Chapter 2
Remus can’t concentrate on the movie. ‘lover in the foyer’ is likely a masterpiece, but Remus can’t look at Sirius’ lips without wanting them on his own. The film flashes by, and Remus managed to daydream for the entire duration.
He feels selfish for having these tickets and not appreciating the premiere, but he can’t stop replaying the event that took place two hours ago in his head. And trying to comprehend that it actually happened.
Remus has always had a good imagination. He feels the need to pinch his arm every few minutes to check he’s alive. James gives him confused looks in the darkness.
He always thought this way about Sirius. The entire population has a crush on him, so Remus wasn’t too concerned. It’s just when he began to image Black’s costar, the stunning Mary Mcdonald, as himself, he knew he had a problem.
Remus never wanted to be an actor, but for Sirius he’s become tempted to learn.
Just the way he delivers dialogue makes Remus shiver every time. The way Sirius can pull off confidence and paranoia all at once. Remus needs him in his own film. But how?
He has the script, he just needs the lead.
“Well that was shit.” James tells Remus as they finally leave the cinema with the crowd. People smiling and blushing over how good ‘lover in the foyer’ was, and it’s future at the Oscars.
“I thought he was good.” Remus replies, covering his smile with a small cough.
“You have to say that. It’s like you think Sirius is lurking behind your shoulder, so you have no choice but to praise him.”
“It’s what i think.” Remus shrugs his shoulders, flinching as the cold London air hits his face. “Let’s go home.”
“Fine.” James smiles, beginning to walk towards our flat. “I saved some popcorn for her.”
The flat is freezing. Lily Evans, their roommate, refuses to pay for heating as she prefers the comfort of fluffy blankets and hot tea. Remus turns up the temperature once he reaches the kitchen as he secretly pays for it.
“Hey.” Lily yawns, stretching out her arms on the sofa.
“Nice nap?” James smirks, reaching down to kiss her on the forehead.
“Great. I was going to watch a movie here, since i wasn’t invited to the premiere.” She directs to James with an eye roll. “But sleep took over.”
“I would have loved to bring you, it’s just that Mr Herrington only invited Remus and I.” James protests, sitting next to her with sympathy on his face. “Despite you being more talented than us combined.”
Lily Evans works at London Film orchestra. She’s the lead cellist, and is in high demand for every production. She’s been glued to a bow since she was five, and her talent has never faltered.
Mr Herrington owns Stardust productions. A cliché name, but it does the job. And it gets me and James tickets to premiers that have the potential of changing the course of your life.
“Very true.” Lily laughs, pulling up the blanket to her neck. “How was dreamy Sirius Black?”
“Dreamy.” James snorts. “I can admit that the tailored suit works for him.”
“His acting with mesmerising.” Remus adds, taking a seat in the sofa chair. “He seems to get better each time.”
“Jeez, you are obsessed.” Lily mocks, moving her head on James’ shoulder. “Did you give him your business card?”
“No i’m not.” Remus protests, suddenly sitting straighter in defence.
“So are. I might buy you a poster so you can kiss it before you go to sleep.” James contributes happily.
“You’re both so creepy. And no, i didn’t give him my card. There wasn’t a chance.” Remus laughs before throwing a cushion at Lily’s head. He picks up the remote from the coffee table and flicks through the channels.
“Look, look!” Lily points to the screen at the highlighted film.
“Gold rush staring Mr Black. A steamy romcom about a rich guy driving vintage cars.” James commentates.
“And how he’s not what he seems.” Remus objects, pressing play.
Audiences have a specific perception of Sirius. Remus understands that he has money, but he also knows that its deserved. That the Black family might be monsters, but Sirius certainly isn’t. He can see Sirius’ commitment to his career through the lines, making Remus yearn for him more. Yearning for an opportunity to work with him.
‘Gold Rush’ is half way through, and approaching Remus’ favourite scene, and guiltily James’ too.
Sirius is talking to his love interest, Marlene McKinnon, another talented actress. She’s won several oscars and has an angel walk that is examined in fashion magazines.
“But how am i supposed to live with myself? with you leaving?” Sirius speaks, stepping closer.
“You’ll manage.” Marlene huffs, backing away from his stance. “You get a rush of gold every second, what do you need me for? What can i give you?”
“You give me everything.” Sirius takes her fragile and shaking hands.
Remus leans further to the TV, placing his head in his hands, watching in admiration.
“But i would be taking away your life. The fame, attention, the career you always wanted. How can i expect you to give that up? For someone with no future? No plans?” Marlene continues, searching for the answers in his eyes.
“The money has never meant anything. I knew the risk from the beginning. I would throw everything away for you. I would create a new life just so i can stand beside you.”
Marlene kisses Sirius softly, with purpose to never let it end. To never let him slip away from her arms.
“Wish that was you?” James interrupts, stealing the remote and switching to Only Fools and Horses.
