Travelling with friends

Hugo and Joseph sat on the bench in the front yard, while many people were still wandering around, seeking their own opportunities. Hugo had just sat down when someone approached and greeted him briefly. Although Hugo was not a director or a top celebrity with the power of life and death, it was always good to get to know more people at such parties, especially since Hugo's recent popularity was indeed quite good.

Four or five more people came up to talk to Hugo, which forced him to interrupt his conversation with Joseph and make time for these strangers. But this kind of socializing was also part of the party, besides meeting old friends, one also had to make new acquaintances.

After another person turned and left, a childish and slightly sharp voice rang out, "Wow, you, you must be Mr. Lancaster, right? I, I, I... huff, huff, I really like you." The voice seemed to still be going through puberty, with a bit of hoarseness and youthfulness, and the excitement in the words carried a hint of excitement.

Hugo had to lift his head again, and when he saw the two people standing in front of him, his mouth curved into a polite and courteous smile that couldn't help but bloom into a joyful expression. "Do you want me to give you an autograph? You know, if needed, I can sign on your shoulder." Hugo's words were full of banter, and one could feel his heavy mood gradually recovering.

"I'd prefer a hug from you and a beer. I haven't had a chance to get a beer tonight, not even a single one," the young man standing slightly ahead said jokingly, his excitement turning into joy, and laughter intermittently spilling out.

Hugo shrugged and began to complain directly, "You came to the party without fake identification? That's really a failure."

The young man opposite spread his hands helplessly, "Who knew Pollock's party would still have surveillance? They said they didn't want any trouble. God, he shouldn't have spoiled the fun."

"If it were me, I would do the same. I wouldn't want to see you running around half-naked in the garden after getting drunk. That would ruin my party," Hugo joked, making the young man in front of him and his companion burst into laughter, and even Joseph's mood brightened. "Won't you introduce your companion to me? Or is he also underage?"

"Of course, he's a year younger than me," the young man said cheerfully, but the young man next to him corrected him in a gloomy tone, "It's eight months." The young man shrugged and said, "This is my friend Tobey Maguire. We also met during auditions and even had minor roles together in several soap operas. Tobey, this is Hugo Lancaster that I told you about. Doesn't he look nothing like an old man, right?"

The two people standing in front of him were none other than Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, who were well-known Hollywood best buddies. They were also widely recognized as the "best straight friends who have been dating but are not gay". Apart from them, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and George Clooney were also known to have similar relationships.

However, at this time, the young and reckless Leonardo and Tobey had only known each other for a short time. They were merely friends of the same age who had met in the television industry. No one knew what the future held for their friendship, but they both held a burning desire to pursue their acting dreams and worked together to strive for success.

When Hugo heard Leonardo's description of him, he couldn't help but laugh and make a strange sound, "Leo, I'm an old man? Are you serious?" Hugo had never thought of himself as being labeled an "old man". After all, he was only twenty-five!

"Relax! Relax!" Leonardo said with a smile, "I'm not saying you don't look like one. You're seven years older than me, so technically you should be an old man. But, you don't look like one at all."

Meanwhile, Tobey, who was standing beside them, remained silent and simply smiled at Hugo. When Hugo's gaze fell on him, Tobey raised both hands and made a gesture of "eight". At first, Hugo didn't understand what it meant, but he quickly caught on. Tobey was indicating that he was eight years older than him. This made Hugo feel both amused and exasperated. "Hey, guys, weren't you planning to make me buy beer for you?"

Leonardo and Tobey were both under the legal drinking age of twenty-one in the United States, so they were always restricted at parties. Although it was no longer the Prohibition era of the 1920s, the fact remained that even after the legal drinking age was raised to twenty-one in 1988, teenagers still found ways to explore alcohol. It was a classic manifestation of youthful rebellion. Most teenagers tried to learn how to drink by the age of sixteen, which sometimes led to serious problems like drunk driving. So, although Leonardo and Tobey were not yet twenty, alcohol was not unfamiliar to them.

Facing Hugo's "threat", not to mention Leonardo, even Tobey couldn't help but laugh in disbelief.

