Nerd Love, page 10
“I don’t mind helping, you know,” Lucy said, reaching over to take Reese’s hand in her own. “If you really need it. It was just, the press following me this morning—”
“I’m really sorry about that,” Reese replied, and Lucy squeezed her hand softly. “Just a little while longer?” Reese felt her warm hand wrapped around her own and realized that maybe part of her didn’t want all this to end. That she was rather enjoying Lucy being her girlfriend. Even if it was fake.
Chapter 12
Lucy
“All right, you guys have thirty minutes to construct your decks. At least sixty cards, no more than four copies of a single card in the deck. You can start— now.” Lucy started the clock at the checkout counter of Natural Twenty and watched as fifteen sugar and caffeine-hyped players ripped through packages of boosters and a deck box of Pokemon cards to create their own individualized decks for the tournament.
“I love these rainbow drafts,” Kevin muttered behind Lucy, watching the group ravage over the cards. Lucy, on the other hand, did not like having to referee a bunch of crazy players for several hours while they battled one another. But it was a part of the job. Kevin just liked these days because they resulted in good sales for the store.
Frankie looked up from his table, a Twizzler hanging from his mouth. He grinned at Lucy and she knew he must have gotten a good set of cards by the look on his face. She nudged her head back towards the table and he returned his attention to what he was doing.
Once they’d started constructing their decks, Lucy turned her attention back down to her notebook as Kevin made the rounds moderating. She was deep into her Across the Universe fanfiction script. Now, Kess and Harper were kidnapped onboard a Critten ship, making haste across the galaxy, with the Starship Atlantis hot on their tail.
Kess works furiously at the binds holding Harper and her to the metal chairs in the center of the room. The room is dark and EERILY QUIET.
KESS
Are you going to help me out or not?
Harper studies the walls around the cell, finally turning her attention back to Kess.
HARPER
I think there’s a ventilation shaft on the far side of the room. Are you almost done?
KESS
It would be easier if you were helping me, you know.
A smile stretches across Harper’s face as she works at her own restraints, pulling them off with ease. Once they hit the floor, she helps Kess with hers.
HARPER
You’d think for such a technologically advanced species, they’d have better ways of holding prisoners captive. Like electronic restraints. Not...rope.
Kess laughs. As soon as she’s freed, they meet for a quick embrace. When they part, they are staring at one another. There is a somewhat intense look on Harper’s face.
KESS
What?
HARPER
Nothing...I—
An alarm sounds off in the distance. The two get to their feet quickly, preparing to exit the room.
Kess reaches for Harper, grasping hold of her wrist.
KESS
Harper—
HARPER
If I’m going to be stuck on an alien ship with someone, I’m just glad it’s you.
Lucy heard the doors to the store jingle as someone entered. Ignored it, too engrossed in her storyline. If they needed her, they’d ask for her.
That was until she heard the squealing and commotion.
Very rarely had Reese ever come to the game store to see her. Mostly, for this very reason. They’d tried very hard over the years to keep Lucy out of the limelight. When she’d been a semi-popular celebrity on For The People it had been easier. Now, it seemed like she couldn’t go five feet without someone recognizing her. And now, people had been recognizing Lucy too.
Everyone who was playing in the tournament lost focus. Most of the players had turned to watch as Reese wandered through the store. Some had gotten to their feet in an attempt to approach her.
“Ah— sit,” Kevin snapped his fingers at two kids closest to Reese. “You’re here to play Pokemon.” Lucy shot him a gracious look before turning her attention to Reese. It wasn’t until she’d made it to the counter that she realized she’d been toting something in her hands.
“What are you doing here?” Lucy demanded, somewhat caught off-guard by the surprise.
Reese smiled, handing over what she’d been holding in her hands. It took Lucy a second to discern what she’d brought. It was flowers. Bright yellow flowers. But not just any flowers. Reese, who was the least crafty person she knew, somehow managed to make her a bouquet of Lego flowers, complete in a Lego vase. Lucy stared at it in awe as she took it from her.
