[Complicated] Hunger Games Premiere

[Ethan John Fox]

Ethan lowered the cigarette from his lips, letting out a slight groan as the limo pulled up to the theater. Was all of this really necessary? He looked over at Claire who was still obsessing over whether or not Natalia was mad at her for chopping her hair off, and whether or not Brayden was going to be okay without her and Shane for a few hours. He cleared his throat, looking out the tinted windows as he felt his phone vibrate. When he pulled it out he saw that he had a text message from Leven, still mad at him no doubt. He had never been accused of cheating before and considering he was innocent, he wasn’t too pleased about it. But that’s what his life had been lately. Arguments. Fighting with Leven, fighting with Rosie. Natalia hadn’t fought with him. That was sort of a nice change of pace. “ I got it I got it,” Ethan said as he stood up out of the car and made a slight face of annoyance of the person trying to open his car door for him. Ethan lifted his hand up, trying to wave politely to the paparazzi that was lined up behind the ropes adjacent to where all of the fans were. He did his best to avoid the shooting of the cameras and made his way over to where the fans were, smiling instantly as he reached up and started to sign whatever pieces of paper were being placed in front of him. “ Thank you so much,” he said quietly as a couple different girls shouted at him that they loved him. He took in a deep breath and sighed, feeling the uncomfortable queasiness start to settle over him. He looked over his shoulder trying to spot Dalton before he was being ushered over to a few different reporters who were standing with their microphones ready.

‘ How excited are you to be here tonight?’ one of them asked before thrusting the microphone in his face. Ethan took a slight step back, disarmed by how invasive they were into his personal space before he put his hands together and looked around, shaking his head at the madness. “ It’s… crazy,” he said, giving a small laugh. ‘ Your last movie The Last Song was so successful and now you’ve branched out to try and do different types of roles… is there any that you’ve find you like more than the other?”. Ethan licked his lips before he shook his head, ” No um.. playing Will was a really great experience for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off my career, mainly because of who I was able to do it with. Natalia Richmond is a phenomenal actress. She really made my job easy. They could have put a trained monkey next to her and she would’ve made them shine.” he said, looking over the heads of the reporters before he offered another small wave to people that were screaming at him. ‘ Speaking of Natalia Richmond, have you been able to keep track of her music career, have you two kept touch?” the reporter asked and Ethan gave a broad laugh, “ Yeah she’s one of my best mates, we definitely keep in touch. She’s not really someone I could lose touch with if I wanted to. She uh.. she’s like a figurehead in our family .” he said, bringing his hand up to scratch the side of his jaw, “ Plus I’ve heard she can’t be tamed you know,” he said before smirking, “She’ll be running a muck for years to come,” he said before he turned his ear to try and get a better listen to the reporter. ‘ So you are exes who have remained friends, is it awkward knowing that she is coming tonight with a date when your current girlfriend isn’t joining you on the red carpet tonight?”. This was why Ethan hated reporters. “ Obviously Natalia is someone I care about a lot, and anything that brings her happiness is going to be something that I wish for her. As far as Leven goes um.. she had prior commitments and she’s honoring them, there’s really not much more to it than that nor would I go into detail if there were,” he said. ‘ How has your life changed from your first movie to where you are currently in your life?” she asked, holding the microphone back up to him.

“ I have a new roommate.” he said dryly, trying to think of how it had changed. “ I’m really not someone who has changed much because of it. I took vacations with my friends before, we’re planning one now. Um.. Yeah I’ve got a roommate.,” he said, nodding slightly. ‘ Your co-star Daniel Hudson’. Ethan nodded as he confirmed that to be true, “ Yeah, it’s official. He loves me,” he said. ‘ And he is here tonight with your co-star Meredith Jergens,’ she said, trying to dig for a bit of information. “ Yeah well Meredith is really unfortunate looking,” he teased before he scratched his thumb over his eyebrow, “ We sort of fought over who would be forced to take her, and since I’m stronger than him I won.. and didn’t have to,” he said before he laughed slightly and shook his head. “ Come on don’t ask me about that, I have no idea what they are telling people,” he said, taking in a deep breath and sighed. ‘ For someone who shies away from the public eye you have so many friendships that are geared towards the spotlight. Has your friendship with Rosie Madison fizzled out?” Ethan licked his lips and looked over his shoulder to try and spot Dalton again before he looked back at the reporter. “ Nothing about Rosie Madison fizzles out,” he said with a slight laugh, trying to get them off of his personal life. ‘ It sounds like for such a close knit family you all are dating someone so different from the industry. You’re involved with your co-star from the Hunger Games, your sexy brother has been photographed with up and coming country artist Anabelle Hart, your younger sister Claire has a son with Shane Madden.. how do you all keep yourselves grounded and is it difficult to get back to the normal?” she asked. Ethan made a disgusted face as she called Dalton sexy and then cleared his throat, “ No I think uh.. we all sort of just happened to step into these .. arrangements. When Dalton met Anabelle she was a waitress and I was actually trying to have a go at it, and uh.. clearly she fell for the older Fox. I just met Leven on set and uh.. Claire met Shane because he and I had been friends for a few years now. I guess.. I mean none of us really look at our significant others as ‘celebrities’. You don’t want to look at someone and have that be the first thing you see. I look at Shane and I see a mate who happens to play guitar. Anabelle is probably the sweetest girl I’ve ever met in my entire life. Um.. then there’s people like Natalia. For so long she was my little sisters annoying friend, and I mean.. I never really looked at her as Hannah Montana, or this really great actress that she has turned out to be. I just sort of look at her and right away I think of the vacations and the holidays, and then it’s like… oh right, she’s a phenomenal actress. And uh.. for instance, Rosie. I’ve gotten into quite a few bar fights over the comments people make over her. I think that applies to everyone though. No one wants surface relationships, those are purely fake. I’m fortunate. I’m surrounded by people who have passions, and not only that but they’re all really amazing at the things they are passionate about.” he said as he licked his lips.

‘ Was there anything in your life that prepared you for your role in the Hunger Games?” she asked and Ethan took in another deep breath. “ Growing up in Australia.. my brother and I fought constantly. He would say he could win now, but that’s a pile of shit. He’d get distracted by his southern belle and I’d be able to kick his ass,” he said, smiling over his shoulder as Dalton happened to walk by them. He noticed as his publicist was gesturing to wrap it up and gave a small nod. “ I think I’m being ushered away,” he said, leaning down to give her a quick hug before he made his way over to where Dalton was standing so he could take a few pictures with him. He thought he had seen Natalia around here somewhere, surely she would stop by for a few pictures. Not to mention Meredith and Dan. Wasn’t it required that he get a picture with them or something? He gave a small head nod to Natalia as he saw her answering a few questions and then turned back to face the cameras to take a few pictures with Dalton. Natalia would probably catch up to him inevitably. Ethan made his way past Dan’s interview, standing inbetween him and the reporter, with his back t othe camera so that he was blocking the view it had of Dan.

