Ch 1.

"Oh come on, no one's around, right?" whispered Alex, in his low velvety tone. He had his arm around a friend; Alyssa Slattery. Alex smirked lightly before lowering himself for a kiss.

"Ew, don't touch me!" Alyssa exclaimed, moving her head away. She used a hand to push Alex's face away. She quickly bolted from the convertible and shook with disgust.

Alex's brown eyes went to Alyssa. He kept his spot on the seat inside the car. The top was down, leaving the car exposed to the chilly air. The cold air whipped at Alex's slightly styled auburn hair. He still had the smirk plastered on his face.

"What were you thinking? We've been together forever, Alex." Alyssa hissed. Her hands balled into fist from anger. She remained put outside the convertible. She was planning how long it would take her to get to the city from where they were right now. She shook her head and turned away from Alex.

Alex scoffed. "What did I do?" he asked, his voice laced with the tone of innocence. It was all contradicted by his smile.

Alyssa stayed in her silent rage. She was already tired of Alex. Some boyfriend he made. Bringing her fists into a self-hug, she relaxed her hands, which twitched slightly. She kept quiet, and tilted her head to look up at the sky.

Alex cleared his throat. "Hello? What the hell did I do?" he asked, sticking out a hand as if the answer would fall into his palm. His 'innocent' tone was replaced by anger and frustration. He unconsciously slapped the steering wheel. He then slid to the passenger's side and hung his arms out of the car as if he were a child. "Alyssa, what are you so pissy about? We do this all the time."

Alyssa then whipped around, her long sandy brown hair whipping back in ripples. Her face was contorted into a look of pure hatred; one, that Alex thought, he'd never see on her face. "Angie is my best friend!" she yelled. She fanned her face. "Did you seriously think that you could just do her and figure that I wouldn't find out?"

Alex shook his head. "This is what it's about? Really? Like, seriously? She told you then?"

Alyssa shook her head. "No, I'm continuously watching. I just can tell." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Alex's head was running. He needed something. Anything. Fast. "So?" he then said. He shrugged.

"So?" Alyssa asked, her jaw dropping. "That's all? So?" Her grip on herself tightened. It was like she was trying to hold herself together by this action.

Alex merely shrugged once again.

She laughed. "Wow. How long have you and I really been dating?" she asked. "Not one week has passed since I gave myself to you, and that's just a 'so'?" She was gripping onto herself tightly.

Alex could tell that he was in deep shit. "Hey, hey, chillax, baby," he said, slightly worried. "It was just a mistake." He stated. "I was drunk. You know how I get when I'm drunk," he said, trying to get her to cool down. She looked insane. His instinct was telling him that something was wrong.

He was right. He had no time to react.

She grabbed it from the hem of her pants. She leaned over and plunged the knife into his lower back, pulling it up and dragging it through his back. She let the knife rest in his shoulder. She exhaled lightly, as if a weight had been lifted off her chest.

Alex didn't even have a chance to scream. His face was contorted in pain. The only movement he made was falling limp against the door.

Alyssa pulled open the door, letting Alex fall from his spot, and onto the cold, wet ground. He landed in the leaves and grass with a small muffled thud.

As if she had just awakened, Alyssa covered her mouth and stared down at Alex. "Oh no, oh no." She fanned her face quickly. "What have I done?" she whispered.

"Cut!" came the yell from Stephen Markovitz, the director of the whole production. "Excellent show, Alyssa." Stephen said, placing his clipboard down on at nearby seat. "Even though you're working with a total newbie, you're helping move along so easily." he smiled.

Alyssa nodded and turned.

"Hey, help me up!" Alex called from his spot on the fake grass. "The least you could do after killing me, is help me." he laughed, pulling the fake knife from his shoulder.

Alyssa laughed and shook her head as she helped the young actor up. He stood at full height, and dusted himself off. "You did great for being a newcomer," Alyssa said, with a smile. "You can hardly tell you're new."

