A/N: This was heavily inspired by Love Will Always Be a Lesson, an absolutely phenomenal Hollywood AU that made me itch to write my own. I know nothing about scriptwriting, so please excuse me for any stylistic errors. After 1293014 times trying and failing to get small caps to work for the character names, I give up and I'm replacing them with all caps. The title is taken from Girls, which brings me both joy and sorrow to listen to.

This is about 1k longer than the old version that was posted, so you'll notice some changes.

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“An Untold Tale,” Jessica reads the title of the script her agent had specifically set aside. “I guess I always wanted to tell one.”

Sooyoung smiles. “It sounds like a really interesting project.”

“So you’ve told me.” Jessica had gotten quite a few scripts, but this was the only one Sooyoung really seemed excited about. Now that she’s not a total rookie, she can afford to be more selective about the roles she takes on and she trusts Sooyoung’s tastes in choosing one that’s both good for her career and suits her interests. “A tale about the love between an immortal and a mortal. Sounds like it could really go either way.”

“Well, Evelyn Han usually only makes short films but they’re very interesting. This will be her full-length debut.”

“And the same for my co-star, I see,” Jessica says, reading the completely unfamiliar name. “I thought you said that they were going to cast Yoona Im, or at least someone of the same calibre.”

Her manager sighs. “This director is eager to inject some fresh blood into the movie. She thinks that casting someone unknown will give it a kick.”

“A kick,” Jessica repeats. Well, she just hopes that this won’t end up kicking her where it hurts.

 

WREN almost runs into KAIA. WREN is bent over, gasping, her hands on her knees.

WREN
Sorry! I didn’t see you there.

KAIA
It’s okay.

WREN
Are you…new here?

KAIA
I guess you could say that.

WREN
I thought so. I don’t forget faces.

KAIA
That’s a useful skill.

WREN
Thanks, it comes in handy. I’m Wren. It’s nice to meet you!

 

Jessica’s co-star is young and beyond that, youthful, with the kind of joyous sheen that a few years in Hollywood will scrub away. She has dark hair and darker eyes, and somehow she’s smiling with those even more than she is with .

“You’re Kaia, right?” are her first words, before she flushes all the way from her forehead to her neck. “I mean, you play Kaia. I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are. In a good way!”

Jessica just stares at her.

“I’m Tiffany. Tiffany Hwang. Like, I am her I don’t play her. I play—”

“Wren,” Jessica says. “I know.”

“Yeah,” Tiffany says. “Wren.”

There’s something about her voice when she says her character’s name, a note of wonder, like she can’t believe this is really happening to her. It’s been a very long time since Jessica’s first movie, as the younger self of the second female lead in a coming of age film, but she can relate.

“Well,” Jessica says. “Nice to meet you, co-star.”

Tiffany flashes her a smile that is blinding, even given the amount of teeth bleaching Jessica has seen in Hollywood. “It’s wonderful to meet you!” she says at a decibel that is just shy of hurting Jessica’s ears, and Jessica wonders if this is the first part of getting kicked.

 

WREN
Oh hey! It’s you again.

KAIA
Yes. It is me.

WREN
Kaia, right?

KAIA
Yes. And you are Wren, if I’m correct.

WREN
Yes, Wren! You remember me!

KAIA (murmurs)
How could I not?

WREN
Sorry?

KAIA
It’s nothing. Please excuse me.

WREN (laughs)
You talk so formally. It’s like you’re from a different time.

KAIA (smiles)
Maybe I am.

WREN
Well, if you need a guide to the twenty-first century, I’m here.

WREN holds out her hand, and after a moment of hesitation KAIA takes it.

WREN
Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?

KAIA (shakes her head)
Do you?

WREN
I do now! Come on, let’s go.

WREN pulls KAIA after her, still holding her hand, and KAIA trails after her. They don’t let go.

 

Jessica likes Evelyn. She’s clear about what she expects from them without being overtly severe. Jessica has worked with directors on both ends of the spectrum: ones who were so soft you didn’t know what you were doing wrong, and ones who were so harsh it was hard to find anything constructive about their criticism. Evelyn is very much in the middle, perhaps leaning towards the harsh end.

It’s clear that this project means a lot to her; it’s an untold tale that she wants to tell with care and detail, and she wants everything to be perfect. Jessica can understand that. In terms of their small budget and tight timeline, however, it certainly means that things aren’t all smooth sailing, especially with a rookie as her co-star.

Tiffany works very hard. She throws herself into everything with tireless enthusiasm, and even though she doesn’t always succeed, Jessica admires her energy and diligence.