[Meredith Renee Jergens]

‘ We are standing here with the lead actress for Hunger Games, Meredith Jergens.. Meredith, you look absolutely stunning tonight,” the reporter said and Meredith instantly made a look of repulsion. “ Oh my gosh,” she said before she laughed and looked down at her dress. “ I was super upset that Lenny Kravitz wasn’t actually my clothing stylist. I mean who better, right?” she asked as she held the microphone in her hands. ‘ How does it feel to be here tonight, can you feel the excitement?” the reporter asked and Meredith looked back over at the fans before she faced the camera again. “ It’s more like an impending doom. They haven’t seen the movie yet, and I’m just terrified they won’t like it because there’s so many of them. The angry mob mentality to just take me down could take them over any second. I don’t look like Ethan or Dan, none of these girls could care less about me” she said with a laugh before she instinctively looked around to try and spot either of her co-stars. ‘Talking about your co-stars you’ve said in interviews before that you feel like this movie is going to put a target on your back to become the most hated girl in Hollywood,” the reporter noted and Meredith gave a quick nod, “ Yeah.. I’m THAT girl that has to talk about working with two of the hottest guys on the planet and I’m supposed to complain about it, right? It’s sooo hard having to kiss each of them and make it seem like it’s believable. They are both so ugly. Honestly I deserve some type of award for making my performance realistic enough to make you believe I would be interested in either of them,” she said before she rolled her eyes playfully and laughed. ‘ Is there lip lock action between Katniss and Gale in the first movie?” she asked and Meredith shook her head, “ It’s the build up.. the expected triangle. But Ethan and I practice. All the time. I open my door and hes like hey let me stick my tongue down your throat. It’s like the Australian invasion,” she said jokingly. ' How about the kissing scenes with Peeta was there a lot of rehearsal for that?", Meredith narrowed her eyebrows, " Not so much .. rehearsal. More like.. I would mess up a take. Repeatedly. Or apparently they would be yelling cut and I just felt like my entire face was stuck to his and I had no intention of moving," she responded. ‘ So are you team Peeta or team Gale?” she asked causing Meredith to make a slightly confused expression. “ Me or my character?” she asked before the reporter explained further, ‘ You personally’

“ That is such a loaded question,” she asked as she placed her hands on her hips. “ Ugh team.. Peeta. Team Peeta. Right? I’m going to go with Team Peeta,” she said, giving a distinct nod. “ I mean I think Katniss should end up with Gale, they protect each other, that means something. He was willing to protect her family. But me personally, you throw em both in front of me, I’m picking team Peeta” she said as she watched the reporter. ‘ You pick Peeta or you pick Dan? Ethan was talking to us earlier and explained how you and Dan came here as an item.” she said causing Meredith to laugh. “ Ethan would never confirm or deny that,” she said, knowing Ethan better than this reporter did clearly. “ He is like.. the worst date ever,” she said with a serious expression on her face. “ He’s so much more famous than Ethan and I.. so he’s got all these reporters who he knows because of the other premieres he has done. So he’s like, ‘ excuse me I have to go circulate’” she said, making a ‘wtf’ face. ‘ So are you two dating?” she asked and Meredith gave a short laugh, “ We aren’t not dating. Ask him. If anything I feel like I’m a beard for the Ethan Dan true relationship. I’ve read the Gale Peeta fanfiction out there. It’s alive and thriving, they love to cuddle. she said, trying to talk directly into the microphone so people could hear her over the screaming. ‘ Have you gotten a chance to meet any of your co-stars families?” she asked and Meredith gave another nod.

“ Dan has like.. the greatest family ever. And then there are the Foxes. They hit like.. the genetic jackpot on that family. I mean it should be illegal how attractive they all are. Have you seen Ethan’s brother? He’s brooding around here somewhere I’m sure. And the little girl one.. she stands in these things that like.. her legs are just not.. human. I think the Foxes might not be humans. I think they’re Gods. Which is why we would all be screwed in the Hunger Games. “ she said as she tried to catch the eye of part of her management team. It looked like they were trying to group up her, Ethan and Dan to take a few pictures together. She’d heard Natalia Richmond was close near them and with her and Ethans’ past they would probably be taking pictures together too, leaving her to probably take some with Dan. ' What was the most exciting part of filming for you?" she asked and Meredith puffed out her cheeks before answering excitedly. " Meeting Stanley Tucci. I'm not kidding. He came on set and I was like..overcome with excitement. And Dan is like okay Meredith, play it cool. Don't make a fool of yourself. I walk up to this man and literally all I could say to him was 'get me ajuicebox biatch'.. which is one of the greatest lines Dan has delivered in his entire life from Zathura. I'm sure you know it," she said , waving it off sarcastically. ‘ Well we wish you the best of luck, and we can’t wait to see the movie’ the reporter said and Meredith broke into an instant smile, “ Thank you so much,” she said before she made her way over towards Ethan and Dan since Ethan was standing in front of Dan during his interview. “Is your rash doing okay?” she asked Dan loud enough so that the interviewer could hear her before she took a few steps away to drag Ethan with her to take a few pictures.

thirty seconds, watch it.
Also watch this one, 35 seconds. check yes or no, classic. works every time.

[Natalia Anne Richmond]

Natalia stared at herself in the mirror in the Escalade, pulling at the ends of her newly cut hair. It was so weird having short hair. Natalia was use to her long locks just hanging over her shoulders. Now her hair barely touched her shoulders. Natalia sighed as she took one last look in the mirror and then closed it up against the roof of the car. Claire had convinced her to let her chop it all off. It had taken about an hour of convincing, but eventually Claire had won and now here was Natalia with the new cut. She actually really loved it, it would just take awhile to get use to. She had it in loose curls for tonight and it looked really good on her. She turned to look back at her mom in the back seat, ”Thanks for coming out for this.” Her mom smiled, ”No problem sweetie. I know how big this is for Ethan and no one likes to walk the red carpet alone.” her mom smirked and Natalia rolled her eyes and sighed. If Collin was coming, he wasn’t arriving with her. She knew how busy he was and she understood that his work was important for him, but she really wanted him to be here with her .They hadn’t really been a ‘public’ couple. Many people still didn’t know about them. There were rumors in the tabloids about Ethan and Natalia getting back together. Where did all that come from? She was perfectly happy with Collin and she wanted everyone to see it. Natalia continued to play with her hair and then stopped when her mom tapped her hand lightly, ’Stop, you’ll mess it up.” Natalia sighed as the car pulled up to the curb and she waited for the door to open. Natalia handed her shawl to her mom and smiled and waved to the fans. Natalia smiled for a few pictures for the paparazzi that were right there and then began down the carpet.

