Chapter 21 Miles
MILES
The loch is dark this morning—darker than the clouds, even. It makes it seem like the color is not a reflection, so much as the water itself has turned murky from something beneath. I squat, running my fingers lightly over the surface, a shiver traveling through my entire body.
Off in the distance, a small black figure appears, gliding through the water and sending ripples all the way to the shore.
The figure doesn’t stop. It keeps coming, getting larger and larger as it does.
I walk into the frigid water, my kilt soaking it in like a sponge, and without hesitation, I dive.
Fully submerged, the icy liquid steals my breath.
It feels like when I was sacked in that silly quarterback movie—the wind knocked right out of me.
I’m gasping when I come to the surface. The beast is right in front of me, its inky eyes darker than the water.
I can see myself in its reflection. I reach out a hand to touch its scaly gray skin, when I hear, “Cut!”
I swim back to the shore. Minnie is waiting for me with a heated towel. I slip out of my drenched kilt. Feeling like it weighs a hundred pounds, the soaked wool drops to the ground with a plop.
“That was a great take.” Minnie lowers her voice. “I thought, anyway.”
She trades the wet towel for a heavy blanket. I just nod, too cold to manage even a thanks.
She leads me to my chair that has a heat lamp pointed directly at it.
Another PA comes and hands me a warm cup of tea.
I’d prefer coffee, but I’m too cold to ask if there is any.
I wrap my hands and curl my body as much as I can around the tiny paper cup like I’m huddled next to a fire.
The industrial-strength wetsuit I have on must've kept some of the cold out, but it’s hard to believe.
The crew is resetting the animatronic beast for another take.
Natalie likes to use practical effects as much as possible.
She’s often been referred to as the younger, hotter female Michel Gondry, but this is her first foray with effects of this scale.
They’ve constructed a massive Loch Ness Monster out of silicone, airbrushing, and a drone submarine device.
It’s pretty cool and I’m grateful I don’t have to pretend something is there.
Swimming in the actual waters of the loch, instead of a tank in a studio in front of a green screen, will definitely add some authenticity, maybe even a little magic to the scene. But man, I am freezing my balls off.
There is so much hustle and bustle around, I startle when I hear, “Hey, there.”
I turn to see Ava in chocolate brown joggers and a massive fuzzy coat that I’m immediately jealous of, even though this blanket is nice. I give her a half wave and regret removing my arm from my heated cocoon.
Ava pulls a director's chair next to mine. “Mind if I borrow your lamp?”
“Please.”
“How’s the shoot so far?”
“Good, I think. We’ve only done one take so far.”
“Ah. My scene’s up next. How’s the water?”
I shake my head, but I don’t want her to be too nervous about the shoot. “Cold, but you’ll be okay. These wetsuits really do work.”
She nods, then fidgets with a loose string on her chair. It feels like she wants to say something. I’m sure she will if she really wants to. I’m not going to pry it out of her. I stare at the loch and idly wonder how wise it is to put a fake monster somewhere a real monster may live.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re still okay with my idea… I wasn’t sure since you’ve been spending so much time with Skye.”
I don’t have any clue what “idea” she is talking about. But my priority is shooting down whatever impression she has about Skye and me. I shake my head. “I’ve hardly seen her, really.”
This time, I hear the footsteps as Ty approaches. If I could physically tear myself away from this heat lamp, I would find somewhere—anywhere—else to be. But I can’t. I sip my tea and try to lose myself in the warmth and spice of the ginger, with a surprising hint of lemon.
Ty pulls up a chair and sets it next to Ava. “Bet you’re missing the waters of Barbados right about now.”
I shake my head. “Funnily enough, I don’t ever miss that shoot.”
Ty chuckles. “Right.”
Minnie comes over with another steaming cup and hands it to Ava.
“Sweetheart, do you think I could get some coffee and maybe a biscuit if there’s one lying around?” Ty asks as he leans back in his chair.
The hair on the back of my neck bristles. Sweetheart? Really. What year is this? And a biscuit. He means a cookie. I want to grab him by the ears and yell, You’re from Southie!
Minnie nods and gives Ty an odd smile. It’s not like any smile she’s ever given me before.
Ty tosses her a wink as she walks away—well, more like saunters.
Is there something going on between Minnie and Ty?
No. Minnie’s too nice for him. I should say something.
Only, it’s really none of my business, and they’re both grown adults.
What is Ty even doing here today? That thought is the one that comes out. “Ty, why are you here? You don’t have a scene today.”
“Just being a supportive cast member, mate.”
I stand. “Mate? Biscuit? You’re not fucking British.”
“Miles!” Natalie yells at me from the water’s edge. She motions me over.
