Theres something about you
Speeding thru my veins until we hit the ground
And theres something about this rush
Take it away
It made me feel so good
I get a feeling, you get a feeling, we got a feeling
like we could die -- New Radicals
~~~
....and so it continued on, week after week. We had been in production for three and a half weeks. I can't remember a time I had felt so gratified and so exhausted at the same time.
Greg had me on set for the late shoots -- so I was going to bed at 3AM to rise by 7 to get to the office. It was a harrowing pace, but I loved every minute of it.
The downside was, my life with Aaron was definitely under strain. My crazy work schedule combined with his allowed for very little time to be spent together. Understanding as always, Aaron said everything was fine, but I couldn't help but feel as though something was amiss.
I had been on set so much that everyone was very comfortable with me -- never in my wildest dreams would I have expected to become deeply engrossed in political conversations with Josh Jackson or questions about vacation spots with Charlie Hunnam.
It was a bonding experience for all of us.....except for Mr. Christensen who was still keeping a safe distance from me....
At this point, I didn't much care -- it was his problem, right? I wasn't going to allow it to give me a complex.....or so I kept telling myself.
Sharon had calmed down, but only a bit.
She had finally stopped trying to trip me up when I had proven that I would literally go to the ends of the earth to get tasks accomplished.
~~~
One afternoon, Mandy and I were having lunch in our usual spot in the commissary when we noticed Hayden walk in with a beautiful girl. The girl was very tall, like a model and had flowing reddish blonde hair.
I looked over at the two.
"I guess Hayden's girlfriend is here," I commented.
Mandy looked over, "....no, that's not his girlfriend...that's his sister Kaylen. I met her earlier today on set, she's very sweet, just like Hayden."
"Well then, I guess she won't speak to me either then," I said wryly, trying to hide the fact that his complete lack of acknowledgement bruised my ego more than I wanted to admit.
Mandy only chuckled and rolled her eyes.
In a peculiar fashion, Hayden turned and left with another Production Assistant, leaving Kaylen alone to get her food from the catering truck.
Kaylen proceeded through the line with her tray and drink and walked toward the row of tables.
Mandy spoke up, "Hey, Kaylen? Do you want to sit with us?"
Kaylen smiled, a look of relief at seeing a familiar face and walked toward us.
Mandy introduced us and to my great surprise, she was very sweet and very sincere.
She explained that she had just moved back to Toronto and had wanted to visit Hayden.
"I'm sure its nice for him to have family here," Mandy said.
Kaylen smiled and nodded slightly.
"I know he really likes everyone here," Kaylen said after a minute. Mandy looked over at me and I only raised my eyebrows.
I smirked to myself and continued to eat.
"Yeah, he's a sweetie," Mandy replied. I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"He's talked about you both," Kaylen spoke up and I almost choked on my sandwich.
Mandy looked surprised, "what? He mentioned us?"
Kaylen fought back a smile at Mandy's surprised face, "Yeah, unless there's another Mandy and another Laurie on set."
That was it, I couldn't help it. "...and what could he possibly have to say about me?"
Mandy shot me a warning look.
Kaylen looked a little surprised.
I softened, "I'm sorry -- its just....he hasn't even said two words to me since we've been working together...so its kind of funny that he would say anything about me at all..."
"That's how my brother is," Kaylen said. "He's very shy -- I mean, socially, he can be very backward...especially if he has a crush on someone....its kind of pitiful, like junior high or something..."
Mandy and I looked at each other.
"...oh, so...he hasn't really said anything...at all....about that..." Kaylen raised her eyebrows and got a look on her face. She abruptly stopped talking.
"What? What's the matter?" Mandy asked.
"Nothing -- I've said too much already," Kaylen said.
I shook my head confused.
"Hayden would kill me so forget we ever had this conversation," Kaylen said quickly with a smile.
We looked at one another, even more confused.
Kaylen just nervously laughed and opened her soda.
We changed the subject and continued our lunches.
When we were done, I was heading back to the office and Mandy was heading back to the set. Kaylen had parted ways to find Hayden.
"I can't believe I didn't think of it before - it makes total sense!" Mandy said.
"What?" I asked.
"The shyness, the distance....Hayden likes you!" Mandy said.
"Don't be stupid," I rolled my eyes.
"I'm serious! Think about it --he's acted so weird toward you...but he's been completely normal and friendly to everyone else...."
"Yeah or he could just hate my guts," I said with disgust.
"...but why would he hate you? That doesn't make any sense...."
"Oh, like this is logical? Like Hayden Christensen with his money and his fan club would act like a schoolboy with a crush? C'mon! That doesn't exactly make sense either!" I exclaimed.
"It could happen!" Mandy said bright eyed.
I brushed it off -- it was ludicrous. Hayden Christensen couldn't possibly have a crush on me..... could he?