Charlie wasn't a big Broadway musical person. He had trained in regular stage theater back home in New Brunswick. But when a casting agent happened to see him perform at a bar in LA and hear him talk, he said he had a role for him. And that is how he was here auditioning for the lead role of 'Tony' for Stephen Spielberg's reboot of West Side Story. Which was making him want to hurl from nerves.

He had only had a few bit roles in things up until now. Jumping from that to auditioning as the lead was terrifying. There were so many people auditioning for the role. A bunch of them just looked like they were Broadway vets. He wasn't a dancer. He knew how to move his hips okay but West Side Story had some pretty fancy footwork. He wasn't sure if he could keep up. What was he doing here!? He wasn't on the same level as all these guys.

"Charlie Gilsepi," someone called from down the hall.

Charlie sighed as he got up, holding his trusty Taylor. "It's Gillespie," he said as he walked toward the person holding a clipboard.

The person looked at him blankly behind wire rimmed glasses. "Right. Come this way."

The audition was a blur. Charlie was pretty sure he blacked out somehow because all he remembered was walking to the room where the casting directors were and the next thing he knew he was sitting in his Subaru afterwards. It was probably best that he didn't remember what happened. It was surely a train wreck. He started his car and headed in the direction of the apartment he shared with three other people.

His phone rang in the cup spot of his middle console. He was at a light so picked it up to see it was his friend, Hannah Leigh. "Hey," he said simply. His mind felt blank. Which was a feat in itself.

"How did the audition go? Did you kill it? Did they like the songs you prepared?"

Of course she was calling to see how everything went. "I don't know." He could practically see the confusion on her face.

"What do you mean, 'I don't know'?" Charlie chewed on his lip as he drove the car through the now green light.

"I mean I don't know. I completely blacked out. Can't remember what happened in the audition at all."

Hannah sighed sadly. "Charlie, it's okay. I'm sure you did great. That casting agent wouldn't have given you the details for the audition if he didn't think you were a good contender."

Charlie didn't agree. "I mean I did it. We'll see what happens. Anyway I am on the way home. Do you, Mitchy, and Jenna want to come over and watch Liar, Liar?"

Hannah replied immediately. "Do I want to watch a movie where Jim Carrey tries to be an honest lawyer? Hell yeah. We'll be there in an hour. And don't stress over that audition."

Charlie chuckled. "Alright. And I won't see. See you soon."

There might actually be a god or something because Charlie had a callback for auditions. It had been a week since the audition when his agent called him and said that they wanted to see him again for another reading. Except now there were significantly less other Tonies to go through. He was one of five guys the casting directors were deciding between. He was afraid to hope that he would get chosen. One guy looked like just the type for the role. He even had his hair cut in a very classic 50s style.

Charlie knew that he was at a disadvantage with the fact he didn't have anything really big on his resume and the fact he wasn't a musical guy. Charlie's hair was all shaggy. Definitely not what the casting directors were looking for. All he had going for him was that he could sing and he gave it his all when he acted. Yeah he wasn't getting the part. But at least this would be a good experience.

"Gillespie, you are up." It was the same person who had mispronounced his last name at his first audition. At least this time he was considered important enough to have his name remembered.

Charlie got up and followed the assistant through the hallway towards the room where he would be auditioning. "Good luck in there. Just so you know, I think you're it for the part." Charlie was patted on his shoulder before he opened the door. Maybe he did have a shot after all.

To think that Charlie went from being a small character in a movie with Disney's Cameron Boyce to being cast as the lead in a movie by Stephen Spielberg! Charlie was sure that he was living a dream. His friends were ecstatic for him of course but his family even more. His mom made sure to tell him that he went to America for a reason. This was that reason. "I just knew there was something big waiting for you, mon garçon. My baby is going to be in a Stephen Spielberg movie! We'll rent out the Cineplex in Dieppe for you."

Charlie laughed at his mom's excitement. "We have to wait until the movie actually comes out. We haven't even started filming yet. We haven't found our Maria, either."

His mom grumbled. "Fine. You tell me who is cast for Maria. Maybe she'll be the one for you."

