Chapter 9 #3
A frown line appeared on Violet’s forehead, but before she could ask the question I knew would come next, I strode across the room and took her by the elbow. “Can we talk privately?” I asked, tugging her into the hall.
“Ouch! Indie, let go of me,” she complained, but I didn’t stop until we reached the front door, well out of earshot.
Dropping Violet’s arm, I rounded on her.
“What are you doing here? You weren’t supposed to be back until Monday.
” The two of us weren’t on speaking terms, but I’d overheard her and Dad talking about a promotional event she was attending in Chicago this weekend.
Which meant I was supposed to have the house to myself.
That she’d come home two days early was unexpected and left me feeling…
flustered. The truth was I hadn’t planned on telling my family about my decision to apply to ACM.
I wasn’t embarrassed, and I didn’t care if they approved or not, but part of me wanted to keep this project all to myself.
Violet opened her mouth as if to explain but stopped. “Considering this is my house, I think the real question is why are there a bunch of weirdos having a food fight in the kitchen?”
Despite Violet’s cross tone, a sense of accomplishment bloomed in my chest, and I unconsciously rose up onto my tiptoes. “You really don’t recognize them?”
“Besides Alec, am I supposed to?”
My mouth stretched into a satisfied grin. “Not at all, but I’m still surprised.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Can you just explain what’s going on?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, okay? Just a few friends helping me with something.”
“Wow, Indie. Can you be any more vague?” she said, her every word heavy with exasperation. “I heard the hairy guy mention something about a portfolio. What the heck was he talking about?”
“It’s part of a college application, okay?” I replied, knowing Violet wouldn’t let this go until she knew all the details. She was nosey that way. “I promise I’ll clean up the kitchen.”
Her head tilted to the side as she tried to figure out what I wasn’t telling her. “Since when does Juilliard require you to be proficient in face painting?”
I bristled at her remark. “Don’t be condescending.
You know it’s called special effects makeup, and I never said the portfolio was for Juilliard.
” Besides, I very nearly added, I don’t owe you an explanation.
Violet wasn’t Mom or the FBI. She didn’t get to interrogate me.
This might be her house, but I lived here too.
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m applying to a cinema makeup school.”
“But…Juilliard.”
Sucking in my cheeks, I silently counted to three in an attempt to keep my cool. “I can’t do both?”
“Well, of course you can,” she said, a frown tightening the corners of her eyes, “but I haven’t heard you practice for your audition lately. Shouldn’t that be your top priority instead of spending so much time on makeup? You practically lived in the garage this week.”
In preparation for the argument that was sure to follow, I drew myself up to my full height and crossed my arms. “Maybe I’m considering a career in makeup instead.” And who was she to tell me what my top priority was and how I should be spending my time?
Violet’s eyes bulged. “But you’ve been training for Juilliard since…forever.”
My responding smile was thin. “So I’ve had plenty of practice. Thirteen years to be exact.”
She shook her head and took a step back, as if my behavior was so upsetting that she needed space. “This is a mistake.”
Narrowing my eyes, I studied my sister and tried to decipher her stake in the situation. What did it matter to her if I practiced or not? “Why do you care about this so much?” I finally asked.
Emotion flashed in her eyes, but she glanced away before I could identify it. “Because I’d hate to see you throw away your dream.”
“First of all, I’m not throwing away my dream.
I still plan on applying to Juilliard. Do you have so little faith in my abilities that you think I need to spend every waking moment practicing?
” I asked sharply. “Second, what’s wrong with me wanting to step outside the box I’ve been inside my entire life and try something new?
After all, isn’t that what you’re doing?
You wanted to be an actress, so why would you ‘throw away your dream’ to pursue a music career? ”
“Do Mom and Dad know about this?” she asked, her eyebrows drawing together as she brushed off my question.
“No, they don’t, and you’re going to keep it that way.” I lifted my chin, silently daring her to challenge me.
For a long moment, Violet didn’t respond. Her frown deepened. “Mom will be crushed when she finds out,” she said at last.
Would she though? Despite setting aside her dream to raise us, Mom never once forced her aspirations on me. I was following in her footsteps because I wanted to. But if what I wanted changed, I had a feeling Mom would support me no matter what. All she wanted for us was to be happy.
“Actually,” I replied, “I don’t think she will be.”
I didn’t understand why Violet was so upset about this, but I didn’t care. This was my life, not hers, and she needed to mind her own business.
Without another word, I shoved past my sister and returned to the kitchen.