Star Style

by Sienna Mercer

  She was especially happy that she’d have space from Harker. All he wants to do is offer me movie roles! Ivy was definitely feeling the guilt of not telling her sister what had been going on. There had barely been a free minute all week.

  Ivy was determined to find the right time today to tell all.

  ‘I can’t believe you eat that stuff!’ Aunt Rebecca said. She was standing at the barbecue holding a spatula, next to Mr Vega, who had his own spatula for the meat. Rebecca was wearing faded jeans, heavy black riding boots and a yellow checked apron over her flannel shirt.

  Mr Vega was lightly grilling the steaks for the meat-eaters while Rebecca was roasting halloumi for the vegetarians, herself and Olivia.

  ‘My mouth is watering with anticipation,’ Mr Vega replied with a smile.

  ‘Mine, too!’ Ivy called over from the table.

  Ivy was relieved that Aunt Rebecca and her dad had put the past behind them. A few weeks ago, Ivy and Olivia didn’t even know that they had an aunt, let alone that their mother had a twin sister. When Mr Vega made a special trip to track down their aunt and heal old wounds, the reunion hadn’t been exactly warm.

  But now they were a big happy family: vampires, humans, horses, chickens and Gibson and Gonzo, the two black Labradors. Ivy had even managed to feel almost – almost! – comfortable around all the animals. Especially after helping track down a runaway horse, she’d started to believe that her vampire blood didn’t have to get in the way of helping on the farm.

  Ivy took a break from chopping up the new carrots for the salad to peer at the barbecue. There were at least ten steaks and half a dozen veggie burgers. ‘I do like steak, but even I can’t eat more than one. There’s way too much meat on that barbecue.’

  ‘Ah, but you don’t know what I know,’ replied her dad.

  ‘Or what I know,’ said Rebecca. They shared a smile.

  ‘Uh oh,’ Olivia said, from the other side of the table. ‘There’s a look in their eyes – and I’ve been slicing way too many cucumbers for the four of us.’

  ‘So the big question is,’ Ivy said, ‘who else is coming?’

  A horn tooted from the dusty driveway. As the vehicle got closer, Ivy could make out at least five people in the big SUV.

  When it came to a stop, the door flew open and out jumped Bethany, Brendan’s little sister, followed by Brendan and his parents, Jackson and Lillian.

  ‘Killer!’ said Ivy, delighted.

  ‘We thought we’d make an occasion of it,’ said Aunt Rebecca, waving everyone over. ‘After all, it’s not every day that my nieces are in a movie. I wanted to celebrate!’

  Olivia leaped up from the table, knocking over a neat stack of sliced cucumber. ‘Oh, thank you!’ She hurried over to greet the newcomers.

  Jackson grabbed Olivia in a hug and Brendan came over to kiss Ivy on the cheek.

  ‘Hello, gorgeous,’ he said with a triumphant smile. He was clearly proud of himself for keeping Rebecca’s impromptu party a surprise.

  ‘Hi,’ Ivy replied.

  ‘Come on, guys,’ said Bethany. ‘Enough of the mushy stuff – I want to meet the horses!’ Bethany was Ivy’s favourite seven-year-old. She was wearing blue jeans with a pink flower appliqué, and brown knee-high boots, perfect for horse riding.

  Aunt Rebecca smiled. ‘My kind of girl,’ she said to Bethany. ‘But let’s wait until we’re done eating so I can give you a proper introduction. How about you go and say hello to my ducks, instead?’

  ‘We’ve a lot of food to get through,’ Mr Vega said.

  Bethany considered for a moment. ‘OK, but only if I get to pick which steak is mine.’

  Mr and Mrs Daniels laughed and shook hands with Aunt Rebecca.

  ‘Thanks for inviting us with Brendan,’ said Mrs Daniels. ‘Bethany thinks she’s won the lottery!’

  Lillian hung back a little. She was wearing black jeans with black ankle boots and a black-and-grey checked sweater – almost like a cool vamp-farmer.

  Mr Vega hurried over and said, ‘Excuse the grease, Lillian. I’m so glad you could come.’ He leaned in for a cheek-kiss, at the same time as Lillian went for one on the opposite cheek, so there was a little awkwardness because they almost kissed.

  Mr Vega blushed and Lillian chuckled. They tried again, and got it right.

  ‘You made it!’ Rebecca said to Lillian. ‘I just had to meet the woman who was so inspired by Charles that she hired his design services.’

