Before the Sun Sets

@ Jinx...
Leo got home soon after, hurrying inside. When Ricky tried to talk to him leo blew him off before heading into his bedroom and locking the door. He moved and sat against the wall, he let the sobs rack over him and his shoulders. He was hurt, angry, broken. Hours before, he was confident and on top of the world. And all it took to bring him to his news was one girl. Leo moved to the mini fridge he had in his room and pulled out a bottle. He clutched the bottle to his chest as he cried. Maybe he was a drunk. But at this moment he didn’t care. He just didn’t want to feel anymore. Leo pulled the top off the bottle and began to drink from it, his tears mixing with the stark alcohol.

The next morning, Leo was hung over, not his worst hangover but it was never fun. He got dressed in grey sweatpants an a black tee shirt, with a simple leather jacket over it. He didn’t need to or want to dress up today. He put on a baseball cap and sunglasses as he drove to the meeting. He, the director, and the creative department had their meeting to talk about what they were looking for in actors and actresses. Leo frowned as he remembered Olivia would be there. He arrived and hurried up to the room number he was given. He sat at the head of the table, to his right was the director, around the table were the department members, and a seat was left open to his left for Olivia. He checked his watch as they waited. His eyes squinting beneath the sunglasses. Leo leaned over and whispered to the director. “I’m hung over right now please don’t rely on me.” He told him. Tony raised an eyebrow, concerned for Leo but not wanting to point out his concerns in front of everyone. Tony wrote in his notebook to talk to Olivia about the alcohol before they left.

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella came in right as the last of the set up and hellos where getting done. She slipped into her seat. Today she went more casual wanting to slip by without notice. She had a notebook and her camera bag. She smiled as a young woman leaned over offering her a donut. She smiled sadly at her and took it. "Thank." she said. She took a bite and opened her notebook. She hadn't even looked Leo's way this morning. She didn't want to meet his gaze. If he wanted to be an ass then so be it. He could cry in his soup instead of taking some ownership for his actions. She grinned as they began. It took a while but Olivia was so devoted and creative not to pitch in. She showed some pictures and pretty soon she had the names and numbers of all the previously picked actors. "I would really like to get some chemistry shots with the actors." she said and was met by total agreement. Her eyes shinned with pride and excitement as she smiled. The meeting was over before she wanted it to be but knew it was for the best. If they went anymore into detail she would miss her big picture. She was putting her camera back away saying goodbye to some of the girls in the team before she was left alone in the room. She shouldered her bag ready to go set up for the photos with the actors.

@ Jinx...
Leo watched the meeting as it happened. He never added much input in this type of stuff. He just worked directly with Tony and that was that. He sat with his arms crossed a she watched the meeting, occasionally mumbling in agreement or disagreement. He couldn’t help but smile ever so slightly as he saw how excited and happy Olivia was. It was truly what he wanted, her to be happy. But he was still infuriated by how she had treated him the previous night. When the meeting ended the team left and Leo led the room to go wait and see who was auditioning for his part today.

Tony purposely stalled until everyone had left before walking up to Olivia. “Can I talk to you?” He asked and took a deep breath sighing. “I’m worried about Leo.” He told her. “Long story short. I am his best friend here. He helped me get into film I helped him get published. We have game nights together. We are close.” He told her and rubbed the back of his neck. “But I’m worried. His drinking is getting worse. He’s coming to meetings and work and auditions hungover more than he is sober.” Tony looked at her with pained eyes. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he plans to be drunk the entire road trip. If you knew each other you know his father was an alcoholic and well, it can be hereditary.” Tony realized he was rambling and paused. “Honestly I just want you to make sure he doesn’t kill himself while you guys are gone, I don’t need my best friend drinking himself to death before his big break.” He explained. “Honestly, I give you the freedom to do whatever needed to help with his drinking while you’re gone. Besides like hurting him obviously. And I am just a step above Leo in the work hierarchy, so don’t worry.”

