Page 7 of My Undead Heart

Violet eyes me up and down with a thoughtful gleam. “What exactly is your type?”

“Someone who doesn’t act like an asshole.” I retort.

Jared scoffs. “Yeah, good luck finding one of those.”

“Jared gets me.” I blow him an imaginary kiss across the table.

“Jared gets laid regularly. You don’t.” Rae points at me and it’s then I wish I could slap her.

“More to life than sex.” I say.

“Yeah, but ... manbun. Muscles.” She sighs again and Violet nods.

I restrain myself from rolling my eyes all the way in the back of my head. “How about holds conversation? Has similar interests—”

“So, you’re looking for a walker. Lucky for you we’re joining a pack of them,” Jared interrupts and shoos Violet out of the booth. “Let’s run, chickadees. We can start lining up at eleven o’clock sharp.”

Three hours later we’re still in this godforsaken line. Not surprising, though. Chicago is filled withWalking Deadfans. What we didn’t anticipate, ironically enough, was that so many were also willing to blow off work for the chance to get on screen. Volunteers instruct us to line up, and the crowd wraps around the building three rows deep within minutes.

The first hour goes by quickly. Jared and Rae together are hilarious and outgoing, making friends in line and keeping everyone entertained with their banter. Next, we resort to trading coffee runs to help stay warm and to keep moving on this cloudy September morning. My stomach rumbles, hunger grating on my already unsteady nerves. But there isn’t enough coffee in the world to mute Violet’s twinkling laughter. She’s so damn chipper and I’ve been holding back my snark to keep the peace. That, and not to hurt the cheerleader’s feelings.

The line finally moves and everyone cheers. Excitement, so thick in the air I can taste it, replaces my earlier irritation. I don’t even care that Violet won’t shut up, or that I’ll be working overtime to make up for missed worked today. This is notably the most exciting thing that has happened all year.

We shuffle forward, much like the zombies we portray. As the end of the line comes into sight, extras are selected and invited behind the roped off barrier while others are sent packing—rejected to wander the city in their ripped clothes and face paint.

“Dude, that totally sucks. I might die if we don’t get in.” Violet speaks aloud the worry we all feel.

Rae shakes her head. “No. Don’t even think it. We need all the positive vibes on our side. The universe is being kind today. Look up.” She’s right. The sun, a forlorn lover, has decided to grace the Chicago skyline.

We shuffle closer still and the man in charge evaluates the group in front of us. He’s a tall, skinny, attractive guy with blond hair and blue eyes so light they’re probably contacts. He holds all the power as he chooses who gets to stay and who must go. We hold our collective breath as he sends five more hopefuls packing and only accepts two. Two security men flank him and hold the line. They’re huge, but I have to wonder what good they would do if this entire crowd decided to riot.

We’re up next and the man with ice for eyes regards us each quickly before his stare falls to Jared, looking him up and down with more than an appreciative stare. I don’t miss the way his lips purse together as his gaze lingers. Neither does Jared, by the way he stands a little straighter, and gives the man a slight smile.

Some girl with a tablet and earpiece marches over and interrupts their stare-fest. “Jai, we’re at max. Brenner says no more.”

Jai bats his lashes and winces with her news. His gaze flicks to Jared and for about the thousandth time in our friendship I thank the Lord for my gorgeous gay friend. If there’s any chance we’re making it on set, it’s him.

“A few more?” Jai asks and she rolls her eyes. He flicks his gaze over to us but it’s clear he’s caught up with Jared as his voice drops low. “Be a shame to not fill every possible role.”

Pressing the earpiece against her lobe she must ask the question to the powers that be, because when her gaze snaps up she evaluates the long line and says, “Fine. Three more, but that’s it.”

“Hmm ...” He pretends to consider who to pick but it’s no surprise when his finger points to Jared, and then moments later, Rae. “You and you.”

They can hardly contain their squeals of excitement as Jai lifts the retractable rope for both to step through. They wait though, when they realize we’re not all following along.

My gaze is trained on Jai, the man who holds the power, and the girl with the important headset as they glance from me to Violet. The woman shrugs and walks away. But Jai stares between us both, clucking his tongue inside his mouth.

“You.” He finally points, but it’s all wrong when his finger goes to Violet.

My heart stops. All the excitement and promise today held instantly deflates along with my ego, crushing my dreams of being an extra on my favorite show of all time. For the first moment in years, I have to fight the desire to crumble into a ball and cry. Tears, big fat, wet ones, gather beneath my lids but I don’t allow them to escape and further worsen today’s embarrassment.

Violet slips beneath the rope and the giant of a bouncer steps back in place to hold his post.

“Any chance we can squeeze room for one more? My best friend here does dead like no one else.” Jared is a sweetheart. A good, good man, and the fact he’s even asking secures him in the best friend for life spot.

“Sorry, man. We’re at max. Besides, she’s too pretty,” Jai says with one more look my way.

Rae laughs, a burst of nervous energy at his answer. “But we’re in? I’m not sure if I should be thankful or offended.”

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