Gemma

As I stared down at my phone, the notification that popped up was hard to believe. Rachel and I were sitting across from each other at hair and makeup. It was our last day in New York before we headed back to Berlin to finish the movie. I was doing some promo photos, while Tom finished the rest of his interviews. I looked at Rachel and she looked back at me. "He tagged you...you think this is the post?" She asked.

"If it is, do I really sign on another season?" I asked her. "I want your honest opinion. We go back to Berlin tomorrow. We'll spend another three months there and then I'm back to Charleston if I choose to go back to the show. I just don't know if i want to spend that much time away from Tom. Also this is a show revolving around a romance between me and my ex." I said back to her.

"Look Gem, Tom isn't like Chase. He's not going to be an asshole about you going back to a hit tv show that kick started your career. If you want to keep being the kook princess, you have every right to sign back on. But that being said, are you uncomfortable working that closely with Chase? Will that bring feelings back? You know how much Tom adores you, that will hurt him if you're not honest from the jump." Rachel said making a fair point. I nodded in total agreement.

"To be 100% honest with you, I can't think about anything else but Tom and I being together. For what I really hope is forever. I have never felt like this before about any of my past relationships. I just love him. And I am terrified to do anything that would give him the wrong impression. I know he agreed I should go back to the show before even I really did. But he's just such a cinnamon roll I was worried he did that so I didn't think he was jealous." I sighed.

Rachel gave me a smile and shook her head. "He loves you Gem, he really loves you. Whatever you want he'll do within reason." She laughed. "I'm so happy we talked about this because now I know you going back to the show is the right choice. I mean you better sign back on before someone else gets you for a different project." Rachel winked pointing down at my phone which was ringing. The contact name popped up as "Suzanne Collins". The author of the Hunger Games series. She and I had briefly exchanged texts and one phone call to discuss my character and for me to thank her one million times for letting me play Livia.

"Hello Suzanne!" I said nearly flinging my phone across the room in the process.

"Gemma! I've seen some footage of you and Tom and I can't tell you how impressed I am with both of you. Your chemistry is electric. But I'm sure you both knew that. What I'm calling to ask you...where will you be at the end of February?" She said. I didn't want to tell her I was considering resigning with OBX. So I left it open.

"I'm not sure yet! I have to get an updated schedule from my manager. But please tell me if you need me! I'm there." I said making her laugh.

"Actually I have a very big ask." Suzanne said, forcing me to hold my breath. "I have two more books coming out. One that will surprise drop next month sometime And one that will be out this Summer. "The first...titled Hunger Games: Queen of Disaster (Livia Cardew's Rise to Power) and the second Hunger Games: Price of Power. This last book will lead into the Hunger Games with Katniss." Suzanne said. I felt like I might pass out.

"Wait...are you saying..." She stopped me.

"You get your own book and movie. In fact I wrote it picturing you as her. You just embody Livia and what a badass bitch she truly is, in a lot of ways the ultimate antihero" Suzanne said. "I know there have been rumblings you may return to Outerbanks. My only concern is you over booking yourself. This movie will be shot in London. We're looking at a six month shoot, three month break and then you back in Berlin for Price of Power." She said back to me.

"I am speechless." I said as Rachel sat next to me with her jaw on the ground.

"You don't have to say yes this exact second. But I will need you signed on by Friday when the book releases." Suzanne said.

"Can I give you my answer now because I am honored and yes sign me up. I am so honored I can't even begin to tell you." I said back to her.

"I'm so happy, and you'll be excited to know Tom will be apart of the next movie as well. When you read the book you can thank me later. Also! I have an idea for the cover, are you available to shoot it before you head back to Berlin? I need to send to publishing asap. It's kind of a very last minute drop." Suzanne laughed.

" I can do you one better, send me the mood board and I'll get it done today. I can't wait!" I said thanking her for the 100th time before I hung up. The second I was off the phone Tom facetimed me.

"Baby!" He said as I answered.

"Tom I'm trying not to cry. Suzanne just called me. We just got two more books and movies and this one is about Livia. I'm crying." I said as Tom cheered for me through the phone.

"I just spoke to her, you have to understand Gemma...this is all because of you. Royal Bloodline isn't even out yet and the anticipation is so crazy, Suzanne wrote a book just for you. I told you you're a star beautiful girl. I hope now you believe me." He said as I stared at my phone wishing he was in front of me.

"I can't tell you in words how much you mean to me Tom. Thank you I am speechless. And I guess now the decision is made I can't go back to OBX, well not full time at least." I said back to him.

