Bright Lights

by Linda Chapman

  ‘What… what are you doing here?’ Jessica stammered.

  Zak shrugged. ‘I just thought I'd come round and visit. You haven't been answering my calls.’

  Jessica seemed to pull herself together. ‘You noticed,’ she said sarkily.

  Zak frowned. ‘You in a mood with me?’

  Jessica didn't say anything.

  I stepped forward. ‘We're busy at the moment,’ I said, hoping he'd take the hint and leave, but he didn't. He glanced at me as if I was an irritating little fly and then turned his attention back to Jessica.

  ‘Is this cos I talked to those other girls last weekend?’

  ‘Talking – that's a new name for it,’ Jess said angrily.

  A slow smile crossed Zak's face – it reminded me of the smile a crocodile might make as it approached its prey, if a crocodile could smile of course. ‘Has anyone ever told you how gorgeous you look when you're angry?’

  Jessica's eyes flew to his.

  He stepped closer. ‘You know those other girls aren't anything compared to you. They don't matter. You know you're the one I want.’

  For a moment my head was filled with a bizarre image of the scene of Danny and Sandy singing ‘You're the one that I want’, from the movie Grease. Only Danny and Sandy were being played by Zak and Jessica. I shook my head to clear the picture.

  ‘You ignored me,’ Jessica said.

  Ignore him now, I willed her. Tell him to go away. But she didn't.

  ‘I thought we were supposed to be friends,’ she said.

  ‘We are,’ Zak said. His voice dropped. ‘And you know I'd like to be even closer friends if you'd let me.’

  Jessica gazed into his eyes.

  I stared at her in horror. What was happening here?

  ‘Jess!’ I said.

  Zak threw a quick glance in my direction. ‘Go away.’

  I was outraged. ‘You can't tell me to go away! This is my house!’

  He had stopped listening. His eyes were fixed on Jessica again. ‘Don't be mad at me any more, Jess,’ he murmured. ‘I hate it when you're mad at me.’

  Jess swallowed.

  I pulled at her arm. ‘Let's go upstairs, Jess.’

  She shook her head. ‘You go. I'll be up in a minute.’

  ‘Jess!’

  But she wouldn't come. I glared at Zak, but what could I do? Short of physically pulling my sister out of there I didn't seem to have much choice. Reluctantly, I left the kitchen. Jess looked like she was almost about to forgive him. How could she? All that stuff about her looking gorgeous when she was angry. I mean, pur-lease! How vomitsome was that?

  I heard the outside gate opening. Who was that? Hoping it would be Dad and Tom, I went to the lounge window. I stared. It was Dan! I felt a surge of alarm. What was he going to say if he walked into the kitchen and found Jessica flirting with Zak? Seeing Dan heading for the back door, I hurried back to the kitchen to warn Jessica.

  ‘Jess!’ I said, opening the door into the kitchen. ‘Dan's…’

  I stopped, my mouth falling open. Jessica and Zak were in each other's arms and they were kissing! They jumped guiltily and quickly separated. But it was too late. I saw Dan staring in through the kitchen window. He had seen the kiss too.

  ‘Dan!’ Jessica gasped.

  She pulled away from Zak and ran outside. I followed her. Dan was standing stock-still.

  ‘Dan!’ Jessica said, running up to him. ‘It's not what it seems. There's nothing going on…’

  A muscle clenched in Dan's jaw. For a moment I thought he was going to storm into the house and hit Zak, but then he swung round and marched down to the gate.

  ‘Dan!’ Jessica pleaded, hurrying after him. ‘Please! Listen to me!’ She grabbed his arm. ‘It just happened.’

  Dan shook his arm free. Hurt radiated from his eyes. ‘I trusted you, Jessica.’

  ‘Dan! Please, listen…’

  But Dan shook his head. ‘I don't want to listen to anything you've got to say. We're finished.’

  He opened the gate and walked off.

  Jessica stared after him. ‘No,’ she whispered, starting to shake her head.

  Zak came outside. He looked after Dan with a smirk. ‘So, it's over between you guys,’ he said to Jess. ‘You going to go out with me, then?’

  Jessica turned on him. ‘Go out with you?’ she cried. ‘This is all your fault! Why did you kiss me, you moron?’

  Zak raised his eyebrows. ‘You didn't seem to mind at the time.’