Natalia signed a few posters and pictures that were being held out in front of her and smiled for a few pictures with the fans as she waited to make her way down the line of microphones. ”Aw, I love you too.” she said as someone yelled out they loved her, ”I don’t know who yelled that, but I love you too.” she said one more time as another ”I love you was yelled out.”. Natalia signed one last picture before she was being pulled away for her first interview. “Natalia Richmond, welcome,” Natalia smiled and rubbed her arms to get warm, ”Thank you, thank you.” she said as she took the microphone that was being handed to her. “The Hunger Games premiere, how’s it feel to be here?” ”It feels great, there are so many cool people walking past me, I just want to stop them all and tell them how amazing they really are, so I can’t wait to get inside to mob and take pictures.” Natalia laughed a little, “Are you going to be a crazy fan?” “Maybe a little bit, but I can’t get too crazy. I don’t want to get kicked out before I get to see the movie.” she laughed once more. “Who’s your date tonight, where’s your handsome bf?” Natalia looked back at her mom and then back to the reporter, “He’s not here tonight. My mom is though and so is my glam squad. There is only so much room in the Escalade and he didn’t make the cut,” Natalia smiled, “My mom, hair and make up are a must. And my publicist just has to be here, so not enough room.” The reporter laughed, “He didn’t make the cut?” “He can’t do hair and he can’t do make up, so nope.” “How is that relationship going,? You seem very happy.” “Great. I am happy. He definitely knows how to make a girl happy.” Natalia spotted Ethan up a little ways behind the reporter and smiled as she finished off the sentence. “I can tell. Look how smiley you are when you talk about him.” Natalia smiled again as she brought full focus back to the reporter, “Yeah. No complaints here from me.”

“You look absolutely gorgeous tonight, who are you wearing.” Natalia looked down at her dress, “Pucci. I love it. This was the only dress I tried on, I knew this had to be the one.” “You look amazing, don’t want to upstage Ethan.” Natalia smirked, “Have you seen him? I mean come on, he looks so much better than I do. No way I could upstage him.” “You do look great though. I love this little cut here.” “Thank you. I was good all day. Had a small breakfast and a salad. My mom though,” she said as she turned back to look at her mom, “She ordered so much food from McDonald’s earlier and of course I ate like all of her fries. She looks great though.” Natalia hugged her mom and then held onto the microphone with two hands, she shivered a little. “Cold?” “Yeah, my mom has my shawl, but it covers the dress and I want people to see it,” she said with a smile. “So, where’s dad?” Natalia smirked, “Daddy is home. I never invite him to these things anymore because he is always stepping on my dress. I’ll have like weird cowboy boot marks on the back of my dress because of him.” she laughed. “Guys just don’t get trains.” “No they don’t. One last question. I can see you’re about to be called away." Natalia looked to her publicist and smiled, and then back to the reporter. “Since you’re so close with Ethan, what do you think the hardest part was for him while he was away filming?” Natalia thought about it for a moment, “I think it was definitely being away from everyone. Ethan is a big family guy and just being away from his brother and sister can bother him. He loves everything about New York and his friends and family, being away from them can be tough.” “Thank you. Enjoy the movie.”

Natalia handed the microphone back to the woman and made her way over to Ethan, Meredith and Dan. “You guys look amazing.” she said to them. Natalia gave Ethan a hug “Hey handsome. Congrats.” she said as she let go of him. “Natalia, Ethan. This way please.” “Look here!” Pictures. Natalia looked up at him, “Shall we?”

[Daniel Joshua Hudson]

Dan stopped, grinning at the reporter who had gained his attention, shaking his hand like old friends, "Hey, how are you?" "I'm great, how 'bout yourself?" Dan laughed, gesturing about, "Hey man, I gotta say, I'm liking the excitement." "Dan tell me, you and I have had quite a few conversations, how is The Hunger Games different or similar from your past films?" Dan looked up as if the answer was above him somewhere, thinking, "You know, I think I have a theme going on here. i either like to do action related films where I can be my own stuntman, although they hate when I do that, they think I'm just going to hurt myself. Which is usually what happens, but I'm happy they let me try. Or, you know, I like to dabble in comedies, or you know maybe a little more serious." "So basically everything," "Yeah," he laughed, "I mean it has the action, like I enjoyed in doing films like Zathura and Journey 2... but it has its serious side, like Bridge to Teribithia. That whole death concept. I don't know I guess its similar to my other films, but it's like, a more mature version of them, so to speak. I'd love to just be a goof off forever, but you gotta grow up sometime," he joked, shrugging. "Okay, so we know what drew you to the film, but what is it that made you fight for the part of Peeta? A lot of great actors were up for it." Dan thought, shaking his head, "Uhh, you know, I just liked it. I mean sometimes you pick a part you really want, sometimes the part just picks you. I could feel it," he joked, holding his hands out, "You could just feel it?" "Yeah, I had a feeling. Plus I heard Meredith was going to be Katniss, she's awesome. I'd read the script and I've seen her other films, you know and I was like, 'if she's Katniss I gotta be Peeta.' I just had this good feeling about it." "So you knew Meredith before you were both cast, is that why?" "Well, i knew of her. Actually, Meredith and I met at a party for Vanity Fair, and I had no idea who she was, but we were both dancing and introduced ourselves. I had no idea who she was," he laughed, "I was like, Who are you? But I went home and watched some of her indie films, and uh, obviously when I heard she got the role of Katniss, i at least had some knowledge of her previous work." "You did your homework!" "Ha, yeah, I did! But you have to right?" "Of course. "