  ‘Thanks for inviting me.’ Lillian pulled a packet, wrapped in brown paper, out of her big black bag and handed it to Rebecca. ‘Charles said that you used to live in LA, so I thought these might remind you of home.’

  Ivy was impressed that Lillian had brought a present. Rebecca opened it and Ivy peered over to see what it was. It was a little envelope with seeds labelled Ceanothus Joyce Coulter.

  ‘I know these!’ exclaimed Rebecca. ‘It’s that gorgeous blue mountain lilac. Native to California, right?’

  Lillian nodded.

  Rebecca smiled at Lillian. ‘We are going to be good friends, you and I. Now, where do you live in LA?’

  The adults were all happy chatting and Bethany was occupying herself tearing up a loaf of bread and tossing it to the ducks, with Jackson and Brendan helping by stuffing chunks of bread in their own mouths. Ivy realised it was the perfect moment to talk to Olivia.

  Ivy scooted around the table with her carrots and started chopping next to her sister. ‘So . . .’ she began, feeling a little nervous.

  ‘So?’ Olivia replied, pausing mid-slice.

  ‘I’ve wanted to talk to you about something, but the past week has been so manic.’ Ivy knew she should just come out with it, but she didn’t know if it would upset her sister.

  ‘OK,’ Olivia said, returning to her chopping.

  ‘You know Eternal Sunset?’ Ivy said.

  Olivia beamed. ‘I am so, so excited. I have always loved those books and can’t believe I might have a chance to play Carmina!’

  Ivy knew this meant the world to Olivia. ‘And then you know that there has to be a Belinda as well.’

  ‘Of course! Amy is trying to find out who it is.’ Olivia sliced away. ‘Although it will be weird to have a sister that isn’t you.’

  Ivy cleared her throat.

  ‘Wait a minute,’ Olivia said. ‘What’s going on?’

  Ivy smiled sheepishly. ‘It’s me.’

  ‘You!’ The knife clattered on to the plastic chopping board.

  ‘Harker totally loves you and thinks it’s a genius plan to surprise the whole world with me as your twin when he announces the movie,’ Ivy rushed out.

  Olivia squealed and gave Ivy a huge hug. ‘We get to be twins on screen! Oh, it will be so much better having you and Jackson by my side. This is amazing.’

  ‘But, Olivia,’ Ivy protested. ‘I can’t act. I’m as wooden as a stake.’

  ‘Um . . .’ Olivia winced. Ivy didn’t even mind that she wasn’t disagreeing; she knew it was true.

  ‘I’m happy behind the camera,’ Ivy said, ‘but I’ll be the worst Belinda possible if Harker goes through with this.’

  ‘So, why haven’t you told Harker this?’ Olivia asked, confusion filling her big green eyes.

  ‘I tried, but he wouldn’t listen.’ Ivy sighed. ‘The truth is, if I’m not in the movie, then you won’t be either. Harker insists it’s the two of us or nothing.’

  Olivia sucked in her breath. ‘So you’re doing this just for me.’

  ‘And there’s another catch,’ Ivy went on. ‘If the bunny press catch wind that you and I are twins and ruin Harker’s big announcement, he says he’ll call the whole thing off.’

  Olivia stared at Ivy, her eyes brimming. ‘We don’t have to go through with this, you know. I don’t want to force you into doing something you’d hate.’

  ‘I want you to have your shot,’ Ivy said, determined, ‘but I also don’t want to humiliate myself or you if Harker sees me acting.’

  All the sparkle had g
one from her sister’s eyes.

  ‘We just need a plan.’ Ivy looked down at her decapitated carrots. ‘A way to show Harker that you are perfect for the movie, but I’m not. Then he might see sense and let me off the hook.’

  Jackson came over, and planted a kiss on the top of Olivia’s head. ‘What are you two talking about?’

  But before they could reply, Brendan shouted angrily. ‘Hey!’

  He was looking over towards the fence beyond the main drive.

  ‘What was that?’ Ivy muttered.

  ‘Get out of here!’ Jackson shouted.

  Mr Daniels and Ivy’s dad raced to the edge of the property, with Aunt Rebecca chasing after them. A man on a motorcycle with a black helmet, red streaked jacket and long-lens camera revved his engine loudly, making the ducks squawk and scatter. Then he peeled away in a cloud of dust.

