Queens of Geek

CHAPTER TWELVE: CHARLIE

I take a seat at the long table, impressed that whoever provided my name plate in front of me managed to spell my name right. I look out over the crowd, smiling and waving as they cheer for us.

I spot Tay and Jamie in the front row, and blow them each a kiss. The last I saw them, they were asleep. It was adorkable. They must have fallen asleep watching TV, because when I came back to our room after meeting with Alex last night, they were in the same bed, and out cold. They were facing each other, close enough to touch, but purposely avoiding all physical contact.

It sums up their relationship perfectly: both wanting to be close, but not close enough that it gives away how they really feel about each other.

The crowd quietens down and the moderator begins the discussion. I'm sitting next to Josie Ortiz, a screenwriter who also writes and illustrates her own comic series. Tim Richards, the new director, is seated beside her.

Jase is supposed to be here, but Alex told me he's unwell. The audience has been told he has another commitment, but really he's sleeping off the beer. Whatever the reason, I'm glad to finally be free from him.

Sitting here in front of all these fans, I feel both honored and totally out of my depth.

Just be cool.

The first question is addressed to Tim.

"Will there be a sequel?"

"Yes."

The audience cheers for at least thirty seconds. Once it's quietened down again, he continues. "We're very excited to announce that there will be a sequel. Josie has already started writing the screenplay and I'm very excited about it."

Josie seems much more nervous than I am. This is the first time we've met, having briefly introduced ourselves backstage. With her blue-streaked short hair and the fact that she started her own comic series, I like her already.

Question number two is for me, and they waste no time getting to the topic that's on everyone's minds. "Charlie, will both you and Jason be returning for the sequel, even though you're no longer an item?"

I smile, trying to hide my nerves. "No. I'll be returning for the sequel, but Jason won't be." I get the feeling she wants me to elaborate, but I end it there.

Tim leans forward. "I'm assuming everyone here has seen The Rising, but in case you haven't, I'm about to give away a major spoiler, so cover your ears or something." He waits, and a few people cover their ears. "Jason's character, Will, died at the end. He won't be coming back-zombie or otherwise."

A few chuckles can be heard in the audience. The moderator ushers in the next question, which is for Josie. "Will there be more zombies in the sequel?"

Josie laughs. "Yes. There will most definitely be more zombies. The first movie was more like an Australian indie film than a Hollywood blockbuster, but the sequel has a much bigger budget and that means many thousands more zombies."

There are hoots and hollers in the audience, and I giggle.

The next question is for me. "What's it like to play Ava?"

"It's so much fun. We're quite similar in a lot of ways. But her physical and mental strength is really what I love about her. She can kick some serious ass, but she's also not afraid to show her emotions or admit that she's afraid. And she's fiercely protective of the people she loves. I can't wait to play her again."

To my surprise, the next question is about my book.

"Charlie, first of all, congrats on Everland being a huge hit. I just wanted to ask, what made you decide to write diverse female characters?"