Anvi was seated at the dinner table, highlighting specific words and phrases in her textbook.
Jace walked through the front door, a bag full of groceries in each hand.
He smiled softly when he saw Anvi.

"How's it going, Bookworm?"

Anvi chuckled and playfully rolled her eyes, but she didn't look up from her textbook.

"Hey, Stranger.
I'm fine thanks.
How was the shopping trip?"

"Horrendous."

"Ooh, horrendous?
Did Luka finally teach you some big boy words?"

Jace lightly whacked Anvi's arm with a leaflet that an elderly woman had forcefully shoved into his hands.

"Oh ha ha."

"Oh hey, did you remember the ingredients for the apple pie we're making for KJ?", asked Anvi.

Jace nodded.
"Yep!
Managed to get everything on the list.
I can't believe he'll find out who won the film contest today."

"I'm glad.
He's been so tense since he submitted the movie.
You all have, actually."

Before Jace could respond, the front door opened and the remaining roommates walked in.
Luka dragged his feet as he walked, and everyone was walking so slowly that Jace actually thought they were doing some sort of slow motion group walk.

It was KJ's face that worried Anvi though.
He was looking down at the ground, and his eyes were full of sadness.
He threw his bag on the sofa, before storming into his room and slamming the door.

"What happened?", asked Jace.

"He didn't win", revealed Luka.

Whilst the others were getting started on packing away the shopping, Anvi went to see how KJ was doing.
She popped down to Lucy's beforehand, to get some of KJ's favourite chocolate chip ice cream.

"Hey, KJ", said Anvi.
"I come bearing ice cream."

KJ just continued scrolling through his phone.
Anvi walked over to his bed and sat down next to him.
She placed the tub of ice cream on his bedside table, the spoon resting on its lid.

"I'm really sorry about your movie, KJ.
It deserved to be seen on the big screen."

KJ exhaled softly, before shrugging. "Whatever.
It doesn't matter.
I was stupid for thinking I'd win anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Anvi, some of the other kids who submitted their films have been working on them for months.
And they have proper fancy equipment. They can afford to pay for online tutorials by professional filmmakers.
The first ever movie I made was when I stole, well borrowed, my care worker's phone and recorded myself moving around tiny cardboard cutouts of superheroes I made to keep myself company at night.
I'm not talented like those people are."

Anvi shook her head.
"No.
KJ, that's not true.
They had a different start in life, but it doesn't mean that they haven't struggled too.
I bet that the winner made a cr*p first movie when they were little.
You can't use your past as a reason to doubt yourself.
You're amazing, KJ.
You're so good at what you do.
Ok, so you didn't win this competition.
But that doesn't mean you won't win the next!
Please, KJ.
Don't give up on what makes you happy."

After a long pause, KJ let out a long sigh, before rubbing the back of his head.

"I was really excited to show my parents, you know?
It's the first big project I've done.
I guess I just felt like I was finally ready. Confident.
I don't know.
Maybe I'm not making any sense."

"You are.
I wish there was a way I could help."

¤¤¤

The group decided to go to the Baked Potato again.
It had become their favourite spot to hang out in as a group.
Better than any club or bar.
Why?
Because it had a Bolin.

But even Bolin couldn't cheer up the disheartened roommates.
Bolin and Anvi watched the group as they half-heartedly sipped their coffees.
Cassie had joined the trio a few minutes ago, after hoping to catch KJ on his own.

"Wow... you're right, Anvi.
They are upset", said Bolin.
"Jace didn't even chuckle at the video I showed him of me making random shadow animals."

"Tabitha even turned down my offer to go to the skatepark and look at all the cute guys", said Cassie, her eyes widening when the words left her mouth.
"Not that I care about other cute guys!
I'm only after–uh, you know... sorry, this whole thing sucks.
KJ worked so hard, and Tabitha got so excited every time me or Jay brought up the film."

Anvi frowned.
"I just wish I could help them!"

"Well, how are you feeling about not winning?", asked Bolin.

