Chapter Text
Ever since Zoe could remember, she wanted to be an actress. She didn’t care about becoming a star or having her name in the Hall of Fame or etched into the sidewalk. She didn’t even need to be an A-list celebrity. She just wanted to bring joy to the people who watched movies to escape their own lives—to see her on screen and feel certain, even for a moment, that the film they were watching was going to be good.
And that’s what Zoe tried to do.
It was a passion she never let slip away. Every chance she got, she went from audition to audition. And each time, she was met with the same harsh reminder—watching the beautiful blonde with porcelain skin get picked, or the woman with a thinner frame, or someone who simply had enough money to buy their way in.
Zoe learned quickly that the film industry had a type, and she didn’t fit it.
But she didn’t give up. Young and still eager, she found herself auditioning for a Disney show: Starlight Harbor, a Disney Channel teen movie about a coastal town where stars “fall” into the ocean and grant small magical effects.
She had only planned to start small, aiming for a background role. But they liked her energy—how full of life she was—and instead cast her as Erica, the main protagonist’s best friend: a grounded, ambitious girl who discovers she can “read” star fragments. It became her breakout role.
From there, things took off. She was soon picked up by Disney again to star in a series called Brightside High, where she played a student counselor with a surprising singing voice.
For years, she worked steadily, building her career and living her life. By her early twenties into her early thirties, she had appeared in multiple films and series—Glass Houses, After the Lights, Redline Protocol, The Distance Between Us, Neon Hearts, and most recently, Empire of Ashes.
Zoe Bennet became a household name, and she lived her dreams to the fullest.
But now...
“Zoe Bennett!?”
Zoe froze at the sound of her name over the phone. The ringing in her ears faded as she blinked, trying to process what she’d just heard.
“Oh—uh, sorry… did you just say I got the part?”
Black Horizon. The biggest film of the year. A high-stakes action thriller and espionage disaster movie. And her? Zoe Bennett was being considered for the female lead: Dr. Elara Vance, a brilliant scientist with a rare talent for deciphering and translating alien languages.
A soft laugh came through the line.
"Ha, thought we lost you there. But kind of. Denis really loved your take on Elara, and so did Mary. We were actually hoping you'd come in for a chemistry read with the male lead."
Zoe's stomach immediately twisted with nerves. She was so close. Chemistry reads weren't something she'd had to do often throughout her career, and now everything suddenly felt real.
"Oh, yeah, I can do that! When would you like me to come out there? I'm in Atlanta right now, so I'd need to fly to LA."
She slipped out of bed and reached for the planner tucked away in her bedside drawer.
The woman hummed thoughtfully. "Could you make it this Friday?"
Zoe flipped through the pages. Her schedule was clear, and she had more than enough money saved for a flight.
"Yeah, of course. That's completely fine with me."
She grabbed a pen and quickly scribbled a note across Friday's empty space.
"Amazing. Well, we'll see you then."
After they hung up, Zoe let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Almost immediately, she pulled up available flights to Los Angeles.
She wasn't about to get ahead of herself and start apartment hunting or making filming plans. If there wasn't chemistry between her and the male lead, she could still lose the role. Nothing was guaranteed yet.
Still, she couldn't help but feel optimistic.
The chemistry read should be simple enough. Elara didn't have a love interest in the script. If anything, she was treated more like valuable government property—someone whose knowledge was too important to lose. The male lead, Jace Calloway, had been assigned to protect and escort her throughout the mission.
There weren't any romantic scenes. No dramatic kisses. Nothing like that.
In fact, the dynamic reminded her a little of The Last of Us—two people forced together by circumstances, learning to trust one another while trying to survive.
She just hoped the actor playing Jace was nice.
Once her flight was booked and her suitcase packed, there wasn't much else to do. She decided to sleep on it. There would be plenty of time to overthink everything later.
After all, Friday was only two days away.
The plane ride wasn't bad at all. Zoe kept in contact with Rebecca, letting her know she'd arrived safely and checked into a hotel only a few minutes from the studio lot. Rebecca sent over the gate passcode she'd need to get through security on Friday morning, along with a reminder of where to report once she arrived.
