Something Not So Ordinary

A Story by Jessica Lynn

This is a story I wrote for my friend. She loves Josh Hutcherson -but then again, who doesn't? I don't mention her name for discretion purposes

This takes place after the release of Catching Fire. After some questions about the movie and working on set with his co-stars, Josh is asked more about his personal life off set.

“So Josh, rumor has it you have a new girlfriend. Tell us, is it true?” the talk show host asked, resting his chin on his fist, leaning in with interest.

Josh smiled, almost beaming and answers, “Yeah, it’s true. We've been dating for little over two months and its great being with her.” He could almost hear a unison of groans coming from every girl across the country that was watching the show. He knew he should’ve felt at least a little guilt letting them down, but he didn't.

“How did the two of you meet?” the host asked, folding his hands in front of him now but still leaning forward with interest. It almost looked as though he was, literally, on the edge of his seat.

Josh laughed nervously, shaking his head. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”

The host arched one perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Try me.”

Josh laughed once without humor and shook his head again, dreading the guy’s answer when he told him. The one corner of his mouth pulled up into a crooked smile as he turned to the talk show host and told him, “In a dream.”

The host sat back in his seat, visibly shocked by his guest’s answer. “In a dream?” he asked in disbelief. When Josh answered with only a nod he continued, “Care to elaborate? I’m sure everybody would like to hear the whole story.”

Josh sighed, almost wishing he hadn't said what he did. “Well, I had the dream a couple of years ago,” he explained, “but I still remember every detail like I just woke up from it.” He took a breath to steady himself. He’s only told one other person about the dream and that was his girlfriend! He never told another soul, afraid of what they might think of him.

Well, no going back now, he thought to himself.

He started, “It starts out with me in this crowd and everything is in black and white. Even I’m monochromatic. Then this flash of color grabs my attention. No one else seems to notice it, except me. I walk towards it and as I get closer it takes the shape of a person. And then I realize it’s coming towards me. So, I stop walking. As it comes closer I start picking out more and more details. It’s definitely a person, a girl, short in height with short, dark sandy colored hair. Skin as white as milk with freckles scattered across her face. Pink, kissable lips. She wears an Army green jacket over a purple top and denim blue skinny jeans.

“But she’s not looking at me. She’s staring down at her Kindle, reading a book. At the last second, right before she’s about to pass me, she looks up at me and smiles. I feel the breath get knocked right out of me and my knees go weak. No girl has ever made me feel that way.

“Just as I’m about to make a grab for her, the scene fades into black and changes.

“Everything’s full of color, no longer black and white. I’m on a beach at sunset. And she’s there. We’re riding horses through the wet sand, racing each other. She’s in the lead, looking back at me, smiling and laughing -loving that she’s winning our little race. And I feel myself smile back at her; happy to see her enjoying herself.

“Then it’s nighttime and we’re at this amusement park. We’re riding roller coasters, playing games, eating greasy food, and having the time of our lives.” He pauses and sighs. Then continues reluctantly, “But then, something awful happens.”

The host is, once again, at the edge of his seat with anticipation. Eyes wide, expectant. “What?” he asked impatiently. “What happens?”

Josh sighs, taking a minute to gather himself. He hated this part the most. “We’re walking hand in hand through this incredibly dense crowd. It takes a large amount of effort to squeeze through the bodies. I’m holding onto her hand as tightly as I can, not wanting to lose her in the mass. But somehow my grip wasn't tight enough. Her hand slips through my fingers and she’s gone before I can turn around to look for her.”

He leans forward and puts his face in his hands. Still doubled over, he runs his hands through his hair and continues, “I can hear her calling for me and I’m trying to move through the bodies to get to her, but I can’t. I can’t!” He struggles for words. He can feel a lump in his throat, threatening to turn into tears. He hated that part of the dream so much. He sits back up and stares up at the ceiling as he forces the words from his mouth. “There’s too many people and they’re too closely packed together.

“And then I wake up. My heart is hammering against my ribs and I’m drenched in sweat. I wanted to go back to sleep so I could go back and look for her; but that’s not how dreams work. So I settled for the next best thing: Find her in real life.”

He looked over and saw the talk show host blink his eyes, taken aback. He didn't notice before but a hush fell over the audience, undoubtedly too shocked to speak. Too shocked to make a sound. Finally the host asked, “But you didn't even know her name. Did you?”

Josh shook his head. “No,” he answered. “But I’d know her once I saw her.”

