Bex wouldn't stop screaming, something that most of our regular Pizza Nerd customers were used to, making the birthday part of six year olds stand out with their wide eyed stares. Shoving my hand over her mouth, I tugged Bex into the kitchen, trying to control the situation before she blurted my apparent new side job to our boss.

"Stop screaming," I hissed, letting her go.

"YOU ARE WORKING ON A MOVIE!" she shouted, completely ignoring my protests, throwing her hands into the air and nearly spilling a container of mozzarella cheese. "WHAT MOVIE? WHAT ROLE? TELL ME EVERYTHING SO I CAN LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH YOU!"

I yanked a bread stick off the counter, holding it like a sword. "Stop screaming or else you'll get a face full of this and no answers."

She fell silent, eyeing the bread stick with an irritated expression. Our pizza was fantastic but our bread sticks were... well as hard as swords and made for great weapons.

Slowly lowering the bread, I let out a sigh, editing my words just enough to give Bex the truth. I couldn't tell her that I wrote gossip columns for a living. I didn't tell anyone. My job was messy and not well liked.

"I... auditioned for a small... very small part in a movie and apparently got it." I hurried on before Bex could ask more questions. "I don't know much about it yet. Just that it's an action romance and there's singing in it apparently."

"Anyone famous in it?" she asked, grinning so wide that I couldn't help but smile back. Bex's face was normally set into a furrow of frustration, one that was so consistent that until that moment, I had forgotten what her smile looked like.

"Luke Walk—"

And she started screaming again.

...

I stared at myself in the mirror, sporting a multicolored A-line tulle tutu petticoat tiered skirt that fell down to my thighs, a pair of black converse, and a black shirt to dial down the color scheme, so I wouldn't scare anyone with all of the color.

"Does this look like something an actress would wear?" I asked Bowser in my reflection.

Our water turtle blinked at me, before settling down into a bed of lettuce, half asleep. He seemed unimpressed.

"You're right. Needs a bit more color." I switched out my black converse for pink ones, satisfied. It was more me anyway. The more colorful I was, the more at home I felt in my own skin.

Peeking into Carter's room, I took in my sleeping brother, his face snuggled into the side of a comic book, hair a tangle of bed head. Leaning down, I kissed him on the forehead. "I'll be back in a bit buddy."

Duke was coming over in a few minutes so Carter wouldn't wake up alone.

"Love you, Em..." Carter murmured in reply, half asleep.

His words nearly melted me into a puddle. The only words of love I'd ever need. I loved my kid brother so much that the thought of anything happening to him made it hard to breathe. I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "Love you too, kiddo."

His grey eyes blinked open, his smile sleepy as he stretched. "Which job are you heading off to today?"

I shrugged on my jean jacket. "A new one. Should be interesting. I'll tell you about it when I get back." Carter knew most of my secrets, and the idea of getting to tell him something exciting left me smiling for the first time over the idea of acting in a movie. "Go back to sleep."

Carter, who's eyelids were already heavy, nodded, yawned and laid back down, not having to have it suggested twice.

...

Today was table read day. A day where strangers sat around a table, read a movie script and tested their emotional connection to the script and to each other. It was where actors tested the waters, assessing what they were in for, the casting director held their breath, hoping they picked the right actors, and the director tried to steer the ship hoping that they would get hired again when it's as all over.

Cameras were set up around the table to capture the moment, probably for behind the scenes bonus content. Paper name plates sat in front of each chair, showcasing where we would sit, our name written across our script. It was strange to go from sneaking onto a lot to suddenly having a place with my name on it. It left me with a strange bubble in my chest. Was this welcome good or bad? I couldn't imagine a world where it wouldn't backfire.

The  room was a buzz of excited energy as I walked in. People greeting each other with smiles and hugs, friends reunited as they joined on a new project. The air was filled hope and possibilities. It was contagious, and I found myself smiling even as I stood awkwardly trying to decide if I should walk around meeting people, or sit back and watch it all unfold. 

"EM!" The sound of my name made me jump, nearly falling over as I stood at the side of the room. Dustin West, the Director beamed at me as he wove through the room, his presence a beacon of light, demanding attention, blond hair swooping across his forehead and framing his piercing blue eyes. He was dressed in a button down dark blue shirts and slacks. 

His hands enveloped mine and he gave mine an encouraging squeeze. "So glad we found you! Happy to have you on board!" Before I could reply, he moved on to the next person, welcoming them to the team by their first name. 

Dustin West worked the room, every name memorized, a smile and comment for every individual. A social butterfly who knew every member of his new crew by name.