That left Zoe with an entire day and night to herself in Los Angeles.
She wasn't much of a party person, never had been. Shopping, though? That was another story. It turned out to be the perfect distraction from the knot of nerves sitting stubbornly in her stomach.
With a pair of sunglasses perched on her nose, she wandered along one of LA's shopping districts, peering through store windows as she passed. Most of the displays made her laugh more than anything. Everything was outrageously expensive.
Five thousand dollars for a dress? Did it come with magical powers?
And don't even get her started on the purses. Or the shoes.
Zoe had money, more than she'd ever dreamed of having growing up, but she wasn't about to spend it on something she'd wear once before shoving it into the back of a closet. Even if the shopping was a bust, the food more than made up for it.
That evening she found herself seated at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. The skyline glowed beneath the setting sun, painting the glass towers in shades of gold and orange. She ate alone, but she didn't mind. Every now and then someone recognized her from a movie or television show and stopped by to ask for an autograph or a picture.
The interactions were always brief and respectful, and seeing how excited people got never failed to make her smile.
Los Angeles had always been fun. And if she landed this role, she could definitely see herself spending a lot more time here.
Eventually the evening came to an end. Back in her hotel room, she laid out her outfit for the next morning, checked the studio address for what felt like the hundredth time, and set three separate alarms.
Sleep didn't come easily. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind drifted back to Black Horizon. To Elara. To the chemistry read. To the possibility that everything could change tomorrow.
When morning finally arrived, Zoe was awake before her alarms had the chance to go off.
After a quick shower and a light breakfast she barely tasted, she got dressed, gathered her things, and headed downstairs. The California morning air was cool against her skin as she stepped outside and climbed into the car waiting to take her to the studio.
The closer she got, the faster her heart seemed to beat.
Soon the familiar studio gates came into view.
Taking a steadying breath, Zoe rolled down the window and gave security the passcode Rebecca had sent her.
The driver pulled up outside a small studio building. Zoe was already familiar with it, this was where she'd come for her last callback, the one where she'd performed scenes in front of the director and producer. After tipping the driver, she stepped out and made her way toward the entrance.
She needed to calm down. She had this, she'd studied Elara inside and out, spent weeks preparing, and watched countless films in the same genre. She knew the character and she knew the material.
Opening the door, she stepped into the green room—and immediately froze. Sitting inside were Naomi Scott, Ayo Edebiri, and Sophie Thatcher.
All three were incredible actresses and suddenly, Zoe felt very, very intimidated.
"Oh, hey! You're Zoe Bennett!" Sophie said with a grin. "I loved you in Empire of Ashes."
The compliment caught Zoe off guard, but she found herself smiling.
"Ah, yeah?"
The nerves in her stomach loosened just a little when Sophie nodded enthusiastically.
"Yeah! Me and my friend were obsessed with it. We were definitely shocked when we saw you naked, though. But hey, you've got a banging body."
Zoe laughed. "That was the first time I've ever been naked on camera. Thankfully everyone was really respectful about it. The final product turned out great, though." She paused. "That episode was one my dad definitely skipped."
"I can't blame him," Naomi said with a laugh. The room chuckled, and Zoe felt herself relax even more.
"So, have you guys gone in yet?" she asked. The three shook their heads.
"Nope," Ayo said, setting down a magazine and stretching. "We just got here. Rebecca said we're waiting on Michael before we start."
Zoe blinked. "Michael?"
"Yeah. Michael B. Jordan."
The name hit her like a freight train. Her brain stalled completely.
Michael B. Jordan?
As in Creed?
As in Black Panther?
As in that Michael B. Jordan?
He was playing Jace Calloway?
"M-Michael B. Jordan?" she repeated. "Like... Creed Michael B. Jordan?"
The other women immediately noticed the panic returning to her face. "Hey, it's gonna be okay," Sophie assured her, patting her knee. "He's actually really chill. Total professional."
