A/N: Hey guys! Back with chapter 2! Hope you are like this one. Just to be clear, this is still a work of fiction, as in there are no current bf or gf in either of their lives. So you won't have to worry about all that drama. I wanted to write my own version of them, how I see them. I don't know how it reads so if you guys don't mind telling me so far, that'd be great! The other stories are getting their updates, no worries. Bye all! :)
Grant Gustin did his last minute checks as he gathered his wallet and keys, about ready to take off to his final call screen test. The nerves he didn't care for slipped back in as he stared at his head shot and flipped over the 8x10 glossy photo to reveal his current resume. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. Sure he had his favorite moments where he got to be a side character on a hit show that was about to go off air. Ryan Murphy said he made it "interesting as Sebastian Smythe." Glee was amazing and he was grateful but it was a fun time. Now that he was getting older he wanted to tackle something with substance.
His agent sent him the premise for The Flash months in advance and he sent him a big "what the fuck" response back. There was no way he was close to being right for this role; in his eyes.
For starters, Flash is iconic in the DC mythology. The founder of the Justice League and its current member. One of the oldest and most beloved comic book characters since Superman himself. Fanboys are used to a certain look he's had since the 1940's. All American, right down to the Aryan features: blond, blue eyes, tall, lean yet muscular and a brilliant scientist. Grant had two years in University and dropped out when he got the part of Baby John in West Side Story. How was he going to pull off playing such a character he doesn't know a thing about? Not that he was at all inept from taking it on, yet still, in the back of his mind he felt like the character just didn't embody him.
Growing up he used to collect Superman memorabilia. You ask him and pretty much he'd say he had everything Superman he could get his hands on. Flash was a completely different DC character. He didn't know what he was getting himself into. But he felt that he had to take the opportunity before it passed him. He somehow felt like it was going to alter his life; maybe in more ways than one.
He checked his phone before heading out. He knew he was at least a few hours early but he needed time to prepare as he normally had before each audition. His phone vibrated and he smiled at the ID.
"Hey what's up man?"
"Little brother!" Tyler exclaimed. "Got your big thing today?"
"Yeah, I woke up like extra early today, whatever."
"Don't sweat it. Don't even think that it's a big deal. You're just gonna check it out."
"I'm so not gunning for any distractions. And no I'm not nervous—it's just a big role. Which is funny they asked me, you and I both know appearance-wise I'm not what they're looking for."
Tyler groaned. "Dude, relax. It's supposed to be cool. Go in, and get it done."
Grant sighed, "Yeah I know. How's Gracie? I know it's been a while since we've talked. Can you tell her I love her?"
"Tell her yourself. We don't even know who you are anymore. You're not part of the family as far as I'm concerned." Tyler faux cried.
Grant rolled his eyes, smirking. "Sure I haven't ignored you guys that much. I still keep in touch. Ask mom and dad if you don't believe me."
"Nah just fucking with you. She's cool. Give her call; try out some accents with her. I'm sure she'll forgive you for not keeping in touch."
"You really gonna keep giving me shit about this now? On today of all days? Whatever happened to my supportive older bro? I've done stuff for you. I was there for you man." Grant attempted to fake sniff and Tyler scoffed at the other end.
"Uhuh, yeah well, sister is always where she normally is. Go on, phone her. It's all good, course I'll tell her. Anyway, I gotta split, got this thing. My instagram needs new some port images. But yeah, let me know how this goes."
"Sure man, love ya."
"Hate ya. Seriously, good luck little brother. You got this."
Grant took a deep breath before following his older brother's bye with his own and jammed his cell in his pocket. He thought about what Tyler said, then went over what his parents told him the day before and shook his head. This really was a big deal but he shouldn't let it get to his head. If he doesn't get it, then OK, but he really wanted it. He wanted a lead role for once, and for it to be something as iconic as Flash, it would probably exceed his wildest dreams. Aside from his lifelong pursuit of being on Broadway.
He walked to his car and drove himself to the studio in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. Finding the studio was the easy part, the closer he got to the parking lot, the more nerves started to take over his body. He graciously nodded and smiled at the parking attending and went to the front entrance where he saw a line of young girls, no older than he was, waiting for their name to be called. It looked like a cattle call of plain Janes in a queue. Not that it was a bad thing, Grant always found them appealing, more than the over processed, tries too hard arrogant actresses he came across.
Grant paid no attention to that anyway, it wasn't like he was looking for a girlfriend through this process, and he clearly wasn't. He only wanted one thing: that part. Although if he was the one they wanted to go with, the worst part of actually getting the part would be working with someone like that. A narcissist. Grant shook his head and made his way around the corner to map out the way to the audition room.
"Hey, so, sorry, um, you OK?" Grant asked, almost knocking someone over. Her eyes grew wider than saucers as his smile slowly rose.
"Oh, uh—yeah—sorry, my bad. I was just uh," she gestured, she acted as if she was trying to get away. "It's just I've got—never mind."
Grant nodded quickly, getting it. "Sorry about that, I'll try not to run you over again if I see you."
She watched him smile slightly as he said that. She smirked, almost returning the smile he gave her.
"Thanks. See ya around." she made a move around him.
Grant looked on as she disappeared around the corner. She looked jittery, was she here for an audition too? He assumed she was probably here for something, having no clue if it was for the same show he was trying out for.
He smirked, shaking his head as he went to the vending machine, getting a snack.
"That would be funny." He said to himself; hoping no one heard him as he popped open a Pepsi and drank a long sip.
