“Uh…Did you get vampire security or something?” I asked, as he put his key in the lock.
“Sort of,” he replied, ushering me into the room. I turned to give him a funny look, but when I entered the room, I saw what he meant. Sitting crossed legged on his bed, looking about four shades paler, Porsche was slowly doing her makeup.
“Porsche!” I cried, flying across the room to give her a hug.
“Hey, Amy.” Her voice was soft, and she felt about ten pounds lighter, her already thin frame feeling skeletal under my arms. She was burning with heat, her face shiny with sweat and her heartbeat could be heard even by my human ears. “How are you?” I could see the lesions on her arms, and subtly, when she opened her mouth, I could see the sores. I didn’t think it was possible to downward spiral as fast as she did and I wondered how long she had been hiding it from me, and from Liam. He seemed just as shocked as I was to see her this way.
“Forget me, how are you?” I asked. Porsche’s eyes went above my head, to meet Liam’s, who sighed.
“It’s better that she’s here, Amy. For you … and for her. So that she’s closer to me if anything happens.”
“And for him,” she said, with a soft smile. “My power grows every hour. By tonight, neither Liam nor Selene will transform.”
“But that means…” I said, trailing off with horror. She shrugged.
“Doesn’t matter anymore, Amy. It’ll all be over soon. But tonight, don’t worry about me. Worry about you.”
“It shouldn’t happen this quickly,” I said, looking up at her. “I mean, you’ve only been off AZT a few months.”
“I’m refusing treatment,” She said, putting down her mascara brush. She looked skeletal, her eyes cloudy and her cheeks hollow. “I’m done with all this.”
“So why not now?” I asked, looking to Liam. He shrugged.
“Porsche’s stubborn. She wants to protect us first. So we’ll wait as long as she can hold out…the run of the show at least.” Although he was speaking the words, I believed he disagreed with it as much as I did. His face was stony, and his eyes were dark.
“Thank you,” I said, turning back to her. She smiled, her eyes a bit teary.
“Anytime.” She said. “I hope we can still be friends when I’m on the other side, Amy.”
“Of course,” I replied. “It’s much more taboo for you to back an actor with no experience than for me to be friends with a vampire.”
Porsche laughed at that, leaning back against the pillows.
“This is indeed true.”
Liam shook his head, going to the mini fridge to get us both a bottle of water.
“Porsche, do you feel up to doing Amy’s makeup? I don’t feel comfortable letting her into the theater right now.”
“Would you?” I turned back to her. “I’m about as useful with makeup as I am fighting a dragon.”
“Sure, if you can be patient,” she replied, glancing at her makeup supplies. “I’m a bit slow today.”
I settled down on the bed beside her. It was hard to look; to see my future staring me in the face and know it waited for me each day. I hoped, when the day came, I would be at peace with it.
By 1:30pm, my hair was teased into millions of little curls that sat high on my head, and my makeup made me look like a supermodel. Although it took her a few hours, Porsche made me look more beautiful than I had ever looked in my life.
“Wow.” I said, looking in the hand held mirror. “Thank you.”
“Just enhancing what is already there, darling,” she said, as Liam came out of the bathroom, fully dressed. “What do you think?” She asked him.
Liam didn’t say anything for a moment. His eyes twinkled as they traveled from my neck to my eyebrows in awe. I blushed, looking down at my nails which were painted and shaped.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “But then…you always do.”
“Thank you,” I whispered and our eyes locked. This had been happening for days; these moments of intensity. We still hadn’t talked about our almost kiss backstage. It hung in the air like an elephant in the room.
“Ok you two.” Porsche slowly swung her legs around, standing up shakily. In a moment, Liam was beside her, supporting her. “I’m going to brush my teeth and change. It’s almost press conference time.”
“Do you want lunch?” Liam asked her. She shook her head. “Or anything? You’re still human, Porsche, so I suggest some nutrition.”