"So from what you've told me so far, it seems you're pretty tight with your costar. Is it always like that on set, is everyone basically friends?" "Oh god. They're not my friends." Dan joked, "Don't you know we plan public outings for publicity?" The interviewer chuckled, "Seriously though, we're all really great friends. Ethan Fox, have you met him? Make sure you interview him, don't ask him any personal questions because you'll be wasting your time, but really, just talk to him. He comes off so like, manly and serious and then he opens his mouth." Dan laughed, "What's your first memory meeting Ethan?" "Oh, well we never read together, Peeta and Gale really don't interact in this first film, so I met him on set. No joke, first thing I ever heard him say was 'shrimp on the barbie'" The interviewer laughed, "Nah, just kidding, it was 'Pants off dance off.'" The interviewer smiled, "What about Meredith?" "Well, she beats me." "Does she?" "Oh absolutely," he joked, "Actually, she literally knocked me off my feet once, gave me a concussion. I think she still feels bad about it," he added, chuckling and looked around, "I just, I mean, look at me, I'm not a big guy. She was doing like this... roundhouse kick, " he made a face, "I kid you not, I went down so fast. I can't even be embarrassed to admit it because her kick was so awe inspiring. Chuck Norris would have been so proud." "So does that mean you're friends?" "Oh absolutely. Life with Meredith is one big joke, I mean that in the best most adoring way possible," he laughed freely, "Everything is fun when we're all together." "Well it's been said that the three of you actually hang out a lot, a lot." "Well, yeah, Ethan's like my best friend, we just hit it off from the get go. We're actually roommates." "Oh, no kidding?" "Yeah, i moved out to New York, I was tired of the LA scene and Ethan was like, bro, we can just be roommates, it's gonna be awesome, pants off dance off..." "You guys sound like the group of you have a fun time together. I hear Rosie Madison hangs with you guys too, like a group of the four of you?" "Ha. Hahaha. Yes. For a second I thought you were going to use the term foursome. Sorry for the awkward laughing. Umm.. yeah, we all hang out. That Madison girl... she's a spit fire." "What do you guys do when you hang out?" "Uh, we go out, to bars or clubs, or we just hang out. Actually, okay quick story. We sat down one day and watched Zathura, I mean. I had already seen it, clearly, and of course you know, they all just mocked me through the entire thing. it's hilarious, Meredith kept hitting me across the couch, because I was being so mean to my onscreen brother. I was such a little asshole in that film." "Ha," the interviewer agreed, "I remember." "Oh, sorry, can I say that?" he laughed. "Hey it's your premiere," "Oh I can say whatever I like."

Just then Meredith walked past, asking about his rash, that he didn't have. "You have a rash?" "Yes, I do." Before he could go into an explanation, Ethan walked past, blocking him from the camera and being a pain in the ass, also commenting on his rash. Dan yelled after him, "hey, man, pants of dance off later," "So, apparently, they know something the viewers don't?" "Yeah, i apparently have a rash!" Dan laughed and then cleared his throat, clearing his thoughts to continue the interview and just burst out laughing again. "Sorry." he added, putting on his serious face, "I'd rather not talk about the rash." "Alright, how about the fact that you and Meredith showed up here together? Rumor has it you two are dating? Are you a real couple?" Dan put on a face of shock, looking around, "What?! Why does no one tell me anything!" he shook his head, placing one hand on his hip and on on his forehead, shielding his eyes and took a dramatic breath, "They're supposed to tell me who I'm supposed to tell the media that I'm dating. My publicist should have prepared me better for this." Dan shook his head and looked up and smiled, all joking aside, "She's a beautiful girl." "So... is that a yes?" "Was it a no?" The interviewer laughed, "People want to know Dan, are Katniss and Peeta dating in real life?" "Well, I'm not entirely sure, I'm going to have to get back to you on that one," he laughed, rubbing a hand over his hair. "Alright Dan, I can see you're wanted for pictures, one last question. If you could take any line from one of your previous films and put it into The Hunger Games, what would it be?" Dan thought for a moment and than grinned broadly, "Oh okay, I know. In The Hunger Games during the reaping when Effie pulls out the names, I would yell from Zathura, exactly how we said it in Zathura, 'THE CARD!!!' And then I would probably tell Effie to get me a juicebox. Biatch." The interviewer gave a hearty laugh and shook Dan's hand, "Alright Dan, thanks for the talk, take care." Dan gave a wave, "Thanks, man," and then headed over to where Meredith and Ethan were taking pictures.

[Ethan John Fox]

Ethan looked over his shoulder, watching as Dan was finishing up his interview. He really was like a real life Peeta. He licked his lips before he turned back towards the fans, placing his lower hand on the small of Meredith’s back as people yelled out at them. It didn’t take much longer for Dan to join them, and the hysteria from Dan just being there seemed to make the noise quadruple. Lot of sex appeal in that small body he had. Ethan shook his head in slight disbelief. If only these girls could see Dan after he ate too much Mexican food. Ethan looked down as Natalia approached them and moved his hand away from Meredith’s back and took a slight step away. “ You did make it,” he said, looking up for Dalton again once more. Ethan turned his head towards the paparazzi, hearing them yell out for pictures of him and Natalia now. He narrowed his eyebrows as he hesitated, debating whether or not ‘they shall’ after she had indicated the photographs. He really did hate attention. “ Sure.” he said, deciding on the fact that if he didn’t pose for pictures that would cause people to ask more questions than if he didn’t. Ethan took his hand out of his front pocket and wrapped his arm loosely around Natalia’s waist as he posed with her for the pictures. After he figured that they had gotten enough pictures of the two of them, Ethan removed his arm from around Natalia’s waist and went over to her mother before giving her a hug, “ Thank you for coming,” he said with a big grin across his features before he brought her over to Dan and Meredith, introducing her. Natalia already knew them. Once they had gotten down the line of microphones and interviews he finally stepped inside the theater where the different team of manager and publicists were pooling him with Dan and Meredith. He looked over at Natalia, giving her an apologetic look before he sighed tiredly, placing his hands in his front pockets. ‘ Okay so we got the shots of the three of you together, and guys..kudos. There’s already talk about a romance between Dan and Meredith, and you two posing together.. perfect. And Ethan.. you and Natalia.. posing so pretty when you’re dating Leven and she is with Collin Reynolds. It’s reall-“ she was saying before Ethan cut her off, bringing his watch up to his eye level, “ Ten seconds,” he said, growing old of whatever the hell it was she was trying to get across. Screwing with peoples lives was not something he was interested in, and that included Natalia and Leven. ‘ Right okay’ she said, regrouping. ‘ You three sit together during the showing and then gear up for your radio interviews afterwards later tonight, okay?” she asked, giving them a reassuring look.

Ethan stepped away from the team before the others did and made his way over to Natalia and Dalton. “ Bloody fucking circus,” he said uncomfortably before he started to take his jacket off so that he could roll his sleeves up to his elbows. ‘ Ethan! Come here!’ Meredith called out and Ethan looked back at Dalton and Natalia. “ Save me a seat, yeah?” he asked before he walked over to Meredith. “ What’s up mate?” he asked before he noticed the phone in Meredith’s hand. ‘Cheerio from England’ she said, doing her best british accent. Ethan smirked as he looked down at the phone. “ Hey Rosie,” he said, offering her a wave, “ They asked questions about you on the carpet,” he said before he stood there quietly, letting Meredith talk to Rosie. Girls and their clothes. He placed his hands in his front pocket, looking at Dan as he let the girls talk, “ Do you think we’ll be more prepared for this the second time around?” he asked, giving a quick flicker of a smile before he looked down at the phone. “ Rosie we have to head in to the viewing, we’ll skype you later tonight when we get home yeah? “ he said, waving in the camera so he could say goodbye to her before he made his way towards the seat, taking one beside Natalia and leaving the other free so that either Meredith or Dan could sit by him to appease their publicists.