Zoe quickly shook her head.
"Oh, no. That's not what I'm worried about."
The three exchanged curious looks.
Zoe dropped her face into her hands.
"I have the biggest damn celebrity crush on him."
The room exploded with laughter. "Oh, you poor thing," Ayo managed between laughs which made Zoe groan louder.
"No, seriously. This is a disaster."
"Could be worse," Naomi said, still smiling.
"How?"
"At least you'll get to act out the romance scenes with him."
Zoe looked up. "What romance scenes?" Naomi blinked and wondered where Zoe has been at. "You didn't hear?"
"Hear what?"
The actresses exchanged looks.
"Oh no," Sophie muttered.
Zoe sat up straighter.
"What?"
"Apparently they made script changes a few weeks ago," Naomi explained. "My manager told me they added a romance subplot."
"A romance subplot?" Zoe choked out with her eyes widening. "Yeah."
The silence stretched. "Is that why we're doing chemistry reads?" Zoe asked slowly. All three women nodded in unison which made Zoe's eyes widened.
"Oh no."
"There's supposed to be kissing scenes," Naomi added.
Zoe looked horrified.
"Oh no."
"And a pretty intimate scene."
"OH NO."
She buried her face back into her hands.
"I'm not ready for this."
Part of her briefly considered getting up, walking out the door, and pretending she'd never received the callback in the first place. Unfortunately, she didn't get the chance.
The door opened and Rebecca stepped into the room holding a clipboard. "Okay, ladies, ready?"
She paused when she noticed Zoe looking like she was in the middle of an existential crisis.
"...Everything okay?"
"No," Zoe answered honestly.
Rebecca laughed as she did not know and was not paid to ask. "Well, Michael's here and ready to start, so we'll be going alphabetically."
Ayo stood.
"That's me."
Rebecca nodded. "You're up first."
With one final stretch, Ayo rose from her chair and followed Rebecca out of the room, leaving Zoe alone with her thoughts.
Well, almost alone.
Naomi and Sophie were still there, but Zoe barely heard the conversations around her. Her attention remained fixed on the closed door. Every so often, muffled voices drifted through the wall, followed by the occasional burst of applause. Then Ayo emerged with a smile on her face, and Naomi was called in next.
The cycle repeated.
Wait.
Applause.
Door opens.
Door closes.
Soon it was just Sophie and Zoe remaining.
Sophie did her best to calm her nerves, but the relief never lasted long. Every reassuring word seemed to fade the moment Zoe remembered who was waiting on the other side of that door.
Michael B. Jordan.
By the time Sophie was called in, Zoe felt like she might throw up.
The room seemed impossibly quiet after Sophie left. Zoe sat alone, twisting her fingers together as her imagination ran wild. She didn't even know what scene they were reading. She hadn't received the updated script. For all she knew, she was about to walk into a full-blown romance scene completely unprepared.
When the door finally opened again, Zoe nearly jumped out of her seat.
Rebecca stepped into the waiting room.
"Zoe?"
Zoe was already standing.
"Uh, Ms. Sterling?" she started quickly. "I wasn't aware the scenes had been changed to include romance. I never received an updated script."
Rebecca didn't seem concerned in the slightest.
"It's fine. Denis will explain the scene, and then we'll have you perform it."
That should have reassured her but it didn't. Because explaining the scene wasn't the problem. The problem was that Michael B. Jordan was in there...Waiting.
Zoe swallowed hard and followed Rebecca into the room. Her heart felt like it was trying to punch its way out of her chest.
"Zoe Bennett," Rebecca announced. Zoe's eyes immediately found Denis Villeneuve, who greeted her with a warm smile. Beside him sat Mary Parent, who offered a polite nod while studying her carefully.
Then Zoe looked to the side. And there he was. Michael B. Jordan.
He sat comfortably in a chair wearing a simple black T-shirt and dark slacks. Nothing that screamed movie star and Oscar winner. And somehow that made him even more attractive.