“Nope.” She closed the bathroom door, leaving Liam and I alone. He sat down beside me, so close I could see his pulse beat in his throat. He looked gorgeous, with his hair slicked back and a thin chain hanging around his neck, peeking through the open buttons on his dark dress shirt. His cologne wafted from his neck, a familiar scent that I realized I had missed.
“Are you ready?” I asked, and he nodded, reaching one hand up to tuck a strand of hair from my face.
“I’m glad you’re here, Amy,” he said, and I sighed.
“Not for long though.”
“The best director I ever had once gave me a piece of advice,” he said, reaching down to put his hand over mine. I let him, enjoying the comfort of his touch. “We were about to go on stage, and he grabbed my arm right before the curtain went up. ‘Enjoy your time in the cabin with the other characters’ he said, ‘for it is very short and will never return. Live in the moment’. I think that night was the best show of my life. The real world is scary, Amy, even I know that. But our time as Beauty and the Beast…that is short and controlled and ends happily. And so we have to live in that moment.”
His face was inches from mine and this time I didn’t let the moment go to waste. I kissed him hard and fast, as if I was drowning and he was my life line. I put my hands on the back of his head, pressing my body closer. Liam sunk back into the pillows, pulling me on top of him, and groaned as I pressed down. Everything fit perfectly and felt so right; the feel of his body against mine, his touch, his caress.
He put his hands in my hair, pulling gently, and I moaned despite myself. We used to spend hours just snuggled up to each other, perfectly content in each other’s physical presence and nothing more. When we broke up, I told myself I didn’t miss it, but the truth was I was dying for him to touch me again.
His hands wandered down my back, and rested on my waist, pausing there as we continued to kiss. His eyes were closed and his face was relaxed from its earlier tension. I was in heaven.
“A-HEM.” I had forgotten we weren’t alone and turned around to see Porsche leaning against the door post looking amused. I jumped off Liam immediately.
“Uh…we were just…”
Liam stayed reclined on the bed, looking bemused as I struggled to fix my hair.
“It’s ok, Porsche’s an adult. She’s fully aware of what we were doing.”
“Not that I wanted to see it,” she replied, a small smile on her face. “You two need to just get back together already. Seriously. It’s just awkward.”
Liam and I glanced at each other, and then away. I felt my cheeks grow hot and didn’t know what to say. Apparently, neither did he, because he cleared his throat and changed the topic.
“Shall we go?”
“Yep.” I may have leapt up a bit too fast. “Are you coming, Porsche?”
“You two actually have half an hour,” she said, and I recognized a spark of the old fire in her eyes. “I’ve decided to get some food in the cafeteria before my empty stomach eats itself.”
“Are you sure?” Liam asked, and she nodded.
“Uh huh,” she said, although she looked ready to drop. “This is your day. Welcome to fame, Amy.”
“I suppose tripping and falling in front of everyone will be bad?” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
“All press is good press.” Porsche said, slowly grabbing her coat, even though it was a warm day. “It didn’t hurt Liam when he was falling down drunk every night and showing up to meetings stoned.”
“Uh…” Liam replied. “It
kind of attracted a vampire to me?”
“Well, that’s your opinion,” she shrugged, and I laughed. And then she headed out the door, leaving us alone once again.
“So where were we?” Liam asked, and I looked back at him.
“Uh…” I replied, suddenly awkward. He pulled me back, so I was lying on top of him, our faces inches apart as I looked down at him. “We were…here.”
“Yes, we were.” He said, stroking my face. We kissed and I felt my whole body light up with passion. I squirmed against him and he groaned, pulling me closer. I felt his need through his jeans, and could no longer deny my own.
“Liam…” I stopped suddenly.
“What?” He was breathless, looking at me as if I’d just stopped the world from spinning.
“I…you…protection?” I managed, and he shook his head, drawing me close again.
“Don’t worry about it. We don’t need it. Trust me. For either reason.”
“I bet there are thousands of girls whose boyfriends have told them that.” I said, as his hands slid down my thighs.