I pull my blanket closer and head to her side.
“Ready for round two?”
I nod.
“Your first take was great. I loved the physicality. But I need more from your expression. This beast has your greatest love’s attention.
You hate it with every fiber of your being.
But when you look into its eyes, you soften and can see the appeal.
You can see what she sees. Does that all make sense? ”
My brain still feels numb from the swim, that or I’m just denser than I thought. I really don’t get it. I knit my brows together in an attempt to massage my brain into working. “No.”
Natalie nods but doesn’t seem frustrated. She’s an extremely patient director. “I want you to look at the monster like you look at Ty. Then, when you look deep into the creature’s eyes, I want you to look at it like you look at Skye. Make sense?”
“I don’t… It’s not…” I fumble. Have we been that obvious? Everyone is talking about us like we’ve been making out in the hallways. Well, we did that one time, but no one was around.
Natalie waves a hand as if shooing away an invisible fly. “Does it make sense now?”
It does. I nod.
I only need two more takes before we get the shot, and I am wrapped for the day. I change into warm clothes, still bothered by all the talk today about Skye and me.
Does everyone know that we are…? What are we doing?
I mean, I know the ins and outs of it, so to speak, but is what we have more than just physical?
Back at SOWK, it sure felt like it. I smile at the memory.
Every time I put on my admittedly terrible accent, she cracked up like I was literally tickling her.
Once I’m dressed, I stay for a bit to support Ava. The water is freezing, but from her stoic performance, you wouldn’t be able to tell. She really is a good actress.
Natalie comes and stands by my side. “These shots are going to be amazing.”
I nod as I watch Ava emerge, water rushing off her wetsuit–covered legs.
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want it to affect your performance, but there is a camera in the eye of the monster.”
My jaw is on the ground. I stared deep into the blackness of that animatronic beast, and I never would’ve guessed. “You’re kidding.”
Natalie rubs her hands together like a cartoon villain, but really, she’s probably doing it for warmth. “I can’t wait to see them. Hey, don’t forget to pack some things tonight. We head out on location in the morning.”
That’s right. I had forgotten. “Yep, all packed.” I’m not. “For how long again?”
“A week, give or take.” Natalie runs back over to the shore in her knee-high hunter boots.
After a few takes, Minnie offers to give me a ride back, and I gratefully accept. But once we’re in the van, I ask her to take me to Thistle House instead.
“I’m starving, and they have great food there.”
Minnie smiles, the dimples in her cheeks appearing. “Sure, no sweat. I don’t think I can stay, though. How will you get back?”
I check the time. It’s still early, and I’m hoping I might catch Skye there.
I know she goes there almost every morning after her chores.
What I’m really hoping is we can sneak off to that room upstairs that Skye has the secret key to.
But honestly, I’m not sure how I’ll get back.
The clouds look heavy, like at any moment it may rain—or, with how cold it is, snow.
I can figure it out, though. Even five minutes alone with Skye would be well worth the risk. “I can make my way back.”
Minnie nods, and I wonder again if something is going on with her and Ty. Should I say something? Warn her that he destroys everything and everyone in his path like a debonair Godzilla? Rizzilla.
“Minnie, I know this is none of my business, but…” I take a deep breath. I just need to trust my instincts, and they are screaming at me to ask her. “Are you and Ty dating?”
“What?” Minnie’s neck turns an angry red.
I laugh. “Okay. You don’t have to tell me. I just want you to be careful, that’s all. He has a tendency to…” How can I say this without sounding like a petty dick? “He doesn’t always consider everyone’s feelings.”
Minnie shakes her head. “Miles, I appreciate you trying to protect me and all, but I’m a grown-up. We have real feelings for each other. He loves me, and more than that, he respects me.”
He loves her? That seems too fast to be anything but one of his slick lines. “Did he say that? That he loves you?”
We pull up to Thistle House, and sparklers pop in my heart as I see Skye’s familiar yellow bike leaning against the wall.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yeah. Yes, he did.”
I swallow hard, not wanting to sound cruel by telling her that it is a massive lie. Minnie must notice, because she sighs. “Ty told me you would do this. He said you’ve been bad-mouthing him to the whole crew. He says you’re just jealous. So, thanks for the advice, but I can take care of myself.”
My sparklers turn into a raging fire. He told Minnie I’ve been bad-mouthing him? Have I? No. She’s the only one I’ve even really talked about him with, besides Elsie, and she knows the whole story already.
“Sorry, Minnie. I was just trying to look out for you.” I thank her for the ride and get out of the car. I’m too pissed to go inside, so I stuff my hands into my peacoat pockets and stroll the empty streets of Foyers.