[Meredith Renee Jergens]

Meredith couldn’t help but smile as she looked at Dan, who was looking out at the fans. Did he not realize how amazing he was? And people just yelled at them, which in all honesty sort of made her want to pee herself. She lowered her hand, moving her arm away from him when Natalia approached them. “ Oh hey,” she said as she offered a smile and reached over to hug her. She was friends with Ethan after all. “ I really hope you like it… Ethan cried almost every night for like three months trying to perfect this role,” she said before she lifted her hands up to the side and crossed her fingers. “Oh,” she said as one of the women with a headset came over and started to direct her into the building. Like sheep. That’s sort of what they were, right? Meredith took in a deep breath and sighed, pushing her hair from her face. “ I just want a big mac,” she said, holding her hand against her stomach as so many people moved around them, going to take their seats. Seriously how many people knew Dan? Because it seemed like everyone was eager to line up and kiss his ass. “ Oh!” she said excitedly, reaching her hand inside Dan’s jacket and taking out his iphone. Meredith pursed her lips as she looked through it, finally reaching Rosie’s contact info before she video called her and waited for her to pick up. Meredith lit up instantly, feeling slightly relieved as she saw Rosie’s face on the other side of the screen. “ Hey honey!” she said before looking over Dan’s shoulder and yelling out for Ethan to come join them. “ I decided on the gold,” she said, giving the phone to Dan so that she could stand a few feet away and show Rosie all of the dress. “ Well Dan decided on the gold,” she corrected. But neither Dan or Ethan seemed to care about the topic of conversation since it involved clothes and Meredith was doing her best to show Rosie her hair and accessories. But it seemed like just as soon as the convo started it was ending, causing her to pout slightly. “ I’ll take pictures!” she yelled out to Rosie, telling her she loved her before Dan ended the call and then started to follow Ethan where he had headed towards his seat.

Once she sat down, Meredith wiggled in her dress, trying to make herself comfortable. “ Most uncomfortable thing in the world,” she said, growing irritated before she stood up and tore the fabric at the side of her dress, tearing it into almost a new dress entirely before she sat back down and looked at Dan as he was sitting down, “ Yeah I’m gonna need your jacket when we leave,” she said as she crossed her legs. Every piece of her was nervous for this. No one needed to worry about Dan’s performance, or Ethan’s. They had both been so perfect, but she sort of hated watching herself on screen anyways. She had this perpetual fear that people were just going to get sick of seeing her ugly face. “ So did a lot of people ask you if you were team Meredith?” she asked before she looked at Dan, watching him carefully before she looked away. Ethan was leaning over to whisper to her something about bringing in snacks. “ Are you kidding me? I could barely fit hairspray into the rest of my outfit. Sneaking in twizzlers isn’t in the realm of possibilities for the dress your roommate picked,” she said, keeping her eyes locked on Ethan as she moved her right hand from her lap and reached it out towards Dans, tucking it inside of his delicately as she curled her thumb around the frame of his hand.

[Daniel Joshua Hudson]

After the interview and pictures, they were ushered inside and basically instructed on what to do and how to act, "Hey come one, we're not gonna mess up," he joked, looking at Meredith as she took his phone from his pocket. "What are you doing..." Why was she reaching into his pocket...? But he understood when he heard the squeal on the other side of the phone, "Meredith!! Look at you! Lemme see the whole package," he heard her laugh, taking the phone and looking at the screen, "Hey Rosie, Meredith does looks dazzling," he smiled, pointing the phone at Meredith. He let Rosie gush over Meredith for all of two seconds before he took it away, laughing, "What? Why would they ask about me, I'm no in the damn movie. I'm not even there," he heard her laugh and Ethan told her they had to go. "Okay," she pouted, "You all look gorgeous, I love you guys," she blew a kiss, "Have fun!" Dan hung up the phone and put it in his pocket again before they were ushered into the auditorium, Dan following then to sit down beside Meredith. In response to Ethan's question he'd asked earlier, "I don't know about other people, but for me it gets easier. Once you know what to expect and all that, premieres aren't so horrible. I think award shows are worse." Dan watched as Meredith stood up and ripped her dress into something more comfortable, laughing as she said she'd need his jacket later, "Okay, sure." She sat back down and Dan leaned over, "I don't think they needed to ask, I think it's obvious whose team I'm on," he joked. The way he talked about her in interviews was obvious he thought she was the talent of the entire cast. Her portrayal of Katniss carried the entire film.

Dan did laugh though when Ethan was already asking about snacks and Meredith was complaining about what she couldn't fit into her dress. Dan thought it was fine, she fit everything she needed into it, nothing more. She had reached over and took his hand, so he held onto it, leaning closer to her seat and reached into his pocket, pulling out twizzlers for real. "Lucky for you guys, I have gone hungry at premieres before, learned my lesson." He held the package out to them, grinning, "Twizzler anyone?"

[Ethan John Fox]

Ethan blinked as he looked at Dan and Meredith holding hands. Holding hands. Just out in public, like it was the seventies or something. That made sense in his head. But he gasped as he heard the package of twizzlers and then saw Dan holding them out. “ Dibbs” he said, snatching them from Dan before Meredith could. Ethan brought it up to his mouth, tearing the corner off with his teeth before he dug a few twizzlers out with his teeth, using his free hand to reach across Natalia and slap a few across Datons face before he offered them to him. He smiled with the twizzlers in his teeth as he looked at Natalia. “ Twizzler?” he questioned with them bit between his lips before he held the package out to her.He chewed a few times before he rested back against his seat, wrapping his left arm behind Natalia’s shoulders and chair and looked back at Meredith and Dan, shaking his head at the way that they were leaning in towards one another. What was the point in playing cat and mouse with the media? Fuck it, they were all in this together right? Plus he liked screwing with them. Ethan brought his right hand to Meredith’s lap and took her free hand in his own. “ Eat my cake, bakery bitch” he said jokingly to Dan as he pulled Meredith’s hand into his lap.