“I doubt they were vampires.”
“I’ve never…” I said, and he stopped, looking at me.
“Never?”
“Hard when you are under house arrest your whole life. And also when…unless somebody else is infected…or you really hate them...”
“No more, Amy,” he put a finger to my lips, silencing me. “If you want this to be your first time … or if you want to wait? …”
“No.” I shook my head. “I want you, Liam.” After that, no more words were spoken. I surrendered completely to Liam’s touch as I lost myself to him.
CHAPTER 22: AMYIt was only once we were walking down the hallway to the school’s media room that I realized once again how nervous I was. I gripped Liam’s hand tightly, feeling closer to him than ever before.
“There’s no going back from this, is there?” I asked Liam, as we stood outside the door, where I could hear the press was already gathered.
“Sure there is,” he said. “This industry is cruel, they will forget you in an instant if they want to.”
“I don’t think that’s helpful,” Porsche said, listening at the door. Liam shrugged, but gave me a small smile, reaching down to take my hand. He squeezed and I squeezed back, grateful. “I think they are ready for you. I’ll go do your introduction. That way, if Selene is waiting for you, I’ll know.”
“Ok,” Liam nodded, and Porsche slipped through the door, holding her head high. Liam and I stood in the hallway, in silence a moment, listening to the muffled sounds behind the door.
“Thank you,” I said, looking up at him. “For all of this. For everything. I never would have been able to do any of this without you.”
“Amy,” he said, looking down at me. “You were meant for this. There is no way your talent wouldn’t have been discovered. With or without me, you would have been an actress.”
“But without you…I wouldn’t have ever known how wonderful this is,” I said, leaning into his side. He put his arm around me, and I closed my eyes, relaxing into his grip.
“I was ready to give up hope before I met you,” he muttered, and I froze, looking up at him. He kissed the top of my head, indicating the door. “Ready?”
“Yeah,” I nodded, taking a deep breath and steeling myself. Liam gave me one last hug and then opened the door.
“Ladies, and gentleman, it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the stars of Beauty and The Beast tonight…”
Porsche was standing at the microphone, looking miles better than she did standing in the hallway. I admired her for it - it was the mark of a great performer. The rest of the introduction was drowned out by cheering and clapping. Cameras flashed and questions were being slammed at us. Liam had to drag me up on the stage; I was so blinded by the flashes.
Luckily, Liam knew how to handle the questions. He waited until people stopped screaming and then took the questions one at a time, only fielding the easiest ones to me, such as “are you happy to be a part of this show?” It was over in a flash, and before I knew it, we were heading off the stage, away from the press. I couldn’t believe that they were actually so interested in me. Apart from questions about the show, they had wanted to know about my life. Where I had grown up, how I came to audition, what my hopes and dreams were. And of course, everything about my personal life, which I already chose not to answer. When they asked if I had a boyfriend, I looked away and shook my head. I could feel Liam’s eyes burning at me, but I knew it was the right thing to say. If I wasn’t certain of what was happening right now, the press didn’t have the right to know.
The photo shoot went the same way; a constant flash of cameras, and what seemed like hundreds of paparazzi standing before us. When it was finally over, I felt out of breath, waving goodbye before heading behind the curtain. We were running late, and Liam had told me as soon as we were done, it was time to start getting ready. I had to be completely fresh faced and re done as Beauty, so it would take plenty of time.
I thought I was nervous for the press conference, but the nerves that descended on me as I sat in the hair and makeup chair were now worse than ever.
“Break a leg for me, darling.” Porsche stuck her head through the door, looking about as bad as I felt. Still, she had a smile on her face as she came over to give me a hug. She was burning up. I could feel it from half a foot away. But I said nothing and gave her a tight hug.
“I’ll be in the audience. It’s past sunset and Liam hasn’t changed,” she whispered in my ear. I nodded, wrapping my arms around her.
“Thank you,” I replied, and she gave me a quick kiss on the forehead, rubbing my shoulders.
