My anticipation for the night ahead got me through the day. My head remained half conscious of the work I was doing, the other half dreaming about what tonight could bring. I desperately tried not to get too excited, fearful of feeling let down, but Clara's text the night before reignited the child-like excitement in me whenever I read it.

Clara: Hope you've got a dress sorted because tomorrow night is going to be one to remember! You can thank Noah and I later ;)

Confusion swept over me at her statement and it didn't ease when Theo said he got a similar text from Noah. Although this reassured me as I knew whatever was going to happen was going to include Theo and that makes most situations better, if I'm being perfectly honest.

I nod in agreement as another cast member delivers their final lines, bringing my muddled thoughts to a close. Knowing I need to concentrate, I bring myself back to the present to do my own last lines. It's the last scene of the day, so the relief when the director yells cut is astronomical.

Shooting is fun, acting is fun - the excitement and build-up of adrenaline I get from it is what keeps the passion I have for it burning. But there's downfalls and consequences to the job and one of them is the exhaustion that comes with it. The day off I had a couple of days ago was not enough and yet again, I feel exhausted.

But as the crew around me claps with celebration that the long day is finally over, I beam back at the people who smile at me. Changing back into my own clothes, I take off my make-up and tie my hair back. Wanting to make a swift exit, I practically run to the back entrance of the stage so that I can get in a car quickly.

Pulling out my phone, I hit on Theo's contact and he answers within three rings.

"Hey, gorgeous." He says and I can almost sense his smile through his phone.

"Hi." I whisper, letting my head fall back as I relax to the sound of his voice.

"You done for the day? Excited for tonight?" He asks.

"Yes and I don't know what to be excited for because I don't know what's happening. Have you found out yet?"

"No, but Noah keeps acting smug about it, so I'm scared for our lives."

I let out a laugh before answering, "Don't be so stupid. I'm just scared they're going to put us at risk."

"I know." Theo sighs. "Surely not, I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Hopefully, god what if they sign us up for bungee jumping or something?" I laugh, before noticing the car beginning to slow down. "Right, I have to go but I'll see you tonight."

"Can't wait. I love you." He says, his words causing my heart to flutter - butterflies in my stomach making me feel like he's just said I love you for the first time.

"I love you, too." I say back, biting my lip.

Paying the driver, because I don't have one hired, I make my way out and walk into my little bubble of clam. High up in the quieter streets of New York, I fell in love with my apartment the first time I saw it. Now two years later, it feels like my own heaven.

Dropping my keys into a bowl in the front hall, I make my way through to the living room to be met by a surprise. In the middle of my open-plan living room, Clara and Isadora stand beaming at me - which is probably the opposite of my own reaction.

Answering the silent questions that are rolling around in my head, Isadora speaks first "Why are you so shocked? I thought Clara told you we were coming round for your high school reunion party."

Her blunt words usually make me laugh, but the mention of the high school reunion makes it blatantly clear that Clara had to lie for my sake. The thought drives a spear through my heart, but I fake a laugh instead.

"Of course. I just didn't expect you to be here, I thought you would come over later." I say, a genuine smile finally creeping over onto my face as I take in my best friends excitement to help get me ready.

"It's five o'clock! Plus, you're awful at time management, so here we are." Clara winks.

I sigh knowing she's right. Theo often makes fun of me for it, but the look of relief on his face when I eventually arrive makes me want to continue doing it, just for that reaction.

But Clara's mention of it already being five, shows that she's got a timetable for tonight. Determined to stick to it, I muster up my determination.

"Shit, is it that late already?" I groan, running a hand through my hair. "Okay, we better get started then."

Walking through to my room, I turn on my main light so that we can see clearly. My bed takes up most of the room, so I immediately go and sit on it - wanting to rest my feet after a long day. Following in after me, I move over to let Clara sit beside me whilst Isadora head straight for my closet. Typically.

"So, what are you even going to wear?" She shouts, her body lost in the sea of clothes as she digs further into my closet.

"I don't know." I shrug, as Clara glares at me.

Obviously trying to cover up, Clara says to me. "Didn't you say it was a black-tie event?"

