This is a short story I wrote the other night. It's loosely based around a Taylor Swift song. I do not own any recognizable names, only Elizabeth and Josey. This story is fictional. Please let me know what you think.
Elizabeth Mackenzie Ramos
Birthday: April 30, 1986 (24 years old)
Occupation: Actress
Blood type: B+
Weight: 143.7 pounds (65.3 kilograms)
Height: 5' 7" (169 centimeters)
I sighed as I looked at my passport, which I had just gotten recently. I felt the tears stinging my eyes as I moved my gaze to the street, where a cab was pulling up for me.
Everything in my life was falling apart, and I was helpless to stop it. It had all started when I had met him. It had been in 2004, when I’d been cast as Laura in ‘The Day After Tomorrow’.
Six Years Ago...
“Ah, Beth, welcome to your first day,” the director said as I walked in, in costume and camera-ready. “I suppose you want to meet the cast, but we’re a little behind schedule and we need to shoot right away, so you can meet others later. This is Jake, on the couch, and those guys over here are Glenn and Austin, and that guy bumbling around the fireplace is Arjay. Got it?”
“Wait, which scene is this?”
“Favorite Vacation scene, go!” I was quickly ushered onto a couch, where Jake Gyllenhaal (may I just say, swoon) was already bundled up in blankets and coats, much like I was about to be. Once we were all wrapped up, we watched Austin and Glenn do their scene.
Austin: *watching Glenn tear pages from a book* what are you doing?
Glenn: I’m insulatin’. Newspaper’s best, but this’ll do. Y’know, you spend some years on the streets and you learn how to keep warm. *tosses Austin a book*
Austin: Thanks *tears out some pages*
Then it was our turn.
“I got one. Your favorite vacation,” I said, looking at Jake.
“Besides this one?” he asked jokingly. I smiled and laughed softly. “Alright, um...I went to Greenland, with my dad, on one of his research trips a few years ago and, um, the ship broke down and got stuck. And it rained constantly.”
“Thank sounds really boring,” I whispered, grinning.
“It actually was really nice. Just me and my dad hanging out for ten days.” He nodded slowly, looking thoughtful. I gave him a sympathetic look and then the director yelled, “CUT!”
“Way to go, new girl,” said Arjay, slapping me on the shoulder, since I couldn’t seem to escape from my woolen restraints. I finally managed to get the blankets off of me, with some help from Jake, who had gotten out long before me.
“Thanks,” I said shyly.
“Don’t mention it,” he replied, shooting me a dazzling smile before going to watch the playback.
“Everyone looks great, now time for the next scene. We need Tom and Amy, now!” shouted the director. Everyone took their places and I listened to Tom and Amy’s scene, my mind not really on it. I was freaking nervous. My first day on the job, and they were making us film the kiss scene! Yikes!
After Amy and Tom's scene, we briefly paused before starting the next scene, where I had to act sick. I started with a few coughs, and then Jake came to my side, looking concerned. He really was a great actor.
“Hey,” he said quietly, “hey, are you alright?” He reached down and brushed his hand against my face. “You look like you have a fever or something.”
“I’m fine, I just can’t sleep,” I muttered, sitting up so Jake could sit down by my knees. “My mind keeps going over all those worthless decathlon facts,” I chuckled. “It’s pretty stupid, huh?”
“No, it’s alright,” he assured me, “I guess you just haven’t had time to adjust yet.”
“How'm I supposed to adjust, Sam? Everything I've ever cared about, everything I've worked for... has all been preparation for a future that no longer exists. I know you always thought I took the competition too seriously... you were right. It was all for nothing,” I said forsakenly. Jake looked down for a moment before looking back up at me and chuckling.
“No, I just...I just said that to avoid admitting the truth,” he said, meeting my gaze with his gorgeous eyes.
“The truth about what?”
“About why I joined the team.” I looked at him, heart pounding as if this were all real, or maybe it was just nerves about what was coming. “I joined it because of you.” He then looked away. I stared at him for a moment, almost forgetting what I was supposed to do next. I had to make the move. I slowly smiled and sat up, making Jake look toward me.
