Page 58 of Drama Queens Don't Fall For Charming Boys

“All the time! Whenever I walked into a room, you guys were huddling over your phones and laughing. You got hold of the footage of me destroying the set and you kept watching it and making fun. But as soon as you saw me enter, you quickly stopped.”

Declan looks completely confused.

“I’m not stupid, you know! I get that I messed up big time, but I’m only human. It doesn’t mean you and your friends could mock me like that—”

“Mia, Mia, Mia.” He reaches for my hands.

“What are you doing—?”

“Listen to me,” he urges as he clutches my hands. “I’m sorry it appeared like I was making fun of you, but I swear I never once in my life made fun of you.”

“Stop lying! I saw you and your friends.”

“We must have been laughing at something totally unrelated to you,” he insists. “I swear, Mia, I never made fun of you.”

I look into his eyes, really look into them. He’s an actor and can be putting on an act, but gazing into his eyes…they seem very sincere and genuine. And for some reason, I believe him.

“Are you telling me the truth?” I whisper.

“Yes. Nothing but the truth. I’ll even prove it to you. I swear that I never once made fun of Mia Park. And if I’m lying, may I never get a TV or movie role ever again.”

I gawk at him. Did he really go there?

“Would I risk my whole career for a lie?” he asks.

“I…no, you wouldn’t.”

“Exactly. I don’t know why you think so low of me. I never did anything to you. I never hurt you—” Understanding suddenly enters his eyes. “Is that why you did it? Because you thought I made fun of you?”

“Did what?”

“Booted me from the sequel.”

“Wait, what? I didn’t boot you from the sequel.”

“Yes, you did. You were unhappy with the way the, er, kiss went, and you complained to your dad, and he told the producers to give me the boot.”

“Whoa, dude—”

“And I guess I wasn’t as important as you because clearly, I’m replaceable and you’re not.”

“Dude—”

“I didn’t think I did such a terrible job. I mean, yeah, the kiss sucked, but I wasn’t the only one who messed it up—”

“Do you ever let anyone else talk?!”

His mouth snaps shut. Then he says, “Wicked reference?”

“Heck, yeah. And how befitting.”

He purses his lips.

“Look, I have no idea what gave you the idea that I got you booted from the sequel,” I say. “But I didn’t. As if I have that kind of power.”

He gives me a look. “You know you do. Well, your dad does.”

“Fine, maybe! But I swear he didn’t do it. Sure the kiss sucked, and I would have preferred not to do it again for a sequel, but I’m a professional. You think you’re the first person I had problems working with?”

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