"Really? You think so?" he asked, running his hand through his hair. "Wow. Gee. Thanks."

"Yes, you did great," Stephen interrupted. "Except the small fact that you were boring. You just let yourself die. You didn't put up a struggle."

"Sorry sir." Alex said with a nod.

"You better pull yourself together, Alan. You can't become a drama star that easily."

Alex was about to correct the other, but he continued.

"Did everyone see that performance?" Stephen asked rhetorically. "Feel the tension? Yes?" he continued to speak. "The audience should feel afraid. Alan was supposed to be anxious. A man's senses, tingling because of his coming death." he turned back to the young actors. He pointed at Alex. "For being new, you're actually pretty good. For someone who has been on Broadway shows, your performance was lack-luster, but we can work on it." he tapped his fingers. "You're too bland, Alan."

"Sir, it's Alex." said person corrected.

"Well, I'm just going to change your name to Alan, since I've been calling that ever since we got into production."

Alex sighed and nodded. "I guess that I'll just have to get used to it then." Alex said.

"Now, we are in Southern California, as you all know," Stephen said, turning his attention to the cast. Most of the teens were itching with anticipation. "So, I'm assuming you all might want to head down to your silly beaches, and flirt with others your age." The crowd cheered. The small set seemed to grow alive with murmurs. "But, wait, wait, assigning roles." he said quickly. "Then you can go and party." He passed a list around. "Find your part. Remember it. In the morning, you will all be receiving the scripts. Alyssa, you will be playing Danica, I presume?"

"Of course, sir." Alyssa said, bowing her head.

"The Heartthrob, the lead role, Mister Alex Scott, you'll be playing Sam Maxwell."

Alex had been spending his time mimicking every move that Stephen did. He quickly made it look like he wasn't. His jaw then dropped. "The Lead?"

Stephen nodded. "Too much for you, Alan?"

"N-no sir. I shall do my best." Alex was elated. He felt like he was in a dream-

"Wait just one minute," came a stern voice, heading towards the stage.

The whole room fell silent. Daniel Knight made his way towards the stage and took Stephen aside. His neatly cropped dark brown hair shone, as did his bright green eyes. They seemed to be burning with malice. He made no intention of removing the anger on his face. Daniel Knight was very well known among the primetime drama actors. His place, as the lead, was practically always assured to be the lead.

He glared down at Stephen. "Why am I not the lead? You can obviously tell the difference in our skills," Daniel glared over at Alex. Alex shifted his weight anxiously. "So why your choice?"

Stephen laughed right in Daniel's face. Stephen was known to make strange decisions. "No one ever assured you to have the lead role." Stephen said.

Daniel scowled. "Then what is the point in my being here? I'm losing money by being here. Why did you ask me here, when you- You gave the part to this newbie?" Daniel had raised his voice slightly, unable to control his anger.

Alex was unable to catch the next set of whispers, but whatever Stephen told Daniel made Daniel even angrier. He could see where the anger came from, he supposed. For the past week, the cast had just been practicing, and learning how to get used to each other. It was never anything more than that. Of course, if Daniel Knight was included, everyone was going to assume that he was going to be the male lead. Everyone expected Daniel to take the main role, yet again, due to his long stint of taking nearly every lead role.

Sure, Alex knew that Daniel was a formidable person when it came to acting, but Alex wanted to show that he too had promising skill. It had always been a little secret fantasy, to be a true actor, instead of just doing Broadway. If it weren't for a little push from his family, and just a bit of luck, Alex would never be where he was at the very moment.

Daniel had been pacing. He stopped with an, "I get it." He looked over at Alex before turning to Stephen. "I get why you gave him the part now," he said with a nod. "You only gave him the role because he looks like the original, right?" he laughed. "So what? He may look like the original, but he can't act, and you know he can't."

