Only Friends: Dream On.

"Have you ever flirted with anyone before?"

 

Jack, bewildered, asked Arnold in the audition room. Having never acted before, Arnold could only offer a weak smile, guessing that his previous performance hadn't impressed the director at all.

 

"It happens sometimes, but I usually never approach anyone first. I prefer others to approach me."

 

The crew all nodded in agreement. Everyone knew that experience was another factor that could help an actor interpret the role and deliver a more nuanced performance. Meanwhile, Tua beamed at Arnold's answer and quickly mentally recorded the important information….I've never flirted with anyone before...

 

Since the first attempt didn't go as planned, the director, Jack, decided to experiment with Other methods.

 

"Okay, then I'll try again, but this time don't be so strict with the script. Improvise."

 

"Let's see how you flirt with other people."

 

"Who do you want me to flirt with?"

 

"How about Timmy?"

 

"Are you crazy, Jack? You know how badly I act. This'll turn into a comedy. Find someone else," the producer yelled, his voice booming, causing the whole room to burst into laughter and easing some of the tension. Jack looked for a new target. When Timmy backed away, he saw Tua standing nearby. He quickly beckoned him in.

 

"Then you get Tua and go improvise with Arnold."

 

"Huh? Me?" The person called pointed to himself in confusion, but the director nodded, confirming the decision. He then got up from his seat and walked over to offer himself in the appropriate position next to Arnold. Arnold looked visibly relieved to have found Tua. The tall man gave a pleading, half-thankful look for the other's help, and then the director gave another order.

 

"Arnold has to do whatever it takes to get Tua to accept his love. Holding hands, arm in arm, even doing difficult poses. It has to be whatever it takes, but you have to make Tua soften his heart, understand?" He flinched, thinking to himself, "Does it really have to be that extreme...?"

 

Arnold shrugged. The challenge didn't intimidate him in the slightest. But only I was showing my nervousness.

 

"Do you want to change partners? How about a woman instead?"

 

"It's okay, a guy is fine, I'm fine with anything. It'd be great if it were you. I'm tired of being in this room with you."

 

The tall man pulled the other closer and closed his eyes to meditate. The other watched his face in secret, admiring his concentration. However, when Arnold opened his eyes, the person in front of him's changed expression and demeanour made his heart race. 

 

"How long have I been friends with you?" Even Arnold's tone of voice had changed completely. They played their roles perfectly.

 

"Three years, this is the fourth year," Tuo attempted to improvise professionally, based on using factual information to subtly convey the script to the other party.

 

"And do you remember how many times you've ridden on the back of my motorcycle?"

 

"Wow, who would actually sit there and count them...?"

 

"Forty-two times"

 

Tua spun around. "Damn, you're counting too! You usually even forget your own birthday!"

 

"Because it's about you, that's why I care." Tua's face turned red. That moment was genuine embarrassment, not acting. Meanwhile, Arnold, who was improvising, gave him a sweet, loving look while gently stroking his head with his thick hand. It was a very warm body language, showing that he truly cared, just as he said. Tua turned his face away when the tall man leaned closer.

 

"If you noticed, I've never let anyone ride on the back of my motorcycle besides you." Arnold grabbed Tua's hand and held it. That only made Tua more confused and flustered. His thin lips trembled endearingly. The people in the room groaned with satisfaction at their incredible chemistry.

 

"I've been thinking about it for a long time... I don't know when I'll have the chance to tell you," the tall man whispered, but the silence made it audible to everyone. "I like you, Tua."

 

“...”

"So, what do you think of me?"

 

Tua was mesmerised by every word that came out of the other person's mouth, and answers automatically popped into his mind before his brain even had time to process them. Arnold's playful face tilted his head, pressing for an answer, as if he really wanted to hear it, not just be playing along.

 

"Uh..."

 

"Cut!"

 

The words were still on the tip of his tongue, not uttered a word. As soon as Jack finished shouting the order, Arnold immediately stepped away. The two actors looked at the director, their hearts filled with anticipation. Jack's face, however, clearly showed that he had found the actors he wanted. Since art students like to go big, announcing the cast of their play had to be quite a spectacle. The team planned to place a banner in the large hall under the faculty building, a busy area with many students, so everyone passing by would see it clearly, and it could help generate buzz through word of mouth.

 

The performing arts students, who already knew the news, crowded into the hall before anyone else. Students from other majors passing by also joined in, watching until the first banner was lowered. Everyone around, eagerly awaiting the announcement, quickly raised their mobile phones to take photos or videos. The previously noisy chatter subsided into a tense and exciting silence.

 

'Announcement of the results of the drama casting.'

The story of Romeo & Romeo.

