"It's perfect," Maizy exclaimed, clapping her hands together as she beamed at me over the kitchen table. "This way you can get a taste of co-directing, I achieve my dream of being a director, and Robin and Delynn can get back into the old ways of working together. Don't you agree?" 

Even after her and Delynn had walked in on the scene Robin had set up, Maizy hadn't mentioned it. In fact, after passing her eyes over the two of us, she cleared her throat and redirected right back to her original point, which was her idea for today's project. This, of course, was incredibly suspicious. The normal expectation was for her to immediately start probing into the situation and coerce Robin and I into a confession. But... Maybe... Robin was onto something because she simply filed it away in the evidence locker and moved on. 

I realize she's asked me a question, and my eyes lift from my hands to find Maizy staring expectantly. 

Offering a half-hearted smile, I reply, "Oh, um... " 

I glance at Robin out of reflex, and he lifts an eyebrow at me. There's a beat of awkward tension between us before he nods. I look at Maizy and nod, "Sure." 

"Great!" Maizy chirps, grabbing her phone. Totally ignoring the weirdness between us, she begins to type furiously. "Then it's settled. I'll text the instructor and then we can go."  

As Maizy was keying away on her phone, my attention was pulled to the other side of the table. Delynn was staring at Robin. In fact, she hadn't stopped staring at him since she found us in the study. Tension drew her mouth into a pressed line but hurt pushed her eyebrows together as if she were frozen in a state of mental pain. He, having noticed it, immediately became unresponsive. Despite her unflinching constancy, Robin refused to look her way. Her abundance of care motivated him into a gaping lack of it. 

But then, for some reason, he changed his mind. His expression softened, and a resigned tolerance filtered in as Robin turned his chin slightly toward her. I watched him close his eyes then take a deep breath. Then, chewing on his cheek, he made himself meet her eyes. It was still harsh in character, but Robin nods once at her in hello. 

---- 

The auditorium is completely black except for a faint light on the back wall when we enter. Maizy goes ahead and feels alongside the wall to find the switch. It only takes a moment before she warns us to watch out. Then, with a loud clack! clack! clack!  noise, the auditorium is bathed in yellow light.  My eyes squint, adjusting uncomfortably to the brightness of it. 

"Ah, perfect," She sighs contentedly. "Just like I hoped." 

We follow her down into the space between the first row of seats and the stage. Stopping, she lifts her bag up onto the lip of the stage and starts to dig through it. Pulling out a manuscript she turns toward us and holds it out to Robin. 

"Alright, here it is. You'll both get official copies tomorrow but let's use this for now. Memorize the marked scenes together quickly and then we'll start." Her hand gestures for him to take it, and he looks over her once before doing so. 

My curiosity makes me lean forward to see what's written on the first page, but Maizy anticipates me and pulls out a second copy, "This one is for us, Leah. As we're the directors, we'll have to call out lines. Take a good look-- I hope you'll approve the draft." 

The title is clear as day when it reaches my sight: What Almost Was by Emilia Aplin

My heart leaps, and I can't help but look to Maizy with unbridled excitement, "Is this the--" 

"This," She says with a genuinely pleased smile, "Is the script adaptation of your novel." 

Before I can shield myself against whatever she has planned, or anticipate any potential malice, I dive right in. Dropping in the first seat I can find, my eyes scour over the pages, reading the dialogue, directions, and set notes. My heart beats erratically, ecstatically, over every word. It's all there: their first meeting, the quips, the confessions, the heartfelt goodbyes... It was there. 

Our book! I'm holding the adaptation of the book we wrote. I almost can't believe it. It's really going to be a movie! It's right here in my hand. 

My heart soars, and I immediately seek out Robin to celebrate. I want to dive into it together, laugh over the similarities, show him the exact moments that were taken from our research. It's his first time reading anything from the manuscript and I want to be the first person to say these lines to him. I want to explain just how much of us truly is in every chapter. 

Except, the minute I stand up and go to reach for him, my stomach drops. 

How much of us is truly in every chapter. 