“How did you make this?” Lucy asked, studying them over. She’d done a great job. They looked realistic. As realistic as Lego’s could look anyway. “And why did you bring me flowers?”
“I didn’t bring you flowers for our date,” Reese explained, looking her over. “I always bring flowers for dates. But I know you have such an excellent green thumb—” It was sarcasm. “So, I decided to improvise.” She paused when Lucy gave her an ‘I know better than to believe that’ look. “The woman at the toy store helped me make it,” Reese admitted. “In exchange for an autograph for her daughter. I forgot how much fun they were.”
“You made me Lego flowers,” Lucy said, in awe. She set the vase down on the counter, watching as Kevin wrangled up the contestants of the tournament and got them focused back in their seats.
“I also came to ask you a question,” Reese said, eyes having grown serious. Her fingers were twiddling over a set of dice in a small plastic box on the countertop. “You have to promise to keep your cool before I ask, got it?”
Lucy stared at her, somewhat lost as to where she was going. “Fine, ask.”
“I was wondering if you wanted to come with me to the set today,” Reese asked.
“WHAT?” Lucy’s voice must have jumped an entire octave. “You want me to— I get to— REALLY?” Lucy could barely find words to speak or air to breathe.
“Lu. Chill.”
She sucked in a breath of air, grinning from ear to ear. “Sorry. Are you serious? I get to go with you?” Lucy hadn’t ever been to the set of Across the Universe since Reese had started working. Mostly because the two had agreed to keep Reese’s work life separate from her friendship with Lucy. Even though they’d both known each other from her For the People days, she’d still agreed to let Reese lead her own life.
“Serious as a heart attack,” Reese said. “Now do you want to go, or not? I figured it was about time you came, since you’re so into writing those fanfictions. Plus, I probably should take my girlfriend to meet my coworkers.”
“I guess it would be good to keep up the act, right?”
* * *
“Reese, you’re late,” a tall dusty black-haired man said as Reese weaved her way into the soundstage building, Lucy close behind. He was waiting right by the door for them as they entered. Reese had held onto Lucy’s hand again as they made their way inside. Lucy wasn’t paying very much attention, too distracted by the larger-than-life sets in front of her.
“Is that the SHUTTLE POD?” Lucy squealed, watching as the crew was moving pieces of the inside of the set around. When she turned in a different direction, the bridge of the Starship Atlas was just a few hundred feet away. “OHMYGODITSTHEBRIDGE!” Lucy gasped. “Reese! It’s the bridge!”
“She’s enthusiastic,” the guy at the door said.
“Jack,” Reese cleared her throat, wrapping a hand around Lucy’s shoulder. “This is my girlfriend, Lucy.” Girlfriend. Lucy shook free of her distracted mind, turning her attention towards the gentlemen standing in front of them. When she got a good look at him, she realized who he was.
“You’re Jack Walker—” Lucy said, hardly able to speak. Her mouth hung slightly open.
Jack laughed, outstretching his hand and clasping it in Lucy’s. “Nice to meet you, kid. You’re Lucy, huh? All I hear is ‘Lucy-this’ and ‘Lucy-that’. Nice to finally put a face to the name.” Lucy raised a brow towards Reese, who shrugged. “You need to go get ready. We’re shooting in ten.” Jack turned back towards Lucy, briefly. “Nice to meet you Lucy.”
“You too,” Lucy breathed, watching as he hustled away across the sound stage. Reese, who still had her hand on Lucy’s shoulder, steered her towards a row of chairs near the bridge set. “I gotta go get makeup. Can you hang out here?” Lucy nodded and watched as Reese leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. It had felt so natural, like it was just routine. Lucy didn’t even think anything of it. When Reese walked away, she could feel curious eyes staring at her. She piddled on her phone for a few minutes, hoping to divert their attention.