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella looked up as Tony came over and grinned. "Yeah what's up?" she said chipper still from all the creativity. She frowned as he got serious. He spoke about Leo and she stepped back her arms crossing. She listened to his story glad he found a friend at least. She knew that was hard for him since high school. She softened as Tony confirmed her suspicions. She looked up at him. "I know. He was drunk last night. I can spot the alcoholics." she admitted. Bella's eyes widened as he said he thought he planned to drink and it pissed her off. They where going to work not drink and she didn't want that shit around her. Her eyes flashed but then grew sad as he mentioned Leo's father. She nodded. She never met his father face to face but she had been outside the door when he was screaming and hurting Leo more than once. It had broken her to be sworn to secrecy. Now that she was an adult she had been a truly stupid child to keep that secrete. She should have cared enough to turn his father in. Her eyes widened as he spoke about death. She frowned. It was that bad? She hadn't known. He needed a rehab or a hell of a reason to fight it. Olivia grinned as he gave her the freedom to help Leo stay sober. She wanted to say yes and part of her wanted to say no. "Thank you for the reassurance that my disagreements with Leo will not affect my job here." she pulled her notebook off the table then stopped and looked at Tony. "I'll do what I can but if he doesn't want to change..." she knew Tony knew this. "He doesn't think he has a problem but last night the way he treated me... that's not Leo." she said sadly. "I'm glad he has a friend like you." she said softly. Bella sighed and then walked out her eyebrows creasing as she tried to think about what she would do if he drank on the trip. She couldn't do that again. She might have to come clean with him about her father but she didn't want to. He didn't know what happened with her father after her mother died. He had no idea what she had been through but she had to remind herself she had no idea what he had been through. The difference between them was that she wouldn't be the victim. There was a time he had felt the same way.

@ Jinx...
Tony was reassured, at least slightly that Olivia would be willing to help with Leo. He didn’t want to lose his friend. He gave her a nervous smile. “I know he has to want help. But I figure when it’s two people alone it’s probably more convincing than me. Leo has never liked big crowds since I’ve known him, that’s one of his reasons for using a pen name.” He held the door for Olivia as they left the room and he went to join Leo as they waited for the actors.

Leo frowned when he saw the two exit. “What were you talking about?” He asked Tony. Tony rolled his eyes. “We were just talking about her shots for the day.” He reassured his friend. Leo nodded and called the first man in. Today he wanted them to read form a different scene. A scene from his bullying in high school after Olivia had left. One during his senior year.

Leo watched the men as they went through, but his mind would not stop pounding with thoughts of Olivia and the night before. When they had gotten through the actors they once again had the last one tell Olivia. The men sat around the table, comparing notes and discussing who they thought was best and why. Leo glanced up at Olivia as she came over with her photographs. “Well let’s see what emotion they can give on camera rather than in a room.”
He muttered and waited to see what she had done. Leo took his sunglasses off, his eyes dark and bloodshot.

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella watched the scene remembering breaking up a few with Liam that where like that. She knew Leo had a hard life and his outlets were small. She hoped she could help him figure out more. It had taken her some time to figure it out as well. She was sure he had it worse than her, he always had but he had to get over how bad it was. His life was pretty great now and even if it wasn't there would be things to look forward to. She left with the first actor and was busy until the end of it. She scrolled through a few pictures where they had caught the look really well. "I don't know if these are really any help." she said. She went through them with Leo and Tony pointing out ones that she felt did particularly well. She looked up at Leo and frowned seeing him in this state. It was a terrible mix of his childhood and his father. Bella bit her lip and looked back at the camera. She felt like she owed it to the boy she once loved tot ry and help him so she made a mental note of things she would need in case he did want to let her help him. Maybe her presence and her words would impact him enough. She really hoped so because she was going to trash any bottle she found and she would find them all eventually. She would give him a warning. Maybe he could try to prove he wasn't a drunk. It was some kind of a plan. She couldn't really get angry at him until he was better. She couldn't blame the boy for breaking her heart until the man and the boy where the same person again.

@ Jinx...
Leo looked at the photos, he wasn’t impressed by any of the men today. Not as much. He looked at tony as he looked for his folder. “The man yesterday.” He mumbled. “The man that you liked, Liv. Can you pull up his picture.” He mentioned and found the notes on him. The mans name was Aaron Martinez. “I like him.” He said and glanced up at the others in charge of casting. “This is my vote.” Leo said and shoved the file to the middle of the table. He leaned back and crossed his arms again. Leo watched as the others discussed what they thought while waiting for Olivia’s pictures, just to be reminded about who he was specifically. Leo watched Olivia the whole time. He just had a saddened look on his eyes. He realized he probably looked pathetic, so he put his sunglasses back on. As they came to the decision to cast Aaron, Leo was relieved to be done. He stood up and packed his files together, looking around as he had misplaced a paper. Tony sighed and shook his head. “Leo, you left it in the conference room.” He said. Leo hurried off and grabbed the paper before coming back. “I’ll see you guys later.” He said and looked between tony and Olivia. Leo began to walk out towards his car. He wanted to scream. He had never learned how to appropriately express his feelings so he just went into a spiral whenever things had gotten bad. Leo moved and sat in his car, his head resting on the wheel as he tried to calm himself so he could drive safely.

