Page 11 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

Halmeoni smiles. “Do you like it, my sweetheart?”

“I love it!” I gobble the whole thing down in less than ten minutes. “Can I have more? My gosh, I think I died and went to heaven.” I fall back in my seat and shut my eyes tight.

Halmeoni laughs. “Of course you can have more.” She kisses my cheek and walks away to serve me another helping. I gobble this one down in less than three minutes.

Dad enters the kitchen with an empty tray and laughs when he sees me licking my plate. “I don’t think Do-Yeon needs to wash Mia’s plate today,” he jokes.

“Haha.”

“Do you want more? I have plenty,” Halmeoni offers.

I pat my stomach. “I wish, but I think I might pop if I eat any more. Thanks so much, Halmeoni.” I stretch my arms and squeeze her tightly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart. Thank you so much for brightening Halmeoni’s day.”

“Why is today slow?” I ask her as I take out my school stuff. I’ll do homework while I wait for Dad to finish his shift.

Halmeoni shrugs as she tends to the stove. “It happens sometimes. We count our blessings on slow days, even though we appreciate the busy days, too.”

After a few hours, my homework is done and I spend the rest of the time texting my friends and then doing more research for Valarina’s build. And then when I come home, I stay up way too late testing it out.

Chapter Five

Declan

I’m supposed to be having fun with my friends at Huntley’s house, hanging out and watching TV, while stuffing our faces with burgers and fries. But I’m not having fun at all. The others and their girlfriends are laughing and goofing off, while I’m sitting here in Huntley’s basement trying not to feel sorry for myself. Quentin called just a few minutes ago and told me I didn’t get the part for another movie. And that was a minor role, a role that would kind of be embarrassing for me to play, after having some successful movies under my belt.

I’m not as well-known as many other actors. I guess most people wouldn’t know who I am. But for the target audience—teens, mostly—I’m popular. This was a teen movie, so I’m not sure why they didn’t want me.

Ever since I got booted from the sequel to The Beat of My Heart, I haven’t been able to nail any auditions. My head is so messed up and I can’t audition properly without feeling like I’m not good enough or second-guessing everything.

Will I ever get over this and move on like Chase told me to?

“Dude, why are you sitting in the corner all alone and brooding?” my other buddy Kai says as he slaps my arm. Many of the kids here are actors or aspiring actors. I wouldn’t say we’re best friends, but we hang out because we have things in common. And we go to the same parties, so it makes sense to be friends.

But I don’t feel like I can confide in any of them. Besides, I could never admit to them that I’m not getting any jobs. That’s too embarrassing.

So I push a smile on my face—my famous Declan smile—and say, “I’m good. Just tired.”

“All right.” He joins in the conversation with the others and I’m left alone. I don’t like being alone, but I’m not really in the mood to be social.

But after a bit, I realize I shouldn’t let anyone see me like this. I have to keep up my image as a happy person, not someone who’s worried about his future.

So I leave my corner and drop down with the others, grabbing a few fries and dumping them in my mouth.

They’re talking about random stuff and even though I can’t forget my worries, I lock them in the back of my mind temporarily and try to have fun.

We take selfies and videos and goof off. I find myself laughing along with everyone else. Right now, it doesn’t matter that I’m a loser who can’t get roles. I’m just a normal kid doing normal things kids my age do. Once this party is over, my reality will crash down on me. But for now, I’m pretending like everything is great.

***

It’s about ten in the evening when I come home. Mom and Dad are watching the news.

“How was the party?” Dad asks.

I was right—the second I left Huntley’s house, my worries were unlocked from the back of my mind and my reality crept up on me. I know I’m still young and there might be more opportunities, but the industry is so competitive. Not a single movie offer in over six months? I used to get roles like the snap of a finger. Sure, there weren’t a lot since I’ve only been doing this for three years, but it was always offer after offer after offer. Now…crickets.

“Declan?” Mom asks.

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