“Hey,” I whispered, to make sure I had his attention. Then, I took a hold of his jacket, pulling him toward me and just as our lips were about to meet-
“CUT!” shouted the director.
“What?!” I jumped nearly a foot in the air, having forgotten all about our little audience. Jake chuckled and patted my knee, as if to say, ‘that’s okay, I do that too sometimes’. Yeah, as if.
“Beth, you’ve got a call from the Culver City Hospital. It’s your mom.”
It’s funny how some moments, that seem like they shouldn’t be remembered, stick out in your mind, while the things you should remember fade away. I could barely remember the long hours at the hospital, but I remembered all the tiniest details about the day I met Jake. I suppose it’s for the best, since meeting Jake was a happy occasion. Spending the next 48 hours at the hospital with my dying mother was not.
After my mom died, I hadn’t been able to give my 100%, so they got Emmy Rossum to take my place in Day After Tomorrow. I still can’t watch that movie, because I think about how close I came to kissing a totally sexy guy. I’ve never had much luck finding sexy guys.
With a sigh, I tossed my bag in the trunk of the cab. If only I had never seen Jake again, then I wouldn’t be running away. If only I hadn’t run into him on the set of The Rendition...
Three Years Ago...
“Okay, we’re done filming for today!” shouted the director, happily. “You can all go change now.”
“That was so fun!” one of my fellow extras exclaimed as we headed for the dressing rooms. I wasn’t ready to leave yet and I knew the extras’ room would be crowded, so I decided to wander around the building. I knew they were filming some new movie called The Rendition, so I figured I’d check that out. I came in and watched a random scene in progress, then I went to talk to the director when the actors went on break.
“This looks so great,” I told him. “I can’t wait to see this movie.”
“Me either,” he laughed.
“Hey!” shouted a voice behind me. My blood all but froze in my veins as I heard that familiar voice. I turned slowly, desperately wishing I’d changed out of my ‘60’s dress and washed all the hairspray from my hair.
“Hi, Jake,” I said coolly.
“I know you from somewhere,” he said, trying to place me.
“Yeah, I, uh...I was supposed to be your, um, love interest in Day After Tomorrow,” I explained. Realization dawned on his face and he smiled a smile that made me go weak at the knees.
“Oh, yeah. How’ve you been since your mom...?” I can honestly say, I was completely shocked he’d remembered.
“I’ve been okay-ish. It’s been hard, y’know?”
“I can only imagine. It’s a shame you couldn’t stay on and finished the part. You could’ve made the big times.”
“Well, I dunno. Who wouldn’t want to be a background dancer in Hairspray?” I asked sarcastically. He chuckled, quickly looking up as the director proclaimed the break over.
“Stick around,” he said. “We’ll be done in about half an hour. I’ll buy you a cup of coffee or something.”
“Alright,” I agreed breathlessly, watching as he hurried back to the set. That was when I started to realize just what kind of trouble I was in.
I remembered that day so clearly. I remembered the fun we’d had over coffee, talking and laughing about anything and everything. Then, after that, we’d constantly hung out, any chances we got. That was the year that I fell in love with him.
I tried to push away the memories as I opened the door to the cab, sitting down and reaching for the door.
“Elizabeth, wait!” shouted a frantic female. I looked up to see a tall brunette running at me. My faithful friend, trying to help me, just like she had done just before I’d decided to leave.
Not Too Long Ago...
“Beth, you have to tell him!” Josey exclaimed. “He’s getting married today and you’re in love with him!”
“You think I don’t know that?” I asked miserably.
“Beth, trust me. Say something to him. If you don’t, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. You have to tell Jake the truth.”
“The truth about what?” came his cool voice. I looked up through teary eyes and saw Jake, looking handsome in his tux. “Beth, what’s wrong?”
“Jake, I can’t, I-”
“Tell him,” Josey urged. “I’ll be outside when you’re done.”