Charlie's face lit up. "MAMAN!" His mom really wasn't trying to set him up with his potential costar, was she!?

"What? Costars fall for each other all the time. And I want you to find someone. This girl could be what you've been looking for."

Charlie swiped his hand down his face. "Goodbye, Mum."

"Now Charles," his mom protested.

"Goodbye." Charlie ended the call before his mom could try to say anything else. He was not trying to go into this looking for a girlfriend or his future wife. He just wanted to work and pay his bills.

It had been a few months and the search for Maria was still on. Madison had heard that they were making West Side Story. She was a Puerto Rican AND a New Yorker. Being in the movie was perfect for her. And she was one of the few non white people who went to her performing arts school. She wasn't going to let herself be relegated to the best friend role of Anita. Rita Moreno, the only Puerto Rican EGOT winner, had gotten her Oscar for the role but she wanted to be the star. Latinas that looked like her should be in the spotlight too.

She had sent in an audition that she had done herself without her parents' knowledge. Her teacher had said that the chances of her getting Maria were slim. That there were older more skilled Latin actresses that they were surely looking at and to just enjoy the experience. She wasn't going to let that white man tell her what she was capable of.

"Niña, there is an email for you on my email? What did you sign up for," her mom asked over the phone while she was at lunch.

"What!?" Some of her classmates looked over at her when she shouted. She shrunk down in her seat. "What," she asked again in a quieter voice.

"You have an email. It is from somewhere in New York...something about casting?"

Madison almost fell out of her seat. That had to be from the casting agency! "Don't touch it Ma. I'll look at it when I get home"

"Alright, honey. Whatever you say."

Madison's parents were pretty shocked when they realized the email she had was for a callback for an audition on a Stephen Spielberg movie! "You got balls, shorty. Now stop shaking. I'm calling them," her dad said as she tried to stay calm as he dialed the number to the casting agency.

"Dad, this is serious! I could be in a movie by Stephen Spielberg! He's like the biggest movie director there is! The people in his movies became stars! How can I be calm right now!?" Her dad covered her mouth as he put his phone up to his ear. Madison watched with bated breath.

"No answer. Must be busy. I'll leave them my number to call back."

Madison REALLY hoped that the casting agency would actually call back. She wanted to get the role of Maria SO bad.

It was a lot more real that she was auditioning for a big movie when she stood in the room waiting to be called. There were two other girls who had gotten callbacks for Maria. And she was definitely the outlier in the trio of actresses vying for the role. She was the youngest, the darkest, and the only actual Puerto Rican. There was a half white girl whose Latin side was Colombian. And then the other girl was a much lighter Cuban with wavy dark hair.

Madison also took note that she was just a bit shorter than the other two as well as curvier. The other actresses had slimmer frames. Whereas Madison had a chest and butt that was hard not to notice in certain clothing. Would that set her apart in a good way or a bad way. She really wasn't sure and she was questioning everything as her leg jiggled up and down.

"They'll see you now Madison," the assistant said motioning towards the door to the room.

Madison took a few deep breaths and walked over. Madison knew that Rita Moreno was going to be in there. She was one of the executives of the movie as well as playing a character that had been created for her. She would be looking closely at every word and movement that Madison made. She desperately wanted to prove herself to the legend. Rita Moreno was good friends with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Madison wanted to get in her good graces to get more opportunities.

Charlie knew that they were now down to the likely prospects for Maria. The final decision in choosing the actress was going to lie in the chemistry reading with him. Who could feasibly play as his star crossed lover? He was nervous for the actresses. They were all unknowns and he heard that one of them had never acted professionally and only in high school theater.

He had cut his hair so that it could be styled for the movie and also to look more professional in a way. He was going to be directed by Stephen Spielberg. He didn't want to look like a total bum. "Charlie, hey kid. You in there?"

Charlie shook his head realizing the assistant was waving in front of his face. "Uh yeah...sorry. Just thinking."

"Well do that later. Your first chemistry reading is coming in. Look alive."

Charlie nodded and put on his best smile. "Right. Thanks. I'm ready."

