115 Intense rehearsals

Around noon, in the cozy confines of Jennifer's small apartment, Lucas and Jennifer found themselves sprawled across the bed, scripts in hand. They were deep in discussion about the script's more delicate scenes—those involving kisses and moments of intimacy.

Jennifer, eager to ensure they delivered a compelling performance later, proposed they rehearse these scenes together. "Jacob... The truth is, I've been in love with you all this time..." she confessed, her gaze locked with Lucas's, embodying her character with every fiber of her being.

Lucas, embodying Jacob, hesitated, his voice tinged with disbelief, "This... Are you serious?"

"I am!" Jennifer declared, her conviction unwavering as she gently grasped Lucas's shoulder. "Please don't pretend you're unaware. Don't dismiss my feelings! I want you, Jacob! I want you... Please." Her embrace was tight, tears streaming down her face, a testament to her commitment to the role.

Lucas, taken aback by Jennifer's intensity yet determined to match it, responded in kind. "Sam... You know I have a girlfriend. My heart belongs to another..." He paused, his voice deepening, "Are you sure you want someone like me? There are better men out there—"

"I don't care!" Jennifer cut in, her passion undiminished. She took a breath, her eyes shining with determination, "You're the one I want. Please, Jacob. Give me a chance!"

Caught off guard, Lucas, as Jacob, appeared visibly shaken. Then, in a moment that blurred the lines between rehearsal and reality, Jennifer leaned in, stood on her tiptoes, and their lips met, sealing their rehearsal with an unexpected kiss.

In the script, Jacob was taken aback when Sam suddenly kissed him. Despite his initial resistance and the knowledge that it was wrong, Jacob, a man not immune to temptation, found himself unable to deny the pull of Sam's persistent advances and eventually reciprocated the kiss.

This mirrored what happened during Lucas and Jennifer's rehearsal. Initially, Lucas pulled away, cautioning, "Sam, think about this, it's not right!"

"Please..." was all Jennifer said before she leaned in to kiss him again. At first, Lucas stayed true to his character's reluctance. However, as the scene progressed, he found himself lost in the moment, passionately returning Jennifer's kiss.

What Lucas didn't realize was that Jennifer wasn't just acting. Through her character, she was expressing her genuine feelings for him, feelings that she could barely keep hidden.

She seemed unwilling to break the kiss, as if she wished it could last forever.

The sounds of their kissing filled the room until Jennifer took a bold step, attempting to deepen the kiss even further.

This reminded Lucas of a similar experience with Felicity, marking one of the few times he had been kissed so intimately. Despite his limited experience, Lucas decided to go along with Jennifer's lead.

As their embrace intensified, Jennifer's hands wandered, tracing Lucas's chest and then daringly down to his backside, adding a layer of intensity to their rehearsal.

Eventually, they parted, both flushed and breathless. Lucas looked at Jennifer, only to find her averting her gaze, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"I think... that might be enough rehearsal for today, don't you think?" Lucas couldn't suppress a chuckle as he spoke, the recent intensity of their scene lingering between them like an unspoken secret.

"What? But we've barely scratched the surface! There are more scenes we need to go over," Jennifer protested, her fingers brushing against the script as if to underscore her point.

"We've only just begun, and there are layers we haven't explored in some of these scenes..." Her voice trailed off, tinged with a shy undertone, while Lucas looked on, surprised by her eagerness.

Lucas had half-expected Jennifer to want a break, especially after the emotional depth of their previous scene. Yet, it seemed he had misjudged her dedication.

For the next few hours, they dove into the script, exploring scene after scene. Although none matched the fervor of their first rehearsal, each moment they shared carried an undercurrent of intimacy, a testament to their growing connection on and off the page.

Eventually, Lucas said his goodbyes to a content Jennifer, stepping out into the new day with a sense of accomplishment.

---

In the early morning, Lucas was warmly sent off by Jennifer. Accompanied by Felicity, Doremus, and a handful of crew members, they headed to the airport and boarded a flight from Los Angeles to the United Kingdom.

Jennifer watched the plane carry Lucas and the others away, her gaze tinged with sadness as she recalled the tender moments they shared during yesterday's rehearsal.

***

High above the clouds, Lucas found himself seated beside Felicity. Together, they delved into the world of their scripts, exchanging ideas and interpretations. The hours flew by as they immersed themselves in their roles, their conversation a blend of professional insight and personal anecdotes.

As the plane touched down in England, the adventure continued without missing a beat. From the moment they stepped off the plane, the filming of "Like Crazy" commenced, drawing curious looks from passersby. Despite Lucas and Felicity's relative anonymity in the UK, the occasional onlooker would pause, their interest piqued by the cameras and activity, before moving on with a shrug, much like a New Yorker might do amidst the hustle and bustle of their city.

***

Meanwhile, Lucas was oblivious to the fact that "127 Hours" had grossed $3.8 million at the box office, and the song "Perfect" had climbed the charts to become a top 70 hit.

As Lucas' fame began to rise, one paparazzo, Sean, kept a close eye on him. Sean, feeling a rush of exclusivity for being the only paparazzo closely following Lucas's life, stealthily captured photos of the filming of "Like Crazy," eagerly anticipating the moment his shots would stir the public's interest.