Page 8 of Method Acting

He shrugged one shoulder. “They don’t mind, though I’m sure they think I’ll end up doing something else and I just need to get this out of my system.”

I made a face. “That sucks. I’m sorry.”

“It’s not so bad. My mom always wished she was a writer or a painter, and she’s always doing some kind of craft. Loves books. So she can appreciate my creative side.”

“And you’ve always loved acting?”

“Always. I’d put on little skits at dinner when I was three. And in kindergarten I got mad because my teacher would tell me to stop pretending, but I wasn’t pretending to be Hiccup Haddock. I was acting. I was Hiccup Haddock.”

“How to Train Your Dragon?”

“I loved those books.”

“They were books?”

He gave me an annoyed side-glance and sighed. “What about you? Always wanted to be an actor?”

“Always. When I was younger, it was movies like Spiderman and Star Wars. The actors would get to live out those epic roles and get lightsabers for real. Then when I was a teenager, I’d see the cool actors with the great one-liners. From shows like The OC and Pretty Little Liars. Man, I loved those.”

Amos squinted at me. “Those are your top two shows? Your preteen self was kinda predictable.”

“Oh, okay, Mr Too Cool, what were your top two shows when you were preteen?”

“Baskets, Mr. Robot, Pose. Boardwalk Empire, Westworld, Naruto.”

“Naruto?”

“Naruto: Shippuden is intelligent writing.”

“But it’s not character acting. It’s animation with voice acting.”

“I’m still allowing it.”

“Then I can allow Rick and Morty.”

Amos cracked a smile. He actually smiled.

Kinda.

“I would also allow Rick and Morty.”

“It’s hilarious.” I grinned and relaxed with a sigh. Still leaning against the wall, I nodded toward where Phoebe and Jess were chatting and giggling. “I don’t think those two will need to be acting much. They’re already good friends.”

“I think that’s why Deirdre chose them.” He nodded to where Max and Holly were sitting and talking. “I think she paired us all pretty well.”

Oh?

“Then why us?”

“Because I’m gay; you’re bi. We’d have no real issue with showing affection to a guy. It’s one less obstacle for someone like Tucker or Max. I guess Deirdre thought she was doing the others a favor.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“You know what I mean.”

I did, but still.

“It’s all acting. Kissing you or anyone else—it doesn’t mean anything,” I said, absolutely not trying to convince myself that he was no different. Then I realized something and began flicking through the folder. “Just how far do you think we’re expected to go? We’re a couple that’s been together for a year, right?”

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