@ BadStreetBoys
Olivia nodded and put up the pictures. She put them all up there ending with the last and smiled at it. "Heart throb shot." she looked at the girls in the group and smiled. Yeah they saw it too. Olivia looked over at Leo as he picked Aaron. She smiled and nodded. She was glad the pictures did help. Once they where done she watched Leo as he struggled and Tony help hi with worry written all over him. Leo was blind. the addiction to the drink made him blind. Normally Leo could read anyone and could adapt to a room but he refused to even see what was in the room. He was absorbed in his own grief constantly. The things he went to for comfort was actually keeping him in pain. Olivia bit her lip and walked out with her things seeing Leo in his car. She knocked softly on the window. She had a tone more work to do today. She wanted to reach out to the cast and set up a shoot in the morning for everyone but wanted to see individuals today. "Hey big shot." she said once the window was opened. "So you don't want to tell the man you're making his dream come true that he's going to be famous?" she asked him and leaned in the window. "Come on let's get coffee there's this place down the road. I could use your help calling up the main actors. I need so set up a group shoot tomorrow before we leave and I need to see everyone individually today. "I don't have time to call them all alone and you don't look like your going anywhere fast." she smiled teasingly. "What do you say boss man are you too big to do the grunt work now?"

@ Jinx...
Leo jumped when Olivia tapped on his window, not expecting it. He rolled it down and leaned back in the seat to look up at her. Leo shook his head and shrugged. “Not my job, that’s Tony’s job.” He said as he glanced between her and the rest of the parking lot in front of them. Leo didn’t know why she was being so nice all of a sudden, and he didn’t like it. He was suspicious and distrusting. His arms were crossed over his chest and he glanced up as she spoke again. “Okay, fine.” He said and tuned the car off waiting for Olivia to move so he could get out. He locked his car and shoved his hands in his pockets as he followed her. “I’ll help.” He mumbled as they walked. “They still have to cast a few more people, but I think for the most part everyone is cast.” He told her. Leo kicked a rock as they walked along. He realized she would meet the girl who was playing her. Though the girl was younger in nature to when she appeared in the movie, as well as the actor they hired to play Leo’s younger self. He was nervous about her figuring everything out before they left. But at the moment he didn’t have a choice. This was her job and he couldn’t prevent her from doing it. When they arrived at the shop Leo opened the door for Olivia and followed behind her. He looked up at the menu, though he usually got the same thing every time no matter where he went. “Hazelnut latte with almond milk.” He said to the barista with a small smile. Leo moved to the area where they were supposed to wait. He pulled out his phone to get the list of contact numbers for the actors and actresses.

@ Jinx...
Leo jumped when Olivia tapped on his window, not expecting it. He rolled it down and leaned back in the seat to look up at her. Leo shook his head and shrugged. “Not my job, that’s Tony’s job.” He said as he glanced between her and the rest of the parking lot in front of them. Leo didn’t know why she was being so nice all of a sudden, and he didn’t like it. He was suspicious and distrusting. His arms were crossed over his chest and he glanced up as she spoke again. “Okay, fine.” He said and tuned the car off waiting for Olivia to move so he could get out. He locked his car and shoved his hands in his pockets as he followed her. “I’ll help.” He mumbled as they walked. “They still have to cast a few more people, but I think for the most part everyone is cast.” He told her. Leo kicked a rock as they walked along. He realized she would meet the girl who was playing her. Though the girl was younger in nature to when she appeared in the movie, as well as the actor they hired to play Leo’s younger self. He was nervous about her figuring everything out before they left. But at the moment he didn’t have a choice. This was her job and he couldn’t prevent her from doing it. When they arrived at the shop Leo opened the door for Olivia and followed behind her. He looked up at the menu, though he usually got the same thing every time no matter where he went. “Hazelnut latte with almond milk.” He said to the barista with a small smile. Leo moved to the area where they were supposed to wait. He pulled out his phone to get the list of contact numbers for the actors and actresses.