Stephen nodded. "Yes, true, all right, fine. You win, Daniel." Stephen lifted his hands in defeat and turned to Alex with a smirk on his face. "Sorry Alan, Mr. Knight has a point."

Alex's jaw dropped. "But, sir, you can't be serious-"

"And I'm not," he said, turning back to Daniel. "You think I'd really give you the lead just because of your affluence?" Stephen asked Daniel. "You have an equally important part in this drama, Knight, so come off it."

Daniel was throwing a fit on the inside. "I will not play such a lowly role!"

"You and I both know that there is a time and a place for nonsense like that," Stephen said, "but not when I am doing a remake of a once, very beloved show."

That statement alone was supposed to the end of the discussion, but Daniel being who he was, wasn't done. He walked past Stephen and stood before Alex. He leant down, putting his mouth right beside Alex's ear and let out a hot breath before whispering, "There's no chance in hell you're playing that role. Never. I'll make sure of it."

Alex felt himself get cold. He could feel the hate in Daniel's voice. Daniel moved away and hopped from the stage. Even though Daniel was no longer there, Alex could hear the threat echoing in his head. He could still feel Daniel's hot breath. He looked up in time to see Stephen chasing after Daniel, calling his name repeatedly.

"Don't let him get to you, all right?" Alex heard, followed by a hand on his own. "He always gets like that."

Alex moved his hand away and laughed nervously. "He really sounded like he meant it though, what with his scary face and all," Alex mumbled the last bit.

Alyssa laughed. "No, no. He usually does get all moody," she said, shaking his head. "Welcome to show business, Mister Scott. Daniel is like an adorable puppy with a temper. All bark and no bite. Just give it time. Once he takes the time to see why Stephen made this choice, he'll come around."

"You did awesome, dude," Rex came up onto the stage and pat his friend on the back.

"Thanks."

"You even did awesome when the rival came up on stage." Rex laughed and sighed. "As the months go by, you get better and better "

Alex felt sympathetic. He could tell Rex was trying to cheer Alex up, even though he too wanted to be the lead role. He'd humor the other.

"You, Miss Alyssa, were amazing as well," Rex said, smiling as saintly as could possibly muster, looking at the actress with his bright blue eyes. He looked like a cute Brad Pitt. He knew this, hence, he kept his hair short, and took exceptional care of his eyes. "Did I ever mention that girls who look like Eva Longoria turn me on? I thought I'd mention that. Does that make you uncomfortable?"

Alyssa blinked. "Uh, no. I get remarks like that often," she said uncomfortably. She moved back slightly. Rex was standing uncomfortably close.

"Ah, that's true. You are pretty famous," Rex said with a nod. "So, oh. Wait. If Alan," he said, patting Alex on the back, "doesn't work for you, I'm available at night." he finished off with his winning smile.

Alex looked over at Alyssa. He had to admit, Rex was a true martyr. Even though he was shot down constantly, he kept at it.

"Uh, yes, thank you, I'll keep that in mind." Alyssa said, nodding at Rex. She turned her attention to Alex. "Mister Scott, actually, I was wondering if you would like to spend the evening with me, where you and I could discuss our character's roles, maybe spend some time around the town, you know, mutual friend-"

Alex couldn't even replay. Stephen came back into the room.

"All of you, sit back down." Stephen didn't even look mad. Surprising. "We have to begin filming soon. You are all going to be on television primetime by the end of all this!"

The cast cheered once before falling silent.

He turned to Alex. "All right, so let's get Dillon up here, so that we can get down the scene where Dillon catches you with Alan-" he paused. "Rather, Alex."

Alyssa and Alex went back to the car.

"All right, Dillon get up there." he turned to look at the cast. He sighed. "Is today some sort of secret actor day? Ditch your job day? Dillon!"

No response. Dillon was not in the room.

"I can't believe we're paying you all," Stephen said, tossing aside his clipboard. It landed a ways away with a loud clang. "Whatever! Leave! Go to the city," he said with a sigh. "We're obviously not going to get anything done here."

