The Safe Place (Bridge To Terabithia) || ✓

Ch. 15 - Leads

Getting out of Mason's car, Leslie took one look at Jess and knew that his nerves were already getting to him after they had driven past the flock of reporters earlier at the main entrance. Even she didn't know that Percy Jackson had such huge publicity.

It was Monday afternoon and they were about to go in for the photo call that Rick spoke of the other day over dinner. She and Jess had been flown over to New York the morning before with Scott and had stayed with Mason until the event would begin. To her it was no big deal. She had gone to her parents' events for their books so she knew what to expect, unlike Jess and Scott who both had no experience at all.

Leslie took Jess's hand and flashed him a reassuring smile as they walked through the backdoor. She would've done the same with Scott but his hands were too busy with being hidden under his armpits for her to hold.

"Take it all in, Jess. It's just a photo call. You don't have to be nervous," she told him and then elbowed Scott. "You too."

"It's a photo call. Why does it have so many reporters outside?" Scott asked incredulously.

"It's like a repeat of the first Harry Potter photo call when they were kids..." Jess mumbled and gasped. "Woah. It's comparable to Harry Potter."

     "Hear that, squirt?" Mason said and ruffled Leslie's hair, causing her to pout at him. "You're gonna be famous."

     "Oh shut up." Leslie rolled her eyes and continued walking until they reached the lobby where Rick and Chris were waiting for them. They exchanged brief greetings and went to another room to discuss what would be happening later during the photo call.

     According to the adults, they would be seated in a room full of reporters with cameras and would be photographed by them, as well as be asked questions.

They stayed in the room for half an hour before being called. Chris and Rick were the first to leave, followed by the three who were then guided out by a woman part of the casting team that they recognized. They left the room and walked along the hall, hearing the chattering noises and camera flashes at the other end.

"This is Scott, this is Jess–" Jess followed Scott in and was surprised by the numerous sounds of camera flashes and voices. He could hear one of them greeting each one as he entered. "– and this is Leslie."

     At that moment it seemed as if the reporters were in control of the situation. A number of them instructed that the three be seated at the single chair in the middle of the room and asked Jess to sit on it while the two to sit at the sides next to him. They did as told and were then photographed many times. All smiles for them at that time. Jess felt unusual to smile for them and be photographed. It just felt weird and unnatural. Soon they were then joined by the author of the books and director of the film and again, had their pictures taken. It lasted for about fifteen minutes before they proceeded to the next room.

"What are you going to do with the money you're gonna be earning from Percy Jackson?" One of the reporters asked. "Starting with Leslie first, please."

     "I'm not really great at managing myself with money so my parents are probably going to keep them in my bank until I'm eighteen." Leslie answered happily with a little laugh at the end.

     "Are you going to save yours in a bank too, Jess?" The reported asked him.

Leslie looked at Jess, expecting him to answer next, but he was too nervous to notice that it was his turn and so there was an awkward 5-second silence before he got a light jab on the arm from Leslie.