Chapter 6 #2
“You know what pisses me off the most?” I squished the shiny, fuchsia disk in half, flicked it away, and watched as it disappeared underneath the folds of a lacy bandeau. “That Violet would even consider auditioning when she knows how much Lady Phoenix means to me.”
Sofia leaned back to get a better look at me, her brows pinched in confusion. “Why is that a bad thing?”
“Because if she’s cast, I won’t be able to watch the show.”
“Sorry, but I’m still not following.”
“I don’t know what part she’s auditioning for, but Violet isn’t a good fit for any of the characters.
Even if she nailed the role, it wouldn’t matter.
I’d still just see my sister,” I explained as I clenched and unclenched my fists.
“Any time she’s on-screen, it’ll be impossible for me to suspend my disbelief.
This is my fandom, my obsession. I’ve been hoping for an adaptation for years, and she’s going to ruin it for me. ”
“Oh,” Sofia said as sudden understanding dawned on her face. “I never thought about it like that.”
“And on top of all my family bullshit, I still can’t figure out what to play for my audition.
” Exhaustion suddenly washed over me. I let my head fall back against the bed, and I stared up at the ceiling.
At one point, a scattering of glow-in-the-dark stars had lived there.
Now all that remained were yellowing dots of the putty meant to keep the plastic night sky in place.
“I take it things aren’t going well?”
“Nooo,” I replied with a theatrical groan.
“I wanted to finalize my repertoire by the end of summer so I’d have plenty of time to practice, but it’s like there’s a block in my brain preventing me from making any kind of decision.
This shouldn’t be difficult, but I’m so stressed I’m pretty sure the pimple forming on my chin is going to be the size of Jupiter. ”
“Why is that surprising?” There was a note of amusement in Sofia’s voice, like she thought my issue was self-explanatory. “This audition means everything to you. You’re terrified of choosing wrong.”
“I get that, but I’m running out of time.” I dragged a hand through my hair and released a heavy sigh. “I don’t know how to handle this. Normally, I do well under pressure, but the fear is paralyzing me. What if…” I trailed off, unable to say the words out loud.
“What?” she prompted.
“What if I’m not good enough to get in?” I whispered, feeling nauseous at the thought.
“Okay, I’m going to stop you right there, because you’re being ridiculous. You’re getting in, Indie. You were born to play violin like LeBron was born to play basketball or like—”
My snort cut her off. “First off, did you just compare me to the LeBron James? Because that’s sacrilege. Also, I don’t believe in all the fate crap.”
“Fine. If you’re so set on being a pessimist, what’s your backup plan?”
I shrugged. “There isn’t one. It’s always just been Juilliard.”
“Then we need to come up with one,” she said, pushing up her sleeves like she was about to get down to work. “For starters, there’s more than one elite conservatory you can apply to. Curtis Institute of Music is a phenomenal school, or there’s always Berk—”
“If I’m not good enough for Juilliard,” I interrupted, “then I won’t make the cut at Curtis either.”
Sofia took my hand in hers and gave it a light squeeze. “Then come to UC San Diego with me. Think of how much fun we’d have if we went to the same college.”
It wasn’t a terrible idea. Besides the added bonus of avoiding winter in New York, I’d get to experience what was supposed to be some of the best years of my life alongside my best friend.
Still, something didn’t feel right to me, but I couldn’t pinpoint what.
“I suppose that’s an option, but what would I study? ” I asked.
“They have a music program, Indie.”
“Yeah… I don’t know.” I picked at a loose thread on the cuff of my flannel and avoided Sofia’s gaze. “It wouldn’t be the same.”
“Okay, well, you don’t have to pick your major right now. College is the definition of self-discovery. Take a bunch of different classes. Figure out what else you’re interested in.”
“The problem is I’m not good at anything besides bingeing Netflix and playing the violin.”
Sofia scoffed. “So not true. What about special effects makeup?” As she said this, she sat up straight, eyes sparkling, as if energized by a sudden idea. “Hey, didn’t Melody Nguyen tell you about a school she’s instructing at? Why don’t you apply there?”