“Excuse me!” Remus huffs, trying to take it back. “You love this film, stop trying to act cool in front of Evans.”
“I’m going to bed.” Lily gives up, leaving the sofa. “And believe me, i stopped buying his ‘coolness’ years ago.”
“Yeah, me too. And if Lily ever leaves me, i will just go after her.”
“I feel a speech coming on.”
“Shut up.” James smiles before following Lily up the stairs:
“Goodnight!” Remus shouts, before doing the same. He needs time to clear his head.
Remus knows he won’t be able to sleep. His mind is full of questions that won’t ever be answered.
Was it my fault? Did i lead him on? Has he thought about me? Will he really sue me? Will i ever see him again?
Remus turns to the other side, now facing the blank wall. He places a hand against it, feeling the cold on his palm.
How will i see him again?
Somehow, the coldness of the wall drifts him off to sleep. He’s woke with the sound of the kettle and James trying to make breakfast in a pan older than him.
“What’s burning?” Remus sniffs the air as he enters the commotion.
“Waffles for you!” Lily pushes a warm plate under his nose. “We have chocolate and strawberries on the table.”
“Thank you.” Remus smiles, before sitting at the table. He knows that even if they cause a lot of mess, he wouldn’t want to share a flat with anyone else.
But after a long rest, the shock of his kiss still hasn’t worn off. It feels like a hangover that refuses to leave until he gets drunk again.
He can feel Sirius’ hands on his neck, how he was pushed into his chest, and how he wanted to stay that way forever. Remus would miss every film to repeat the experience. It’s as if no plot line could give him the same amount of thrill.
“Any messages?” Remus asks Lily as she’s the reliable and responsible one.
He feels pathetic for expecting a call from him. With the security of a high profile celebrity, the idea is ridiculous and impossible.
You only gave him your name. Why would he want to talk let alone see you again?
Remus can’t escape the potential that it’s completely one sided. That Sirius felt nothing. He’s likely kissed hundreds of people, why would Remus be any different? It was a spur-of-the-moment bathroom distraction. He needs to get his lips, face and smile out of his awareness.
“No messages.” She smiles watching him practically inhale his waffles.
“Actually, there was a few.” James takes his tea and sits next to Remus.
“What?” Remus replies, swallowing his food quick to speak. Shocked mainly because he never gets calls.
“Yeah, think there were two.” James says casually, taking a sip of his tea.
“You think, or you know?” Remus pushes, interrogating James, clearly far too eager. But he refuses to miss out from the fear of asking.
“You want me to write down all of your messages?”
“Yes!”
“Let me search my brain.”
“This could take a while.” Lily grins before joining the table.
“Oh!” James eyes light up. “Definitely one from your mum. She wants you to call her, she seemed mad that you don’t contact her often. And Herrington wants your script on his desk by Monday.”
“Great. No one else?”
“Don’t think so.”
“Alright then.”
They sit in silence for a few minutes, enjoying their breakfasts. Lily is eating a strawberry yogurt, licking the wrapper before she moves it to the side.
“But if we are going to be obsessive with these messages…” James begins. “Some posh lad called late last night. Around three am while i was getting some water. Totally disrupted my sleepwalking.”
“Excuse me?” Remus chokes on his final waffle, processing James’ words. “What did he say?” He pulls on James’ sleeve.
“What has gotten into you?” Lily giggles. “You expecting a call from the Queen?”
“Just as important.”
“He sounded rather bizarre. Something along the lines of ‘Hi it’s me. Call me at the Ritz’. Then gave himself a completely different name.”
Only a celebrity would use a fake name for security reasons right?
“Are you messing me with me? How am i supposed to know who ‘me’ is?”
“Don’t shoot the messenger.” James holds his hands up in surrender. “I wasn’t going to tell you as i wasn’t sure if it was a dream.”
“Lily, could you pass me the phone?” Remus wipes his mouth with a napkin, and brushes off the crumbs from his trousers.
Remus quickly dials the number for the Ritz from the phone book. It begins to ring, and Remus can’t stop shaking. it’s goes through straight away.
“Oh..um… hello. My name is Remus lupin. I’m trying to get in contact with one of your guests, although they are using another name. They left the message with my extremely dim flatmate, so i’m a bit stuck.”
The other line is muffled. They go on to say that they know who he’s talking about, but can’t give out that kind of information.
“Is there anything you can do? My flatmate doesn’t have the best memory, and this is important.”
“I’m sitting right here.” James finishes his drink and carefully places it on the wood. “Try T.Rex.”
“Stop fucking around.” Remus moves his mouth away from the phone, batting the air away.
“I’m serious, i swear he said T.Rex in a rather serious tone.”
“I’m so ready to beat you up.”
”Who are you so eager to hear from anyway?” Lily asks, but Remus it’s too preoccupied to respond.
Remus lifts the phone back up to his ear.
“Any chance T.Rex rings any bells?” Remus asks doubtfully, but the line goes silent.
“I’ll put you right through sir.”