The makeup artist finished my final coat of lip-gloss, and leaned back, nodding.
“Alright, Amy, you’re ready,” she said. “I’ll do a touch up at intermission. But you’re perfect. You look just like Belle in the Disney movie.”
“She was a cartoon,” I said, and the makeup artist laughed, gathering up some of her stuff.
“Good luck,” she said, and then she left, and I was alone for the first time in hours.
I took a deep breath, looking into the mirror. I did look like Belle, with my hair tied back and the peasant girl dress. My eyes looked huge and my skin was glowing.
Trying not to tremble, I stood up and walked out of the room. Despite not being on for a few scenes, Liam was already standing in the wings, waiting for the lights to dim.
Seeming him immediately calmed me down. My palms stopped sweating, my heart slowed and I could breathe normally again. A wave of relief washed over me and I knew I could tackle whatever was waiting for me on the stage. It was then that I realized I couldn’t do this- I couldn’t walk away. I may know how to act, and I may have blown Liam away at the auditions, and Shannon, but without his guidance and help, I would never be able to continue. Acting really was only half of this industry, and the rest I still had to learn.
“Hey,” Liam turned around, smiling at me as he glanced at the backstage clock. “Look at you.”
“Look at you. All…human still,” I said, knowing that could have a double meaning, without his beast costume. He smiled.
“The power of Porsche,” he replied, putting an arm around me. “You ready?”
“Yeah,” I said, taking a deep breath. “Have you processed my graduation papers yet?”
He gave me a strange look, but shook his head.
“No, I didn’t have time. But it’s on the 22nd of June. You planning ahead?”
“Yes,” I nodded, giving him a smile. “I thought…Liam, I thought I could stay. Another year. With you.” I looked up to meet his eyes, taking his hand. “If that’s ok.”
“Amy…” He breathed, turning fully to face me. He was quiet for a few moments. “Amy, you are so beautiful…and you are so talented…you are miles ahead of everyone here, and you are ready for this.”
“No,” I shook my head. “And I know it. If I stay out the
re with Shannon, it’ll break me. I’ll finish touring Gatsby, but then I want another year here. I…I need you.” I said. He bit his lip, and I was surprised to see tears building in his eyes.
“I need you too, Amy,” he said, and he kissed me. I wrapped my arms around him, standing on my tiptoes to not have him strain so much. There was nothing holding us back any longer. I let go of everything I was feeling, giving myself completely over to him. I had never felt so sure of anything in my life. Everything felt right.
“And if I stayed…” I said, breaking apart from him. “Got a second chance…perhaps you and I could also have a second chance?”
He smiled, nodding.
“I’d like that.”
“Good,” I said, giving him another little nip on the lips. His smile turned devilish, and he leaned down, about to return it when a stage hand approached.
“Curtain in one minute, guys.”
“Right,” Liam straightened up. “Here we go.”
I closed my eyes, turning to face the stage. I saw the lights dim and the opening number started to play.
“No going back now,” I muttered, and Liam laid a light kiss on my head.
“Go on, Beauty. It’s your time to shine,” he said. I took a deep breath, looking up at his face. And then, knowing that he was behind me, I stepped forward. It was time.
As soon as I stepped out onto the stage, I didn’t feel like me anymore. All of these fears had run through my head. I had worried about the silliest things; from forgetting my lines to tripping or puking on the stage. But from the second Beauty`s first lines came out of my mouth, I was a different person. I was her, from head to toe. And when Liam entered the stage for the first time, I didn`t see Liam, the love of my life, the vampire, my headmaster. I saw the Prince; the Beast; the hated man in the castle who intrigued and interested me like no other.
The townspeople were transformed from my classmates to people I had grown up with all my life. Ryan, who played one of my potential suitors and was actually one the nicest boys in senior year, made bile rise in my throat the second he approached me on stage. I was so distracted by Beauty`s feelings and thoughts that I felt shell-shocked when intermission came and the curtain came down.
Beautiful Monster Page 17