“You two have great chemistry,” Evelyn says with satisfaction. “I was concerned about that, given how the story is basically entirely driven by the connection between Wren and Kaia. It’s good to see that I can already find that in you two.”

Tiffany blushes. It’s endearing. She’s still so new to all of this. “Thank you.”

“There are still a lot of rough patches,” Evelyn continues, and Tiffany’s face falls. Jessica had anticipated a comment like that, and even if she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have shown such a bare reaction. “Don’t be disheartened by it. I hope to continue and build on this momentum throughout the rest of filming.”

Tiffany nods furiously. “I’ll work even harder,” she promises. “I won’t let you down.”

“I know this movie means a lot to you, Evelyn,” Jessica says. “It means a lot to us too. We want to tell the story the way it deserves to be told.”

Evelyn smiles at both of them. “And we will,” she says. “I couldn’t hope for a better cast.” She claps a hand on each of their shoulders before walking away.

“Thank you for all your help,” Tiffany says shyly. “I really appreciate it.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Jessica shifts onto her other foot. “I’m your co-star. We’re in this together.”

“But you’re so good,” Tiffany says, looking at Jessica with eyes full of admiration. It almost makes Jessica want to avert her own. “I know you probably thought you’d end up with someone better, someone in your own league. I’m sorry if I didn’t live up to your expectations.”

“No, you didn’t,” Jessica says, and Tiffany’s face falls again. She really has to work on that. “You exceeded them.”

Tiffany’s eyes widen. “Huh?”

“You may not…have the most experience in acting, but you have something more important. You have heart. You believe in the character you play. Anyone can have more roles, but not anyone can do that.”

Tiffany’s face turns so red Jessica hopes she’s okay. However, she holds Jessica’s gaze. “Thank you,” she says quietly, somehow different from the way she said it to Evelyn.

Jessica shrugs. “I’m just telling the truth. When I started off, I had co-stars who reassured me too. One day, you’ll be telling these words to someone else.”

“Will you be there that day?” Tiffany suddenly asks.

“I mean, I hope I wouldn’t have died yet. Are you planning to take eighty years?”

“If I am, can I still tell you about it?”

“Sure. I’d love to be a hundred year old lady telling another one ‘I told you so.’”

And when Tiffany bursts into laughter, Jessica finds herself staring for just a beat too long.

 

KAIA
You’ll never understand what it’s like to move on with life in an uninterrupted stroll while everyone around you has finished running their race against time.

WREN
No, I don’t. But it doesn’t have to be a race.

KAIA
Of course it is. Humans never feel like they have enough time.

WREN
That’s because we often find that someone who makes us feel that way.

KAIA
That way?

WREN
That one lifetime isn’t enough.

 

Evelyn gets the idea that they should sing a song together, and Tiffany is both excited and nervous about it.

“I’ve never sang sang,” she frets.

“Now here’s your chance,” Jessica says. “It seems that this movie is a lot of firsts for you.”

“Yeah,” Tiffany says, giving Jessica a look she can’t quite read. “Not for you though. You’ve sang professionally.”

“Well, not for a movie. I did do a musical or two.”

“I know. You were amazing in Legally Blonde.” Tiffany flushes after she says it, like she’s embarrassed at her knowledge of Jessica’s works.

“Thank you,” Jessica says politely, almost on reflex.

“You have a really unique voice.”

“I’ve been told it resembles a dolphin’s,” she says dryly.

Tiffany wrinkles her nose. “That isn’t quite what I meant by unique…”

Jessica almost smiles.

“Did you ever consider doing Broadway?”

She laughs. “I’m not good enough to be on Broadway.”

“Who says?”

“I say.” Jessica knows she has a good voice, but not a Broadway-worthy voice. “Besides, musicals – plays – are too… You only get one chance. There are no second takes, no editing.”

“I think there’s something beautiful in that,” Tiffany says.

Jessica does smile this time. “There is, but it’s not for me. I like knowing that I get a second chance if I need it.”

“That’s the beauty of acting, isn’t it?” Tiffany murmurs. “Second chances and having your lines all planned out for you.”

“And someone to do your hair and makeup for you,” Jessica adds. “Always a plus.”

Tiffany laughs, her eyes curving into crescents in the way that Kaia finds irresistible from Wren and Jessica finds— Well.

“I’m amazed at what they can do with makeup. That scene where Wren gets into her accident—” Tiffany abruptly cuts off, eyes going wide like she had said something she wasn’t supposed to.