"I'm devastated!
Not for me, but for KJ and the others.
They loved working on the film.
Sure, I got to dance a bit in it too, but they did most of the work."

"Maybe this is just one of those things you have to work through?
You know, let it work its way out of your system?", suggested Bolin.

Anvi looked at her friends once more. Sutton had dropped some of her cookie crumbs in her coffee, and instead of frantically scooping them up like she normally would, she just stirred her coffee some more, before drinking it again.

"No.
We're not doing that", she said, before turning to Bolin and Cassie.
"I need your help."

¤¤¤

After yet another day of mooching around, the roommates decided to skip their movie night and focus on their work instead. Normally, Anvi would applaud this, if it weren't for the fact that her friends were going to drown in their own sorrow.

Anvi marched into the living room, her whole body glowing as she stood in front of her friends, hands on her hips.

"Why are you standing like a superhero?", questioned Luka.

Anvi clapped her hands together.
"Move your butts, people!
We've got somewhere we need to be."

"Where?", asked Sutton.

"The park", replied Anvi.

KJ frowned.
"Don't really wanna go to the park."

"Yeah, I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about the film whilst we're there", said Tabitha.

"Maybe another time", said Jace.

Anvi shook her head.
"Butts.
Up.
Now."

"Anvi, please–", started KJ.

"Move your aŕses or I'll drag you!"

After a little more encouragement, and by that I mean, Anvi literally had to grab Luka's ear and start dragging him to prove she was serious, the reluctant roommates followed Anvi to the park.

The sun was starting to set, so the sky bled a warm orange.
In one area of the park, red and white picnic blankets were set up.
Battery operated candles surrounded the edges of the blanket, with makeshift vines hung up by four long black poles around the blanket.
Soft red cushions were scattered around, making it more comfortable for people to sit down.
Bowls of popcorn were placed nearby.
Small groups of people began trickling into the park, whispering excitedly as they sat down.
KJ recognised some of them from his Film Society, whilst Luka and Sutton also spotted people from their respective Societies.
Jace saw some people from his classes and Tabitha noticed Cassie and Jay as soon as they walked by.

"Wh-what's going on?", asked KJ, sounding breathless.

"They hold movie nights here a lot, but they use a projector.
I asked them if we could show a movie of our choice, and they had to review it first, but they said it was fine.
I don't think I really need to explain anything else, so... just watch", explained Anvi.

Still trying to take it all in, the group stumbled over to the blanket, before sitting down together.
The screen lit up, and a black screen appeared.
After a few seconds, Sutton appeared on screen, scraping food into the bin.

Sutton's eyes widened when she saw herself on screen.

"Oh my gosh... that's me!"

The longer the film played, the more the roommates started to realise what was going on.
They kept glancing over at Anvi, their eyes widening in shock every time, but Anvi just kept her eyes on the screen.
KJ didn't look at her though.
He couldn't.
He was still trying to process everything.
His work was on a massive screen.
Being shown to people.
Actual, living, breathing, human people!

Some time later, in the film, the group were performing together.
Luka was playing his saxophone and Tabitha was playing her guitar.
She was also singing with Sutton, the pair's vocals blending together beautifully.
It was like they were made to perform as a duo.
Jace had his hand on the small of Anvi's back, his other hand higher up on her back, supporting her he dipped her.
Whilst rehearsing, they learned that Anvi was surprisingly flexible.
It was nothing groundbreaking, but for someone who moved so stiffly when she first danced, it was a shock to everyone.
She still looked a little unsure of herself, but Jace did such a great job that it didn't look weird.

By this time, Anvi had joined the group, and was sitting next to KJ, her head resting against his shoulder.

"I still don't know how you didn't break your back", said KJ.

"Eh, what can I say?
I had a pretty good teacher", she replied, leaning back just as Jace did the same.

Jace grinned and held his fist out, gesturing for Anvi to do the same.
She bumped her fist against his.

"You're d*mn right, you did", said Jace.