  ‘Hey! Stop!’ shouted Rebecca, but of course he didn’t.

  ‘Oh no,’ whispered Ivy. Their peaceful family barbecue had been invaded. ‘Do you think he got a picture of us together?’ If he did, the whole movie thing could be ruined.

  ‘Or of me and Jackson,’ Olivia said, biting her lip.

  ‘This feels awful,’ Ivy said. ‘Like I’ve been robbed or something.’

  As the adults came back, Jackson said, ‘Photographers. They’re worse than bloodsucking vampires.’

  ‘He must have followed our car here,’ Brendan guessed.

  Bethany had her hands on her hips. ‘Meanie! He scared off the ducks.’

  Brendan gave Bethany a hug. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll tempt them back with more bread.’

  ‘I’m really sorry,’ Jackson said.

  ‘If this keeps up, we’re going to have to do something about it,’ Mr Vega replied, frowning.

  ‘There are things you can do,’ Lillian replied. ‘They are only allowed to photograph public figures, and Jackson’s the only one here who falls into that category. If they print photos of private citizens, you can take legal action.’

  Ivy sighed. Hollywood was taking over her life.

  The next day, Olivia was perched on a beige sofa with bright lights shining down on her. Franklin Grove Middle School had allowed a TV company to set up a makeshift studio in a classroom over the weekend, in order to interview their student.

  ‘As a one-off favour,’ the head teacher had said.

  The TV crew had totally transformed the room.

  The desks had been moved to the back and a fake wall with wallpaper had been pushed in front of the white board. It looked just like a real living room.

  ‘I don’t think I have to remind you how important this interview could be,’ said Amy Teller, her mobile phone clutched in her hand like a lifeline. She was sitting in the opposite seat, where the host would be in less than ten minutes. ‘You cannot let on about Ivy, in any way.’

  Olivia nodded. ‘I know.’

  Harker had decided that Olivia would become the star of the initial marketing for Eternal Sunset. She’d been set up for an exclusive interview that would go out to the nation that evening. But Olivia had to keep Ivy’s identity a secret so that they could reveal the whole twin-thing for another big headline grabber. Lucky for Ivy, really, Olivia thought. Her sister hated being in the limelight and an interview like this might just break her out in boils.

  Lucky for me, Olivia thought, I love this kind of thing!

  ‘And not a word about Jackson,’ Amy reminded her.

  ‘I know,’ Olivia said through gritted teeth. She wished they weren’t still keeping their relationship a secret, but at the same time, she didn’t want anyone to think she only got her big role because of her connection to him.

  ‘Three minutes!’ called out a young woman wearing a headset. There were two people running around with clipboards, at least six cameras and lots of lighting equipment. One guy was testing the TV that was hanging right behind Olivia’s head.

  Amy stood up. ‘I’ll be right over there.’ She pointed to desk chairs just beyond the fake wooden flooring. ‘If you get into a panic, just work some kind of code word into the conversation.’

  ‘Code word?’ Olivia echoed.

  ‘How about “famous”?’ Amy suggested. ‘Yes, do that. Just say “famous” and I’ll step in.’ Then she winked. ‘That’s what agents do; we protect our clients!’

  ‘Two minutes!’ called Headset Lady. Even though there were only a handful of people making the show, soon thousands would be watching on TV.

  Olivia managed a smile as even more lights turned on her.

  ‘You look great!’ Amy whispered and then clicked away on her high black heels.

  Olivia had chosen a three-quarter sleeve, light pink dress with a short white sweater over it. The sweater was a little more girly than Olivia would normally go for, but she was trying to get into Carmina’s character.

  The classroom door opened. ‘You must be Olivia!’ said a darkly handsome man with perfect white teeth. It was Chuck Talbot, the famous TV host from Inside Hollywood. He sat down across from her and put a note card on the little glass table between them.

  The butterflies were doing round-offs in her stomach. This is it! Olivia thought.

  ‘What a story you’ve got, young lady,’ Chuck said. ‘Being plucked from the street to star in one of the biggest movies ever! You are going to be an inspiration to millions of girls.’ Chuck smiled.

  Olivia beamed.

  ‘We’re rolling in ten seconds.’ A silence fell over the classroom. ‘Three . . . two . . . one . . .’

  ‘Hi, I’m Chuck Talbot and today I have with me Olivia Abbott, a Hollywood rags-to-riches story that most people only dream about.’