Her tone is casual, but her eyes bore into mine with a look that could kill. Hidden from Clara's menacing stare, Isadora appears again, looking flustered.

She places a hand on her hip and cocks an eye brow at me. "Black tie? God, we're going to need a miracle if we're going to get you black tie ready."

Her words linger in the air as she goes back into the closet. Bringing out a blue, dress that I forgot was there, I grin at Isadora in approval. My decision is made complete when Clara claps beside me and since she's the only one is the room who knows where I'm going, I decide on an outfit.

Now, I just had to wait for a miracle apparently.

~~~~~

The distinct yet gentle smell of make-up permeated the air as I got ready. My hair was done into loose curls at the bottom and the strands hung behind my back as I swept them away - trying to get a better view of my eye as I attempt to do eyeliner.

Key word being attempt. My efforts have failed miserably and as I wipe away my third attempt, which leaves a trace of black behind, a sigh of frustration passes my lips.

"You struggling?" Isadora asks, looking amused at my frustrations.

"No, doing just fine, thank you." I reply sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"You two are hopeless." Clara butts in, moving Isadora out of my view as she grabs the eyeliner off of me.

"I know. Hopeless at eyeliner." I smirk, before willingly shutting my eyes as Clara approaches with her face set in determination.

She shushes me and I feel her cool hand on the bottom of my chin, keeping my face in place. A moment of tension drags out as I put my trust in Clara. When she steps away, I see her smiling at me. Turning round to the mirror, I gasp in shock.

"That's perfect! Thank you." I beam, before reaching over to my lip gloss to finish my look.

"God, how come you don't have a boyfriend?" Isadora asks.

Oh, but I do.

The sweetest, funniest, most caring man I've ever met is the man who I call my own. But I only get the right to call him that when we're out of the public eye and Isadora's words remind me of that. She doesn't know and probably won't until the contract is up.

A feeling of despair clutches my heart, but I throw on a fake smile to try and diffuse some of the pain inside my chest.

"Haven't found the right one." I shrug, desperately trying to keep my tone casual.

Clara nods along with me. "Amen. I need a hot guy."

"You won't find one if you keep hiding away with the periodic table." Isadora smirks, her ever-present blunt humor appearing.

I try to hide my laugh but Clara shoots me a glare. Averting my eyes in surrender, Clara clears her throat before announcing, "Well, if a guy wants to be with me, he's just going to have to accept that's a big part of my life."

I grin at my best friend and reach over to grab her hand in my own. Giving it a squeeze, she smiles in reassurance back at me. Her disappointment over her recent break-up is still raw. But when she speaks confidently like that, I know she's going onto better things than the dick that left her.

"I'm going to get emotional so I'm going to go put a dress on and distract myself." I laugh, trying to break the tension.

I hear cheers of support behind me as I make my way into the bathroom, clutching my dress in my hands. Stepping into the harsh lighting, I strip off of my clothes and put on the dress. Just managing to zip it up, I smile at my reflection.

The miracle happened.

My once frizzy, greasy hair from a day of filming and stress has been smoothed and put into curls. My make-up is light, but the main focus is on my eyes. The shimmer of the gold eye-shadow seems to catch in the light and makes my usual dull blue eyes become brighter, as if light has been injected into them.

My hands smooth over my dress that clutches at my torso but flares out slightly at the waist. The detailing at the bottom is beautiful and I'm once again reminded why this dress has survived my many wardrobe clear-outs for so many years - it's too beautiful to throw away.

Finally feeling confident, I step out of the bathroom to be met with a round of applause. Looking up, I see Clara and Isadora grin at me whilst I go over to my make-up table and grab my clutch. Submitting to the calls for me to spin, I do a slow twirl, careful not to trip in my high heels.

"You look hot."

"Well done, girls. We did it."

I laugh a their comments and shake my head in embarrassment from all of their compliments. Taking one last look in the mirror I head out of the room and Clara and Isadora follow behind me.

I still don't know what's happening tonight and with Isadora still here, I'm lost with what to do next. My questions are answered when Isadora's phones pings in her hand.