I sensed a pair of eyes on me and turned to find Luke Walker staring at me from across the room, brow raised. Tall muscular body leaning against the wall. Clearly no one had told him I had been invited to the party. And clearly he wasn't happy about it. 

Awesome... 

Dustin called everyone to their seats, and to my utter luck, I found myself sitting right across from Luke, who continued to openly stare at me as Dustin went through introductions. 

Double awesome... 

It became quickly apparent that everyone had been working in the movie business for a while. Luke Walker was introduced, with dozens of movie roles under his belt. The writer, Laliana Summers was a New York Times best selling author and this was her first movie adaptation after helping adapt her bestselling series into a set of blockbuster hits. Kevin, the casting director had worked on half a dozen television show castings before moving into movies. And Dustin had been making large blockbuster films for large studios before he was given free reign to make the movies he wanted. 

Introductions moved on to Lavender West, her name plate and script sitting lonely in front of an empty chair. She wasn't there. Something that left the entire room buzzing with a mix of concern and confusion. Apparently that wasn't normal. 

Interesting... 

 She had gotten the leading role she had gone out for, but she hadn't come in for her first day of work, why? My brain that itched to uncover clues, wanted answers. To understand the history between Luke and Lavender. I shut down that line of thinking. My boss was going to be happy with knowing who was in the movie. After watching Lavender's grief over Luke, I really didn't want to cause her more pain on the subject... not if I could help it. 

Introductions stopped with me, Dustin exclaiming that it was in fact my first role on a film, my debut. This was received with far more smiles than I had expected. Looks of understanding on the other actor's faces, who had all been there before. A secret, knowing club full of encouraging smiles. Seeming to lend me their strength for what I was going to be getting into. 

Double interesting... 

As we settled in to read the script, Kevin, the casting director was left reading Lavender's lines, which was both hilarious, and cringey as he had to say sweet nothings to Luke. It was terrible and wonderful and it left me having to hide behind my script multiple times when Luke looked at Kevin in full seriousness expressing romantic intentions, ever the actor to the messy, flustered Kevin who struggled to read the lines with the same level of commitment. 

The combination of sharp eyes and gentle words Luke shot my way during our two scenes together was startling. His words were kind, alluring, while his eyes were wary, nearly unwilling to showcase any emotion that he felt was more than I deserved. 

Everyone else got the full force of his acting prowess, watching him transform into a powerful, skilled actor, while I was left with unwilling, washed up crumbs. 

... 

As the reading ended, I found myself face to face with Laliana Summers, one of the girls who I had written about in my gossip column, creating fabrications about a love triangle between her and her two bodyguards. Laliana was very beloved, a sweet sunshine girl who was shy and loved her readers with a passion that left them stumbling over themselves rooting for her happiness. A happiness she found with— surprise surprise— one of her bodyguards. 

Laliana held out her hand, shifting from foot to foot, her smile timid. "Hi. Em, right? I'm Laliana." 

I smiled back, taking her hand in mine, sharing in one of the most awkward handshakes in history. Equal parts charming as awkward. She offered a casual shrug. "So... first movie, huh?" 

"Yep." 

She adjusted her bright neon quilted bag along her shoulder, rocking back on her black boots, other hand idly adjusting her dark blue tights and light blue sweater dress. "This can be a little..." she waved her hand around in a flail. "Well a lot. And I thought you'd like a tour. Get your bearings."  

I blinked, shocked by the kindness, kindness that I did not deserve. Kindness that was given freely and openly by a girl who had been hounded by paparazzi to the point where she was shielded from bodyguards everywhere she went when she wasn't on set. It left me feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt. 

I swallowed past a lump in my throat. "I... I would love that." 

She looked utterly relieved, as if she had half expected me to blow her off. She tugged on a strand of her strawberry blond hair. "Oh, well, great!" She looped her hand through my arm, as if my answer had solidified our friendship and dragged me from the room leaving me to suddenly believe that some friendships were just that easy to start, at least where Laliana was concerned. 

"You excited?" Laliana asked as she ushered me down the hall of the large warehouse where our first table reading had taken place. 

I wasn't sure what to say. "Overwhelmed I guess," I admitted. 

Laliana smiled. "Yeah. Like I said. It's a lot. You'll get used to it. Just try to enjoy yourself. It'll be fun. Probably a bit dramatic, as most things are when you get a lot of artistic people and a lot of strong personalities together, but hopefully... still fun." 

I laughed at her open honesty. "Fair." But considering I had done my job, learning who the leading lady in the movie was going to be, I could relax a little. I could write my article that evening, make no mention of my own involvement, hope my scenes with Luke got cut from the final movie so my boss never knew about it, and just enjoy the strange ride. Maybe I could keep it all from getting any more messy. 