Grant snapped out of it and turned back on the way he was walking and his body almost collided with the girl from before. If possible, her eyes grew even larger.
"Oh hey, oh hi again." Grant stammered, hoping she wouldn't notice. She looked at him curiously.
"Hi, um, so you didn't run me over I guess." She joked; Grant smiled and chuckled as he watched her blush.
"Suppose not, hey, did you just have an audition or something? I saw you coming from the room." He gestured behind her.
"Uh, yeah, I was the last one. Go figure."
He nodded, smiling thinly. "Tell me about it. I'm nearly the last one according to my character. Wait, are you auditioning for Flash right?"
She nodded. "Yeah that's what I read for, you?"
Had a feeling, Grant thought, unable to hide his smile.
"Oh cool, yeah me too. Only I somehow managed to get lucky with the lead, Barry Allen, The Flash. He's pretty iconic and I'm a Superman guy myself."
She narrowed her eyes, tilting her head. "Wait, did you say you already auditioned or?"
"I'm about to. They wanted to do Caitlin's part first. I'm supposed to audition with all these blond, muscular dudes. I'm so wrong for this part." Grant caught himself admitting this to a total stranger but it just slipped out and it was too late to take it back.
She shook her head, with an amused expression. "Well you made it this far. Clearly they saw something in you or else you wouldn't have been given a shot. I just tried out for Caitlin."
He nodded, "Right on. Wow, well, it's awesome we met, would be funny if we both got it together, right?"
"Yeah...it's so awesome we met and yet I don't know your name." Grant winced upon hearing that.
"Oh, sorry about that, it's Grant, uh Gustin, Grant Gustin." He said, smiling her way, his eyes crinkled at the corners as she stared on.
He held out his hand and she took it, shaking it gently. "Hi, Danielle, Panabaker, don't expect you to know me, I haven't worked for months."
Grant laughed, looking down then up at Danielle, seeing her eyes pinch as she smiled shyly. "Neither have I. Like I said, it'd be cool if they took a chance and cast both of us."
Danielle nodded, "That would be interesting."
He shared a look with her, unable to place it, goose bumps rose on the back of his neck as he nodded, coming back to reality.
Grant awkwardly filled the silence, "Nice to meet you. Hope we see each other again."
She let go of his hand and brushed some hair behind her ear, making sure her purse didn't fall off her shoulder. "Sure, see you later, good luck."
He nodded, breathing out. He felt Danielle touch his shoulder gently.
"Hey, it's OK, relax, you got this. Just be authentic, put your heart on the line. I know we just met but that seemed to work for me. Hope that helps." Danielle let go as Grant stared at her seriously.
"Thanks Danielle. See ya around, I hope."
She nodded, smiling as she stepped away but not before turning back around, "Sure."
Grant stared as Danielle walked out of the hallway and out to the front entrance. He lingered there for a moment before turning on his heel to the place the network crew needed him for his screen test. He looked behind him once again and couldn't tear the smile off his face, hoping he might get this role, if anything, to get to know Danielle better.
As luck would have it, he did have an early call in and he got in just in time for his time slot. It was unnerving walking past so many guys who clearly spent extra time in the gym to prepare for this character. Grant held his head high and continued inside the room he was meant to walk in.
Andrew was the first one to greet him, and then came Greg and the great Geoff Johns following at the end, he was mostly calm and observant whereas Andrew and Greg were the more vocal of the producers. Meeting them for the first time was insane but Grant held his own as he took the script that was handed to him and began the monologue.
"Wait, wait, Grant, do you mind if I stop you for a second?" Andrew intercepted before Grant started a syllable.
Grant didn't move until Andrew came closer to him to whisper in his ear.
"Do you mind coming in tomorrow? Same time?"
"Yeah sure."
"Great." Andrew patted his back and sat down with the rest of the producers.
It was typical standard audition atmosphere. Either their eyes are directly on you or they're whispering to each other acting like you aren't there to throw you off. Grant couldn't tell the difference really. He kept his attention focused and strong, especially at the part of his emotional monologue. It was short and terse but he got through it.
Although he felt like he injected almost too much emotion, he survived it. He watched Greg nod and share a look with Geoff who had a poker face most would envy in Las Vegas card game tables. He wasn't going to get a reaction out of any of them. Casting directors are trained to not show emotion during the screen tests; Grant learned this the more he went to auditions.
When Grant was finished he listened to Greg who was the spokesperson of the crew.
"Awesome, thanks Grant. We'll be in touch." Greg commented with no emotion, just a professional smile, as stoic as can be.
Grant thanked them for their time and nodded off to Andrew but not before he came beside him as he was about to walk out the door.
"Hey Grant, that was great."
Grant almost bit his lip and nodded. "Yeah? Thanks."
"So I can count on you for tomorrow?"
Grant smiled quickly, wanting to know what was up but still nodded in his response.
Andrew shrugged. "Oh don't worry; it's nothing bad, promise."
Grant waved him off as Andrew turned the corner back inside the room. Grant had a million thoughts running around his head and he wasn't sure what to expect. Was it ominous? More like inconspicuous. If this was any indication that he got the part, he was going to need a clear sign. All he knew is that he never felt more relaxed for a part before. It felt natural, more of his pace. Personal, emotional. He smiled as he remembered what Danielle said to him, and he wasn't going to forget it anytime soon. Especially if there was a tiny chance they were going to see more of each other.
What are the odds of that happening?