Ethan bit the edge of his lip as the lights started to dim down and he was surprised by the fact that he actually felt nervous. How in the hell had things ended up like this? How was the guy that used to be his best friend in the entire world, not here celebrating with him tonight. How was he, not that he was complaining by any means, but how was he best friends with Dan now. How was Rosie not here. How was Natalia dating someone else. How was Dalton sitting just a few seats away from him while Ethan sat in his own seat just hoping that he would somehow be what…proud? ‘ Everything is about to change..’ Meredith said with a deer in the headlights look on her face as she stared straight ahead at the blank screen in front of them. Ethan chewed on the twizzler that was in his mouth a bit slower and looked straight ahead as well. “ Be right back,” he said before he jumped up and stepped on the back of his seat before he ran down the aisle and over to the group of people that had been ushering him around.Because she was right, everything was changing. Claire had a kid. He wasn’t following the soccer dreams he had hoped for. His best friend in the world was basically a media Casanova. After talking to a few of the tech guys he was able to convince them to stream the movie to Rosie’s e-mail as long as she had a good internet connection. Once he handed over the information he came back to his seat, biting into another twizzler as he sat down, wrapping his arm back behind Natalia’s shoulders as he told Dan to text Rosie how to access the stream.

[Meredith Renee Jergens]

Meredith shook her foot nervously as she listened to the exchange between Dan and Ethan. The talk about twizzlers and cake.. she.just.wanted.a.burger. She groaned as she looked down at her stomach. She really wasn’t one of those starlets who didn’t eat. Meredith laughed as Ethan reached over and held her other hand. “ My boys,” she said cheesily before she squeezed her hand tightly around Ethans. Just as quickly he was running off and Meredith found herself looking at Dan, thinking about what he had said. He just did that, all the time when it came to her. He wasn’t very direct, he weaseled around answers, never gave an up front and direct one. He was sort of like a politician when it came to her, and quite honestly she figured that it must be because he didn’t have an official opinion on her to give. So did she sit here like a stupid girl holding onto his hand, or did she move away from him. Fuck it, there was a reason they had all been shocked when she said she was a virgin. She wasn’t really one to shy away from things. Meredith stole a twizzler from the package that Ethan had left behind and bit onto the end of one, resting the side of her head against Dan’s shoulder as she moved in closer to him.
They could skirt around giving reporters answers, no one had cameras in here anyways and who would care enough to say anything? Ethan was back and explaining something about Rosie to Dan, but all Meredith could think of was the fact that 1. It was dark. 2. She was hungry. 3. She was…exhausted. Filming, interviews, mall tours. Finally premiere night. She wasn’t really sure if a lot of people slept through their premieres, all of her movies had been indies that never really garnered any attention. The only ‘big’ movie she’d done before this was x-men. Hell, Ethan had more experience with this stuff than she did. Meredith brought her legs up tiredly into his lap and turned against his chest, moving her eyes away from the lights that were coming onto the screen. She was excited to finally see the movie, but honestly.. that could wait. She was there when they filmed it. She got the jist. Right now Dan just seemed more inviting.

[Dalton James Fox]

Dalton pulled both sides of his jacket together once more as he looked around for Ethan and Claire. This place was a mad house. Girls were screaming at him like he was some big part of this. He was only here for Ethan. This was a big moment for him. Dalton stood there awkwardly on the red carpet just looking around for someone he knew. Ethan, Natalia, Claire, anyone. He figured this would be crazy, but this was over the top for him. People were pushing by him, screaming out like crazy school girls for him, and sticking microphones in his face. He was expecting people to be asking who he was, but they just wanted to talk to him. Maybe they thought he was Ethan. Couldn’t they tell the difference? Dalton was taller, his hair was longer and he was definitely better looking than Ethan. Everyone knew that. Dalton took one more look around and spotted Ethan Taking pictures with his co-stars. He saw Natalia a little ways behind Ethan and figured he’d make his way over to her.

Dalton squeezed by a few people, “Excuse me.”. Just then he got stopped by a reporter holding out a microphone. Dalton gave a confused look, but took the microphone. “Hi, Michael Chase, from E!” Dalton pushed some hair behind his ear, “Uh, you know I’m not Ethan right? I’m..” he got cut off by the guys laugh. “Yeah, I know who you are. Dalton Fox. Older brother of Ethan Fox.” Dalton smiled, still confused. “Yeah, so why talk to me?” “About your new movie.” Dalton looked around, “New movie? I only did a commercial…” The guy laughed once more, “No, no. Your new movie, Thor.” Dalton let the microphone fall down by his side as he reached up to scratch his head, really confused now. He brought it back up, “Wh…what are you talking about? Thor?” The guy nodded, “Yeah. Its been leaked that they want you to be in their movie..I thought you knew.” Dalton shook his head, “Apparently not. Isn’t it funny how the media knows things about you that you don’t even know yet?” The guy smirked, “We have ways of figuring that stuff out. Anyways, are you going to do it?” Dalton shrugged, “I haven’t heard anything about it. It could be a rumor. Until they come to me, I’m not going to get my hope up.” The reporter nodded, “Thank you. Hope you enjoy the movie.” “Thanks.” Dalton handed the microphone back and walked away. He ran his hand through his hair as looked to the crowd of people heading into the theater. He didn’t see Ethan or Natalia so he figured they were already inside.

Dalton made his way inside and spotted Natalia. “Hey beautiful.” he said as he walked up to her and hugged her. “Excuse me.” They started walking towards the seats, “You didn’t have to leave those people for me. They looked important.” he looked back at them, they were already talking to someone else, “Or not.” he said as he looked down to her. Dalton saw Ethan and he waved and then continued following Natalia. “Here.” she said as she pointed to seats. “Nice.” he said as he unbuttoned his jacket and sat down. There was a seat next to him, just in case Claire was there. He looked over at Natalia as she sat next to him, “Aren’t you suppose to be sitting with your publicist or whatever?” he looked around and then looked back at her. “They’re back there.” he looked back as she waved to some people. He waved to her mom as she waved and then leaned in to say something quietly to her, ”Your mom is hot.” he laughed as Natalia smacked him lightly. Dalton stood up and gave Ethan a hug as he came over. “I don’t know how you do it mate. This is crazy. I’m a nobody and I got stopped for an interview.” He sat back down and watched Ethan head back over, “Yeah no problem.” He looked over and Natalia had her arm propped out on the seat next to her, “You got it covered.” he said with a small laugh.

Dalton looked around as the lights started to dim. He was really proud of Ethan. He reached behind Natalia and put his hand on Ethan’s shoulder. He gave a little squeeze, just to let Ethan know he was proud. He pat his back lightly and then brought his arm back to his side. He felt another arm as he reached behind Natalia. He looked at it and saw Ethan’s arm. He shook his head and just looked to the screen. What was he doing? Was that a good idea?