The realization of that sentence drops like a nuclear bomb in my skull. Staring at it printed, watching it be handed to Robin and Delynn, made me understand just how transparent I had been.

What if I wrote it too faithfully? 

My stomach pitches and I feel heat race up my neck and into my face. 

Gazing at the typed reproduction, I had the reassurance of knowing that there was enough distance between me and the audience to be considered protection. Even if it was more autobiographical than I realized at first, Maizy would deconstruct it until it was the perfect commodity. 

The book that would hit stores in a little over a month would be the one I was contracted to write. It would be the romance of the century and, as far as anyone was concerned, a complete work of fiction. Meanwhile, the original story, handwritten with my lucky pen, sitting as a stack of papers on my bedside table at home, was unharmed. I would always have the original to look back on and protect.

... But the world wasn't what I was worried about. The world didn't have the room tilting underneath my feet and breaking open my head. It was the fact that the copy of the original novel I wrote had been sitting on Maizy Barker's desktop for weeks like a blaring siren, recounting every moment I spent falling in love with the one person she hated most in this world. 

I hadn't sent her my manuscript. I sent her my handwritten confession and pages of evidence to use against me. I personally wrote the next tabloid scandal and put the mail in blackmail! 

Anxiety cuts me in half and exposes my insides to the room. Hope looks darkened, squirming, and utterly rotten. If I figured it out, so has Maizy.  Delynn's words seem to strike me at this moment. I feel my chances dissolve.

"Well, don't look so surprised, Leah," Maizy's voice rings in my ears, as if on cue. "They had to cut much of it out due to time. Don't worry, though, there is still time for edits. You and I can meet this week to go over any tweaks before it's finalized." 

I continue staring at the manuscript, my ears pressuring up as if they're underwater. My throat tightens and I feel the floor swing up and around like a tilt-a-whirl. 

"The book will now be released at the same time as the movie, by the way. It just works better that way. But if you're worried about which version will get more attention then you're being silly." 

Her voice drones on, but it sounds loud and slurred. I try to inhale, breathing slowly. 

That's why she didn't react to us earlier. It's why she let me go on with the final project and didn't say anything about Robin and me for the last few days. Normally she's a broken record...  She's just seeing how deep I can dig my grave. 

"We're on track for production. Did you not read the schedule I sent? We start filming first thing tomorrow! It will be non-stop for the next month or so, but I'm determined to have both this movie and the book out for New Year. " 

 I hear Robin's voice next, but don't know where he is. "Leah?"

Even though he wanted to go R-Mode today, and this would be the perfect opportunity to do some fake doting, he doesn't move to touch me. I'm beyond grateful he stays put. Now that the realization has landed, I can only hope that some sort of genius plan is dropped into my lap to backpedal out of this. 

Robin says my name again, but I'm afraid to look away from my hands in case the room starts to turn again. Someone shuffles nearer to me and takes my arm. I'm led back into a seat, and everything settles down. When I look up, it's Delynn who's seated me. She's watching my face grimly; her eyes meet mine with a touch of severity. It's a stern expression that clearly speaks: Get it together.

After a moment she lets go of my arm and folds hers across her chest irritably. "You know, you wouldn't get head rushes if you drank less coffee and ate more breakfast. I hope you won't be like this for filming. You need to be prepared for long days." 

At first, I'm confused, but then I realized she's covering for me. Delynn is covering for me. 

Nodding distractedly, I take a deep breath, "Right. Yeah, you're probably right." I offered an apologetic smile at everyone and cleared my throat, "Sorry." 

Maizy is reading my face as well, but she's not concerned like the other two. She's intrigued, almost gratified by my reaction. I meet her eyes as steadily, and she starts to smile under her lips. 

"Are you worried about something, Leah?" Her eyes flash to the manuscript knowingly, then back to me, "Is the script not to your liking? I thought it best to take out a few scenes and lines, the details revealed too much too soon for the audience... I hope you don't mind." 

You're busted. 

"Not at all," My voice shakes at first, but I master it in time to say, "I can see now that things will work out... just as you've planned." 

You win. 

