“Dad, let me come today.”
“No,” he said, sharply. “You missed yesterday, and that was enough. You should stay home, Amy and…”
“Work with an abacus and a pencil and paper?” I asked, unimpressed. “My computer won’t turn on, there’s no heat in the house, it’s Tuesday, so the library is closed, and I can’t even use my cell phone.” I knew I had a point, so I continued to talk. “So unless I can call into an online school and get all the information faxed over…without a fax machine…its better that I come with you. I can do homework on the school’s wireless, and work for half a day, make up the missing wages faster.”
“How are you feeling?” He gave me a long hard look, and I did my best to match it. I felt a bit tired from yesterday, but that was normal.
“Fine,” I replied. “It’ll only be for half a day. Adam said that I could have a few shifts a week any time. Anything is better than staying here, and the faster we get everything turned back on, the faster I can stay home and rest.”
Dad sighed, relenting. “Fine. But if you start to feel overtired at all, you’ll come back home right away, agreed?”
“Yep,” I shot upstairs, to grab my cell phone, charger and laptop, packing a bag with everything I thought I would need. Of course, I had no intention of doing homework, but I had to create the illusion of doing so. The senior theater class had rehearsal today, and I wanted to catch that. I could charge my phone at the school, keeping Sarah in the loop.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Dad was increasingly impatient and I knew that he wasn’t happy about the idea of me going to work with him. However, he couldn’t argue with my logic, and so off we went, arriving at the school only a few minutes before his shift was due to start.
“Back again?” Adam said, teasing as he saw me. I nodded, but Dad wasn’t in the mood for jokes.
“Clock her in for half a day please, Adam, nothing more.”
“Aye aye, Captain,” he said, making a face at me behind his back. I giggled, as I headed towards the changing room. “We’ve got more props to cook, Amy, come on over here.”
“Yep.” If there was one thing I was happy to do without protest, it was that. Adam led me to a corner, where there was a list of food props that the various shows needed. Everything from fake blood to turnip cake. As I was making them, I spent my time wondering what they were for, imagining the scenes and characters they could be useful to. The turnip cake, I imagined, was for a young girl, falling in love, and wanting to bake for her boyfriend. However, she didn’t have very much money, and so all she could make him was a turnip cake. The fake blood was for the knife slipping and cutting her hand off on stage, leading her to die a dramatic death, all for love.
I almost cut my own fingers off, imagining this scene, and it made me realize I wasn’t paying attention to my work at all.
“A permanent cake?” I looked at the next item on the list. “What’s that?”
“That’s a prop that is real, but has to last. Maybe a sugar glaze or something,” Dad said, looking over my shoulder from where he was preparing lunch for the students. “Those are for Beauty and the Beast next term, it’s a feast scene, so we have to get started now in order to have it ready in time.”
“Beauty and the Beast?” I asked. The audition suddenly came rushing back to my mind. “Is that what they are doing?”
“It’s a media stunt. Liam will play the lead, opposite a senior girl. Looks like he’s dying to get back into acting,” Dad rolled his eyes.
“Right,” I replied, looking at the list. There were several pages of what I thought were instructions, but were actually a list of props. “Wow, there’s a lot of food to cook. This will take me until next term for sure.”
“No, it will take us until next term,” he said. “You’ll be doing homework and preparing for college.”
“Right,” I mumbled, heading for the ingredients cupboard. Liam was playing Beast? That’d be interesting indeed. Especially the scene where the Beast becomes a prince. Despite his attitude, I couldn’t deny Liam was handsome, nor could I deny his talent. There was so much to learn from him, so much talent in just his little finger. Whoever got to play his Beauty would be a lucky girl indeed.
My luck, as small as it was, held out, when, the next day, Dad allowed me to go to work with him again, and again the day after. I was showing him I could do my school work, work, and even sneak off to a theater class or two, without issue. Every day, I checked my email, but found no audition results notice, so slowly, hope shrunk from my thoughts. I assumed if they couldn’t reach me through my cell phone, which had been suspended by the phone company, they would email, but there was nothing. And I knew that the first rule of acting was never to seem too eager, so I didn’t inquire. It was probably safe to assume that I wasn’t getting the part. I was, somehow, alright with this conclusion. The experience that I had gotten, the warm feeling of fulfillment when I stood in front of all those people, was enough to keep me afloat for years to come. It was a dream come true, to read those lines in front of a live audience—and with Liam, even though I didn’t admit it to anyone but myself.
CHAPTER 6: LIAM “Still no answer.”
I almost growled at the secretary as I came out to check on the status of our scholarship recipient. It was Friday, and we still hadn’t gotten in contact with her. Typical Porsche had left me unable to read her handwriting, and so Amy’s email address was illegible. The phone number was all we had, and it rang constantly, without a voicemail.
“I’m going to go down to the kitchens and get something to eat.” I said, as calmly as I could manage. “And then when I come back, we’ll contact the runner up.”
The secretary nodded, and I stalked off, pulling out my cell phone as I walked.
