Fiona on Fire | ONC 2023

08. upgrades

As if she were her publicist, Erin still liked to screen the internet for headlines about Fiona. Her casting for the book series adaptation had just been announced, so she'd just become a lot more famous overnight, with a buzz around her name.

"Fans are kind of divided. Some had already gotten used to Jessica in the role, while others think you're a better fit. And it seems like some people are mad they're shoving Jessica aside because she's ill. Some of her fans are verbally taking it out on you."

"That's not even fair. It would cost so much money to postpone filming. Everything is already in motion."

Fiona felt like she was both sinking into quicksand and rising to the peak of a tall mountain. She was on top of the world, and she'd never escape.

She had finished her weeks of training for the role, coming home every day with muscles that ached with every movement. Now, she had the weekend to herself before principal photography began on Monday. She hadn't spoken to Alex since their compatibility read, and she felt nervous about replacing his sick friend.

Jessica was also heavily featured in news headlines as she posted selfies from her hospital bed. Doctors expected she'd make a full recovery, but it would take time. Not quickly enough for her to return to the film.

"I'm going back home, you know," Erin said suddenly, in a serious tone. "And I won't be coming back here. I'm applying for jobs in Chicago to be a little closer to my family."

Fiona was at a loss for words.

"It was always my plan, not to stay out here forever. I finished my degree. Graduation is in a week, then I fly out in a month. You'll have to find somewhere else because the apartment lease is up in two months."

Fiona hadn't realized she had already been here for almost three years, long enough for Erin to graduate. "Why haven't we talked about this?"

"I guess we...we talk about you and your work a lot. The exciting stuff. Not my normal, boring life."

"Erin, I'm so sorry—"

"No, it's not your fault. I really enjoyed getting swept up in it all with you. But it's time for me to build my own life."

That brought tears to their eyes, and they gripped each other in a long hug.

***

Erin's timing ended up being ideal. They both needed to get out of that apartment, as the paparazzi had found that Fiona lived there. They waited outside for her to leave and got in her face with cameras and microphones. She'd resorted to sneaking out back entrances and once accidentally triggered a fire alarm. The landlord was fed up, and Fiona had begun to worry about her safety.

If things were already like this before the movie came out, how much crazier would they get after?

She found an apartment online within her budget and moved in, happy to leave the old place behind. This one was luxurious, with 24/7 security and no cockroaches. She didn't have enough furniture to fill anything but the bedroom, so she bought a television, sofa set, kitchen table, and more.

She knew there would soon be money flowing in—more than she'd ever seen before—so she wasn't worried about draining her bank account. She also bought herself a car for the first time in LA, a classy but low-key German-made model. It wasn't uncommon to see classic, exotic, or flashy cars driving on the 405, sometimes with celebrities in the driver's seat. 

The downside was that an apartment full of expensive things still felt empty without anyone to share it with. Since she moved here, Fiona had neglected or shoved aside everything that didn't further her main goal. Now, she was realizing that she could, and probably should, try to achieve other goals at the same time.

Namely, she wanted a boyfriend. She wasn't so sure how she would get one. She wished they could be ordered online like all of her other new stuff.

Her only high school boyfriend had been Andrew Malkovich, a boy she'd known since age five and who took the initiative of asking her out. She'd never had to be the asker before, and she'd never had to go out of her way to meet people her age.

She decided to tuck this goal away until filming was finished so it didn't distract her.

***

The first days of filming had gone well. Alex didn't mention Jessica, but he didn't speak to her at all outside of each take. He did his job and did it well, seeming to pour himself completely into his character. She felt a competition with him; he made her push harder than ever before to deliver her best possible performance. 

On the fifth day, he grabbed her by the arm on the way to her trailer. Her breath caught in her throat at the unexpected touch, and her skin seemed to tingle with electricity. 

"Sorry." He let go. "I just wanted to ask if you'd like to come to a party on Saturday. At my place."

"I, uh...okay, sure."

Alex slipped his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. "I'll trade you: your phone number for my address." He winked. 

Fiona couldn't stop the smile that forced its way onto her face. She tapped her number into his contacts list. 

"See you Saturday, then." He began to stroll away. 

"What time?" she called.

"Any time you like. It's kind of an all-night thing."

She walked to her trailer, feeling terrified and excited for the weekend.