She nods, taking in my hidden meaning. It reveals itself on her face like a hidden light is turned on under her skin. As my reply is the only acceptable answer, she is content with me and directs her next words to Robin and Delynn.

"You two, off you go. You have 20 minutes to study up." 

The two of them glance at each other before Delynn offers a little smile. Robin passes a look at me, one that lasts too long to be indifferent, and hesitates. I gesture with my head for him to go, trying to seem friendly and casual, but it feels hollow. He swallows, and once he turns, the two of them leave the seating area to sit on the far side of the stage. 

"So," Maizy smiles at me and folds her arms across her chest, "We've finally come to an understanding?" 

Each beat of my heart feels like its crushing me from the inside out. The twisting of my chest leaves me breathless, and there are waves of hot and cold washing over my skin. I realize that this is the first time in the last year that I don't know what to do next. I don't have a plan... I don't know what's going to happen... I don't even have a chance. 

"Follow me," She hums. 

Walking past me, Maizy starts up the steps toward the control panel in the middle of the room. I make myself stand, despite the aching pressure building in my head, and walk behind her in silence. 

It's colder up here, making my arms bristle. My body shivers harshly as I take a seat next to her. Both of our eyes fall on Robin and Delynn, speaking quietly. It's only enough to hear the noise of their words, not to understand them. 

"They're practicing the first encounter," Maizy begins, taking the manuscript from my frozen hands and flipping to the first page she's marked. "It's a good scene. I liked that they met outside of the coffee shop instead of inside it. It removes them from the past and puts them in the present." 

My mouth starts to tremble against my will. I feel the corners of my lips tug down in a spasm. As if at any moment each corner is going to pull me to the floor. Then I'd be the ideal mat for Maizy to walk over. 

"The convenience..." She lingers on the word, "Of them having met in the past without realizing it seemed unrealistic at first. But I grew to like the theme of discovery and deception."

Maizy adjusts in her seat to set her bag down on the floor.  Aware that I am still listening she continues, "Naturally, she's upset he held back the truth for so long. But would she have agreed to his aid after knowing sooner? Is it his fault for noticing an opportunity to help and taking it? Afterall, being a medium is his job. Anyone can see his intentions were good. That he was protecting her and the friend... even if he was tormented by the decision to conceal the truth." 

"But her," She glares at me directly, "Her I struggle to understand. How could she let him continue with it once she knew? How could she let him fall head over heels, all while she slowly starts to understand... that she would inevitably be forced to abandon him? I don't quite think he deserved that." 

The last part makes me close my eyes, and they start to burn, "Stop..." 

Her voice lifts, and I can feel how smug she is. How absolutely gratified she feels at bringing me to my knees, "You have to admit. It seems awfully sad, Leah. I didn't realize you were researching a love story and a tragedy when you met Robin. Except, I think we can both admit now that research isn't all that happened between you, was it?" 

"Though," She pauses and seems to smile to herself a bit, "maybe I didn't give you enough time. There are no sensual scenes of any kind. Not even a moment of lustful thinking... I should have waited to expose you for a week more. Clearly, you two haven't--- " 

I whirled to face her, eyes narrowed, and lips pressed. 

She rolls her eyes, "What? Didn't you give me a lecture about honesty last time we spoke? Now you're glaring at me for following your advice. Make up your mind, Leah." 

I sharpen my expression further, finding every ounce of hatred I have for her and letting it shine through. It does nothing to scare her. She knows it's just a mask to stop me from crying. And I hate that she's about to make me cry, that she's seen through me before anyone else. That she didn't hesitate to use it against me. 

It takes everything I have to find my voice. To whisper, "Stop it."

"Isn't that what you should have done?" Maizy lifts her eyebrow contemptuously, "It isn't my fault you're here. You're the one responsible, and yet you have the nerve to sniffle and feel sorry for yourself." 

"I mean stop being cruel. Stop playing at me," I shake my head angrily. "You won! I know that now. Alright? I don't need your censure or sarcasm." 

She flips a few more pages of the manuscript over, picks it up, and drops it haughtily in front of my face. I look down. 

Scene 47: The Final Act. Female Lead says goodbye to Male Lead.

