19th May, 2013
Conyers, Georgia

The weekend was over and it was back to filming for all the cast and crew as they relentlessly went on to finish Season 1 in time for its scheduled release.

The call-time for today was at 4PM as most of the scenes to be filmed were evening/night settings. According to Julie's request, Ciara was currently parking her car outside the studio as her watch read 3:15 PM.

Ciara walks into the studio to see most of it to be mostly empty and only a few crewmates working on setting up the sets that they were going to be filming on today. She greets them with a smile as she walks towards Julie's office and knocks on the front door.

"Come in," she hears Julie's voice echo from the other side as she twists the doorknob and enters the office room. Her steps, however, halt as soon as her eyes land on the third person sitting in the seat opposite to Julie's.

"What is he doing here?" she asks as Julie motions for her to take a seat next to him, which she does reluctantly.

"You're 15 minutes late," Joseph teases as Ciara turns to glare at him, but before she can say anything, Julie interrupts and speaks up first.

"So, you both might be wondering why I called you here," Julie begins as the two nod, "the reason is, I've had complaints about you too. Don't ask me who, that's confidential but I've heard a lot about your clashes on set and honestly, I want to know why. You both get along so well with everyone else and in general, you're both pretty nice and polite. So why can't you two stand each other?"

"Why don't you ask him?" Ciara says at the same time as Joseph says, "maybe you should ask her why?"

Ciara turns to look at Joseph with a flustered look and asks, "how is any of this my fault?"

"So what, all of this is my fault then?" Joseph retorts, "it takes two to tango."

"You're the one who started it," Ciara accuses as Joseph's eyes widen.

"I did not! You started it and you know it. Ask anyone else, they'd say the same," he replies.

The two continue to bicker and glare at each other until Julie exhales loudly and interrupts their rant.

"Okay, enough! I get it, it was both of yours fault and you're each other's mortal enemies. Okay, fine. Now listen to me, you two need to fix this. I haven't told anyone but the clips I played to the network's HQ liked it so much they're already talking about renewing a new season. Nothing's official but it's in the air. That means another year and a half of working and seeing each other everyday," Julie declares, "I don't know how you're going to do it but you two need to get along. Talk this issue through and do it soon because I don't want to see this childish bickering another time, okay? Am I clear?"

The two mumble a hesitant 'yes' before Julie smiles at them and says, "great. Now, there's more news for you two. There's an event coming up and it's a very prestigious one. CW asked us to send some of our bests from the shows and..."

"No," Ciara says, already understanding what Julie was indicating.

"Yes," Julie retorts sternly, "We're sending you two from the Originals."

"Why us?" Joseph inquires in a dreaded tone as Ciara nods.

"For once, I agree with him. Why can't me and Claire go? Or even send him with someone else that isn't me," she suggests but Julie shakes her head 'no'.

"This isn't up for negotiation. You won't be alone, Nina and Ian are going to," Julie informs them.

"You're sending us with a couple?" Ciara quizzes with widened eyes, "why? Then send me and Daniel. At least our characters are lovers on the show."

"It's you two that are going and that's final," Julie declares sternly again as the two sigh in defeat and frustration.

"Any other bad news?" Ciara quips sarcastically as Joseph asks, "when is it?"

"Right, about that. The reason I'm telling you both this early is because that way you get a month to fix your issue," Julie states as Ciara sits up straighter.

"The event is in June?" she asks as Julie nods, "but I was going to ask for a week off in June," Ciara pouts.

"The event is...on the 12th of June. It's a three day trip, basically so 12, 13 and 14th of June," Julie answers as Ciara groans, burying her head in her hands.

"What is it with you and getting people to work on their birthdays?" Ciara whines, "couldn't have picked any other date?"

"Sorry they didn't consult you before planning their own event," Julie retorts sarcastically as Joseph snorts, causing Ciara to turn and glare at him.

"You're enjoying this?" she asks in a raised voice.

"What if I say I am?" Joseph teases with a smirk as Ciara abruptly gets up from her seat.

"Is that all Julie, or do you actually have more bad news?" Ciara asks.

"No, I think that's all for now," Julie replies as Ciara nods before storming out of the office, trying to contain her fury and frustration.

As she walks off, an arm reaches out and holds onto her wrist, causing her to stop abruptly and turn to see who it was.

"What?" she snaps while pulling her hand away when she turns to see it was Joseph.

"Clam down, why're you so mad?" Joseph quizzes as Ciara continues to glare at him.

"Because I can be mad if I want to," she retorts, "what do you want?"

"I was thinking we could talk," Joseph states as Ciara frowns in response.

"Talk about what?"

"Us," Joseph answers before adding, "I mean, about what Julie said to us. I think she might be right, if we're going to be working for years to come, we should at least try to get along. Don't you?"

"What are you suggesting? Should we sit and braid each other's hair now? Go to a spa together? Shopping? What?" Ciara snaps.

"Lunch," Joseph responds, "let's start with lunch. We can braid each other's hair if I ever grow mine out," he jokes as Ciara tries to hide her smile by chewing onto her inner-cheek. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of thinking that she found him funny.

"I don't want lunch," Ciara says as Joseph raises his brow at her.

"You just texted the GC asking Claire about the new lunch place she was telling us about last week," Joseph points out as Ciara rolls her eyes.

"So what, one threat/ counselling session from Julie and we need to like each other now? I think I'm fine with pretending."

"So am I," Joseph agrees, "but sometimes, it's too much effort to pretend to like each other. Imagine if we actually put that effort in trying to get along, wouldn't that be a better solution?"

"One lunch," Ciara agrees with narrowed eyes, "only because I'm starving. And this doesn't suddenly mean we're friends, okay?"

"Of course not, I couldn't ever think that far," Joseph smiles as Ciara rolls her eyes and says, "good. Let's go then," before the two walk out of the studio and to their destination.

༆☼︎☾︎ꨄ︎☽︎☼︎༆

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