Any Idea who I should pick as a second choice? I texted Porsche, checking my watch. She had flown back to Russia for a charity ball. The ballet was supposed to be on break now, but occasionally, there was a gig or two she had to attend. The time difference said it was early evening, so she should be able to answer me.
Why??? She texted back, instantly. I thanked my stars that she was often glued to her phone. Looking down as I typed, I pushed open the doors to the kitchen. This was a modern mishap, something I guess I had to learn to deal with if I was going to live forever. I collided head on with somebody, who let out a startled yelp that was followed by a clatter of kitchenware.
“Sorry.” I said, barely looking up.
“No problem,” Amy replied, and I stood, shell-shocked, staring at her.
“You’re here.”
“Uh…huh.” Quickly, she glanced behind her, to her father, who was approaching.
“Headmaster. Is there something we can get you?”
“Yes!” I said, probably with a bit too much excitement. Both of them had mirror image expressions such that you could see the family resemblance. “Your daughter.”
“Excuse me?” He asked, shocked.
“Amy tried out at our open auditions for the full scholarship. We selected her and have been trying to get in contact, but…”
Suddenly, without warning, the young girl pitched forward. My reflexes were faster than a human’s, and I spent many a night at parties catching those who couldn’t hold their liquor.
Deadweight was always heavier than it looked, and I decided that the easiest course of action was to ease onto the floor with her, her limp body already rejoining the world of the conscious.
There was commotion in the kitchen, as everyone rushed towards her, calling her name, trying to decide if they should call for an ambulance. Her father went tearing into the changing room, I assumed to find her bag of tricks. Even now, in my human form, I could tell this girl had something off about her.
Her eye lids fluttered and she came to staring straight up at me. She really was beautiful, when she wasn’t nervous, her face symmetrical and angular, her eyes piercing and huge, reminding me of a baby deer. Her lips were full and soft, and I
couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to kiss her.
“Are you alright?” I asked, softly, under the commotion, and she nodded, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
“Amy!” Her father came sliding back onto the scene, almost ripping her away from my arms. He shoved a white pill into her hand, and while she looked annoyed, she swallowed it, dry.
“Dad, I’m alright. I’m alright. I was just…surprised. Ladies used to swoon all the time in the middle ages,” she tried to smile, leaning half against her father and half against a table leg. “Am I really the one you chose?”
“What’s this about?” Her father demanded, looking at me as if I was the one who caused her to faint. Which, to be fair, I guess was true.
“Our open call for a full scholarship, room and board. Lots of girls tried out, but Amy was the one who showed the most promise.”
“Is this a joke?” His eyes narrowed. “Amy may be talented, but she has never had a formal education in theater.”
“All the more reason for her to go to a formal school for theater education,” I replied, raising an eyebrow. Behind me, a few of the chefs chuckled in spite of themselves. “All of her costs will be taken care of for the time she is educated with us. We’re prepared to start her as a junior if she goes back a grade or a senior if she wants to remain here just for the remainder of her education. You are homeschooled, Amy?”
“Yes,” she nodded, still in shock.
“Then we’ll have to give you a few tests to see where you are.”
“Amy is educated properly, I promise you,” her father said, and I shrugged.
“I didn’t say she wasn’t.” I began to realize how silly it was that we were having this entire conversation on the floor. Shifting slowly, I pushed myself up, reaching a hand to Amy, who took it. I pulled her up as well, while her father used the table for support. “Now, I came in here for some lunch.” I said, trying to brush off the dramatics of the situation. “And then, after that, if you wish, you two can meet me in my office and we can discuss the particulars, if you accept.”
“I accept!” Amy blurted out, and her father gave her a sharp look. I sighed, plucking a readymade sandwich from a tray, and headed towards the door. Before I pushed it open, I looked back, attempting to make my comment seem off hand.
“Of course, the scholarship would include full medical insurance, as all our students buy into it.” I didn’t stay to hear their reaction, but continued walking down the hall. I knew that it would be the deciding factor in the end. In acting, they called it changing tactics, shifting from one point to the next, until you get what you want. And I knew I had just won.
Pulling out my phone, I sent a quick text to Porsche, who was probably going out of her mind with curiosity.
Never mind…
Immediately, it beeped:
(#$(#$(#($*!@@#$!!!
Came the reply, and I laughed, as I shut the door to my office. It was good to know I could still drive her nuts across the ocean.
CHAPTER 7: AMY
I had never seen my father so angry as that afternoon. When lunch time came, he clocked me out with such a glare that I dared not argue. And then, he clocked himself out for break, took my arm, and marched me down the hall. When we found an empty classroom, he practically shoved me in and closed the door firmly behind him.
“Explain yourself, Amy. You have 10 seconds.”
“It’s exactly what Liam said. I know we’ve talked about this before, and it’s always been about money. But when I saw the line up, and heard about the scholarship…I just thought I’d try, what harm was there in that? I don’t know why he chose me, over a thousand other girls with longer resumes, but he did … and Dad, it’s a full scholarship. Everything’s covered, including the medical bills. And you’re here every single day, so if something goes wrong, you’ll be here. Heck, we’ll spend more time together now because we won’t be apart for 10 hours while you are at work. I’ll be here, right down the hall. It’s only for a year, Dad, and colleges prefer if you have a degree from a school that actually exists in the physical realm and…” I was babbling and probably very close to crying as well. Dad still hadn’t said a word to me, and when I stopped for breath, silence engulfed the room. “Please say something.”