There was only one more girl left to read with. Charlie worried that the casting directors were going to go for the girl with the light brown hair and green eyes. She was nice and they played off each other well enough but he personally thought a full Latina was a better option than a mixed Latina. But he had no say in the decision. They could easily replace him if he stepped out of line.

Charlie heard the assistant directing someone into the room with him and the casting directors and execs. He had to catch his breath when he saw the girl come into the room. She was WAY different than the other two actresses. Her skin was a brown like a coconut or maybe mocha. And she had big bouncy dark curls. She was also shorter with wide hips, thick thighs and a tiny waist. As she got closer he saw she had a cute round nose, full lips, and the most beautiful brown eyes. He suddenly felt really sweaty.

The girl came up to him and looked at him underneath a row of long lashes. "Hi. My name's Madison."

Madison. It was a beautiful name. "H-hi. Charlie my...I mean I'm Charlie," he stuttered out and held out his hand.

Madison giggled. It was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. "Nice to meet you Charlie. Your hair is supposed to look like a duck tail not a chicken," she said and shook his hand.

Charlie's nerves broke instantly as he cracked a sheepish grin. "I let my roommate take a pair of scissors to my head."

"I can't believe you told them you were going to be 18," Charlie laughed as he and Madison laughed together after their reading. The two had connected immediately and the chemistry reading was a hit. After the casting directors and execs saw them together, they immediately said that Madison had the part.

Madison smirked as she took a sip of her chai. "Well I am....in three years. They should have specified."

Charlie shook his head. "You are really something."

Madison beamed, showing off the gap in between her two top middle teeth. "I try."

Charlie was bummed that Madison was only 14 and so his attraction to her was going nowhere. But it was probably better that way. He was a good guy friend to girls. He was used to being friend zoned. Madison was way out of his league. When she did start dating, she'd have the top picks of anyone she wanted. He would be there in any way she wanted him.

"Hey Charlie, are you listening to me?"

"Hmm," Charlie asked, breaking out of his deep thoughts.

"I asked if you wanted half of this brownie." Charlie smiled. Yeah he was gonna like knowing Madison.

It had been six months since Charlie and Madison had first met and they were getting ready to start filming. Since meeting, the two had kept in touch leading up to the dance rehearsals they had to do. Charlie had moved to New York for filming. This lead to seeing Madison often enough through the end of the winter and spring. Madison had become one of his closest friends along with two other actors who were acting in the movie, Owen Patrick Joyner and Jeremy Shada. They were a tight knit foursome.

Charlie had even gotten invited to Madison's quinceañera. He felt rather honored to be a guest at what was essentially the day she would become a woman in her culture. Getting to dance with the birthday girl in her big red dress and tiara was like a peasant being picked by the princess.

He was currently going to see Madison's father, Ricardo. He wanted to make a few things clear so that the man would not feel as worried about his daughter. He wanted things to be honest and transparent. It was the right thing to do after all.

"Hey, Mr. Reyes I am glad you let me come here. I want you to know that I respect Madison greatly and I have no ill will towards her. I am just playing Tony. That is all. This is all professional. Madison is my friend. There is nothing more to it." He knew that Mr. Reyes was a little at odds with Madison having to stage kiss him and for them to dance together. But it was all for the movie.

Mr. Reyes nodded. "Thank you for coming to tell me that. I thought...it doesn't matter. I am glad that my daughter has such an upstanding costar who is looking out for her."

Charlie smiled at the taller man. "I would never want to make Mads uncomfortable. She deserves only the best. The guy who gets chosen by her will be the luckiest there is."

2020 was supposed to be the start of a new decade. It was the new roaring 20s. Things were supposed to be looking up. Instead a disease had spread the world over and Madison was stuck in her house doing school work and not able to see any of her friends, including Charlie. She had gotten so used to him only being an hour and a half away but now he was back home in Canada. And the borders were closed to Americans. So FaceTime had become their best friend.

"Okay but admit it. Hufflepuffs are the real stars. I mean look at who was in Hufflepuff? Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander, and Professor Sprout."

Madison shook her head, her curls bouncing a little. "No way. You are only saying that because you're a Hufflepuff."