"Ooh, ooh, Sutton's solo is coming up!", whisper-yelled Luka.

The group turned their attention back to the screen.
They cheered, along with the others, when Sutton hit her first high note.
Tabitha could've sworn she heard a gasp coming from the back as well.

"That's my favourite part", said Luka, with Anvi and Tabitha nodding in agreement.

As the film came to a close, people's whispers turned into louder conversations.
Just as people were about to leave, Venn walked over, a large tray in his hands.

"Everyone, please help yourself to free sandwiches whilst you wait for the credits! Courtesy of the Baked Potato!", he called out.

Some of the workers came into view, and they started handing out sandwiches.
A grinning Bolin hurried over to the group, sandwiches held close to his chest.

"Hey guys!
KJ, that was a fantastic movie!
I loved it!"

"Oh, uh, th-thanks Bolin!", replied KJ, a smile appearing on his face.

"You all were amazing in it", said Bolin.

Bolin handed each of them a sandwich, before turning back to Anvi.

"Venn looks happy!"

Anvi nodded.
"Yeah, well I would be too.
This is really good for business."

"Can someone please explain what's going on?", asked KJ.

"Oh, Anvi came up with this awesome idea. She said you really loved when films have bloopers and stuff in the credits, so you put them in yours too.
So, she suggested having like an incentive for people to stay until the very end of the film.
That's where the Baked Potato comes in!", explained Bolin.

"And Venn was cool with that?", asked Tabitha.

"Anything that's ethical and brings in money, Venn loves.
Anvi, did you tell KJ about his parents?"

Anvi's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head.
KJ furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"My... parents?", he asked.

Anvi nodded.
"I contacted them about coming to see your film, and they really wanted to, but they couldn't take time off work.
But don't worry!
Cassie's been, like, vlogging the whole thing so we can send it to your parents."

KJ didn't know what to say.
He tried to speak, he really did.
But no words came out.
He may not have known what he wanted to say, but he knew what he wanted to do.

He put his arms around Anvi, melting against her touch.
After a few seconds, Anvi hugged him back. When they pulled away, KJ reached for her hand, gently squeezing it.
His eyes brimmed with tears.

"I-I can't believe you did this...", he whispered.

"What are friends for?"

Jace smiled as he watched Anvi and KJ embrace again.
Cassie came over to the group, and Anvi shuffled closer to Jace, trying not to make it obvious that she was letting Cassie sit next to KJ.
Catching on to what was going on, Jace held his arm out and placed it around Anvi's shoulders, pulling her into a side hug so that Cassie and KJ had more room.
Despite initially doing it to help out, he didn't move his arm away from Anvi later, and neither of them seemed to want him to.

KJ turned to Cassie.
"Uh, hey.
Thanks for recording everything for my parents.
That was... really cool of you."

Cassie smiled brightly, a tinge of red starting to appear on her face.
"Oh, you're welcome.
Really awesome film, by the way."

KJ blushed and looked down at his hands, still not used to compliments.
"Thanks."

_____

Hi.

I've been trying out a new format where I fit more into the sections. I'm not sure if it's improving the pacing or making it worse. What do you think?

KJ didn't win, but he should still be so proud of what you achieved, as should the others. In life, there will almost always be someone better than you at something. That doesn't diminish your worth. Life isn't a race, as much as society wants you to think it is. You don't have to compare yourself to others. It's easier said than done, I know. But once you realise that, you can start working on building people up WITH you, not knocking them down.

This chapter was a perfect example of what Jace said about Anvi in the last chapter. She makes people feel seen, and works on building people up. Also, can we get a round of applause for Anvi, Bolin and Cassie? It seems like they're the dream team.

I actually planned to write the 'bloopers' part too, but decided at the last minute that it wouldn't really fit. Would you like me to publish it as a sort of 'deleted scenes' clip?

What do you think of this chapter?

LeMystical-Puffle

ruesbennett

1-800-PETEMITCHELL-

mlkbttl