 

The behind-the-scenes team signalled that they were about to release the first cast announcement vinyl banner, and soon there was a loud "whoosh!" A vinyl banner featuring Arnold's face loomed prominently before the entire crowd.

 

'Congratulations to Arnold.'

The actor who plays Romeo A.

 

Everyone cheered and clapped in congratulations, while he stood there, mouth agape, frozen in shock. He ignored the throngs of people cheering him on, his eyes scanning for someone important. When he spotted Tu, he rushed forward and hugged him. Tu, caught off guard, pouted and pressed his face against the tall man's chest, patting his broad back to comfort him.

 

"Congratulations, man! See, you did it!"

 

"Thanks a lot," Arnold said to the person in his arms. "Thanks for believing me."

 

With the first chapter announced, another important act began. The art hall fell silent once more, and when the vinyl record was dropped, Dean, oblivious to the fact that he was wearing sunglasses and sipping bubble tea, was greeted with congratulations from the entire faculty before he even realised it.

 

'Congratulations to Deen.'

The actor who plays Romeo B.

 

Amidst the cheers and support for the two lead actors, the disappointed Raffy clenched his fists in rage. Angry and humiliated, he ruthlessly brushed away Pete's comforting hand and pushed his way through the crowd to escape the building. Along the way, however, he encountered the director who had rejected his choice.

 

"Hey, don't worry too much," Jack tried to comfort the other man, seeing his distressed expression. "I still want you to be in my play. Would you be interested in playing Mercusio, the protagonist's friend?"

 

Although well-intentioned, that sentence stung Raffy in the end. He's just a substitute player, always going on about it.

 

"Sorry, Jack, but I think you should find someone else. I'll help out behind the scenes."

 

After speaking, Raffy nudged Jack and walked away, leaving the director watching them go, feeling guilty for disappointing him, unaware that someone had been secretly watching them both the whole time. Rome, blending into the crowd, stood with his arms crossed, frowning in confusion. He hadn't realised the theatre troupe was so important to Raffy.

Dean was delighted to be chosen as Romeo, but deep down, he wasn't that surprised. He knew Jack would choose him anyway, not because of their passionate sex the day before, but because Jack couldn't deny that Dean was a talented and top-tier actor.

of the faculty, or maybe the real reason was that Jack still hadn't gotten over him. That thought suddenly popped into Dean's head. 

 

He quickly called the director, intending to formally thank him. However, each time he dialled, the call was cut off without a word. Dean wondered what the director was up to, so he checked his Instagram story. Jack had just posted a picture of a movie screen with a sunset sky as a backdrop fifteen minutes earlier. Dean immediately recognised the location; it was the rooftop cinema of an independent entrepreneur near the university, which often screened award-winning or low-budget but high-quality films from around the world, and Jack always took him there when they were dating—they even chose the same place for movies. Seeing this, Dean quickly hailed a Grab taxi to go and thank the director.

 

  ════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

La La Land is one of Jack's all-time favourite films, so when he heard that his favourite cinema was bringing it back to the big screen, there was no way he would miss it. The young director whistled cheerfully, his hands in his pockets, as he waited for the screening to begin in about half an hour. He considered this film a celebration of having finally cast his desired lead actors. He smiled, imagining the success of his troupe's play, eagerly anticipating everyone's interpretation of love in Romeo & Romeo. I can't take it anymore.

 

The wind was blowing so hard on the rooftop that the young man had to close his eyes. He felt the warm breeze amidst the lively atmosphere of the moviegoers who were beginning to appear sporadically. But then his happy smile vanished when Jack opened his eyes to see Dean standing not far away, grinning mischievously. Dean burst out laughing at the over-the-top, movie-hero-like behaviour of the other man. The other man stared at Jack through his expensive sunglasses.

 

"Wow, what a coincidence!"

 

"You'd be stupid to believe that," Jack sighed, his earlier pleasant mood vanishing.

 

"Why are you following me?"

 

"Following what? I'm here to watch my own movie." Without further ado, Dean showed off the Tua in his hand, letting the other person see, "Why? Isn't that our favourite movie?"

 

"My favourite movie isn't ours."

 

"So grumpy," Dean winked, taking off his sunglasses and running his hand through his hair. Jack, who was still annoyed, flinched slightly when he saw the necklace Dean was wearing. It was a matching gift they bought for their anniversary when they were still in love. Dean smirked mischievously, knowing Jack had noticed.

 

"Thank you for choosing me to act in your play."

 

"Don't mess it up like last time," Jack cleared his throat. He was still annoyed at the thought of that incident. "But let me tell you, I chose you for your abilities, not for sex."