Oh, this is terrible...So terrible
He looked up as she entered, their eyes met and for a moment neither of them looked away.
Zoe felt her stomach flip. Why was he staring at her like that?
The intensity of it made her pulse quicken, and she quickly forced herself to look elsewhere.
"Morning, Mr. Villeneuve. Ms. Parent."
"Morning, Ms. Bennett," Denis replied. "We're glad you could make it. We know this chemistry read was a bit spontaneous."
He gestured toward another man seated nearby.
"Joe felt there should be some romance between the leads. Something that would strengthen the emotional core and help bring in a wider audience."
Joe Robert Cole gave her a small nod.
"Oh. Yeah. Totally." Zoe nodded as though she understood, despite the fact that her brain was still stuck on Michael being ten feet away.
"So... how exactly does this work?" she asked. "Do we... uh... are we kissing?"
A small laugh escaped Michael, it wasn't mocking but held amusement. Still, Zoe felt heat immediately crawl up her neck.
Denis chuckled with a shake of his head.
"No, sweetheart. Nothing like that. We're simply looking for emotional chemistry."
Relief washed over her.
"We'll be reading a scene where the power has failed inside an underground facility. Elara and Jace are trapped together in a maintenance tunnel."
Okay. That she could do.
No kissing. No romance. Just plain acting. Zoe nodded and walked toward the center of the room. Michael rose from his chair and met her halfway and now up close was somehow worse...Or better. No, No Definitely worse.
"Hi," she managed.
"Hey."
The confidence in his voice was effortless. The kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly who you were and how to do your job.
"Don't worry," he said. "This won't be bad. You're a great actress. I've seen your work." The words immediately eased some of the tension knotting her shoulders.
"Thanks, Michael." She smiled before she took a slow breath.
One in. One out.
Then another.
The room faded away. The nerves. The pressure. Piece by piece, Zoe slipped into Elara Vance.
She lowered herself onto the floor, imagining the cold metal walls of a maintenance tunnel surrounding her.
Across from her, Michael did the same.
And just like that, the audition began.
Emergency lights flickered overhead, one moment a harsh red glow, the next complete darkness, broken only by the faint green light of Elara’s tablet as it to cut in and out.
The walls groaned and creaked around them, the structure straining under whatever force was tearing through it. It felt like the room itself was closing in. Elara’s back was pressed against the wall. Across from her, Jace refused to look directly at her. And when he did, his gaze cut sharp—tight with suspicion, with anger she could feel even without words.
She wasn’t stupid. She knew he blamed her.
“Still think I caused all of this?” Her voice came out tired, strained, as she fought with the tablet in her hands. The device kept flickering, power stuttering like something was actively interfering with it.
Whatever signal the aliens were sending—it was corrupting everything.
“I think you’re hiding something,” Jace said flatly. His eyes stayed on her as she struggled, watching without offering help.
Frustration finally snapped through her. Elara let out a sharp breath and tossed the tablet aside. It hit the ground with a dull clatter, the screen flashing in and out like it was mocking her.
“Yeah, well, join the club. Everyone thinks that.”
She was used to it—people looking at her like she was the problem. Like her theories, her work, her very presence was what brought the aliens down on them.
“Maybe because you are,” he replied. The words landed harder than she expected. Elara went still. The red emergency light flickered again, strobing between light and shadow. Each pulse carved harsher lines into Jace’s face, sharpening his scowl into something almost unreadable.
She looked away, down at the broken tablet.
“Do you know what it’s like,” she said quietly, “to be the smartest person in the room… and still have no one who wants to listen?”
It sounded arrogant if you didn’t understand it—but that wasn’t what it was. It was exhaustion. Years of it.
“For ten years I’ve tried to tell them it wasn’t a power source problem. Ten years I’ve been saying something beyond our comprehension was trying to communicate with us.”
Her voice tightened.
“So I built this stupid device to figure out what it wanted. And it didn’t matter. Nobody cared—until things started going wrong.”
The lights flickered again. Red. Darkness. Red again.