[Claire Jayne Madden]

Questions about Shane. Questions about Ethan. Questions about Natalia. But Dalton?...Dalton? “ Dalton FOX?” she repeated to the reporter, confused as to what he was talking about. “ I mean Dalton THINKS he’s a god but I don’t think he is actually playing one…” she said out of confusion before she looked over her shoulder to try and find him. Claire squared her shoulders back as she spotted Anthony with Bailey and looked back at the reporter, “ I’m.. so sorry, I have to go,” she said, making her way away from the line of microphones and over to Anthony and his new shiny girlfriend. “ Hey,” she said as she approached them, dropping her hands in front of her. It was weird… right? I mean, for all intensive purposes this was the guy she knew she would spend the rest of her life with. And if just a few things had gone differently… wouldn’t that be where her life was headed? She’d be his date here. Shane would probably still be with Kat. One event could have changed everything and she’d be on Anthony’s arm, Kat would be on tour with Shane. She cleared her throat, pushing her hair away from her face as she looked at him. Sixteen year old Claire loved him. She wasn’t that little girl anymore. ‘ I think I would kill someone for your legs’ Bailey said and Claire looked away from Anthony and over at Bailey, offering a small smile. “ I borderline kill myself for them,so..” she said, giving a slight shrug of her shoulder. ‘ You’re a dancer, right? That is so awesome…” Bailey said. Claire smiled curtly as she looked over at Bailey. She knew Zoe and.. what Zoe said about Bailey. And here she was wrapped around Anthony like he was the greatest thing in the entire world. There was a word for girls like her, even Gabe didn’t go out of his way to compliment her. He wasn’t rude, but he certainly didn’t stop them from forming their own opinions about her. “ Yeah, it’s… crazy. You and I both used our bodies to get where we are today,” she said, giving her another smile. She had slept with Gabe after all and weren’t they co-starring in Footloose soon? “ I guess I just chose to keep my clothes on,” she said before she clenched her jaw and looked at Anthony. “I gotta go find Ethan” she said under her breath before she turned and walked away from both of them.

Claire puffed out her cheeks as she walked inside the theater. “ Congrats, dick” she said to Ethan as he loosely hugged her. Sisterly love. ‘ Thanks nutcracker’ Ethan said under his breath. Claire perked up as someone walked by with a champagne tray and grabbed a glass, throwing it back quickly before giving an innocent smile to Dalton. But then she stepped further into the aisle and looked down at Dalton, making a what the fuck face. “ Dude…” she said, raising her clutch to point between him and Natalia. “ Move your fat ass. I’m sitting between my best friend and my long haired brother… who is a demi god?” she said, questioning him about the movie before she smacked his arm very lightly with her clutch to get him to get up and move. She made a face as Ethan put the twizzler in her face. ‘ Eat ittttt’ he said in a sing song voice and Claire knocked it out of his hand letting it fall on the floor. “ I have rehearsal in the morning,” she said flatly before she took in a deep breath and sighed. Claire mumbled as she looked at Natalia, “ Anthony brought his stupid girlfriend,” she said. “ Who cares, right? I’ve got Shane. Shane loves me. And is awesome. Super awesome. Like the awesomest.” she said, scoffing under her breath. But when she looked back at Natalia she stopped. “ What advice can you give me… you’re the one with a boyfriend with my brother, who has a girlfriend, with his arm wrapped around you,” she said , rolling her eyes slightly. Claire leaned forward to smile at Meredith and Dan. “ Oh hey guys! Congratulations… this is going to be so great. Super excited.. I’m so, so proud of both of you,” . Ethan made a face and looked in her direction, ‘ Really Claire. Them you congratulation sincerely?” he asked before shaking his head. “ Ooh!” Claire said, trying to lean over Dalton to grab another glass of champagne.

[Shane Alexander Madden]

Shane knew Claire was around somewhere, probably with her brothers or her friends, or getting interviewed. Shane was just trying to find somewhere where he could get food. Why wasn't this like the regular movie theater with the snack counter. Lame. Shane headed down the red carpet with full intentions to find Claire, but he was stopped by a reporter, "Shane Madden, Do you have a minute?" Shane turned to look at the woman, "Sure thing..." he responded, taking her microphone and turned it on her, "To interview you. Tell me what are you wearing this evening?" "Uh, I'm supposed to be interviewing you." "Why, I'm not in the damn movie, what on earth would you want to ask me about." "Um, your relationship with Claire Fox, your new son together?" "Boring. So tell me..." he looked at her press badge, "Tanya Denver... What's the news on the streets? Don't you reporter types come loaded with fresh gossip to either confirm or deny?" "Yeah, you ARE the fresh gossip. Cancelled the remainder of your tour because your girlfriend went into labor during a school shooting?" "Got anything else juicy? I think I've already heard that gossip." The reporter laughed, shaking her head and turned to the camera guy, "Are you getting this?" Shane waved the microphone back in her face, "Tanya, please focus. Got any dirt on Ethan Fox? I'd love to mock him later." "How about Dalton Fox? I hear he's being looked at to play Thor in an upcoming film." "Seriously? Wow. Does he act?" Tanya shrugged. "Welp, Tanya, nice chatting with you, I gotta go find my girl." Shane handed her microphone back and headed inside. Was it already time to start the movie?

Shane headed inside, it seemed like they actually were getting close to starting. He found everyone else, Dan, Meredith, Ethan, Natalia, Claire, Dalton, in that order. Well apparently he wasn't sitting beside Claire. Or maybe he was. Shane headed over to where Dalton was sitting, pretending not to see him sitting there and sat down on his lap. "Hey babe, movie starting in a little bit?" Claire leaned over and gave him a kiss, and Shane joked, "Wanna sit on my lap?" he winked. Shane leaned over and called to Ethan, "Hey Ethan, have you seen Dalton? I mean, this is kind of a big deal, I hope he doesn't miss it..." Shane turned around, acknowledging Dalton, "Oh, Dalton, I hear you're going to be in a film, schweet." He reached his arm around Dalton's neck, pointing his other finger at him, "You know, I bet they're gonna ask you to buff up. Thor and all. I mean, I don't wanna outshine you, but if you want to work out sometime, I can show you the ropes." he winked at Claire, looking at Dalton seriously, "You aren't going to move are you?" Doubtful, judging my the look on his face, "Welp. That leaves me only one option."

Shane stood up, picking Claire up out of her seat and sat down where she had been, putting her on his lap. "Well this isn't unusual at all. You should try not to fall asleep. You look pretty by the way, " he smiled at her, glancing at Natalia, "Hey Natalia. Where's your sexy boyfriend anyways?" Collin liked movies. And stuff, he made music videos after all. But maybe he was busy. Shane wrapped his arms around Claire's waist as the lights went out, trying to settle into the seat.

