The Butterfly Effect

Avery's POV

I hate overthinking. Why can't I just think a normal amount? Or not think at all? This is all so stupid. A girl I like has literally asked me to go out with her tonight, and all I'm thinking about are things like 'does she even like me' or 'she probably just wants to be friends' or 'I'm going to mess this whole thing up'.

Anyways, I was supposed to be meeting her at 6pm at this restaurant by the beach. Out the hotel window, I could see the light starting to dim. Shit. I check my phone to see that I had 20 minutes to be there.

"Wow, Avery! You look amazing!"

"Thanks Hazel."

Her and Alfie were there too. They were talking as if they had known each other for way more than 24 hours. I have a feeling they might be a little more than friends too.

But right now I had a date to go to. At least I hope it's a date. But I was trying not to think all too much right now.

The restaurant was so much more beautiful than I was expecting. Fairy lights were hung across the ceiling and lit the place with a warm, golden glow.

To my surprise, Madison was already there waiting for me, sitting at a table for two, reading the menu like the perfect person she is. She looked as if she were in a movie. Her effortlessly perfect curls and wearing a perfect light green dress with a purse to match. She hadn't noticed me yet.

I went to take a seat across from her, my heart already beating faster than it should.

"Hello, gorgeous." She said through a smile.

And suddenly I realised that I was stupid for worrying at all. Just hearing her voice made all my problems melt away.

"Thanks for inviting me. Great choice of restaurant by the way, this place looks amazing!"

"Isn't it stunning! My sister's friend opened it a few years back. And their food is to die for."

Her eyes were glistening in the golden lighting of the restaurant. It had been so long, I'd almost forgotten what falling in love feels like.

She handed me the menu, which looked incredible. The chef's special caught my eye: an entree of creamy soup with parmesan flatbread and a main of the restaurant's famous classic Margherita pizza.

"So how did you get into acting?"

"I guess it's always been a dream of mine. To perform, to be part of a story. I mean, right now I'm an Uber driver, just to make money. I'm also a waiter here on Wednesdays and Fridays... but I guess at some point I realised that I really loved acting, and if I didn't at least try, I'd regret it for the rest of my life."

She smiled proudly.

"What about you, Avery Anderson?" She laughed jokingly while calling me by my full name.

"What brought you to the audition."

"I mean, I act a bit here and there. When I came across the script for the movie, and I just fell in love with the story and everything I guess."

"Isn't it beautiful? Just two naive girls falling in love without a care in the world."

"Are you ready to order?" A waiter had come over to our table.

Madison turned around.

"Oh, hi Madison."

"Gregory! Nice to see you."

"I work with him on Wednesdays" she whispered to me.

"Um... we'll get the chef's special for two please."

"Of course."

"What's it like being an uber driver? I can only imagine the types of people you've had to drive around in LA."

"Yeah, it's a bit crazy sometimes. You meet all kinds of people."

I noticed she avoided eye contact when talking about it, like she wanted to avoid it. Hoping I didn't make her upset, I tried to change the topic.

"I was meaning to ask you - do you have any song recommendations? Like the jazz music you were listening to to get into character, I was thinking maybe I should try it too."

She laughed and I was relieved that she seemed to be back to her normal self.

"Of course. I'll send you one of my playlists. What kind of music are you into?"

"Um... a bit of everything I guess? I feel like Lily would listen to a lot of rock music for some reason."

"You're so right."

She went through her playlists to find one which I would like, and sent it through to my phone.

"I listen to music a lot, so if you ever wanted someone to go to a concert with you, I'll be there."

"Same here, I wanted to go to Coachella next year if the tickets weren't too expensive."

"We should go. It's in a while, but it'll be so much fun."

The waiter, or should I say Geoffrey, brought out the soups.

"Thank you Geoffrey, these look incredible."

"I didn't make them but you're welcome anyway." He said jokingly.

The rest of the dinner went pretty well if I'm honest, but it still felt like I was waiting for my personality to defrost like frozen leftovers in a microwave. I guess it usually takes a while before I'm not so awkward with people I've just met, and I hate that about myself. But I got to know Madison a bit more, and she seems amazing.

I don't really go on many dates, so I didn't really know how it worked. I wanted to invite her back to the hotel, but that could be awkward because Hazel and Alfie were also staying there. I could offer to drive her home or something? Or maybe that's too soon. Just as I was in the middle of thinking about asking her if she wanted to go out again or something, both of our phones buzzed.

I glanced at the screen to see an email from OCA agencies.

"Do you think it's anything to do with the movie?" Madison looked up excitedly.

"I hope so."

I opened the email.

Avery Anderson,

We are delighted to inform you on behalf of the Butterfly Season casting directors that you have been chosen for the role of Lily Baker. Table reads and meetings will be scheduled next week, and filming will commence the following month. For the meantime, accommodation near the filming site will be available, and we have placed you in a two bedroom apartment with co-star Madison Brookes.

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and congratulations!
Kind Regards, Phoebe Michaels at OCA Agencies.

Madison slapped her hands over her mouth in a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

"Hazel! This is amazing!"

She got out of her chair to come over and hug me in celebration. I was still speechless at the news.

"We're gonna be roommates!" She said, smirking.