“Don’t worry,” Jessica says, amused. “I know that it happens. You don’t have to be afraid of spoiling me.”

“Sorry,” Tiffany says sheepishly. “My friends are always after me about the movie—”

Jessica’s eyes narrow.

“—but I haven’t told them anything! I wouldn’t.”

“You’ve never been able to keep secrets,” Jessica says, slipping into Kaia without meaning to.

Tiffany doesn’t even falter as she replies with Wren’s line. “Ah, but I’ve been able to keep you all to myself, haven’t I?”

It comes out in a huskier voice than her normal register, than Wren’s register, and there’s something dark but bright in Tiffany’s eyes that makes Jessica pause.

“I—can’t remember my line.”

Tiffany laughs, the silver peals of it washing over Jessica. “We’re not filming. You can say anything you want.”

And yet, it is another of Kaia’s lines that rises to the forefront of Jessica’s mind.

“You should never tell someone that they can have anything they want. You have no idea how they will interpret that.”

“I don’t tell anyone that. I told you. You’re not just anyone.”

“Oh.”

“You’re no one.” Laughter, full-bodied like everything else Wren did. “I’m just kidding. I meant it when I said you can have anything, or at least anything that I can give you. You can have everything.”

“Sometimes it’s easier, you know,” Jessica murmurs. “To just follow a script.”

“I know,” Tiffany says readily. “Wren says things I wish I had the guts to say.”

“Wren is special like that.”

“Is that why you – I mean, Kaia – love her?”

Jessica can’t articulate how Kaia feels for Wren. Kaia herself probably can’t, vast vocabulary and poetic proclivities and all. Some things are beyond words.

“Sorry,” Tiffany says. “I just wonder what Kaia thinks a lot.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Jessica says. “That’s a good thing. That means you’re really being Wren, not just playing Wren.”

“Really being Wren,” Tiffany repeats.

“That’s the ultimate success of acting, you know?”

Tiffany looks at Jessica with shining eyes, like she had revealed some great secret that only seasoned actresses are allowed to know.

“That means a lot to me. Thank you.”

Jessica clears . “Don’t mention it. And as for your question earlier—”

“Yeah?”

“I think it is,” Jessica says. “One of the many reasons Kaia loves her.”

 

KAIA
Have you told anybody about…

WREN
About…?

KAIA
Me. You and me.

WREN
There’s a pronoun for that called ‘us,’ you know.

KAIA
I am aware of basic grammar, thank you.

WREN
Have I told anybody about us? How can I, when you don’t even think there is an ‘us’?

KAIA
I never said there wasn’t.

WREN
So is there then? An ‘us’?

KAIA takes WREN's hands.

KAIA
I have never wanted anything more than that.

WREN
Never is a long time. Especially for you.

KAIA (forcefully)
I have never wanted—

WREN kisses her and after a tiny moment of hesitation KAIA kisses her back.

 

“Yeah, I’m having a good time.” Jessica laughs into the phone. “No, I’m not getting you James McAvoy’s signature. I only saw him for like two seconds. Okay, you too. Bye.”

Tiffany looks at her curiously. “Your friend?”

“You could say that. My sister.”

“Ah. Younger?”

“Yeah. How’d you tell?”

“You sound like the older sister,” Tiffany says with a smile.

“Do you have any siblings?”

“Two,” Tiffany says, but doesn’t elaborate. There is a tension to the set of that isn’t obvious to the untrained eye but could not have been more so to Jessica’s. She can’t help but wonder if Tiffany will improve at this too, at acting when the cameras are turned off. She has the strange thought that she doesn’t want her to, that she wants her to stay as the girl who is unafraid to bare her heart along with her teeth in her smile.

“My family didn’t really…support me when I came to Hollywood,” Tiffany says with a wry twist of .

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

“It’s such a cliché story, isn’t it? Wannabe actress packs her bags against the wishes of her family for a shot at fame, goes to Hollywood and waits tables while waiting for a chance…”

“You’re not a wannabe,” is the only thing Jessica can think to say.

Tiffany gives a tired smile. “Thanks, Jessi.”

“There’s nothing wrong with chasing after your dream. If nobody did that then there wouldn’t even be movies.”

“What a terrible world that would be.”

“Right? We would both be out of a job.”

Tiffany chuckles. “I’d be devastated.”

“So would I.” She’d probably have to go to college. No thanks; high school was more than enough education for her.

“And we wouldn’t have met each other,” Tiffany adds.