  I thought Jessica was going to hit him. ‘Get out!’ she shouted.

  ‘So you and me –’ Zak began.

  ‘No!’ Jessica said.

  Zak shrugged, not looking too concerned. ‘Your loss.’ He opened the gate. ‘See you around, babe.’

  The gate clicked shut and he walked away. There was a silence. I looked at Jessica. Suddenly she turned and ran into the house.

  ‘Jess! Wait!’ I called.

  I followed her into the kitchen. She sat down at the table and put her hands to her face. But I had already seen the tears.

  ‘Jess?’ I said tentatively.

  ‘Oh, Soph,’ she whispered. ‘What have I done?’

  I went over to her and put my arm round her. ‘It'll be OK.’

  ‘How can it be?’ she said. ‘Dan's never going to forgive me.’ She rubbed her tears away. ‘What have I done? I meant what I said about being over Zak and just wanting to be with Dan.’

  I couldn't help myself. ‘So why did you kiss him?’ The words burst out of me.

  ‘I don't know,’ Jessica said. ‘I guess I was flattered by all those things he was saying. It just happened. As soon as we started kissing I knew it was wrong and then you came in and… and…’

  She broke off and I was sure she was thinking about Dan staring in through the window.

  ‘Do you think Dan's ever going to forgive me?’ she whispered.

  ‘I don't know,’ I faltered, remembering Dan's expression.

  Jessica looked at me. ‘Oh, Sophie, he's got to go back out with me. When I saw him walking off, it was the worst feeling ever.’ Tears sprang to her eyes again.

  She looked so miserable and unhappy, I felt awful. ‘Maybe he just needs some time to calm down.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Jessica said, seizing the possibility. ‘You're right. He was just really mad. I'll wait till tomorrow and talk to him then.’

  The gate opened. I looked out of the window. ‘It's Mum.’

  Jessica jumped up. ‘I'm going to my room,’ she said quickly.

  I went out to meet Mum.

  ‘Hi, love. Had a good day?’ Mum asked as she came to the gate, her arms loaded with grocery bags.

  ‘Yeah,’ I said. I felt in shock. I couldn't believe what had just happened.

  ‘Can you take these?’ Mum said, passing me three bags.

  I carried them up to the house.

  ‘Where's Jessica?’ Mum asked, as she followed me in and dumped the rest of the shopping on the floor.

  ‘Upstairs,’ I stammered.

  Mum looked at me quickly. I knew she could tell something was wrong. ‘Has anything –’

  ‘I'm just going to ring Ally,’ I interrupted. ‘I… er… promised I would.’ I hurried out of the room before Mum could ask me any questions.

  However, as I picked up the phone, I remembered that Ally and Harriet would just have got back from their shopping trip together. They were bound to want to go on about what a brilliant fun day they'd had and right now I wasn't sure I could cope with that.

  I hesitated and then punched in Issy's mobile number instead.

  Waiting for the phone to connect, I felt guilty. I hadn't spoken to Ally or Harriet since the morning before and they'd want to hear all about Jessica and Dan. I should be phoning them. But they would be so happy and full of their day.

  The phone started to ring and I pushed the feeling of guilt down.

  I'll call them tomorrow, I thought.

  Chapter Twelve

  It was hard to
concentrate on filming the next day. I kept thinking about Jessica. Had she gone round to see Dan yet?

  To make matters worse, we were filming a scene where I had lots to do. It was early on in the film where Lavinia, one of the older girls, tries to bully Sara by teasing her about how she pretends she's a princess. I had loads of lines.

  ‘Cut!’ Laurence called out as I forgot my lines for the third time.

  I felt my cheeks go bright red. I hated messing up a scene. I felt rather than heard a sigh run round the rest of the cast and the crew, and my face burned even hotter.

  ‘OK, everyone,’ Gary called out to the other girls, ‘let's have you back in your starting positions please.’

  As people went back to their starting positions, I quickly checked over my lines.

  I glanced at Issy for support, but she was busy talking to Georgina.

  ‘Places please!’ Laurence called.

  I went back to my starting position, sitting in an armchair.

  ‘And action!’ Laurence called when everyone was ready.

  Everything was fine until I got to my sixth line and then my mind just went blank again.

  ‘Cut!’ Laurence shouted as I broke off.

