Chapter Eighteen #2
A lot of work is happening before the launch of The Echo
Wars, and I’m spending more time in LA than I am with Christian.
I’m not sure if that’s a blessing or a curse.
All the time I’ve been working on the series, it was just
that—a series. Twenty-two episodes that would launch on the Storyteller
Channel. But then Griffin Lawson came up with the idea of turning the first
four episodes into a movie. He said it would be a great way to introduce the
new series to fans. And personally, I’m psyched. A movie gives viewers so much
more to absorb than having to wait for new episodes.
But this new plan changed the original marketing. Now, we’re
having an actual movie premiere, and I’m going to walk the red carpet.
Alone.
The Skyhawks have a game the same night, and there’s no way
Christian can be with me. That’s what you sign up for when you become a
baseball wife. You’re alone a lot. We’re both disappointed, and that’s all
there is to it.
Right now, Jen’s doing my hair and makeup, and she is going
as my plus-one.
“I can’t believe that I get to go to the premiere of The
Echo Wars,” she says, wielding her curling iron like one of the light
swords from the movies. “Have I mentioned how much I love all the Galactic
Wars movies? This is one of those pinch-me moments. And I’ve met a lot of
actors and actresses in my line of work.”
“I know you have,” I say, laughing at her antics while
secretly praying she doesn’t hit me with the curling iron.
“Will Griffin Lawson be there? Do you think it would be
weird if I casually asked for an autograph or maybe pitched the idea of me
doing hair and makeup for the next live-action movie?”
“It might. Maybe just stick to asking for an autograph.”
“Ugh. Fine. I’ll relegate myself to a simple fan, get his
signature, and go.” She pauses. “Or do you think he’d be okay with a picture?”
“Um…”
“You know what? Never mind. We’ll play it by ear.” She goes
back to curling my hair. “Did you talk to Christian today?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Come on, Ella. I know you. I know you’re upset that he’s
not here. Even though the two of you have mastered the art of living parallel
lives, this is a big deal.”
I shoo her hand away, twisting to
face her. “What do you mean, parallel lives?”
She looks like a deer in headlights. “I…I just meant that
you both have these careers that have nothing to do with each other and keep
you apart almost more than you’re together. And…I don’t know…you still make it
work.”
“Oh.”
She steps in front of me. “Care to explain why you got so
defensive?”
“Maybe because I don’t particularly enjoy the parallel life?
Or because I wish he hadn’t taken the contract with Toronto? Or how I wish he
could be here with me because this is a big flipping deal. And because being a
baseball wife is sometimes no fun at all?”
“Yeah. That’s what I thought.” That’s it. That’s all she
says before crouching and hugging me.
She doesn’t push for more information, doesn’t ask me to
talk about it, she just leaves it all up to me.
And I kind of love her even more for it.
“I sound like a brat.”
She’s back behind me with the curling iron. “No, you don’t.
You sound like someone who is proud of her work and wants the person she loves
most in the world to be here to celebrate with her.”
“I guess you’re right. It’s times like these when I really
miss him.”
“I know you do. Well, I don’t have gorgeous blue eyes, and
my butt doesn’t look hot in baseball pants, but I’m honored to step into
Christian’s cleats and be your date tonight.” Then she’s back in front of me.
“Do you think you’re going to be as popular as the original series cast?
Like…in thirty years, will people be talking about Ashla? How cool would that
be? And then I can say that ‘I knew you when.’”
We both laugh at that.
“That would definitely be cool. I just hope the fans like
her. She’s new and different, and while I can see her growth, viewers may not
understand that from the beginning.”
“Oh, please. They’re going to get it because she’s awesome,
and they should know by now that every character has growth and changes as the
series goes on.”
I let out a long breath. “I hope so.”
We finish getting ready, and the studio sends a Town Car to
take us to the premiere.
“It’s not a limo, but it’s still impressive,” Jen whispers
to me as we climb in.
One of the things I love most about my friend is her nervous
chatter. She hates lulls in conversation, so while I’m just absorbing the
enormity of the moment, she’s talking on and on and on about her favorite Galactic
Wars movie, her favorite characters, and even recites several lines.
I may have to shoot her with a blow dart to calm her down.
By the time we arrive, she seems to have gotten a lot of it
out of her system.
I step out of the car and onto the sidewalk, where handlers
are waiting to direct us to where we need to go.
“Oh, my goodness! It’s Ella Lucas! The voice of Ashla!” I
hear someone call out, and the crowd cheers.
Jen gives me a thumbs up and motions for me to start
walking.
Cameras are filming and flashing, and as I step onto the red
carpet, I have a feeling my life is about to change.