The cynical part of me laughed. Yeah... keep dreaming.

"Let's start with the wardrobe department," Laliana said, taking me further down the hall. Before my brain could process where we were going, we were suddenly in a room bursting with material. A mad scientists lair filled with sketches, sewing machines and mannequins showcasing dozens of designs in different stages of finish.

It had a strange order to the chaos, colorful cloth organized by style and shade. As I took it all in, I came face to face with another person I had written about. Allie Winters, who I had coined as the 'Unhinged Fashionista.' A name that had taken off, defaming her on the internet. 

I had created a villain to feed my family. I had created a villain to feed a mob of crazed gossip readers. Something I wasn't proud of.

Allie Winters was a tall woman in her early twenties with straight jet black hair, immaculately applied bright red lipstick that matched her red pumps, black leather pants, and a white blouse cinched in with a golden chain belt, showcasing her hourglass shape. She was famous for her fashion sense and her cold demeanor. Something that became quickly apparent as she took me in, making no move to hide her displeasure at the sight of my rainbow hair. She pursed her lips to keep her thoughts to herself. 

Laliana saw her face, and burst into laughter. "Allie! Don't make that face! You promised you'd work on your resting judging face." 

Allie's eyes moved over me and landed on Laliana's bag, her lips seeming to purse more at the sight of the quilted neon design. "I'm sorry. Clearly between the two of you, my patience is being tested. Don't ever let anyone think I dress either one of you outside of this movie experience... It would single handedly ruin my reputation." She let out a loaded breath and turned, walking away, clearly done with both of us. 

I watched, shocked by the queen of ice's demeanor. Apparently I hadn't been wrong to paint her as a cold person. She really didn't like eccentric taste. Repelled by it like a vampire repelled by garlic. "So... that's Allie," Laliana said between giggles, her green eyes twinkling mischievously. "She is allergic to color!" 

Allie, who was staring down at a set of costume designs, a needle tapping the paper thoughtfully, replied. "I'm allergic to poor choices!" She paused, seeming to edit herself. "At least when it comes to clothing. I can't speak to personal choices. Still working on being healthy in that department."

Laliana pulled me further into the room, shoving several pieces of material that sat in a nice folded pile on top of a table aside and settled herself on top, swinging her booted feet back and forth, making herself at home. "That's code for 'I'm a work in progress.' As are we all. She's working on being kinder. And I'm working on being braver." Laliana looked at me, as if expecting me to share. 

I opened my mouth, and then instantly slammed it shut, surprised by Laliana's ability to make me feel suddenly comfortable enough to open up. It was alarming. Allie gave me a knowing smile, amused. "You'll get used to it. She has a habit of skipping into your life and making you feel seen. So hide any baggage you don't want to share or she'll crawl inside it like a raccoon going through a dumpster."

Laliana shrugged, unfazed. "Everyone is a beautiful dumpster."

Allie walked up to me, pulled off my jean jacket without a word, and quickly replaced it with a leather jacket. "My jacket isn't that bad," I said, stepping away before she could shove my left arm through the sleeve. 

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not taking you on as a project. I don't have that kind of time. I'm looking to see what alterations I need to make to your wardrobe... for the movie." She said the last part slowly, like I wouldn't understand unless she spoke to me like a child. 

"It's better to just let her do it," Laliana said, fingers plucking up a colorful scarf and hanging it around her shoulders like a cape. "The more you fight, the more she'll growl at you." 

Allie fought a smile at her comment, but didn't try to put my arm through the second sleeve. I pulled it on, surprised by how comfortable the leather jacket was. It was easy to move in and the material didn't have that squeaky effect that leather had when it was too tight. "Not real leather," Allie said taking in my expression. "Didn't want the audio guys getting irritated every time you move during a scene." 

"Clever," I said, surprised when a genuine smile broke through Allie's facade. She was clearly proud of her work. 

A door slammed nearby, and all three of us fell silent as Lavender's voice pierced the wall behind us. "I didn't take the part Dust! So you shouldn't have made everyone believe I did! I don't think I can tackle it. I am not a singer. I–" 

Dustin West's voice filled the room next to ours. It was quickly apparent how little privacy a place like this had. "We'll get you a coach, Lav!"

She sighed, exasperated. "I think I need something smaller. A part that doesn't ask as much from me right now. What about the Jess role?" 

Everyone on our side of the wall somehow grew even more quiet. Allie was in the middle of taking my waist measurements, freezing in place. Jess was the name of the role I was playing. 

Allie looked up at me, and then awkwardly stepped back, as if resigned, accepting my newly discovered fate. According to her expression, I had just gotten fired. And I hadn't even officially started my acting job yet. 