“What’s wrong?” Jake repeated, grabbing my arms. “You can tell me, Beth.”
“I shouldn’t,” I cried.
“Oh, Beth,” Jake sighed, pulling me into his arms. Oh, how I loved his hugs. I breathed in his scent for the last time.
“Don’t marry her, Jake.”
“What?” he whispered, pulling away from me.
“Don’t do it. Don’t say those vows, don’t say ‘I do’. You can’t, Jake. Please.”
“Beth, I love her.”
“No!” I exclaimed. “You can’t, Jake, because she doesn’t love you and you know it!”
“Well, Beth, what am I supposed to do?” he said, frustrated. I could hear people calling for him. “She’s the closest I’m going to get.”
“You could’ve had me,” I whispered.
“Beth...” he said quietly, touching my cheek.
“Jake, my man, come on!” shouted Jake’s best man, bursting in. He swept Jake away and I was left alone. I wasn’t going to face my best friend, so I went out the side door, avoiding Josey altogether. That’s where I hailed a cab, determined to go to the airport and go to Italy, like I’d always wanted. No Jake holding me back, no heartbreaking wedding to think of. But would leaving really take away the pain...?
“Elizabeth, you have to go in there! He wants you, can’t you see it? He loves you. He doesn’t love her, Beth.”
“He does, he’s just too blind to see how bad she is for him,” I breathed.
“Do it, Beth. Break up that wedding,” Josey insisted. For a moment, I allowed myself to see it. A future with Jake. Waking up to his face every morning, kissing him goodnight. The beautiful house we could buy, where we’d raise our beautiful children. The image looked so clear, like I could just reach out and grab it.
And I could.
Head held high, I stormed up the church steps. I entered the sanctuary, seeing Jake at the alter. I snuck up to the front with Josey and sat down, watching to see. Jake didn’t look in love, as he watched Reese float down the aisle. As the pastor spoke, Jake looked trapped and I could tell that he was thinking of someone else. Me, possibly...? Then, I heard it.
“Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
In the silence, I stood up, clenching my fists to keep my hands from shaking. Everyone’s gazes shot to me, but I only had eyes for one person. His blue eyes were looking straight at me, filled with many emotions, which could be summed up in one word: love.
“Beth,” Jake breathed, taking a step toward me.
“I object,” I said firmly. “I object, because I believe it is wrong for two people to get married when they aren’t in love.” My sentence was met with, not one but, two relieved looks, one from the groom and one from the beautiful bride. “And I object because, Jake, I’m in love with you.”
“I love you, too,” he said, eyes filling. In three long strides, he was in front of me, hands cupping my face as he crashed our lips together in a passionate kiss. I couldn’t believe it. He was kissing me, in front of a room full of witnesses. And he loved me. Me, not beautiful, successful Reese Witherspoon.
Jake Gyllenhaal loved me, Elizabeth Ramos.
He took my hand, leading me out of the church and hailing a cab. Behind us, people began to swarm out of the church. Reese came to me and told me thank you. She wasn’t ready to be married again. Then, Jake took me to Sunfield Park, an old haunt of ours, from the early years of our friendship. I sat on the swing and he pushed me, just like old times. Only this time, it was different.
We were in love.
“Beth,” Jake said, helping me off the swing. “I honestly cannot believe it took me this long to realize what was right in front of me.”
“But you realize it now,” I said simply, allowing him to pull me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling as I looked up into his eyes.
“I do,” he replied. “I love you, Elizabeth Ramos, and I would like- no, I would love to spend the rest of my life with you, if you’ll only say yes.”
“Well...” I trailed off, pretending to think about it. Then I grinned, laughing and standing on my toes so I could kiss him. “Of course, Jake. Yes.” Then, it was his turn to laugh as he swept me off my feet, twirling me around and kissing me again.
So, I had been wrong. All the times I’d watched him with other girls, knowing thinking it would never be me, I’d been wrong. I was the one he wanted. Me.
I had gotten my happily ever after, after all.