There were several cheers, but those were silenced by a glare from Stephen.

"Yes, yes, go to the city. The beach. Party, but, be careful. You all know, the area we rented, he certain parts that seem rather appealing. Do not go in there. Southern California has lots of lurkers. Also, since the set is nearby, be more than careful. There are several films being shot, including that new movie, Return to Camp Crystal Lake. You all know that there is a rickety cabin, and when the tide come in, it just drowns the cabin. There is a rig set up for that, and it will go off if you aren't careful. End of my warning." He walked to his clipboard and smacked his hand against it, signaling that the cast could leave. He left the set.

"So, how about that evening?" Alyssa asked Alex.

Alex smiled and opened his mouth. "An evening would be great," Rex said, moving Alex aside. "It's super hot anyway. Heading to the beach would be perfect. I think we should do a remake of Gossip Girl, not some old fifties show," Rex said. "Besides, that show is ni-ice. I'm in the mood for romance now, aren't you, Alyssa?" Rex asked, placing an arm around the actress.

Alex rolled his eyes. Rex truly was giving it his all.

"Not really," Alyssa said quietly. "I'm into a nice friendly gathering," she said, detaching herself from Rex. Her face showed that she truly was uncomfortable. "You're really into South California, aren't you?" she asked.

"Very much!" Rex said, beaming. "Is it obvious?"

"All he ever thinks about," Alex said, inserting himself back into the conversation. "Is acting and what it's like to live here in California." he said. "If his head wasn't all the way up his ass, you could see how great he is as an 'actor'."

Rex laughed. "Yeah, that's why I have like, twelve minutes in the hour premiere." Rex said. You can tell, from the tone of his voice, that he was slightly upset. "Watch when the ratings come in, Stephen will be wowed, and he'll beg you to stay in California, while I have to go back to New York by myself. Only the best of the best come from Stephen."

Alex nodded. "Yes, then I'll conquer Earth, and sign a peace treaty with some aliens, right?"

"It's in the realm of possibility," Rex said with a nod. "But no, seriously, Alex. Sure, Stephen is a bit crazy, and hasn't had a good show in ages, but everyone in show knows him. If this show is a hit, you've just secured yourself a spot in Hollywood. You wouldn't be the first great actor to rise from Stephen."

Alex shook his head and sighed. "I know, but I shouldn't get my hopes up." he looked at Alyssa. "May I ask why you joined this cast?"

"A dream of mine," she replied. "I'll tell you more over dinner?"

"We'll meet you in front of the hotel in five minutes," Rex said, moving a blonde lock from his face.

"Yeah, maybe ten or fifteen minutes," Alex said, though he suddenly didn't want to go out. He felt Daniel's cold stare.

Alyssa nodded and left the stage, heading to he hotel room. Rex grabbed Alex's arm and dragged him towards their hotel room. The two made their way through the halls, heading towards the elevator.

Alex sighed and looked at his reflection in the elevator's mirrored surfaces. "Rex, I don't feel right," he said, looking over at his friend. "Daniel was super pissed. The way he said that to me, he already hates me." He smacked his forehead. "I don't even know him!"

Rex nodded. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that, for the first time in your life, you've made an enemy." he said, laughing slightly. He walked out of the elevator and headed to the room. "That's holly wood, what can you do?"

Alex sighed as he followed after the blonde.

"Too bad he isn't your type," Rex said, joking as he stepped through the door. He stopped.

Alex had not noticed and bumped into him. "What is it?"

Rex put his arm in Alex's way. "Hey, Al, what do you think that is ?" he asked, nodding toward the end of the doorway.

Alex gasped and made no other movement. Up ahead was someone's feet. Someone was lying face down ahead of the two. Alex huddled closer to Rex. On the tiled floor leading to the door was a large, deep-red pool of blood.