Page 4 of The Final Rose

“It won’t take long.” She ignores me. “I’ll do something about your hair, too.” She picks one strand, feeling the quality of it.

So now I feel like a horse waiting to know its value. Not very valuable if I’m going by Doris’ face.

I’m told that I have a head full of hair, like that’s the best news she can give me. Then, I’m taken to the sink to get my hair washed, while Doris tells me all about how things could be much worse. By the end of my washing, I am indeed glad that all I am is clammy and red-faced.

We are back in the chair. Doris has a hair dryer on hand, its wire looping around her neck as she selects the best-looking brush from her cart.

“I’m sorry I’m late, Doris!” says an unfamiliar voice. “Anya, you know how it is…”

My gaze locks onto the new stranger through the mirror. She’s wearing the same branded logo on her shirt as the rest of the crew. Shoulder-length wavy hair with the top part twisted in a bun, denim shorts and old-looking trainers. She has a walkie-talkie hooked to the waistband of her shorts and a clipboard.

That must be Callie, the one I was promised.

We regard each other through the mirror. Her eyes warm, her bottom lip full and parted. They told me American girls were good-looking, but Callie is something else.

“You must be Sebastian. I’m sorry I’m late.” She moves from behind me, grabbing a chair to the side and turning it so we can look at each other while Doris works her magic.

The hair dryer muffles Callie’s next words.

“What?” I ask over the noise.

“I’m Callie!” She says louder, throwing Doris a look. “I’m going to wait…” She shakes her head, annoyed at shouting to be heard.

Doris turns off the hair dryer. “I’m doing my job, Sosa.”

“Do it quietly,” Callie replies, but with warmth. “It’s not even seven in the morning.”

“Well, maybe it’s good for you to exercise that voice and…”

Callie narrows her eyes. “Are you in on the bet?”

Doris doesn’t reply and turns on the thing again. Callie sighs, turns around, and takes the wire off the plug.

“Hey!”

“I can’t believe you're on the bet!” Callie accuses.

I shake my head, trying to follow. “What bet?”

I half expect them to keep talking over me, but Callie replies. “They have a bet about how long it will take for me to lose my voice. It took a month last season. And a month and a half the season before.”

“Is she a screamer?” I ask Doris.

She chuckles. “Oh, I like the way he says it. You’ll do great on television.”

I give a flashy grin, “Brilliant. It’s my lifelong dream.”

Callie chews on her lip. “He’s gonna need a sarcasm sign or something.”

“I know!” Doris agrees over my head.

3.

Callie

“Today we’ll go easy.For the initial interview, we’re going with your thoughts and hopes for the show and your first impressions of the mansion.” I look down at my schedule and keep talking. “And then we have a break for lunch…”

“Pardon?” he asks, bringing my attention back to his face..

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