"So, how did you guys end up here?" Hugo changed the subject with a smile. "Are you collaborating with a certain celebrity here?"

"No, no, we're far from that," Leonardo shook his head repeatedly. "I came here with De Niro to join in the New Year's Eve party. Unfortunately, a party without alcohol is really boring." Hugo remembered that Leonardo had mentioned last time that he was working with Robert De Niro on a movie called "This Boy", so it wasn't surprising.

Tobey noticed that Hugo's gaze had turned to him as well, which surprised him. He had thought that Hugo would only talk to Leonardo, but Hugo showed friendliness towards him as well, which made him slightly stutter, "Um, no, I came with Leo."

"Tobey also has a role in the movie I'm working on with De Niro," Leonardo said excitedly, and Tobey smiled beside him. "Yes, Leo begged the director for it."

Hugo nodded with a smile at Tobey, "Well, then you must be capable of it." This made Tobey pause for a moment, then he burst into laughter.

"What about you? You seem like you just arrived. Wasn't there anyone to greet you?" Leonardo's gaze fell on Hugo's suit, and he laughed when he saw the sprig of mistletoe.

"Oh, no, I'm actually about to leave," Hugo pointed to the door. "I made plans to attend the New Year's Eve party with other friends. I came here just... for some work." Hugo pursed his lips and bid farewell to the "sweet trap" that no longer belonged to him. "Now that the work is done, I'm planning to leave."

"Wow, a party? Where is the party? Is it livelier than here?" Leonardo exclaimed excitedly upon hearing the news.

"Right, it's your friend, remember? Alex, whom you met last Halloween," Hugo suddenly remembered. "They're having a party in Santa Monica, all young people, so it's definitely more lively than here. But I bet the star power won't be as dazzling as it is here." Looking at Leonardo, full of anticipation and eagerness, Hugo smiled and said, "Um... would you guys like to come together?"

"Can we?" Leonardo asked, seeking permission, but his excited tone revealed his desire.

Hugo couldn't help but chuckle, "Of course, the more, the merrier at a New Year's Eve party. If Alex sees friends joining, he'll be even happier." Then Hugo looked at Tobey and said, "I'm talking about Alexander Lorraine. I don't know if you know him..."

"Oh, Lorraine, I know him. We've auditioned together a few times," Tobey, too, was a newcomer in the television industry, just like Alex, so it was likely that they had interacted to some extent.

"That's great then. Alex said that most of the people tonight are his friends, so you and Leo probably know more people than I do," Hugo said, opening his hands in a welcoming gesture.

"That's for sure. Being an actor in the TV industry isn't as easy as you think," Leonardo teased Hugo with a quick remark.

Hugo pursed his lips, "I'm extending an invitation to you guys. Are you sure you want to go like this?"

"Hugo, dear Hugo, I take back what I said earlier," Leonardo quickly spoke up. "I'd love to join this party with you. Santa Monica? That's fantastic! It'll definitely be an amazing party!" After speaking, Leonardo even cheered a few times, causing the shy Tobey beside him to chuckle as well.

Hugo looked at Joseph and said, "Why don't you guys wait in the car for now? I'll go check on Uma." It had been at least twenty minutes since they arrived, and it had taken quite a while.

Joseph nodded in agreement. Hugo turned to the two of them and asked, "Do you need to say goodbye to De Niro?" Leonardo quickly shook his head, and Tobey glanced at his companion and also shook his head with a smile. "If not, you guys can wait in the car with Joe. I'll go get Uma, and then we can leave."

"Uma?" Leonardo immediately caught onto the important part of the sentence. "Is it the Wonder Woman from last Halloween?" Upon receiving Hugo's confirmation, Leonardo let out a whistle, causing Hugo to burst into laughter.

Hugo then reentered the hall, searching for Uma's figure. According to what Uma had just mentioned, she was going to join a gathering of actresses, so her presence should be quite noticeable. Hugo searched around and quickly spotted Uma near the dressing room door. There were about five or six people standing together, holding champagne, engaged in lively conversations. Besides Nicole, there were several other actresses, as well as Tracey, by Uma's side.