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella ordered after him the same thing she got last time. She liked to change it sometimes but that was her go to. She walked over by Leo. If she didn't think it would set him off she would tell him that he looked rough. She looked over at his phone. "So what should I say to sound official as they don't know me yet." She said. She had Aaron already done from their first encounter together but she needed the other main players. She had a list by number who was the main characters so that helped. She would get those done first. "After the shoot tomorrow we can leave. I'll be packed and ready so you can bring that smart truck to me." She teased. "You know that thing is going to break on us. Nothing that is smart last very long." She said and chuckled. Once they got their drinks she sat with him on the stools looking out at the street. She texted Tony to see if he talked to Aaron yet. She wanted to make sure he could stop in tomorrow for the shoot. She started her calls trying to sound professional but she was an artist after all.

@ Jinx...
Leo thanked the woman behind the counter as their drinks arrived, following Olivia and sitting besides her. “Just say you’re with the creative development team or something.” He said and shrugged. Leo hadn’t even met everyone. So he didn’t know much. “I haven’t met everyone.” He said and gave her different numbers, telling her who was main and who was more of a side character. He sipped at his drink and it seemed to help him come out of the hangover. “Yea my stuff is already packed on on the RV.” He said and laughed quietly. “I think it’ll be okay. I’ve seen it before. Plus we have that roadside assistance if anything happens. Tony and I programmed it to take back roads and country roads when possible to see the area. And it should know when it needs to stop for gas. We can override it while on it if we wanna make a detour and such.” He explained. Leo was nervous about the trip, but also excited. It was just one more step until he could see his life on the big screen. He thought about the irony of Olivia being there to witness it. He had always thought she would be, when they were younger, but back then he thought of it as them being a couple and proud of each other. Now everything was different. “Liv.” He mumbled and looked over at her after she finished a call. “I miss your red hair.” He said honestly, looking back down at his drink after he spoke.

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella looked over as he said her old nickname softly. She tilted her head her eyes soft. She smiled and ran her fingers through her blonde hair blushing. "I miss your laugh." She smiled softly. "You use to think I was hillarious." She grinned softly at the memory. She wished that they could have that back. It broke her heart because every time she thought she saw a glimpse of her Leo he disappeared just as fast and it seemed the alcohol did it the worst. They worked for a long time and she knew she had to go and meet the first actor but she wanted to talk to Leo. She didn't know how he would receive it. "Come on let's go." She said. They walked outside and she looked at him bitting her lip. She sighed and touched his arm then stopped. "Leo I'm sorry for hurting you yesterday but I can't stand to see you drink..." She looked down. "My father started to drink after mom passed. He got mean. He never laid a hand on me but he didn't half to. His words broke my spirit and there wasn't a wall without a hole in it. I don't know how many sleepless nights I had. So it triggers something inside of me when you drink. This is a work trip for me but I won't be able to focus if I'm worried about you." She said and looked up with worried eyes. She hoped that he would hear her. "You said you weren't a drunk then if you could not drink while we're on this trip together I would really be gateful."

@ Jinx...
Leo looked over and smiled when she spoke about his laugh. Her next comment made him laugh. “You were pretty funny.” He commented. Leo moved and dropped some cash in the tip jar before he followed after Olivia. Leo couldn’t help but think of the nights they had spent together in his house. The late nights they spent in the tree house talking about their secrets, opening up. He thought back to his first kiss, their first kiss, and he couldn’t help the smile and blush that followed at his memories. Leo was about to speak as Olivia spoke and went on. He just looked down at his feet, sighing slightly. He felt bad that her father had ended the same way his had. “I’m fine. I’ll be okay.” He mumbled and looked back up at her. “I’m sorry about your father.” He told her genuinely, gently touching her arm as he tried to show his sincerity to her. Leo didn’t like the worry in her eyes, he felt like it was pity and he didn’t need pity. He didn’t want her pity. He swallowed hard to keep himself calm. “Ill do my best.” He said and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t want to make a promise he didn’t plan on keeping, but he didn’t need her pity or her worry. He was good enough on his own and he could do it on his own.

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella was grateful he understood about her father. He would be the one who would. She had wanted so badly to tell him in high school but didn't want to upset him or make him think she was trying to get his attention. She frowned as he lied to her. She stepped back her eyes hardening. "Don't lie to me. I've heard enough of I'll tries from my father. He never did. If you really where to do your best you would just promise me because then you would do it." She shook her head. "At least have the decency to tell me no." She crossed her arms. "While your at it stop lying to yourself." She said turning and walking away. She knew it was a mistake to talk to him about it. She tried it the easy way and he thought her a fool enough that she would believe him."

Bella went back to her spot from earlier and set up for her shoot. She had scheduled everyone back to back. She would focus on her job and leave her worry and angry at Leo on the back burner.