[Ethan John Fox]

Ethan ran his palms together, sort of surprised at how nervous he was. He didn’t even have a big role in this part of the series. He flickered a smile and looked back at Dalton after he squeezed his shoulder and took in a deep breath, trying to relax a bit as he looked back at the screen. It meant a lot that he had come, especially since Ethan knew that Dalton wasn’t huge into these things anyways. And of course, once everyone started to quiet down here came Shane. Ethan rolled his eyes, smiling as he watched Shane sitting in Dalton’s lap. “ Mate…” he said, but Shane was still going off, still talking, sitting up, pulling Claire in his lap, talking to Natalia. “ Mate! Shut the fuck up” he said loudly before he reached over and smacked him upside the head. “ Making me curse at my movie premiere. You know how unclassy that is mate? And you’ve got a girl in your lap… my sister,..” he said, pretending to be pissed off before he settled back in his seat. Ethan adjusted in his seat, rolling his shoulder since his arm was becoming more uncomfortable the way it was bent behind Natalia. Move it? No. It would probably fall asleep on him, whatever. Ethan looked down at her, “ Where is Collin anyways?” he asked as he scanned his eyes over her features.

It seemed like Meredith was still holding Dan’s hand, even though she was now laying against his chest with her eyes closed. Didn’t care to see the movie? That was okay, he could tell her how it ended later. Ethan licked his lips, looking at Dan as he questioned him as well. “ Real?” he asked, tilting his head to Meredith. It seemed just as soon as he had questioned Dan the movie started playing. He took in a deep breath, knowing he would probably be holding it for the next two hours. After a few moments he looked down at Natalia, smiling at her as the glow from the screen bounced back onto her. He leaned down, whispering quietly , “ Just so I can take a census… team Gale, right?” he said, narrowing his eyebrows at her as he waited for her answer.

[Natalia Anne Richmond]

Natalia posed for a bunch of pictures with Ethan and then by herself. “Natalia this way” “Over here.” “To the right!” Everyone was calling out to her. There was so much commotion. There were others coming up behind her. Natalia waved to the cameras and then headed inside with Ethan, Dan and Meredith. Natalia stopped to talk to a few people. “I’m going to go sit sweetie.” “Okay mom.” she said as she smiled and then began talking to the women she was standing with. Just then she saw Dalton come in. Smiling, she hugged him. “You look nice.” she said as she let go of him. “Excuse me.” she said as she walked away with Dalton. She laughed when he said those people looked important. “No, they’ll find someone else to talk to.” Natalia came to the seats, “Here.” she smiled when Dalton sat down. Natalia took a seat next to him. She laughed when he said she got saving Ethan’s seat covered. Maybe she was a little too anxious to save it. That seat should have been Collin’s. Natalia moved her arm when Ethan came back, she gave him a smile and then turned to Dalton, “So you were interviewed?” He nodded, “Yeah, they said something about some movie named Thor. Apparently its out that I’m up for the part.” Natalia laughed, “The media knows things before we do.” she joked.

“That’s what I said.” he laughed and then laughed. Natalia smiled as Dalton went back to face the screen and she turned to Ethan as he offered her a twizzler. “Oh my goodness, yes!” she took a few out of the package and started to eat one. Just then Claire came over and was making Dalton move over, “You look gorgeous. Hot mama!” she smiled and finished off a twizzler, “Oh come on, you can have A twizzler.” Natalia said as Claire said she had rehearsal in the morning. Natalia finished another twizzler and rolled her eyes when Claire mentioned Anthony being here with Bailey. Claire was with Shane, why couldn’t she just let Anthony try to be with Bailey. Natalia knew that Claire stilled loved him, but she also knew that Claire loved Shane. It made her think, it was possible to love two guys at once. Did she love Collin or just really like him? She was still in love with Ethan, there was no denying that, but she was very good at hiding it. Natalia looked at Ethan’s arm behind her and then back in front of her. She sighed quietly, Claire had a point. Who was she to give any advice right now.

Natalia sat staring in front of her for a few moments, just thinking. What if someone got a picture of this? Should she ask him to move it? No. It really wasn’t a big deal. They were just friends. Natalia sighed once more and then looked over at Dalton when Shane came over and sat on his lap. She laughed as she watched Dalton’s facial expressions. They went from not knowing what was happening to being completely not okay with what was happening next to him. Natalia laughed once more and smiled to Shane when he said hello. “I think he’s working on some things.” she truthfully didn’t know what he was doing. Natalia looked to the screen as the lights went out. This was so exciting. She looked up at Ethan when he asked where Collin was, “I don’t know. I called him earlier, went to voicemail. I guess he’s working.” she offered a small smile and then brought her attention back to the screen. She did wish he was here with her. It would be nice to be on a public outing with each other. Natalia crossed her legs and shifted in her seat a little. She leaned over a bit so it was easier for Ethan to talk. She laughed quietly, “Of course. Team Gale all the way.” she smiled once more. This was all too easy. She saw the look on his face, the look of nervousness. “Just breathe.” she whispered to him with a smile and then looked back to the screen.

[Dalton James Fox]

Dalton smiled to Natalia, “Yeah, Its crazy. All I can do is hope it’s true and they’ll call me.” She nodded, “Yeah, that’s exciting. I hope it all works out for you.” He smiled as she turned back to Ethan. Just then Claire told him to move over. He got up, “Well sooorry.” he said sarcastically. He watched her pound down champagne and he shook his head. That was it, no more. Dalton looked around for Anabelle, where was she? He sort of overheard what Claire was saying to Natalia. He looked at Ethan’s arm on Natalia’s chair and shook his head once more. Claire had a point. He saw the look on Natalia’s face and he knew that she also knew that Claire had a point. Teenage drama. Dalton was glad he was so over that.

Speaking of drama. Here came Shane. Dalton didn’t really know him all that well, but what he did know, he liked. He seemed like a good enough guy. Dalton just wasn't thrilled that he got Claire pregnant at such a young age. They had their whole lives ahead of them, why weren't they more careful? Shane was his nephew’s dad, so he would have to get along with him either way it went. Dalton had no problems with him, except when he sat down on his lap, that was not okay. Dalton had his arms crossed and just sat there. He shook his head smiling, kids these days. “Oh, thanks for the offer mate. I’ll be sure to take you up on that one. Definitely going to need to work out.” He jokingly put his arms up like he was flexing and then laughed lightly and put them back down. He watched Shane pick up Claire and put her on his lap. No, no. Not okay. Dalton sighed after a few minutes of watching that and got up. “Sit here.” he said sternly to Claire and moved down a seat. Dalton fixed his jacket and looked to the screen. This was it.