The Roles We Play

Ethan’s POV

It should have felt like a career milestone to land a leading role in a major LGBTQ+ romance movie.

This type of opportunity shaped the careers of the majority of actors. an opportunity to contribute to something greater than themselves, something that might inspire viewers, shatter stereotypes, and possibly earn an Oscar nomination.

However, for me?

Now that I was forced to work with Julian Cross, that was all I could think about.

Three days after the chemistry read, the formal call was made.

At precisely 7:00 AM, my agent Lauren practically vibrated through the phone to call me.

"You got the part, Ethan! Julian and you—

Before she could finish, I hung up.

First Day of Filming: Table Read

I was fifteen minutes late to Silverlight Studios, partly due to traffic, but primarily because I had given calling in sick some serious thought.

When I arrived, Julian was already seated at the table, sipping another cup of the pretentious artisanal coffee he always carried, and he looked ridiculously rested.

His gaze flickered over the cup's rim to me.

"Good to have you here," he muttered.

I slid into my seat, ignoring him.

The director, screenwriters, studio executives, and other members of the cast were all present in the room.

The director, James Alden, one of Hollywood's most renowned independent filmmakers, was sitting next to Rebecca Moreau, the casting director who had pushed me into this mess.

James cleared his throat. "All right, let us get started."

As the assistant director distributed the scripts, I forced myself not to scowl at my name.

Lucas Whitmore is the character.

Julian used a different name for his script.

Adrian Wells is the character.

The two main characters in Heart's Requiem are Lucas and Adrian.

Two rivals from childhood became unexpected lovers.

Really, if I had not been battling the overwhelming urge to choke Julian Cross right now, it would have been poetic.

The thick, nearly 130-page script in front of me was chock-full of dialogue that would soon become ingrained in my being.

Scene 12—our first major argument in the movie—is what I flipped to.

Julian leaned slightly towards me and muttered, "Try not to screw this up, Hale," as if he had noticed.

I narrowed my eyes as I turned to face him. "I hope all of your lines are forgotten."

He smiled. That is very cute. You believe I need a script in order to surpass you.

James cut me off just as I was about to retort.

"All right, let us start with the introductions before proceeding directly to the initial read-through. Why do not you begin, Ethan and Julian, since you are our leads?

Julian was the first to lean forward, acting like a damn politician and showing off his award-winning charm.

Julian Cross. I portray Adrian Wells, a devastatingly attractive and incredibly complex character who falls in love with his fiercest rival.

I laughed a little dryly. That is amusing. In the character description, I did not see the word "narcissist."

Julian grinned as the room laughed. Hale, it is known as method acting. You ought to give it a go sometime.

I gave an eye roll. Hale, Ethan. I portray Lucas Whitmore, a serious, committed actor who has to put up with a lot of pain while working.

One more chuckle.

In mock offence, Julian covered his chest with his hand. "You seem to mean 'romantic co-lead.'"

I gave him a glance. "If that is how you fall asleep at night."

James rubbed his temples and sighed. "And for that reason, we cast you two."

Reading the Scene: Tension Both On and Off the Page

As we opened our scripts and turned to Scene 3, one of the opening scenes in the movie where Lucas and Adrian first meet after years apart, the room fell silent.

I took a breath, letting go of my annoyance.

Acting, concentration, and professionalism.

This is something I could do.

The silence was broken first by Julian's voice.

"I did not think you would show up," said Adrian.

I looked up at him again after glancing down at my lines.

"You think that little of me?" said Lucas.

Julian let out a breath, adopting Adrian's persona with such ease that I found it annoying.

"I believe you are the same as you have always been," said Adrian. stubborn. Careless. Always fleeing as soon as things become too real.

In real life as well as in character, I felt my jaw tighten.

Julian was really annoying because of this.

His ability to turn any line into a personal jab.

But I was not going to give up.

I lowered my voice and looked him in the eye.

LUCAS: "You? You behave as though you are superior to everyone else, but you are just as cowardly as I am.

Julian's expression hardened as his fingers twitched against the table.

The room's tension changed.

People leaned in because of the tangible energy.

My own heartbeat was the only sound I could hear for a brief moment.

Then Julian grinned.

He had the type of smirk that indicated he was well-versed in his craft.

And he was having fun with it.

He turned the page and muttered, "Not bad, Hale." "Not bad at all."

The Nightmare Begins on the First Day of Filming

When the first official shooting day came around, I was in for a rude awakening if I thought the table read was bad.

I was thrown into makeup, wardrobe, and an extremely tight suit jacket that I was 99 percent certain Julian had something to do with before I had even finished my morning coffee.

I tugged at my collar, and he teased, "Looking sharp, Hale."

I scowled. “Die.”

Julian laughed with such ease that it seemed as though he was not going to film a romantic drama with strong emotions.

The schedule for the day was full.

Scene 5: At the gala, Lucas and Adrian get into a furious argument.

I had precisely seven days to figure out how not to go completely crazy because our first real intimate scene was set for next week.

James clapped his hands together as we were seated on the set.

"All right, the initial shot. Let us make it worthwhile.

The cameras started rolling.

The world dimmed.

I also got into character.

However, as I scowled at Julian from the other side of the tastefully furnished set, I could not get rid of the thought that this movie—this dumb, absurd movie—was going to alter everything.