When Reese made it back on set, she was dressed as Harper Reed, decked in her usual uniform, hair in perfect order, face made up in its usual fashion. Harper even had a small tiny scar over her eye that Lucy had appreciated on the show. She could see it from the distance she was standing at. Reese made her way over to Lucy for a minute before they started shooting.
“Okay,” Reese said, looking at her sternly. “Remember what we talked about in the car?” Lucy stared at her blankly. “About how you can’t get all—” Reese waved her hand around her. “Lucy. When we start shooting. Okay? I know you haven’t seen the premiere yet, and this will spoil some things for you...but you have to stay calm. Got it?”
Lucy squirmed in her seat. “Am I going to have a reason to get excited?”
Reese rolled her eyes. “Lucy, you get excited with just about everything. You’re gonna get excited. But I need you to stay quiet and just sit here. Got it?”
They exchanged looks with one another. “I got it,” Lucy finally said, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back in the seat. Reese looked satisfied, smiling at her and then turning back towards the set.
Across the set, Tom Quach, Elle Wright, and Stephen Osborne sat at the helm of the bridge of the ship. At the Captain’s chair, Justine took her position, Reese at her side. A cameraman on a dolly was setting up the shot. Jack stood off to the right-hand side of the set, talking with a group of crew members before they all went their separate ways. Reese made eye contact with Lucy briefly, before she turned to Justine.
“All right folks, we’re gonna get started here. Let’s do one run through with Justine and Reese’s parts before we go live. We’re gonna act like this is the real thing so I need it quiet on the set. Whenever you’re ready guys.”
On the set, Joelle and Harper sat next to each other, looking straight out towards where Lucy was sitting, out into the great expanse they’d been flying to. Where they were going, Lucy had no idea. She only watched as Harper reached to place her hand around Joelle’s wrist, leaning closer to her. “Do you have to go?” The two met eyes. “Can’t someone go in your place?”
Joelle shook her head. “Harper, you know I have to. This mission— it means everything. The crew, they need me.” Lucy wondered where Joelle was planning on going, since the scene had no context for her. It wasn’t long until her questions were answered. “We’ve found the Critten home world—”
Lucy gasped loudly before she could stop herself. Heads jerked in her direction and she squeaked an apology, sinking into her chair. Reese gave her a small annoyed look, before turning her attention back towards Justine. “I’m the Captain, I have to do what’s best for the crew. For all of Earth, Harper. You know this better than anyone.”
“I can’t help but be selfish,” Harper said. “I can’t help but need you here. With me.”
Lucy sunk further into her seat. For a whole season break, the fans of Across the Universe had wondered if Harper Reed and Joelle King would get together. It had ended with such a cliffhanger last season, it wasn’t certain, but with everything they were saying now…
“Harper—”
“I need you,” Reese said, clasping her hand tighter. They looked deeper into one another’s eyes. “Joelle, I need you. More than I’ve needed anyone— I —”
Justine reached out to plant her fingers on Reese’s lips. “Harper, you need to stop.”
“Please don’t leave me alone,” Reese whispered. Lucy watched, wide-eyed as Reese stared at her deeply. Drew closer. She could feel her breath hitching in her throat a little. The room was incredibly still for a moment as everyone waited for her to continue. “I need you. I need you, Joelle. You complete me.”
Those eyes. God. Every time Harper Reed spoke, Lucy got lost in the blue-grey. They were so much like space, the great expanse, never-ending, filled with possibility and wonder. Lucy could get lost in those eyes forever. Here was Harper, professing her love to her beautiful Captain, before she went on the most dangerous journey of her life.
Lucy didn’t think there could be anything more romantic than that.
They must have shot for at least a few hours before they finally broke for the afternoon. Reese had come to fetch Lucy, who had been wandering around an empty mess-hall set where the crew of the Starship Atlas came to eat their meals and congregate. She was in awe, getting to touch the seats where her favorite characters had sat, and where plans had been forged and romances blossomed.