Jace watched her now, really watched her. And for a moment, something shifted in his expression. The anger didn’t disappear—but it softened at the edges.
Tiredness. Recognition. She looked exhausted. Like she’d been running long before any of this started.
“You stayed,” he said.
Elara frowned slightly. “What?”
“If everyone ignored you… why stay?”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Jace moved closer, lowering into a crouch in front of her. The distance between them disappeared.
His brown eyes locked onto hers, steady and unblinking.
“Why did you stay, Elara?”
The way he said her name—no rank, no title—landed differently. Like it mattered and Elara swallowed hard.
“Because…” Her voice dropped. “If something happened because I walked away… I’d never forgive myself.”
The confession came out quieter than she intended, fragile in a way she didn’t like showing.
Tears gathered in her eyes, not from weakness, but from everything she’d been carrying. The exhaustion. The doubt. The years of being dismissed.
Before she could say more, the entire structure jolted violently. Elara reacted on instinct, grabbing his hand. Jace immediately moved with her, pulling her in close, one arm wrapping around her protectively as the world around them shook.
Zoe caught a faint trace of his cologne as the scene settled around them—warm, clean, disorienting in the aftermath of the intensity they’d just played out. She was still half in it, still trying to come down from Elara, when the sharp clap broke the silence.
She blinked and pulled back. Denis, Mary, and Joe were watching them like they’d just witnessed something decisive.
“That was amazing—wow,” Denis said, leaning forward slightly. He glanced to Mary and Joe, who both nodded in agreement.
“You two have incredible chemistry,” Joe added, already jotting something down next to Zoe’s name. “Honestly… I think we found our Elara.”
Zoe froze. Her name on the page. And just like that.
After everything—the callbacks, the waiting, the doubt—it was that simple?
“She was a natural,” Michael said with a quiet laugh as he stood. He offered Zoe a hand up when she hesitated, still half-stunned. “I almost forgot we weren’t actually in a tunnel for a second.”
Zoe took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. He noticed her expression and gave her shoulder a light, reassuring pat.
“Hey, you did great. I can’t wait to work on this with you. I think we’ve got something really special here.”
“Y-yeah,” she managed, nodding as she turned back toward the group.
Everything felt slightly unreal now, like she was still inside the scene and hadn’t fully stepped out of it yet.
“We’ll start filming in about a week or two,” Denis said, checking his notes. “We’re finalizing the rest of the cast. Both of you will need to come in tomorrow for fittings. Then we’ll do some rehearsal scenes and a script read on Tuesday.”
“Sounds great,” Zoe said quickly, a little too quickly. “Can’t wait.”
Inside, her mind was already racing ahead—housing, moving, logistics. If this was real, she wasn’t just visiting LA anymore. She was living here. Soon, the session wrapped and people began to disperse.
Zoe and Michael ended up walking out at the same time. Neither of them spoke at first. Zoe was flipping through the revised script Denis had handed her, already half-absorbed in the changes.
“Hey,” Michael said after a moment.
She looked up.
“What?”
He smiled slightly, amused. “You always get that deep in your head?”
“Oh—no. I just focus really hard,” she said, snapping the script shut. “Did you need something?”
“Yeah,” he said casually. “I was wondering if you wanted to exchange numbers. You know—keep in touch. We can run lines if we need to before filming starts.”
Zoe nodded immediately. “Oh, yeah. That’s smart.” She handed him her phone without hesitation. He added his number, then passed it back so she could do the same.
“All right,” he said, tucking his phone away. “See you around, Zoe.”
“Yeah. See you.”
He walked off toward his ride while Zoe stayed where she was for a second longer, watching him go before it fully hit her.
She had his number. Michael B. Jordan’s number.
She stared at her phone like it might disappear if she blinked too hard, then quickly saved the contact under “MJ” before she could overthink it. A breathy laugh slipped out of her. This was insane.
Her Uber pulled up at the curb, snapping her back into motion. She climbed in, already reaching for her phone again.
First call: her mom. She had news to share. Big news. And a life to start rearranging.