“So what happened next?” He was eager. Josh’s story like a drug, addictive.

“Well,” Josh answered, breathing out a heavy sigh, exasperated and just wanting this interview to end, “my popularity skyrocketed after The Hunger Games and crowds of girls were there at the premiers calling for me, wanting pictures and autographs. I just kept my ears and eyes open.

“We were in NYC for the Catching Fire premier. I signed a few autographs, took a few pictures and was about to go inside when I saw her. Her! The girl from my dream. I couldn't believe I found her. She was exactly as I remembered her, only wearing different clothes.” The audience laughed at his joke, the first response from them in what felt like ever.

“I walked over to her and she smiled at me. Just like in my dream the breath was knocked out of me like a punch to the stomach and my knees shook. But I composed myself the best I could before I introduced myself to her. I was expecting her to say how big of a fan she was or something obsessive like she was in love with me and wanted to have my babies. But instead she says, ‘I hear you’re famous. Tell me, how’s that working out for you?’” The audience laughed once again, even the host joined in with the laughter. What they didn't know was that that was what she actually said when they first met. All of them probably thought he was making this up.

“She spoke with confidence and her body language proclaimed ‘I’m not afraid of anyone or anything’. And she had such a sense of humor!

“I asked one of the security men to let her in and she reacted just how I expected her to: shocked. Once she was clear of the metal bars he closed it behind her.

“’You’re going to think I’m crazy,’ I told her, ‘but I had a dream about you and we were together. Ever since I woke up from that dream I've been looking for you. And now that I've found you I only have one question for you: Will you go out with me?’” A unison of awe’s escaped from the audience. Didn't have to be a psychic to see that one coming, Josh thought.

“And?” the host asked, leaning forward with anticipation. “Did she say yes?”

Josh smirked and arched one eyebrow. “Do you really think she could've possibly said no to his face?” Oh crap, he thought. I’m gonna get it later for that.

The talk show host smiled at Josh and told him, “Congrats! You have the girl of your dreams. Literally.” He got a few chuckles from the audience.

“Thank you,” Josh thanked the host.

“Is she anything like how you imagined her?”

Josh smiled, finding a chance to redeem himself from that smug comment earlier. “Better, if that’s even possible.”

“Explain!” the host demanded. “For God sake don’t leave us hanging!”

Josh sighed and smiled. Talking about her always made him smile. “She’s so smart. And talented; the things she can do with a paintbrush would blow your mind. And she has an especially soft spot for animals, which is a plus because I like to take my dog out with me wherever I go, and he simply adores her. Like I said before, she has a great sense of humor. And she’s fierce! She’s like a lion. Heck, sometimes even I’m scared of her.” Everyone laughed. “But she’s so easy to talk to, and she listens! Hangs on every word I say. I just love being around her and with her. She’s a great friend as well as a girlfriend. I’m happy she’s in my life.” If that didn't earn him some bonus points, he didn't know what would.

“Glad to hear it,” the host commented. “So where have you gone on dates?”

“We rode horses once,” Josh answered, remembering the outing and the bruises he got that day. “I fell off a few times which made her laugh, but we had a good time, nonetheless. We went to the beach where I threw her into the water and she retaliated by pushing me backwards into the rolling waves. She got burnt a little but nothing that was too serious.”

“What about off time? I mean, does she come to your house and visit or vice versa? Does she come to the set while you’re filming?”

“Yeah, sometimes she comes over and we watch a movie or something. She’s not allowed on set, of course; but she stays in my trailer and keeps my dog company and walks him when he needs to stretch his legs.”

“One more question and you can go.” Finally, Josh thought. He was exhausted and just wanted to relax with her and his dog. “Do you see a possible future with this girl? I mean, can you see yourself marrying her someday and having kids?”

Oh God, Josh thought. It wasn't that he never thought about it -as a matter of fact he thought about it more than he should. Being in a relationship for only two months didn't grant you the right to start thinking about sharing a future with the person you’re with. Usually after a year is when things get serious. But he did think about it. A lot.

He looked off to the side where she stood, staring at him. Waiting, just like everyone else was, for his answer. He took a breath, gathering himself. He turned back to the host and said, “I know two months of dating is a bit soon to be planning the rest of your life with someone, but I honestly cannot imagine life without her. So yes, there’s a possible future for us, I believe.”

“Okay,” the host responded. “Thanks for being with us, Josh. And best of luck to you and your girlfriend.”