  ‘I'm sorry,’ I blurted out.

  Laurence sighed. ‘Take five, everyone. Then we'll go from the top again.’

  As people started to move off the set, Laurence came over to me. I tensed, expecting him to tell me off, but instead he put an arm round my shoulders. ‘Are you OK, sweetheart?’ he asked in concern. ‘It's not like you to forget your lines and lose concentration.’

  ‘I'm fine,’ I said, my face hot. ‘I'm really sorry, Laurence.’

  ‘It's OK,’ he said. ‘Look, take five minutes and have a read through your script.’

  I nodded and headed over to the side of the room where I had left my script. It felt as if everyone was staring at me.

  Sitting down, I looked desperately around for Issy. She was still with Georgina. They were laughing together and suddenly I felt very alone.

  ‘Having trouble concentrating?’

  I looked up. Gillian was standing beside me, her face kind.

  ‘A bit,’ I admitted.

  She sat down beside me. ‘What's wrong?’ she asked softly.

  ‘It's just stuff at home,’ I said. ‘I can't stop thinking about it.’

  She squeezed my hand. ‘I know it's hard, but you're going to have to,’ she said. ‘You won't be able to do the scene unless you do.’ She reached for my script. ‘Here, let me test you.’

  As Gillian read through the scene with me, I felt the lines coming back.

  ‘Try this exercise,’ she said. ‘It's a very useful one for helping you focus. Shut your eyes.’ I did as she said. ‘Now breathe in deeply for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds and then breathe out for five seconds. Do it three times and as you do it think about being Sara. Go on,’ she encouraged. ‘Breathe in for five – one, two, three…’

  She counted and I breathed in and thought about being Sara. Every other thought faded away and when I finally opened my eyes I felt in control again.

  ‘Has it helped?’ Gillian asked.

  ‘Yes. I nodded. I took another deep breath. ‘Thanks, Gillian.’

  ‘No problem.’ Gillian nodded towards the set. ‘I think you're needed again. Good luck.’

  ‘Ready?’ Laurence asked me as I hurried over.

  ‘Ready,’ I said. And this time I meant it. I moved into my starting position for the scene.

  ‘And action!’ Steve called.

  The scene went perfectly and thirty minutes later I was heading back to the dressing rooms.

  Seeing Gillian just in front of me, I hurried to catch up with her. ‘Thank you for helping me,’ I said gratefully. ‘The breathing stuff you showed me was really useful.’

  She smiled. ‘I'm glad. Sometimes it can really help to have techniques like that to fall back on.’

  ‘Do you learn stuff like that at drama school?’ I asked curiously.

  Gillian nodded. ‘Why? Do you want to study acting?’

  ‘When I'm older,' I said.

  ‘That's good,’ she said. ‘Training properly is very important. Now,’ she said, smiling, ‘I'm going to get a coffee.’

  As she walked off, Justine came over. I could hardly believe how different she was being on the film set. She was actually talking to me and being friendly. It was as if she was so excited about the filming that she forgot about trying to be cool. It made her much nicer.

  ‘Sophie, there's going to be another rounders match today,’ she said. ‘Are you going to come and play?’

  I hesitated a moment. I wanted to, but what about Issy? I remembered the way she'd been giggling with Georgina when I'd been upset. She could have been more supportive. I made up my mind. ‘Definitely,’ I said to Justine.

  ‘Great' She smiled. ‘I'll see you later, then.’

  She went off to the school gym, which was doubling as the extras' dressing room, and I went upstairs to my dressing room.

  Issy was there already. ‘Hi,’ she greeted me.

  ‘Hi,’ I replied, in a slightly reserved voice.

  Issy didn't seem to notice. ‘You'll never guess what,’ she said, her eyes sparkling. ‘Georgina told me the best gossip. She saw Jules from Make-up kissing Gary in the car park!’

  ‘Really?’ I said, my surprise making me forget my hurt feelings. ‘But he's already got a girlfriend.’

  ‘Yeah. And they were snogging properly!’

  ‘Wow!’ I said. ‘So what did Georgina see?’

  ‘We'll have to ask Jules about it,’ Issy said as we got changed. ‘I know! Why don't we see if she'll show us how to do tattoos at lunch time and ask her then?’

  ‘I… I can't.’

  ‘Why not?’ she said, looking surprised.