Suddenly, Jessica realizes that Tiffany had called her ‘Jessi.’ It’s not a nickname that anyone has ever called her; she’s only ever been ‘Jess.’ The new nickname is…not startling like falling but rather like landing on her feet, a change to comfort.

“That…would be sad.” Jessica should never be allowed to write her own dialogue.

“Very sad,” Tiffany agrees. “I can’t imagine not having you as a friend.”

Jessica doesn’t know why Tiffany seems to think that she’s so unlike candid Wren. Tiffany is one of the sincerest people Jessica has ever met. It’s not that she doesn’t have a brain to mouth filter, but that she doesn’t let her brain get in the way of what she wants to say in her heart. Jessica knows very few people like that, and she’s including fictional ones.

It is a miracle when Jessica manages to find words of her own.

“You don’t have to,” she says, and Tiffany gives a brilliant smile in reply.

 

WREN
Are you sure this is what you want?

KAIA
This is what I want. This is what I’ll always want. Forever.

WREN
Forever is a long time. Especially for you.

KAIA
Someone once told me that humans often feel like one lifetime isn’t enough. I guess in this aspect, I’m still human.

WREN reaches for KAIA, cups her jaw but does not kiss her.

WREN
You’re as human as me. Just…not as ordinary.

KAIA
You could never be ordinary.

 

Tiffany takes a cherry tomato off Jessica’s plate. “Did you know that Kaia means pure in Greek?”

“Does it? I thought it was just coconut jam.”

“Jessica!” Tiffany sounds like she’s choking a little.

“Kidding. That’s spelled with a y.” Jessica takes care to pick out all the cucumbers from her salad. She usually buys one from a specialty store that comes without them, but she had run out of time and bought the first garden salad she could see and this is what she gets.

“You don’t like cucumbers?”

“I can’t stand them.”

“Can I have them?”

“Be my guest.” Jessica gestures to them. “And no, I didn’t know that’s what Kaia means. Evelyn told me that she was originally going to use the name Daia for my character – it means everlasting morning joy – but she thought it sounded better with a k sound so she changed it to Kaia.”

“Oh,” Tiffany says. “Daia is nice too.”

“It is, but—”

“—I like Kaia better,” they say at the same time.

“Everlasting morning joy,” Tiffany says thoughtfully.

“Yeah, that really suits me, doesn’t it?”

“I’m not sure about the ‘morning’ part…”

Jessica laughs. “Shush. Wren is—a bird, right?”

Tiffany nods. “Yeah, a songbird.”

“That suits you. Is it a loud songbird?”

“Hey!”

“See,” Jessica says, delicately spearing a cherry tomato with her fork. “It suits you.”

 

WREN
Do you remember when you told me about how you’re strolling while everyone else is racing against time?

KAIA
Yes. I haven’t forgotten.

WREN
I think… I’m starting to put my running shoes on.

KAIA
The race isn’t nearly on for you.

WREN
I don’t want to have to fight time. I won’t win.

KAIA
You don’t have to.

WREN
I want to be with you. One lifetime isn’t enough.

KAIA
Wren.

WREN (voice almost cracking)
I want to be with you.

KAIA puts her arms around WREN and holds her tightly.

KAIA
I do too.

 

“I’m nervous,” Tiffany says. “I haven’t sung – sang? Sung? – in a long time.”

“It’s sung, I think. And I doubt you’re as out of practice as you think you are.”

“I am,” Tiffany whines.

“You’re a songbird, right? Singing is your life.”

“My life,” Tiffany says thoughtfully. She has a habit of tucking her hair behind her ear when she’s thinking, and Jessica notices that it’s become more pronounced lately.

“You don’t have to be nervous,” Jessica says. “I’ll be there being nervous too. I also haven’t sung in a while.”

“Yeah but. You’re so good. You’ve been in musicals.”

“Just two.”

“You’re so good,” Tiffany repeats. “You don’t have anything to be nervous about.”

“Well, I have you to be nervous about.”

“I’ll try not to drag you down.”

“I didn’t mean,” Jessica starts, mildly alarmed, and Tiffany laughs.

“I know, Jessi. I’m just joking.”

“I’ve never been called that as a nickname before.”

“Jessi?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh. Do you not like it? I can st—”

“I like it,” Jessica says, quicker than she intended to. “I—it’s nice. I don’t mind.”

“Okay.” Tiffany smiles, and Jessica understand why there are so many lines in the screenplay like WREN smiles, and KAIA cannot look away.. It’s hard to look away from a smile like that. “I look forward to singing with you then, Jessi.”

“Yeah,” Jessica says slowly. “I do too.”