Charlie stretched his arms out wide, unintentionally showing off his muscles "Exactly! And I'm a star." Madison rolled her eyes. The ego of this man child! He was infuriating. Mostly because he was too sweet and cute for his own good. He was practically perfect with his hair having grown out and always a mess, cheeky grins, and confusing but beautiful eyes. He was goofy and always full of energy and willing to listen. Not to mention he was toned as hell! Madison could admit to herself she had a crush but Charlie was such a gentleman. He didn't see her as anything more than a good friend. Even if they sometimes talked late into the night and had fallen asleep on the phone together a time or two. Maybe if they met a couple years down the line, there was a chance of something more.

Madison had to keep from laughing at her delusion. Charlie had so many beautiful female friends around his age and girls definitely looked twice when they saw him. And basically all the girls he was around and had joked about having crushes on were....white. And she wasn't. Charlie always complimented her saying she was beautiful and cute and such but she knew it didn't mean what she wanted it to. Someone like her wasn't even on his radar, she was sure.

"Mads are you there? Can you hear me?" Madison looked up from zoning out to hear Charlie screaming through the phone and his face up to the camera.

Madison snorted in laughter and had to cover her face. "Yes. I'm here. Move back, you neanderthal," she giggled out.

Charlie moved back and she could see the swirling colors of this orangey green in the center and a sort of blue as it spread from his pupil. He had a big smile on his face, showing off his straight pearly white teeth. "Thank god. I thought I lost you for a second."

There was no ounce of chill or nonchalance for Madison. She was about to see Charlie after MONTHS of separation. She missed her other costars from filming but he was her favorite and everyone knew it. So it was taking everything in her not to simply run to get to him and jump into his arms. But she had to deal with stupid New York sidewalk traffic. She was tempted to let out all the rage in her petite body to get them to get out of her way. She had a cute Canadian guy to see!

To help her get to their designated meeting spot faster, Madison used her father and cousin to get through the crowds of people. "You know if I didn't love you, I'd just let you suffer through this alone," her father grumbled.

"Love you, too Dad. Now move! We are almost there!"

Ricardo rolled his eyes. "So I am just your bodyguard and servant?"

"Yup," Madison replied without missing a beat. Some of the people in front of them moved allowing Madison to see a head of long wavy brown hair and bulging arm muscles. "There he is! Get out of my way," she shouted and shoved past her father and cousin Travis. She disregarded her cousin complaining as she raced to get to Charlie. "CHARLIE," she shouted excitedly.

When Charlie spotted her his face split with a wide grin and his eyes sparkled at the sight of her. "MADS," he exclaimed and scooped her up in his arms in tight hug and kissed the top of her head. "I've missed you so much," he whispered into her ear. Madison practically melted and hugged him tighter.

"I missed you, too."

It had been a whirlwind the past few weeks. Charlie and Madison had been promoting the movie as it was coming out in December. They were currently attending the American Music Awards to get eyes on them for the premiere. Charlie stood to the side as Madison was fawned over by photographers on the carpet. She had worked with the movie's costume designer, Paul Tazewell, to pay homage to their costar, Rita Moreno, in her outfit for the night. She was wearing a purple cocktail dress with a modern twist inspired by Anita's dress in the "America" scene. Her hair was given a 50s design with classic makeup. It was Madison's way to respect Rita for showcasing Puerto Ricans in Hollywood.

To complement Madison's vintage look, he had channeled a young Alain Delon. His freshly cut hair was slightly unkempt so a lock fell onto his forehead and he wore a classic black suit with wing tip shoes. He had really learned how to act like a stud from back in the day and gave a cold stare with his hands tucked in the pockets of his dress pants. If the constant screams for more was any indication he was doing a pretty good job of it.

After their solo shots on the carpet, they were at each other's side with his hand secure on her hip. The two of them had seemed to be getting even closer recently and Charlie had even taken her for a nice dinner when they had a reprieve from the onslaught of promotion. They didn't have any kind of chaperones or friends so it was their first real time alone together. It felt promising. Madison leaned more into him and looked up at him, her lashes impossibly long and the look in her eyes... He felt the pull as he gazed at her deep brown eyes.

"Charlie! Madison! Over here," a photographer shouted.