  ‘I told Justine that I'd play in the rounders game.’

  ‘Well, just say you've changed your mind,’ Issy said.

  I hesitated and then shook my head. I wanted to play rounders and – I know it was probably stupid of me, but – I did still feel slightly hurt by Issy's lack of support earlier. ‘I'm going to play rounders.’

  I tensed, waiting for Issy to say she'd go with Georgina. But she didn't. She hesitated and then shrugged. ‘OK, I guess I'll play too.’

  ‘You will?’ I said in delight.

  ‘Yeah.’ She didn't sound too thrilled, but I didn't care. I could play rounders with the others and be with Issy. I forgot all about feeling hurt. Lunch time was going to be fun!

  It was. Loads of people played in the rounders game and there was a brilliant atmosphere. Even Georgina came to play when she realized that she was going to be the only one left out if she didn't.

  ‘That was great,’ I said to Issy as we went inside to get changed.

  She nodded. ‘Yeah – it was, wasn't it?’ She sounded almost surprised.

  However, as we climbed the stairs to the dressing rooms, I remembered Jessica and sighed.

  ‘What's up?’ Issy asked.

  ‘I was just thinking about Jessica,’ I told her. ‘I wonder if she's rung Dan yet.’

  ‘Well, why don't you ring her?’ Issy suggested. ‘You can use my mobile.’

  ‘Really?’ I said. ‘Thanks!’

  As soon as we got to the dressing rooms, I phoned home. Jessica answered. She didn't sound happy at all.

  ‘I saw Dan this morning,’ she said. ‘He… he won't go back out with me. He just kept saying he couldn't trust me any more.’

  I felt awful for her. ‘Maybe he'll change his mind.’

  ‘I don't think so,’ Jessica said bleakly.

  When I pressed the off button, Issy looked at me. ‘Well?’

  I told her what Jessica had said. ‘She sounds really down.’

  ‘Poor thing.’ Issy shook her head. ‘It's weird. I seem to know all about her – and the rest of your family – and yet I've never met them.’

  ‘You should come to my house one day,
’ I told her.

  ‘I'd love to!’ Issy exclaimed. ‘It's so boring being stuck in the hotel all the time.’

  ‘What about at the weekend?’ I suggested. We were filming on Saturday morning and I knew Issy wasn't going back to London after that. ‘You could stay at mine on Saturday and Mum could bring you back here the next day. You're filming Sunday night, aren't you?’

  ‘Yeah! But I'd love to come and stay on Saturday. That's a great idea,’ Issy enthused.

  ‘OK, I'll ask,’ I said.

  Mum said it was fine for Issy to come and stay. I hugged her. I couldn't wait to see what Issy would make of our house – of Jessica, of Tom!

  Just then the phone rang.

  Mum answered it. ‘It's for you, Sophie,’ she said. ‘It's Ally.’

  Guilt jumped through me. It was almost three days since I'd rung Ally or Harriet. Usually we never went that long without speaking to each other. They'd left messages for me, but I hadn't got round to ringing them back. I took the phone from Mum feeling almost nervous. ‘Hi.’

  ‘Hello, stranger,’ Ally said. ‘I've tried to ring you twice you're never in these days.’

  Her voice was teasing but I could hear a slight note of hurt in it.

  ‘Sorry,’ I said, feeling bad. ‘I've been really busy filming. We've been doing all the schoolroom scenes with all the extras and…’ I stopped, realizing she wouldn't understand what the schoolroom scenes were. ‘Well, it's been kind of hectic. How about you? How… how was town?’

  ‘Really good,’ Ally replied. ‘The new jewellery shop is cool. We could go there together at the weekend.’

  ‘I can't, I said. ‘I'm filming on Saturday morning.’

  ‘You're filming at the weekend now as well?’ Ally said, sounding dismayed.

  ‘Just on Saturday,’ I explained.

  ‘Oh, right. So you can sleep over on Saturday night? Harriet's dad has said we can go there.’

  ‘Actually –’ I felt very awkward – ‘umm, well, Issy's coming to stay.’

  There was a long silence.

  ‘I'm sorry. She was going to have to stay at the hotel otherwise and so I asked her,’ I babbled.

  ‘I see.’ There was more than just a note of hostility in Ally's voice. ‘So Harriet and I will have to wait another week before we see you.’