Page 14 of Faking It

“Calm down, Maxwell. There’s still one more,” says a woman’s voice.

“I won’t hold my breath that she won’t be a disaster, too. Told you we should’ve tried convincing Sandra—”

My gentle knock on the door cuts his words short. At someone’s response, I push it open and enter with the brightest smile I can muster.

“Ms. Kent, welcome,” a woman with cherry-red hair greets me as I step further inside. She’s standing behind a camera on a tripod. There’s a small table beside her, on top of which rests a curved-screen computer.

She gestures to another table, behind which sits the infamous casting director Max Dillion, his thick silver hair a trademark, his deep scowl an even bigger personal feature. His dark eyes scrutinize me, and I see a hint of curiosity there. At least it’s not the barely disguised, scornful stare that Jared is still giving me.I get it, buddy. You hate that I’m not fashionable.

“This is Maxwell Dillion, as you may already know. You’ve already met Jared Levine, and I’m Emily Fields. I will be recording your screen test.”

Her expression says, ‘ifyou pass the read, that is’.

I respond with a brief smile, not trusting my throat to work. It’s so dry. I’m so nervous.

“Take a deep breath, Ms. Kent,” Max says, and I’m surprised by how gentle he sounds. “You’re tense.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Inhale, exhale, then shake it off.”

Jared shoots him a puzzled stare. I assume Max is acting out of character. Slightly encouraged, I follow his instructions. My hands relax at my sides as I wait.

“Now, give me the story behind that outfit,” he says, pointing at me.

Jared smirks.

“Um, well, I—I was actually at work when I got the call from my agent—”

“So, this is an actual server’s uniform. Not a costume,” Max interrupts. “Interesting.”

Is that a pleased look on his face? It’s hard to tell. I glance at Jared. Well,he’sdefinitely not pleased.

At Max’s prompting, I get in character and recite the lines I’d memorized while waiting for my turn. When I’m finished, he nods, then gestures to Emily. “Let’s begin, dear.”

He’s making me do the screen test. Yes!

I can hear the violent pounding of my heart as Emily directs me to stand in front of the camera. There’s something about the camera being trained on me that makes my nerves flutter like crazy.Come on, Ana. You’ve got this. This is the break you’ve been looking for. Don’t mess it up.

As if she senses my nervousness, Emily gives me a line run before the camera starts rolling, which relaxes me a little. Yet, I still feel the quiver in my body as Emily turns the camera on and Jared stands to read the male lead’s lines.

Max’s head lifts, his keen eyes locked on me.

Don’t mess this up, Ana.

The last year flashes across my mind on a rolodex; failed auditions, crappy gigs, and the continuous stench of failure following me around. It’s time for me to get back out there. Time for me to shine. I straighten my shoulder and lift my chin.Let’s go.

I shut out the world and get into the scene where I’m being interrogated by the enemy who kidnapped me after an attempted rescue mission in the desert. Jared should be only reading the lines of my captor, but he’s getting into the scene, too. I suspect his performance is not an act. He really doesn’t like me.

It doesn’t matter. I’m here to get my share of the spotlight, not make friends.

As I end the scene, I glance at Max. No surprise, his expression is hard to read.

“Do it again.”

I nod. It’s not an unusual request. I assume the position and start over.

“Again.”

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