 

"Really? You're not very good at lying," Dean rolled his eyes and teased. But you can believe it."

 

"Excuse me." Suddenly, a visitor arrived. A handsome man smirked as he walked in unexpectedly. Dean instinctively retreated to stand beside Jack for cover, but the intruder seemed completely oblivious. "Watching a movie alone, too, Jack?" Dean's jaw dropped as he tried to imagine whether the other man was a ghost... but no, the other man was deliberately ignoring him. Dean was about to retort when Jack blurted out something first.

 

"Oh, so Ice came alone, too?" Dean crossed his arms in displeasure, his voice laced with sweetness, that idiot.

 

"Hmm, I came alone. Shall we sit next to each other when the movie starts? And then tonight..Let's go get an update...."

 

"Sure," Jack replied cheerfully, accepting the invitation, while the person next to him...His face was so sour it almost turned green. "See you at the seats," the person named Ice waved goodbye before walking away. Dean watched him go with a glare.

 

How pathetic. If you're that hungry, why don't you just eat and get it over with?

 

"What do you mean by asking that?"

 

"I just want to know," Dean said. 

 

"Another one?" Jack smirked and shrugged, thoroughly enjoying Dean's uneasy reaction.

 

"Maybe he's another Romeo for me."

 

Dean gritted his teeth when he watched the other man stomp away without a care in the world. Before he puts on his sunglasses while plotting his evil schemes, he'll soon find out who the real Romeo is.

 

When the staff announced that the show was about to begin, patrons began taking their seats, scattered throughout the rooftop area. However, Dean was not in a hurry and chose to use the restroom first, even though he didn't need to for any personal reasons. The real Romeo pretended to be washing his hands in front of the mirror. Soon, Ice, Jack's fake Romeo, emerged from the restroom with a glass of water in his hand. Dean felt disgusted that the other man dared to bring a jumbo-sized, lidless glass of red soda into the bathroom... but on second thought... it might be the key to getting rid of him.

 

Ice precariously placed his drink glass on the counter while washing his hands. Taking advantage of Ice's distraction, Dean grabbed the glass and splashed it forcefully, leaving a trail of red liquid on Ice's white shirt.

 

"Damn it! What the hell?!"

 

Dean used his A+ acting skills to feign genuine remorse. Tears welled up, he hastily apologised, and tried to brush off his soaking wet shirt, hoping to help, but only made it dirtier...but that was deserved.

 

"I'm really sorry, I must have accidentally knocked over it. Let me help you pay for the laundry."

 

Ice looked like he was about to yell at him, but when he saw Dean's desperate and guilty face, he didn't want to make a fuss, even though it was all Dean's act. In the end, Ice could only get frustrated with himself. "Damn it! It's all over."

 

The fake Romeo tossed his water glass into the trash can with a loud bang. He splashed water on the stain on his shirt for a while before finally giving up and walking away. His plan to watch a movie and have sex with Jack was a complete disaster, and Dean won easily with his Acting 101 skills. Dean glanced in the mirror, a smirk on his face. He wiped away his tears and gave himself a thumbs-up. Now it was time to buy some popcorn and drinks to enjoy while watching this fun movie.

 

The movie started just as the sun was setting. The atmosphere on the rooftop was lively. Groups of friends had settled into their seats, while couples cuddled up together—a truly romantic and heartwarming scene. Meanwhile, Jack, sitting alone, was trying to crane his neck to look for his date, unaware that the imposter Romeo had already gone home to take a shower.

 

"Can I sit down too?" Dean smirked, amused by Jack's bewildered expression as he looked up to see him struggling to carry a lot of snacks and drinks. Sadly, his ex-boyfriend didn't offer any help and kept craning his neck to look left and right.

 

"See what I'm holding? Hurry up, the movie's about to start!"

 

"What do you want now? This seat is taken. Go sit somewhere else."

 

"Where? I don't see anyone," Dean said, deliberately teasing.

 

"They'll be here soon."

 

"Oh no, he's not coming. Help me carry this... hurry!" Jack gave up, taking the snacks and drink from the other person and placing them near his seat, but still relentlessly searching for the person he was supposed to meet. Dean chuckled at the sight. The real Romeo settled down beside him and gently held the taller man's chin, guiding it towards the movie screen. The touch of the soft hand made Jack freeze instantly, like a cat calming down after its owner petted its head. "Watch it with me," Dean said, his voice blending with the music. 

 

"My favourite movie has to be Watching it with my favourite ex-boyfriend?"

 

Jack sighed as they both drifted into the world of their favourite movie without speaking another word. Perhaps it was because of the familiarity they felt spending time with someone and experiencing things they were both so accustomed to.