THE VOID

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟

((Hero finishes explaining everything, from the day Felix introduced his boyfriend Mark, to the back and forth relationship Felix and Mark had, to the last six months of their relationship that consisted of just pure unadulterated love and finally to the day he was crossing the road, a guy jumped a red light and in doing so took a life out of this world. He explained that yesterday they moved Felix out of his apartment, and that was his final goodbye. He was on his way home, but he couldn't think straight. He didn't initially come here last night to talk, he just wanted to see a light in this unbearable darkness. There's a few moments of silence that are broken when he stands collecting up his belongings))

Josephine: ((taking in everything, not knowing what to say)) "I don't" ((she's speechless)) "You let me vent about a trivial little problem, me being homesick" ((she shakes her head)) "You're grieving" ((she feels sick at how careless she was, and stands up taking a step towards him))

Hero: ((instinctively moves backwards)) "You don't get it, my feelings don't matter right now. My brother lost his soulmate and the day after he finally said goodbye, I am here feeling sorry for myself" ((he looks at her)) "I can't be selfish anymore. He needs me. He should be my priority" ((he adds trying to nicely insinuate, that she can't be)) "I should go"

Josephine: ((she knows once he leaves, there's no guarantee he'll be back but she puts her own insecurities aside)) "I agree, I think you should go. I think you should be there for your brother and your friends, be there for yourself" ((she smiles trying to look past how distant he is being right now))

Hero: ((He can't bring himself to look at her, one glance at her face and he won't be able to leave)) "I'll call you tomorrow" ((he says and then exits))

Josephine: ((hears the front door open and then close)) "He's not going to call" ((she says to herself))

((Drops onto the bed, replaying the entire day and wondering how it ended like this. She can't help but feel pathetic, she's never felt this way about another. From that first meeting all those years ago, she knew that was only the beginning of their story. She went back to the park everyday for the next month hoping to spot him again. He took something from her that day, he took that piece of your heart that is reserved for the one. No relationship after that made her feel, half the way that meeting did. When she saw him in that bar, she couldn't believe it but there he sat. He spoke to her and it was like someone finally pressed play on her at the time paused life. It felt like she was hearing his voice for the first time all over again, and yet also like that voice had followed her everyday for those three years. She picks herself up from the bed and decides to shower and brush her teeth. Finally getting back in bed, she plays the voicemail he left four days after the gallery opening))

Sunday Night: "I almost didn't call tonight. You've abandoned me, left me to rot. Do you even listen to these? You know what, I'm over it don't call me. Don't expect a missed call tomorrow or a voicemail. I hope you hade a shit day, there I said it. I take that back, I guess. I'm so done, right now that I can't even think of a quote. And for the last time..Goodnight, Josephine Langford"

((She smiles and decides this is her favourite message and with that she whispers "Goodnight, Hero Fiennes-Tiffin))

***

((Monday comes quickly and Josephine is busy on set most of the day. Her only break being to go for lunch with her costar Charlie Wernham. She arrives home around 7pm, heats up the dinner Alice left her, showers and then heads to bed. She stays up until midnight in hopes he will call, like she thought he doesn't. She decides to call him, he doesn't answer and so she leaves a voicemail. Tuesday comes and goes the routine being the same, again having lunch with Charlie. She calls Hero, he doesn't answer and so she leaves a voicemail. Wednesday goes a little quicker and a few members of the cast decided to go out for a meal, Josephine goes along with them after being convinced by Charlie. She enjoys her night and arrives home and showers and yet again she calls and leaves a voicemail. Thursday is a repeat of Monday and she can't help but understand this is just karma))