There was no way Lavender wouldn't get my spot. It was LAVENDER WEST. Famous actress. Having her attached would make the movie an instant success. 

I could hear Dustin West hesitate on the other side of the wall, taking in his sisters words for a moment, thinking. The hesitation was all I needed. He wasn't going to say no. I quietly pulled off the leather jacket, handing it to Allie with a shrug. Laliana stared down at her feet, flustered at the sudden conversation we had all gotten to hear. 

"That's Em's part," Dustin said, quietly. "The girl with rainbow hair."

"So?" Lavender asked, sounding irritated.

Too embarrassed to stay any longer, I walked towards the door, fully aware of Laliana and Allie's sad gazes following me out. At least I could write a decent article about it all without getting roped into a movie with a man who was so suspicious of me that it left me utterly exhausted.

"Give her my part," Lav continued, stopping me in my tracks. I turned back around, wide eyed. Laliana opened her mouth to say something, but Allie shoved her hand over Laliana's mouth, fully intent on hearing the rest of the private conversation, unashamed of her own eavesdropping and not wanting to miss anything.

"She's got the pipes for it, Dust. I saw her audition piece. She's good," Lavender continued.

Dustin sighed. "Luke won't like it."

Lavender laughed bitterly, amused. "So? This isn't the first time he's been force to play a part that he'd hate. It's his job. And she's good. I can't sing like that. And my mental health can't handle being stuck staring at him all day long."

Dustin was quiet, and I watched Allie and Laliana instinctively lean closer to the wall, waiting for him to speak. I took several steps further back into the room, curious, eager to know what would happen, soaked into the drama.

"Dust, you're the director. Do what you think is best. But I can see it on your face. You like the pair up, even if it risks Luke's wrath. He's a great actor when he's pissed off anyway." 

"You... want me to hand the lead role to someone who's never done this before?" he asked, confirming what he had just heard. "You want her to take your role?"

"Yes. You gave me a shot once when I was green. Why not her?" A smile entered her voice. "Besides, watching him suffer a bit will be fun."

"That's not a good enough reason," he protested, angry. "We can't give someone a job just to torture someone who hurt you!"

"Then do it because she's good. Her voice is perfect for it. So stop feeling sorry for me, and being worried about Luke's feelings and give the role to the person who actually deserves it!" 

I heard the click of heels as she walked away. Dustin's feet soon followed, leaving me standing in the middle of the wardrobe department with two women who stared at each other and then back at me. Laliana's eyes were wide, while Allie walked back over with a sigh, lips pursed. "Well..." she said into the silence. "I guess I have to alter a whole new wardrobe for you and for her. Yay for me."

"We don't know for sure," I whispered. 

Laliana and Allie shared another look before Allie went back to measuring me, as if it was all business as usual. "Not officially, but it's probably a done deal."

Laliana nodded. "Yep. We all heard about your audition. We heard Dustin and Luke get into a shouting match over it." 

My face bloomed red. Luke's hatred of me was apparently famous. 

Great.

I wanted to protest. To argue that it was some kind of prank because I was new. That no one would just turn down a big role and ask to switch with a rookie. But no one seemed to be laughing.

I could barely hear Allie as she muttered to herself about measurements. I could barely hear Laliana as she pulled out a script from her neon purse, making edits, saying lines to herself out loud as she worked. Both of them acting like it was already official. Decided. Set in stone. All I could hear was Lavender and Dustin's conversation. 

Did I just... get the lead role? 

I found it hard to breathe, refusing to take it as truth. If I did, I would probably throw up. 

How was that supposed to work when my co lead hated me? When he could barely look at me without wanting to rip my head off? Was I supposed to write gossip columns about myself now? Could I just quit my gossip job? Could I do it without the gossip column smearing me and revealing my identity to people like Allie and Laliana, to other people I had hurt, to the entire world out of spite? 

I had a hard time standing still, to stop myself from running towards the door screaming. I had gotten into this for my brother and now... it was getting out of hand. I was hear for one story, and now I was becoming apart of it. 

So while Allie and Laliana chattered about making changes and adjustments, in their creative element, I stood frozen, lost and terrified. Fully aware that if I didn't find a way out, I was going to become famous, and not in a good way. 

---

Thank you for reading chapter six! I hope you are enjoying the story! Or are at least curious to see where it goes!

UPDATE DAYS - A NEW CHAPTER EVERY FRIDAY!

It looks like Em may be getting an upgrade on the cast list! Will Dustin give her the role? 

How will Luke react if she gets the lead?

What will Em write in her article? 

What will happen next?

CHAPTER QUESTION - Have you ever written something mean about someone, only to have them find out? How did that go?