Chapter 1
"Good news and bad news," is the first thing Simon hears when he picks up the phone, Clary's voice echoing through the speaker. He wasn't expecting to wake up to any news, so he's a little irritated that he has to wake up to it at 6:36A.M.
"Bad news first," Simon mumbles sleepily. He wants to start the day off with disappointment, so it can only go uphill from there.
"Well, it doesn't really work if I tell it out of order." Clary is nonchalant. "Good news is I got a call from a casting agent that wants to cast you in this year's predicted top movie musical."
"So what's the bad news?" Simon inquires. He can't really see there being any bad news from that information.
"Your love interest is going to be portrayed by Jace Wayland."
And there it was. The disappointment to end all disappointments.
Simon doesn't really have a problem with Jace Wayland, not so much in a way that he goes out of his way to avoid him. So of course he's taking the role. The issue lies entirely on Jace. For whatever reason, he thinks he's better than everyone, but most of all Simon. Every time he sees him, Jace always has some snide remark to say or joke to tell. It's like Jace is a dog and Simon is his favorite chew toy.
They were at a party once, and Jace got so drunk he actually tried to fight Simon. What can you really expect from a pop star with an ego big enough to be classified as a planet? Simon's never really understood it, but he's gotten used to it. Not that he'd want to deal with it for what, a year, maybe even a year and a half of filming?
"You already know the answer to whatever questions you're about to ask me." Simon let's out a long, tired sigh.
"See, I do, so I already told the casting agent you want the role." Clary pauses, and Simon just knows there's more bad news. As if reading his mind, Clary continues, "They know there's a history between you two, but they think if they can get both of you on this movie, it'll explode. They want you two to go on a couple... dates... before filming starts, to make sure you two can get along."
Dates. They want Simon and Jace to date. Like, romantic style.
"Clary." Simon's voice is gruff.
"I know, Simon. But think about the money, the publicity."
It's not like Rock Solid Panda needs any publicity. Sure, their shows weren't as big as the likes of Panic! or Fall Out Boy, but Simon and his band mates kind of preferred it that way. Their fans were loyal, their shows were intimate, and they were never involved in any scandals. The same couldn't be said about Jace.
"Okay, I'll do it." Simon agrees. "On one condition. When does filming start?"
"In a month and a half." Clary says.
"If we can't get along by the time filming starts," Simon states matter of factly, "I want out.
"I'm sure we can work that out." Clary agrees, ending the phone call.
Simon sure hopes so, because he's not so sure that he and Jace can work things out.