"Well, Mr. Lester-"

"-Phil."

The woman in front of Phil smiles warmly. "Phil. I'll have you know I am very happy that you will be working on this project. I look forward to working with you, as are the actors. I'm glad the play company and the film company are actually working together on a project for once," she laughs a little.

Phil smiles back. "Thank you for this opportunity, Ms...?"

"Diana. Everyone here calls me by my first name, so you might as well." The woman, Diana, can't be more than five years older than Phil, probably less than that. Her messy mousy brunette hair is pulled back and secured with a hair clip. Her sweater sleeves are obviously too long, hiding most of her hands. Bright pink glasses perch at the end of her nose.

"Rehearsals start December 1st, 9 a.m. sharp. Please don't be late," Diana instructs, typing something into the computer on her desk.

"I won't."

This is Phil's first real job. He can't mess up anything on the first day.

"Excellent. Most of the actors usually arrive at 8 or so, so you're welcome to come early if you wish."

Let's just say Phil's not exactly a morning person.

"Alright, I think that's everything, any questions?" Diana asks, folding her hands and looking at Phil.

Phil shakes his head no.

"Great. Remember, December 1st, 9 o'clock."

Phil nods.

One week. One week to scrape up that last thirty pounds and finally buy a real camera. One week before Phil's life changes forever.

He just doesn't know it yet.

*~*~*~*

I'm late.

It's the first day and I'm late.

Phil grabs his new (and rather expensive) camera and hastily shoves it in his messenger bag, along with a few stray pieces of paper and pens that are probably out of ink.

He runs through the crowded campus of the university, looking for the theatre the play company is using for their rehearsals, muttering excuse me's and sorry's all the way.

Phil finally finds the building, a large square thing in the center of campus. Without hesitation he bursts through the double doors.

"-And some camera guy from the film company is going to be filming a sort of documentary...short film...type thing. I don't know. It's like going to be behind the scenes or whatever."

Phil freezes as he feels a hundred pairs of eyes turn and look at him.

The entire theater-with its ginormous stage and thousands of red velvet chairs and box seats hanging on the wall-goes silent.

"See," says the same voice from before. "There he is."

Phil's eyes shoot to the side, where he sees a big group of people gathered together like they're some kind of gang. Some are sitting in the theater seats, some are crossed-legged on the floor, some are standing, but one stands out. He's sitting on the back of a chair, leaning his back against the wall, his feet on the backs of seats in front of him.

He's wearing all black, from his t shirt to his skinny jeans. His hair is straight and brown, with fringe falling in front of his chocolate eyes.

That voice belongs to him. Phil just knows it.

"Phil!" A female voice calls. Phil winces as he immediately realizes it's Ms. Diana.

The only sound in the theatre is the click click click of Diana's heels on the center aisle. She's tightly gripping a clipboard in one hand and repeatedly clicking a pen in the other.

She doesn't look happy.

"So glad you could finally join us!" She scowls at him.

Strange. She seemed so friendly last week.

"He's only five minutes late," someone says. Phil looks to the group of actors again, the same one with the man that was talking about him earlier. The person that spoke was a short ginger girl leaning against the wall. Her bright green shirt glows in the dimly lit theatre.

"It doesn't matter, Olivia. Late is late." Diana glares at Phil, her lips drawn in a tight line.

"It's Penny, actually..." The girl mumbles, looking down and frowning.

"I hope this won't happen tomorrow, Mr. Lester," Diana says, walking closer to Phil.

"T-tomorrow?" Phil can't help but stutter.

"Yes. We have rehearsals every single day except Sunday, 9 to 9. 9 to 8 on Saturdays. Production week-that's the week before the show-is 8 to 11. Is this going to be a problem?"

"N-no-"

Nine til nine. Nine til eight on Saturdays. No Sundays. Eight to eleven production week. I got this.

"-Good. Now," she rolls her eyes and turns from Phil, who sighs from relief, and claps her hands together. "Let's not delay any further. Auditions were held last week, as you all know, so I will be announcing the parts now."

The crowd of actors break out into whispers and murmurs.

"Quiet! All of you!" Diana yells, then clears her throat and looks down at her clipboard. "Mr. Howell."

The guy that's sitting on top of the seats, the guy that was talking to his friends about Phil, brushes his chocolate brown fringe out of his eyes and stands up.

"Yes, Diana?" He says, walking over to her.

"You will be playing the male lead."

Howell smiles, but it's not a happy smile. It's a smile that says, Of course I got the lead. I expected nothing less.

"Olivia!"

The ginger from earlier stands up straighter. "It's Penny-"

"-Yes, yes," Diana waves her off. "You will be playing the female lead."

Penny smiles a true, genuine, happy smile.

"I'd like the two of you to get to know our friend from the film company, Phil Lester," Diana gestures toward Phil. "As the leads, you all will be spending a lot of time together."

Penny nods and smiles a little at Phil, who returns the smile.

Howell, on the other hand, smirks and holds out his hand.

"Dan," he says simply.

Phil shakes Dan's hand. "P-Phil."

"Get rid of that stutter, Camera Guy," Dan says. "It's not gonna do you any good."

With that he returns to his friends, leaving Phil standing alone.

*~*~*~*

Hey hey hey! Thank you so so much for reading!

That was chapter one, what do you think? Hope you enjoyed!

Don't forget to comment and vote for more updates!

~Lizzy ☆彡