He sighed.
“Is this what you really want, Amy?”
“Yes!” I cried, frantic. “Yes, this is what I really want, more than anything. And I promise, if I start to feel sick or anything goes wrong, I’ll tell you right away! You can come check on me every break, and we can have dinner in my dorm room, and I’ll come home every weekend, I swear….”
“Amy,” he waved his hand, looking tired. “If you really want this, then I’ll support you. You’re right, all your reasons have been right.” He looked at me with a sad smile. “How did I ever raise such a bright girl?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “Really?” He grinned. “Really,” he said, and I flew into his arms, hugging him.
“Thank you, Dad! Thank you!”
He laughed, squeezing me tight before pulling me to face him.
“Alright, I only have forty five minutes left, so we should go speak to the Headmaster, yes?”
I nodded, letting him lead the way to the headmaster’s office.
When we got there, the secretary let us right in, clearly knowing why we were there. Liam was at his desk, feet propped up, and munching on the sandwich he had taken. When he saw us, he threw his arms up.
“Hallelujah, the missing child returns.”
“I’m sorry,” I blushed. “My cell phone was…broken.”
“And your email was written down wrong,” he said, and then shrugged, pulling his feet off the desk. “Have a seat, you two. I have the paper work right here. Any questions?” He put a large stack of papers in front of Dad, who looked daunted by them.
“…Everything is covered?” he asked, and Liam nodded, ticking things off on his fingers.
“Tuition, Room and Board, medical insurance, and spending money.”
“Spending money?” I looked up, surprised. Liam shrugged.
“Part of the tuition fees we ask for is so the students can have an allowance every week for items they may need. You’ll receive one hundred every week.”
I nearly fell off my chair. It got better and better.
“Now…Amy does have a medical condition…” Dad started. “And I trust if anything happens, I’ll be called immediately…and allowances will be made for her health?”
“Dad!” I said, embarrassed. Liam’s eyes met mine, with tenderness that surprised me. This was the first time I had seen him emote something that wasn’t arrogance or anger. He nodded.
“Yes, of course. I will personally see to it. I have a close friend with the same condition, so I do have experience in the matter.”
“Oh,” Dad seemed to be out of questions, and so he opened the folder, scrawling his initials where requested. My head was spinning, watching him. I couldn’t believe that this was actually happening. Right here, right now.
“Amy, why don’t we take a tour of the school?” Liam leapt to his feet suddenly. “We’ll leave your father to read all this, and by the time we come back, we can answer any questions he may have.”
“Sure,” I said, trying not to let on that I already knew the school like the back of my hand. I stood up as well, leaving my bag on the floor, and followed him out the door.
“We’ll start with the senior wing, as that’s where you’ll be,” he said, looking quickly down the deserted hallways, and then turning to the left.
“When will I start?” I asked, and he shrugged.
“That’s up to you. You can wait until next term if you wish, but ideally you can start…”
“Tomorrow?” I asked, and he laughed, giving me a warm smile.
“Sure. If you want.”
I was surprised how well we got on, one on one. When I met him before, he didn’t strike me as the type to joke around. But now that we wer
e alone, it was like his guard was dropping.
We walked past several classrooms, poking our heads in as Liam described the subjects taught there. Eventually, we got to the theater, which was full of people.
“This is where you’ll be next term, for Beauty and the Beast,” he said, and suddenly, the conversation in the kitchen came rushing back.
“You’ll be Beast, won’t you?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Acting is an addiction, Amy, and I thought it’d be good for the school to have some publicity as well. All press is good press.” He gave me a rueful smile. “Besides, I miss being on stage. It’s where I got my start.”
“Right,” I nodded, and took a deep breath, straightening up. “Let’s keep going.”
Liam grinned, and waved his hand, indicating our direction. Soon, we crossed the barrier between the senior and junior doors, and I found myself in a sea of giggling young children, about to be let out for recess. I had never been in this part of the school, because sneaking in would have looked way too suspicious at my age. Even when I was younger, it was easier to pretend to be someone’s kid sister watching a rehearsal than be part of a small class where the teacher knew everyone’s name. Liam smiled as the kids giggled.
“This is the best age to start young actors, really. Every single one of these children acts without thinking. They don’t put method or thought into it; they do it because it feels right in their gut and they say their lines as if it’s the first time. If only all of us could remember that,” he said, and I found myself swept away by the tenderness in his face as he watched them.
“But that’s how you act,” I pointed out. “In the movies. I always believed that you were whatever character you were playing. It never felt fake.”
“Thank you,” he gave me a smile as we walked through the hallways.
“But I can see how so many classes and rehearsals could interfere with the way somebody acts.” I kept going, speaking before I even really thought properly. “I mean, you could spend so much time thinking about the method and the training that you forget to just…be the character and exist.” I was babbling and I knew it, but he smiled at me.
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