Without giving it a proper moment of consideration, I dismissed her suggestion with a wave. “That’s just a hobby.”
“But it doesn’t have to be,” she said. “Besides, applying to this school might help you with your audition.”
“How?”
“When one of my designs isn’t working, I find the best way to figure out what’s wrong is to focus on something completely different.
Something exciting. You have to get out of your head, find a new way to spark your creativity, and—” Sofia was cut off when, somewhere down the hall, there was a loud crash.
Two seconds of silence passed. Then, “Emma, I’m going to kill you!”
The sound of hysterical laughter quickly transformed into a shrill shriek. “Oww! Stop it, Javi! You’re hurting me!”
Closing her eyes, Sofia pinched the bridge of her nose. “Hold that thought.” She stormed across the room and into the hall. “What in God’s name is going on out here?”
Javier snapped back in response, but I couldn’t make out his exact words over Emma’s screeching.
“I don’t care what she did,” Sofia shot back. “You’re acting like a child. Let Emma go, and clean up this mess. Am I clear?” With a shake of her head, she slammed the door shut. “Sorry, my siblings are complete morons.”
“I’d take them over Violet any day.” Maybe Emma and Javier were obnoxious, but at least they were part of Sofia’s life.
“That’s because you don’t know any better,” she said with a snort. “Okay, where were we?”
“Vanquishing my all my doubts and fears by way of makeup.”
Sofia speared me with a sharp look. “You mock, but I think focusing on something fun will really help you. I’m not saying you actually have to go to this school, but I’d bet my sewing machine there’s a portfolio involved in the application process.
Creating it could be the spark you need, and if worse comes to worst, it will be a good backup option for you. ”
I chewed on my bottom lip as I considered. Admittedly, Sofia made some decent points. I wasn’t half-bad at the whole makeup thing, and just because I submitted an application to a school other than Juilliard didn’t mean I was required to attend.
“Okay,” I told Sofia after another minute of thought. “I’ll do it. I’ll apply.”
She blinked, my sudden resolve catching her off guard. “Yeah?”
I shrugged. “It’s not like I have a better idea, so what the hell?”
After allowing herself a brief victory smile, Sofia’s expression turned serious, and she reached for a notebook. “Okay, tell me what’s up with this makeup school. I want to know everything.”
“There’s not much to tell. I don’t even remember the name.
All Melody said was that if I was interested in attending, she’d write me a letter of recommendation, but I know how we can find out more.
” Leaning to the side, I fished my phone out of my back pocket.
Once I found Melody’s name in my contacts, I hit the Call button.
Five seconds passed.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Melody,” I replied as a tendril of excitement rose in my chest. “This is Indie Mitchell-Jamiolkowski. We met at Comic Con? I’m calling because I’d love to hear more about that new cosmetic school you mentioned.”
* * *
An hour later, Melody and I exchanged goodbyes.
Sofia, who had silently listened to our conversation and scribbled down any and all information, paged through her notes, absentmindedly chewing on the end of her pencil. “Well,” she said, glancing up at me. “Thoughts?”
“I think this might actually work,” I admitted.
The Academy of Cinema Makeup, ACM for short, had multiple programs I could choose from, such as beauty makeup for film and TV or high fashion and editorial makeup, but I was only interested in the SFX prosthetics route.
Melody explained that the program would take a year to complete, and to be accepted, I had to submit a small portfolio demonstrating my skills.
The more she spoke about ACM, the more I could picture myself attending school there.
This was something shiny, fresh, and not tainted by my family drama or audition stress.
“Told you,” Sofia said, a bit smugly.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Any idea what you’re going to do for the portfolio?”
I shook my head. “All I know is that I want it to be cohesive. Maybe we can come up with a theme?”
“Hmm… I really loved that tree nymph you did this summer. The one where you had all those leaves sticking out of your hair? What if you create a look that represents a tree during each season of the year?” she suggested.
“You could do some kind of play on blossoms for spring, maybe snow-covered branches for winter?”
“That has potential,” I said, tapping a finger against my mouth. I liked the concept, but was it too cliché? Before I could fully process the idea, my phone vibrated.
