Chapter Four - Lucky #2
“Bruh,” Ziven says, watching her stomp away. “Becca Evans is an ice princess.” He fakes a shiver. “I sure hope I don’t get paired with her.”
“Nah, she’s not so bad.” The words slip out, and I realize I’m smiling.
—
The stage in the convention center ballroom is huge.
Standing in the wings waiting for them to call my name gives me the same adrenaline rush I get right before I film a video—my heart speeds up, my skin gets hot, and there’s a feeling in the pit of my stomach that says whatever happens next is going to be awesome. I live for moments like this.
“Next, we have Lucky DeLucca!” The emcee bellows my name and the crowd goes wild.
Grinning, I walk out on the stage and wave. The ballroom is filled to the brim with thousands of fans, and as I stand in line next to my fellow finalists, the lights are so bright, the crowd blends into one gigantic swaying blob of darkened colors.
I’ve been to a couple of cons, but this is one of the larger ones designed specifically for influencers, content creators, and fans of their platforms. All the top creators are here, and the ones standing on stage with me are all here for the same thing: One hundred thousand dollars and a contract with Starlight Talent.
The competition was announced six months ago, and I’d decided to enter way before my accident happened. Back then, it was just about winning. But now, everything is different.
Waking up in the hospital is my most vivid memory from that day. But second to that is how fast the footage went viral.
Having the entire world watch your worst moment and then comment on it is a lot. Even for a guy like me.
I could barely remember what day it was. Trying to process everything else was just too much. I’d needed to step away after that.
Once all my socials went dark, everyone assumed I wasn’t ever coming back, and that my platform was officially DOA.
But I knew as soon as I got better, I’d turn the camera back on and show the world who Lucky DeLucca really is.
I’m not just the guy who crashed his ATV and nearly died while thousands of people watched.
I glance down the line. Becca Evans is five people away looking flawless under the bright lights, despite the coffee stains on her pants.
I’m still a little annoyed at the scolding she gave me, so when she glances in my direction, I can’t help myself.
I wink at her. Her eyes dart away from mine, but I can see the slightest flare of her nostrils, which makes me snort.
“And now,” the emcee lowers his voice to ramp up the crowd. “Let me introduce Winston Dozer, CEO of Starlight Talent Agency!”
Dozer walks on stage in a sharp black suit, his graying hair gelled perfectly in an arc above his really large forehead. His smile is so white it’s as bright as the lights, and he lets out an obnoxiously cheerful laugh.
“Thank you, Buzz Con, for hosting tonight’s announcement,” Dozer begins, breathing heavily into the microphone. He waits for the noise of the crowd to die down, his large front teeth glinting. “Let me explain a little about how the competition will work.”
He pivots and swings his arm out to a large projector screen that is lowering behind us. A graphic explaining the competition logistics pops up, and the audience starts buzzing.
“The finalists will be teamed up in pairs of two,” Dozer continues.
“These pairs will then be given one week to get from here to Anaheim, California, where VidCon is being held. Along the way, the teams will be given challenges to complete at each one of the designated stops. At the end of the competition—both members of the winning team will receive one hundred thousand dollars and a contract with Starlight.”
The murmuring from the crowd gets even louder, and Dozer pauses again, letting his words sink in.
“These challenges will test the finalists’ willpower and endurance, their problem-solving skills, and their ability to work as a team.
They will also require motivation, creativity, and improvisation—all things Starlight expects of its clients.
Points will be awarded to each team depending on where they place in the challenge, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th.
Additionally, you, the viewers, will be voting for your favorite team and bonus points will be given to the team who secures the popular vote after each challenge.
The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony of VidCon! ”
The crowd cheers as Dozer throws both hands out as if he’s just delivered the most incredible mic drop of all time.
“What do you say we announce the teams?” he cries, pulling out a folded piece of white paper from his inner jacket pocket. “We at Starlight put a lot of thought into these pairings, and we hope you’ll be as excited about them as we are.” He chuckles.
I glance sideways, sizing up the other finalists.
My eyes fall on Becca Evans again. Her back is ramrod straight, and though she’s smiling, it looks a little forced.
The bright lights, the electric energy from the crowd, all eyes on us—must not be her thing.
It doesn’t seem like she likes surprises much, either.
Which is ironic given this whole competition. Makes me wonder how she’ll do.
I re-focus on Dozer. “Our first team is . . .” Dozer looks up for dramatic effect, waiting for the crowd to cheer him on before he continues. “Lucky DeLucca,” he booms, his smile so wide it almost looks painful. “And his partner . . .”
I brace myself. I’m hoping for Ziven’s name to be called, but if not, then someone with spontaneity and a competitive edge. I need a partner who isn’t easily rattled and willing to step out of their comfort zone. It’s those things that will help me . . . I mean us, win.
I suck in half a breath and then Dozer announces the name.