  Not exactly rags to riches, Olivia thought, but she kept the smile on her face.

  ‘Tell me about how you came to be chosen for the most eligible role around, as Carmina of Eternal Sunset?’ Chuck looked at her expectantly.

  ‘Well,’ Olivia began, ‘my first film was The Groves –’

  ‘With the ever dreamy Jackson Caulfield,’ interrupted Chuck.

  Olivia caught sight of Amy looking tense in the corner. She decided to steer the conversation away from her boyfriend. ‘That’s right. And when the Carmina role came up, they thought I might be a good fit.’

  ‘The perfect fit, more like!’ said Chuck enthusiastically. ‘Tell me about this!’

  He turned to the TV screen and Olivia saw a huge shot of herself posing at the premiere in Spencer’s altered dress.

  ‘All we know is that a friend designed it for you.’ Chuck made air quotes when he said ‘friend’.

  Olivia grinned. Now was as good a time as any to give Spencer the exposure he deserved. ‘Everyone knows the amazing Spencer Johnson, make-up artist extraordinaire.’

  Chuck nodded eagerly.

  ‘Well, all I can say is that his talents are boundless!’ Olivia said.

  Chuck turned to the camera. ‘You heard it here first, folks! An exclusive reveal of the brains behind Olivia’s trend-setting red-carpet look!’

  Olivia smiled to herself, wondering if that meant everyone would want to be spilling coffee on their evening wear.

  She noticed Amy giving her a thumbs-up from behind the cameras.

  ‘Now, Olivia.’ Chuck leaned closer. ‘The question everyone wants to know is . . . who is the mystery actress who will be playing Belinda opposite you? I hear the paparazzi have been close on your heels, trying to photograph you with anyone who might be a fellow actress.’

  Olivia took a deep breath. ‘My lips are sealed.’

  ‘But you know who it is?’ Chuck insisted.

  Olivia wondered if now was the time to push the panic button. ‘I’m afraid that’s one exclusive that I can’t give you just yet.’

  ‘Yet?’ Chuck was practically drooling.

  Olivia didn’t want to make any promises that she couldn’t keep. ‘It’s all hush hush right now, but I’ll see what I can do about telling you first.’

  ‘A true star.’ Chuck looked like he’d ju
st been given an award. ‘What’s been the hardest thing about rocketing to fame?’

  Olivia frowned. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful. She was enjoying almost everything, but there was one thing. ‘The photographers are very insistent.’

  Chuck grinned. ‘That’s a mild way of putting it.’

  Olivia shrugged. ‘I know everyone has a job to do, but they seem to step over the line.’

  Chuck turned to the camera. ‘You paparazzi, you hear that? You leave my lovely friend Olivia alone!’

  Olivia laughed. ‘That’s right. I’ll tell them Chuck said so.’

  ‘Yes, I did!’ he declared. ‘It was lovely to meet you, Olivia, and I’ll see you back on that sofa soon to spill all the beans about the mystery actress.’

  ‘CUT!’ shouted Headset Lady.

  ‘That was great,’ Chuck said. ‘You’re a natural.’

  Olivia was relieved and proud of herself at the same time. She hadn’t slipped up on anything and Chuck actually seemed to like her. This was how she was hoping this movie stuff would turn out to be.

  Amy hurried over, clapping. ‘You did great, sweetie!’

  ‘Chuck,’ said Headset Lady, ‘it’s time for the skateboarding kitten intro.’

  Chuck waved goodbye, and Olivia walked out of the classroom feeling exhilarated.

  ‘Good stuff,’ said Headset Lady, as she passed.

  Olivia had just survived her first big interview!

  ‘Can we suspend the no-biting-humans rule just for this week?’ Sophia whispered, making sure no one else in the busy school cafeteria but Ivy and Brendan could hear. ‘They are driving me crazy!’

  Ivy had thought no one could be as angry as she was about the photographers that were camped out all over town. Since yesterday’s interview, there were even more of them. Some of them were peering in the cafeteria windows right at this moment. If Sophia was talking about reverting to the old vampire ways, she must be outraged.

  The one paparazzo on the motorcycle at Aunt Rebecca’s had multiplied into a swarm that never let up. They were desperate for a photo of the mystery actress, but there was every danger they’d also catch Jackson and Olivia together.

  ‘I’m the Franklin Grove correspondent!’ Sophia complained. ‘All of these brutes are stealing my exclusivity!’