It was almost like she was really there.
“Earth to Lu,” Reese said, tapping her on the shoulder. Lucy shook her head free of thoughts, turning her attention to her friend.
“Sorry, I was just distracted—” Lucy said, smiling.
“Clearly,” Reese said. “Don’t forget you have to sign a non-disclosure before we leave. Jack will be all over my ass if you don’t.”
“I wouldn’t tell anyone!” Lucy argued.
“Oh please, your D&D group would eat that shit up,” Reese rolled her eyes.
“Well, maybe Tegan and Everett...”
“So, you want to come meet everybody?” Reese asked, grabbing a water bottle off a nearby table and twisting the cap off to take a sip.
“Meet everybody?” Lucy had almost forgotten about meeting the cast. Meeting the cast. Outside of Justine’s very abrupt arrival at her work during Comic Con, she’d never met any of the other cast members of the show. Couldn’t believe that she actually could.
“Yeah, the cast. I figured you’d want to say hi. You just have to promise not to act too weird. You have to be calm. Got it?”
“Calm,” Lucy repeated, when Reese reached for her hand and the two cut across the set. Shaking hands and hugging and taking photos as they went. All the while, Reese introducing her as her ‘girlfriend’.
When they reached Tom Quach, Lucy started to feel a little starstruck. In her head, she could hear Tegan freaking out over the fact that they were only a few feet apart. Everett had always been annoyed by his friend’s massive crush. Lucy never really understood it, but she thought he was a good actor on the show, regardless. A lot more likeable than Justine Turner, that was for sure.
“Tom, buddy, this is Lucy,” Reese nodded towards Lucy and her colleague actor turned to size her up. A broad smile stretched across his face.
“Hey there, Lucy,” Tom said, stretching out a hand. “Pleasure to meet Reese’s faux-girlfriend.”
Lucy’s head twisted quickly towards Reese. “He knows?”
“He’s the only one,” Reese assured her.
Before Lucy could ask, there was a tap on her shoulder. When she turned, Justine was standing directly behind her, eyes glaring. She was looking over at Reese, behind Lucy. “I see you brought what’s-her-face to work with you.”
“Lucy,” Reese reminded her. “My girlfriend.”
“Whatever you say, Reese.” Justine said. “Didn’t you think this might be a little much for her to handle? All the celebrities in the same room together? It might make her head explode.”
“Lucy’s dad used to work on For the People,” Reese said. “She’s used to this kind of work. So, no, I didn’t think it was going to bother her.”
“Well, that certainly explains things,” Justine rolled her eyes.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Reese said, grasping Lucy’s arm gently and tugging her away from Justine. “Go find someone else to pick on, Justine.” Lucy was still trying to catch up with Justine’s retorts.
“She’s intense,” Lucy noted, once they’d gotten far enough away from her.
“Sorry about that,” Reese replied, but there was a smile on her face. “Though I have to admit I’m kind of happy she’s so jealous.” Lucy shook her head, letting out a little laugh.
“She’s jealous?”
“Clearly,” Reese admitted. “I mean, who wouldn’t be jealous of someone who got to date me? Really?” Lucy shoved her playfully. “You want to get out of here?”
“Where did you have in mind?”
“We haven’t gone out and had fun, just the two of us in a while. Figured I owe you.”
Chapter 13
Reese
Judging by the expression on Lucy’s face, she hadn’t been to Port Pavilion on the pier before. Though, she hadn’t been certain until she asked. “Never been here before?” she asked, as they parked and exited her navy blue Passat. Lucy shook her head and Reese came to the other side of her car to meet her. Once she’d fastened on the jean jacket, she was ready. Reese pushed a red San Francisco 49ers baseball cap on her head, twisting it slightly to straighten it, and unfolded her ten-dollar aviators over her eyes. Lucy stared at her pleased.
“What?” Reese asked curiously.
“I just forgot how cute you look in baseball caps,” she admitted, shrugging. “You ready?”