"Sorry, I'm gonna have to go. But make all of those high-school bullies sorry tonight, Alex." She smiles, before walking out of the apartment.

Calling good-bye to her, the click of the door confirms that Clara and I are finally alone. Looking at her expectantly, she laughs before smiling at me.

"Okay, you're just going to have to wait until Theo and Noah get here." She shrugs.

I'm confused that Noah is coming as well, but I'm unable to question her as a knock on my door interrupts me. Clara grins, her eyes twinkling with unsaid mischief, before going to the door.

His voice is the first thing I hear and it's the thing that makes me stand up and straighten out my dress. We may have been dating for a few months, but he still affects me the same way. An unanticipated wave of nerves shoots through me as I look at the ground, taking a deep breath.

I hear footsteps and I slowly look up through my lashes to see Theo standing looking better than I've ever seen him before. Dressed in black slacks with a white shirt, his hair is messy in it's usual controlled way as he smiles gently at me.

Separating the space between us, he steps forward and takes my hand in his. Wrapping an arm around my waist, Noah and Clara fade into the background as Theo bites his lip before leaning in and kissing me.

Passionate as always, I wrap my free hand round his neck as I return the kiss and embrace the way his body fits perfectly against mine. Slowly breaking apart, I suck in the air that my lungs scream for in my breathless state.

"You look so beautiful." He whispers, his brown eyes connecting with mine.

"You look incredibly handsome." I whisper back, smiling at him as I know he hates compliments on his appearance.

A cough separates us out from our bubble as we both turn to see Clara and Noah smiling at us.

"And that, is exactly why we're doing this." Noah states proudly.

Theo and I separate, but I keep my hand wrapped around his arm and stand close to his side. Cocking my head to one side, I look quizzically at them. "Exactly why you're doing what?"

"Putting you guys on your first date of course!" Clara sequels, clapping her hands.

I tense beside Theo as he speaks. "What do you mean?"

"We mean that you two have never been on a proper date. Cast lunches, sure. But that really doesn't count and it's embarrassing that you've made it this far without going on one." Noah fills in for Clara, his demeanor calmer than her's.

"I'm confused, how are you organizing a date for us then?" I ask, looking at them both expectantly.

Clara sighs before explaining the whole situation. "Noah and I are going on a fake date, right in the public eye to distract the paparazzi. When we leave, you will sneak out the back and head to Maria's where she has signed a NDA and won't speak a word of your date when you two go out and enjoy their food."

"People in the restaurant?" I point out.

"They are usually closed today but they'e opening for you two. Whole place will be secluded." Noah fills in.

Looking up at Theo, I see his brows furrowed together as he stares at the ground, obviously thinking through the whole situation.

"You're going to have to be precise with timings." He points out, looking up.

"Chemistry student over here. Precise is my middle name." Clara smirks, her pride for her work overflowing.

I inhale deeply as tingling sets it's way into my bones. Wiggling my fingers in my free hand, the feeling of childlike excitement rushes over me as I realise this actually could be possible.

My hand runs down Theo's arm and grasps his hand as he turns round to me.

"Well then, Alexandria Woods, will you go on a date with me?" He asks, his eyes twinkling with the excitement I'm feeling.

"I would be honoured." I playfully respond.

Drawing me in using our joined hands, Theo give me a quick kiss before turning back to our awaiting friends.

"You're sure this will work?" Theo asks.

"Positive." Clara and Noah reply in sync.

We walk to the door and the long-awaited excitement rises with every step I take. Standing by it, Theo and Clara tell us to wait five minutes before we leave.

The time flies by as Theo and I talk. When we get a text from Mr Walden saying he's ready, I beam at Theo.

"Ready to go on a date with me?" He asks.

"I'm always ready to spend time with you." I reply, before walking out of the apartment with confidence in my every step.

Confidence I hoped would last the entire night.

~~~~~

Author's Note:

Their first date! How do you think it's going to go? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Also, after this chapter I think I want a Noah and Clara combo more than ever ;)

Anyway, I hope you have a great Friday!

Much love,

Jade x