"Cruel?" She echoes, her tone softening as if talking to a child. "I'm letting you have your last scene, and still, you call me cruel?" 

Every ounce of warmth leaves my body, and I whisper, "Last scene?" 

Maizy pulls out her phone, and I think at first that she's going to ignore me, but she responds coolly, " I told you this would happen yesterday at the office. You shouldn't be surprised that I'm asking you to follow through. It's time to take your bow now, Leah. Exit gracefully. " 

"Asking?" I breath out a bitter laugh, "This is you asking?" 

She lifts her phone up and I can hear mine and Robin's voices speaking. It's muffled, but the words still ring clearly through the speaker: 

"She knows we're together." 

"Knows or suspects?" 

"I don't know..." 

She stops the recording, lifts her eyebrow, and says, "In case you had any doubts as to my knowing the truth." 

My heart sinks. 

"I had my suspicions there was something more going on from the beginning, but after closer examination, I realized my suspicions started to become more plausible. So, I asked Delynn to visit you early in case you and Robin met up in secret. She recorded this." Maizy readily admits this, then shakes her head threateningly. "You don't want to see what I'm like when I'm no longer asking, Leah. You certainly don't want to find out what I can do. I think I've been sufficiently clear on this point... and I think I've been sufficiently generous with you ignoring it as well." 

Delynn. I should have known she didn't come early to make amends... I'm such an idiot. 

Maizy shifts in her chair and uses the mic attached to the station. She presses a button and speaks, her voice echoing in the empty auditorium, "Okay, let's get started. Move to the stage please and we'll start working on the first scene. Remember, this is just practice for tomorrow so let's focus more on chemistry than technicalities for now. Antonia will have plenty to say on that subject, I'm sure." 

She lets off the button and turns to examine me. I meet her eyes, not bothering to hide the tears filling my waterline. Maizy tilts up her head, looking at me as if I'm the gum stuck to the bottom of her desk, "I've read the contract. There was an addendum added the day you met, I believe... You promised not to put his career in jeopardy, right?... I hope you will stick to that promise and let him succeed. Let them succeed. Together." 

I clench my jaw, defiantly. Despite the tears in my eyes, and the ones now rolling down my cheeks, my heart is set to defy her until the last possible moment. She sighs, as if indulging me for the millionth time. 

"It was always going to end with them together. You really think I would have let you hire an actor who was against my wishes? I've been planning a reunion since before he was even a consideration for the role. The scandal was only half of a long-term marketing strategy... I thought of all people Desiree would recognize that. That's why I warned you. I warned you that you would get hurt if you got involved with him, Emellia." 

Then she says, without an ounce of feeling, "That day you refused my advice in Desiree's office was the day you chose how things would end. You only have yourself to blame." 

Straightening her shoulders, Maizy clears her throat and adds reproachfully, "I'm not cruel. You have until tomorrow morning to tell him. Say your goodbyes, tie up loose ends... Do whatever you need to break things off. I won't interfere. But if you try to play me again, if you ignore my warning again, I will crush you both. Indefinitely. Do you understand?" 

My chin dips, just enough to tell her I do. 

Content, she flips the manuscript back over to the page we're on and gestures to the tissues next to my mic. "Get it all out now. From this moment on you are a hired consultant. A co-director, and you'll need to act like one on set tomorrow. There won't be time for tears. There certainly won't be any privacy if you shed them." 

I glance at the tissues bitterly. She finishes her list of commands in utter indifference, "Feed them the lines when they ask... and don't let them hear you cry. I don't need you or Robin playing the hero and doing something stupid. I've cleaned up enough messes for Delynn over him, I don't need to start cleaning up yours." 

---------------

Hello Lovelies!

Okay, okkkay, I know I said I would catch up with you in this next author note but the muse has struck! I need to keep writing or she will fly away again, and we will be left inspiration-less! We just CAN'T leave it here!! 

I hope you are still enjoying the story and are rooting for Leah! I think she's going to need it in these next couple chapters </3 Stay tuned!

With the utmost love and gratitude,

e.g.