@ Jinx...
Leo frowned when Olivia turned harsh on him again, he hated it. He didn’t understand how someone could switch just like that. But he understood it well at the same time. He saw his father go from being fine to being violently angry quick. But that wasn’t Olivia. She went from caring and worried to angry and distant so fast. “I’m not fucking lying, Liv.” He bit back. “I’m not promising not to drink because not drinking is stupid. I should be allowed to have a beer or a glass of wine with my dinner. I told you I’ll try my best, which is true.” He said and shook his head. She needed to stop treating him like an alcoholic asshole. He wasn’t his father or her father. Leo just sighed and shook his head as he watched her walk away. He made his way to the parking lot where he left his car.

Leo was finishing up preparing for their trip. He made sure the RV was filled with gas, his bags were packed, he made sure they had plenty of drinks and food in the RV to pass the time. He took some cash out of his account just in case. Leo knew how angry Olivia would be with his drinking so he looked throughout the RV for places to hide some bottles. When he was done packing he called Tony and let him know that he was on his way to pick up Olivia and they were heading out.

Leo and the RV arrived at the casting building right before her last session ended, he headed inside and sat in the back corner as he watched and waited.

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella grinned as she finished up the last pair in her photo shoot. She thanked everyone and waved them off before packing up her things. She ran a hand through her hair pulling it up. She pinned it then picked up her bags. She had more photography gear than she did clothing. She was starting to leave and saw Leo. "Hey ready to get out of this spent town?" she asked him. She would do New York last on their trip since it was unlikely to be what they where wanting to go for. Though she was going to get it as they where on their way out. She defiantly wanted to the the statue of liberty. She grinned and followed him to the RV. She climbed up into it and set her bags on the couch. "Fancy." she shook her head. "This would have been more fun in some run down little hippy van." she said and smiled back at him with wild eyes. The gypsy heart of hers showing. She never did ask about the sleeping arrangements but now of course she was thinking about it. "Don't tell me there are bunk beds in here." she left the smile in place not sure if that would be the worst thing to have but it wasn't ideal. She liked her privacy too.

@ Jinx...
Leo waited for Olivia to finish before standing up and leasing her to the RV. “Tony and I don’t go cheap. If I had to travel across the country I’m doing it in luxury.” He said with a laugh. “Oh no there’s two separate queens, one at the back and one at the front. Middle is the ‘dining’ area and the bathroom.” He told her and began to show Olivia around. It was one of the nicest RVs on the market and Leo was happy to have been able to buy it. “You can pick whichever bed you want I really don’t care.” He said and shrugged. Leo took a sip from his blue water bottle, he saw the look on Olivia’s face and sighed. He held the bottle out to her. “It’s water, taste it.” he said. Leo moved to the small table and sat down, he pulled a notebook from his backpack, his book, and a folder on the actors they hired. He began to look through the things, writing in the notebook. Leo wanted to focus on his work so he didn’t have the urge to drink or fight with Olivia. He wanted the first night to at least go well.

@ BadStreetBoys
Bella shook her head. She followed Leo around as he showed her around. It didn't matter to her where she slept but she would look at the lighting in both and see which made the most sense. Bella as looking at Leo when he took a drink. She hadn't thought anything of it and then he nearly thrust the water bottle at her and she shook her head. "I didn't say anything Leo. Why so defensive?" she asked. "There's no need to be." she said and picked up her bag and went to look at the rooms. Bella picked the room with the best lighting. She set her things down and pulled out her camera. She moved around and found the cockpit. That was basically what this was. She had a notebook and her camera as she sat looking out at the road. She smiled softly her feet propped up. She would spend more time here than most other places because she liked to see the road. It was a road trip after all. She wanted to get a map from each state. She looked at the itinerary for the day and bit her lip before she looked at the rest for the next couple days. She already wanted to add a detour. She could tell men came up with this that didn't have her vision.

@ Jinx...
Leo frowned and sighed. “You gave me the same look Tony gives me when he thinks I’m drinking. I’m not.” He said stubbornly. “I’m not a drunk, Olivia.” Leo worked on the screenplay with some edits he wanted to make before they started filming. He also wanted to start a new novel. Maybe under his real name. His publisher had told him that since he was already established it would easier to sell under his real name. When he was finished with his current work he grabbed a different notebook and different pen before he walked around looking for Olivia. “Hey.” He said and sat in the seat across from her. “I’m trying to write a new book. And I’m getting major creative block.” He said and sighed, tapping his pen on the notebook. “What do you do when you get that?” He asked almost nervously.