"Gemma they want you bad enough to let you film all your episodes in one day if they have to." Tom said making me laugh.

"Are you done with your interviews? Rachel and I are wrapping up here. And I really want to jump you." I said making him blush.

"YES I'm running out of this interview as we speak. See you in 5." He said making me laugh as I blew him a kiss. Rachel hugged me for 10 minutes straight and I decided now was as good a time as any to look at Chase's post.

INSTAGRAM

chasestokes posted 1 hour ago

I was sad, I was angry...I was hurt all over again. It wasn't the text...it was the photo. It was one of the first photos Chase and I took together right after got the parts. Before I even dyed my hair blonde. It was before everything put us at the top to drag us back down to the bottom. It made me wonder if even limiting my appearance on OBX would be enough to stop all that pain in my heart. Rachel patted my shoulder because she knew what this reaction meant.

"What if you ask for limited episodes?" She asked me.

"I think that would be what I would do. After everything Suzanne, Francis, Tom and you have given me...I am not walking out on the Hunger Games. That has to be my first priority. Livia has to come before Sarah." I said as Tom walked into the photography studio.

"Where is my little movie star!" He cheered as he wrapped his arms around me. "This is your movie Gemma. I can't wait to see you shine. And I also can't wait to finish filming ours." He said as i kissed him.

"Me too Tom! This weekend has been a whirlwind. Suzanne just sent me book cover inspo, she asked if I could shoot it this week. And I told her I would literally do it today. I am over the moon." I said back. He and I spent another hour playing dress up because I needed him in a few shots for some of the imagery Suzanne and I shared. There was one with a snake wrapped around my arm and Tom's arms around my waist. That was what we landed on for the back cover and the front Suzanne told me would be a surprise. 

Following that we got dressed for our last day of press before it was back to Berlin. "Lunch?" Tom asked as we got int he car.

"I probably should eat." I said as he patted my leg. 

"Yes you should." He shook his head disapprovingly. 

"What?" I asked as he pulled his phone out.

"You're just so beautiful...just being you. I sometimes can't believe you're mine." He said as he snapped a picture of me on his phone and sent it to me. Totally unedited, no fitler...just scrolling through my phone. And I decided that would be the photo I posted to acknowledge I saw Chase's apology. And well it was a nice gesture, people already thought what they wanted about me and the apology wasn't going to change it.

"I love it Tom. Thank you for reminding me you like me for me. That I'm good enough. No one has made feel like that." I said. "I'm sure you saw Chase's apology." I continued. He nodded solemnly waiting for me to continue my thought. 

"I did." He said. "I even saw his nice shout out to me at the end." Tom laughed.

"Yeah it was cringe...he's not great with words. Clearly....but I wanted to respond to it. I think I'm going to post this photo you took with the caption "There will be no further explanation, there will just be reputation." you know from Taylor Swift's reputation phase. I think that's the era I'm in right now." I said back to him. Tom loved the idea.

"I think I'm most honored because that's you in your most raw. And nothing is more beautiful than that to me." He said as I posted it. Within seconds the post had blown up. It was my most liked in ages. "Oh my god." Tom said as he pointed to one of the comments. "You're going to black out." He laughed as I looked where he was pointing. 

"TAYLOR SWIFT liked and commented on my photo. Oh my god. Tom I'm going to throw up." I said as I jumped on his lap in the car. Before I could concentrate on any of the other comments I looked at the DM.

from Taylor Swift

Gemma, 

I've been watching you this past year. I know what it's like to go through the ringer in the press for dating the wrong guy. I know what it's like to be made the villain in everyone's story. And i know what it's like to have to keep my mouth shut so life didn't get even worse for me. I've watched you walk through fire with the grace and elegance of a queen. When I heard you got the lead in the hunger games prequel series I couldn't help it. I wrote you a song. Suzanne and I have been in contact and it will debut in your movie in 2025! I'll have a snippet ready for you next week! I'd love to meet up when you're in London in a few months. Till then sweet girl, stay on top of the world. You got this and remember you have me in your corner forever. 

Love, Taylor 👑🖤🐍

"TOM" I screamed as I tossed him my phone.

"OH MY GOD!" He was even left speechless. "Gemma you are on top of the world. You so fucking deserve it too!" Tom said as he kissed me. I had never experienced a feeling like this, it was surreal. As we pulled up to the cafe, Tom helped me out and I found us a table. He ordered at the counter and I just sat there in the complete world wind my life had become in the last year.