.

"I can assist you with studying," Sebastian offered his help sincerely.

"That would be incredibly kind of you, but when would we find the time? My schedule is utterly chaotic," I replied, burying my face in my hands.

"Whenever you have free time in your day, feel free to drop by my place," Sebastian suggested, his reassuring smile still present.

My brows furrowed as I hesitated. "You mean Ezra's place too?" I asked, my discomfort evident.

Sebastian quickly shook his head, understanding my concern. "No, I completely understand if that would be weird for you," he assured me. "We can stick to studying at your place, like we always do. You live alone, right?" His voice trailed off, his tone hesitant as if he wanted to inquire further but lacked the courage to do so.

A mixture of relief and apprehension washed over me. "Yes, that's correct," I reluctantly confirmed, avoiding any further discussion on the topic.

Sebastian nodded understandingly, respecting my unspoken boundaries. "That works perfectly fine then," he responded, trying to lighten the mood. "Your place it is."

I had always had a strained relationship with my parents. Although they weren't happy with my sexuality, I still made an effort to see them every other holiday. Unfortunately, our gatherings always seemed to descend into arguments. It's difficult for me to skip these visits entirely because deep down, I remember how close we used to be. It saddens me to see how we've grown so distant simply because I like women.

"Would you like me to drive you home now?" Sebastian kindly asked.

"I really wish you could, but I have a table read," I groaned in frustration, my exhaustion evident.

"I'm worried. How do you plan on getting through it? You could barely stay awake during the lecture," Sebastian voiced his concern, his tone filled with genuine care.

I shrugged, feeling powerless to change the circumstances, and started gathering my books. Sebastian walked alongside me as we made our way outside the university grounds.

"Don't you have a date today?" I exclaimed, hitting my forehead as the realization of the day dawned upon me.

"I do," he chuckled, "but calling it a date might not be entirely accurate. We're actually going to a gay club. Why don't you join us?" he suggested, excitement lacing his voice.

"You want me to join you on your date? Even if I were crazy enough to consider it, I can barely manage to stay awake for work," I replied, reminding him of our previous conversation about my fatigue.

"Right, right! Maybe another time then? We rarely hang out outside of this place, apart from that one time during the meet and greet, and that hardly counted since it was technically work for you," Sebastian said, pouting as he leaned against the roof of his car, showcasing his impressive height.

"Perhaps we can arrange something for next weekend," I suggested, patting his arm gently to coax him out of my way so that I could get into his car.

"Are you coming inside to see your brother?" I asked as he pulled over in front of the studio.

"I can't, I need to head home and get ready. But are you going to be okay?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"Sebastian, stop worrying about me and focus on your date. You've already done enough by saving me from taking the bus," I reassured him, offering a warm smile. I leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before stepping out of the car and making my way inside.

I walked into the studio and showed my ID and permit before making my way to the elevator. As I pressed the button for the 7th floor, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

When the doors opened, I stepped out into a bustling atmosphere. The studio was as busy as ever, filled with people running around and preparing for the day's work. It reminded me of my high school days, where I had to navigate between popular kids and outcasts. I had hoped that after graduating, I wouldn't have to deal with that dynamic anymore. But here I am, still feeling like an outsider amidst a group of familiar faces.

The people in the studio barely acknowledge my presence or respond when I try to engage in conversation. It feels like they've all come to an agreement to make me feel invisible and excluded. It can be disheartening, but I'm determined to prove to them my talent even in a minor role like mine.

I made my way towards my assigned place at the table and skimmed through my scene for the day. Letting out a heavy sigh, I couldn't help but notice the lack of lines that filled my script. It had been the same way for the last few times as well, but I couldn't really complain. I was grateful to have any role, especially alongside Olivia and Ezra.

Taking a deep breath, I read through my lines several times. Regardless of how small the role may be, I was determined to give it my all. I understood that every opportunity is valuable, and I wanted to make the most of it.

"Why aren't you joining everyone else for lunch?" The angelic voice caught me off guard, and I momentarily froze. Thankfully, she didn't wait for my response and simply took the seat next to me. Her familiar smile warmed my heart as she looked at me with those sparkling eyes.

"I thought it would be best to focus on preparing for my scene. I can always eat later," I managed to say, my throat feeling suddenly dry.

She glanced at the script in front of me, and it dawned on me that her scripts likely contained thousands of lines, whereas I sat there making a fuss over just nine of them.

"I understand that it might seem insignificant, but it helps me alleviate some of the anxiety by thoroughly preparing for those few lines," I hastily explained, hoping to quickly explain my perspective and ease my embarrassment.

"Don't be ridiculous. No role or line should ever be considered insignificant; each one deserves equal attention," she stated firmly, her serious tone sending a wave of relief through me as it confirmed that she shared my perspective.

"However, it's also important for you to eat so you can perform your job to the best of your abilities. And something tells me you haven't been prioritizing that," she continued, her eyes intently scanning my face. I felt my breath hitch as her gaze remained fixed on me.

"It's just been a lot keeping up with my studies and the table reads. I can't imagine how busy things will get when the shooting starts. And it's not like I can depend on the people around here to help me. They are kind of snobs," I said absentmindedly. I forgot that they're probably her friends. She looked at me with a surprised expression that soon turned into an amused smile.

"Ava told me the same thing, but I never noticed," she said chuckling. "Ava is my manager," she added, as if she was introducing me. But I already knew everything about her from following her news.

"I know who Ava is, and she is not wrong," I said, crossing my arms in front of my body.

"Have you already met her?" she asked me, confused, looking around her. My face flushed in embarrassment, realizing that I can't exactly say I memorized her manager's name from all the celebrity news I've read about her.

"Um, no, not yet," I admitted, feeling a tinge of sheepishness. "I might have exaggerated a bit there. I mean, I haven't personally met Ava, but I'm familiar with her and her role as your manager from the interviews and articles I've read."

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise, and she let out a soft chuckle. "Well, it seems like you've done your fair share of research," she remarked, her amusement evident. "I must say, I'm flattered."

My cheeks turned a shade redder, but I couldn't help but smile at her lighthearted response. "Guilty as charged," I replied, letting go of the awkward tension. "I hope I didn't come across as too much of a fan or something."

She gasped, resting her hand on her chest. "So, you're not a fan?" she said playfully.

"I am definitely a fan, your number one fan, and I'll fight anyone for that position," I replied, joining in on her joke as we both laughed.

As the rest of the cast entered the room, she pointed subtly with her eyes. "I should get going and leave you guys to start," she said, rising from her seat.

"Get going? You're not joining us today?" A hint of sadness invaded me, as I had hoped for more time in her presence.

"Oh, no. I just had a meeting with Ezra, and on my way out, I saw you sitting here, so I thought I should come see how you are," she explained warmly, her hand resting gently on my shoulder. My stomach dropped with excitement, unsure if it was because she made the effort to talk to me or because of her touch.

"I'm really glad you did," I managed to say, my words coming out breathlessly.

She reached into her pocket and handed me her personal card. "Oh, and this is my personal number," she said, placing it in front of me. Grateful for this unexpected gesture, I couldn't find the words to respond.

"Call me if those snobs overwhelm you," she chuckled, giving my shoulder a light squeeze before walking away. Her alluring scent lingered in the air, leaving me in a daze.

Just as she was about to leave, she turned back, her gaze locking with mine. "By the way, Zoya, don't share that," she pointed to her card before winking playfully, leaving me to deal with the lingering shock of her gesture.

"What just happened?" I thought to myself. Did she really give me her personal number? My day had taken an unexpected turn for the better.