Galaxy Rider:
My commissioned artwork as promised. We look pretty badass IMO.
What the hell did Xander mean by we?
I clicked on the picture he sent to enlarge it. Sure enough, it was the sketch he commissioned from Ashley Riddle, although there was more than one figure in the drawing. Standing next to him was a girl with an amethyst pendant and a dazzling smile.
Indie:
OMG! Ashley added me?
Galaxy Rider:
Yup. Went back after you left and asked her to.
Indie:
Wow. That’s totally awesome!
Can I ask why?
Galaxy Rider:
Because you’re an important part of the memory!
Biting my lip, I stared down at his text for a solid minute, trying to compose a good response. I wanted to say something charming and witty, but nothing came to mind.
“Why are you so smiley?” Sofia asked, leaning over to see what I was looking at.
“No reason,” I said and clutched the phone close to my chest so she couldn’t read over my shoulder. She narrowed her eyes at me in suspicion, but I ignored her and continued to consider my reply. I must have taken too long, because three dots appeared on my screen.
Galaxy Rider:
FYI I expect you to hold up your end of the deal.
Indie:
What deal?
Galaxy Rider:
I promised to send you a picture of my commission in exchange for an update on your plans. Any chance your Saturday freed up?
“You’re such a liar,” Sofia said, plucking the phone from my hands. “Who are you texting?”
“Hey, give that back!” I lunged after her, but Sofia was too quick. She scrambled out of my reach, eyes already scanning the conversation.
“Galaxy Rider? Who the heck—” She cut off midquestion, and I watched as understanding dawned on her face. “You’re talking to Xander!” she exclaimed, her voice full of accusation.
Great, I thought, shoulders slumping. I was never going to hear the end of this.
Sofia had been itching to return to the topic of Xander all week.
If she wasn’t mentioning the Heartbreakers in every conversation possible, then she was playing their music on repeat.
She even had the gall to slip the latest edition of People, which had the band on its cover, into my backpack.
I managed to avoid the subject by feigning obliviousness in spite of her obvious lack of subtly, but there was no way I could ignore this.
I sucked in my cheeks before letting out a noisy breath. “So what if I am?”
“He wants to hang out with you tomorrow,” she said, gaping at me.
“Your point?”
The glare she threw in my direction was razor-sharp. “You mean besides the obvious? What happened to focusing on something new and exciting?”
“I don’t need to shake up my personal life right now.”
“Why not?” she demanded. “I saw the way you smiled when—”
I cut her off with a look. “My life is complicated enough.”
“You sure that’s what this is about?”
“What are you saying?” I asked, eyes narrowing.
“As soon as Xander showed an interest in you, you ran the opposite direction.” She tapped my phone screen. “Him texting you is a sign, one I can’t believe you’re ignoring.”
“Why are you being so pushy about this?” I snapped, finally snatching my cell back from her.
“Because as your best friend, it’s my job to let you know when you’re being a stubborn idiot.” She crossed her arms. “Also, we can’t hang out tomorrow. I’m too busy with sibling duty, so you literally have no excuse not to go.”
“Really?” I let out a sharp laugh. “You’re so full of shit.”
Sofia didn’t reply, instead choosing to return my look of disbelief with a stern gaze. Okay, so maybe she was right about me keeping Xander at arm’s length, but could she really blame me? My own family didn’t want to spend time with me, so why would he?
Knowing Sofia wouldn’t relent, I let out a long sigh. “If I go to the party and nothing comes of it, will you promise to let this go?”
Her lips curled into a smug smile. “Promise.”
“Fine. I’ll go, but I know you’re free tomorrow, so you’re coming with me.” Not giving Sofia a chance to protest, I texted Xander back.
Indie:
I might be able to clear my schedule. Can I bring a friend?
Galaxy Rider:
Absolutely!!!
Party’s at 53 Yellowfin Boulevard. Alec is arriving at 5:15, so be here by 5 at the latest. Make sure to park in the back lot.
Indie:
Awesome, see you then.
Galaxy Rider:
Can’t wait!