Page 5 of First Impressions of You

“That can’t be right,” he hisses, his voice taking on an icy tone.

“What? Why?”

He opens his mouth but closes it before saying anything. His throat works with a swallow, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. I can’t say I’ve ever been attracted to necks, but this guy’s is entirely too lickable not to be noticed.

Where did that come from? I shake my head trying to get rid of the unwelcome thoughts.

“Do you have any experience?” I’m still too lost in the thought of licking his throat that for a moment I think he’s asking about another kind of experience. He sees the confusion in my face and adds, “Acting. Any acting experience?”

“I…” I stutter, trying to get a grip on the conversation. What is he even on to?

“Unbelievable,” he mutters under his breath. “They’re throwing us a bunch of amateurs and expecting us to put on a good show?” I’m positive he’s not posing this question to me, and yet I feel that I need to say something in response.

But it takes me far too long, longer than I care to admit, to understand the meaning of his words. To understand that it’s me who he’s talking about. I’m the amateur that can’t possibly put on a good show.

As understanding dawns on me, I stand up to face him, and only then I realize how tall he is. Even when I’m on my feet, he towers over me, his broad shoulders looking even bigger when he brings an arm up to pull the cap off his head. He rakes his other hand through his hair, leaving rebellious strands pointing in every direction.

Before I can open my mouth to ask him who he thinks he is, he turns around and leaves. And he doesn’t wait to be out of earshot before he hisses, “What the fuck does Emily think she’s doing?”

And at that, I finally realize why his voice sounds so familiar.

Chapter 02

It’s a couple hours before I go back inside. Which gives me plenty of time to shake off whatever this encounter was about and to study the script.

If I want to get this role, I need to find a way to stand out. The difference between a good and an unforgettable performance is always in the details, and this is what I’m looking for. A word that was chosen over another. A stage direction that tells me about the character’s feelings. There’s always a lot hidden beyond the lines written in the script.

Melina is a smaller part than you’d think for a princess, but it’s still a much better opportunity than I ever thought I’d get. She spends almost half of the play offstage in captivity, but when she does come on, the scenes are both emotional and physically demanding. I read and reread the lines, searching for the best approach to this character.

For this audition, they’ve chosen one of the first scenes of the play, Melina’s wedding.

One of the production assistants introduces me to the actor who’s playing the prince, but I don’t have time to get to know him well before he’s escorted onto the stage to start reading with other actresses.

This time, we don’t have to wait in a separate room. Instead, they let us watch all the auditions from the theater seats. I notice that some of the actress choose not to pay attention to the auditions before them, but I decide to watch carefully, trying to find that different angle that will put me ahead in the race.

I’m the last one called on stage, probably because I was a last-minute addition, and for the second time that day, I realize what a huge theater this is. When you think of a theater inside a theme park, you think outdoor amphitheaters and small productions, but this looks like it could rival some Broadway stages.

The overwhelming fear of not being good enough threatens to take over me as I take the steps up to get in place, but I try to shake it off as best as I can. I’m all too familiar with this feeling, and I know better than to believe I can get rid of it completely. Instead, I lock it in a hidden place in my brain and pray it won’t find its way out before I’m done with this scene.

The actor who’s playing Prince Leon is already waiting for me. Cameron, if I remember correctly from the brief introduction before. He’s tall and lean and looks like he belongs on a runway. Everything about him seems perfectly arranged, from his methodically cut hair—fade on the sides and textured curls on top—to his symmetrical face with big hazel eyes, large nose, and full lips. It’s like God designed the perfect specimen and sent him to Earth in the shape of the actor standing right in front of me.

“Hi!” he greets me brightly. If I hadn’t been watching all previous auditions, I would’ve never guessed he’s been here for hours, running the same lines over and over again. He looks as excited as if he’d just gotten here and not a bit tired of the whole process. I immediately decide I like him. “Luiza, right?”

He pronounces my name as most Americans do, as if there’s an “o” between the L and the U.

“Luiza, yes,” I repeat, emphasizing the pronunciation.

“Luiza,” he repeats, tentatively. When he looks at me for approval, I give him a smile and a nod. “I love that name. Is it Spanish?”

“Portuguese,” I correct him. “I mean, I’m sure there are Spanish speakers who are called Luiza too, but I’m Brazilian.”

His face lights up. “Cool!” I’ve never met anyone so excited about learning where I’m from. “I dream of going there. I’m Cameron, by the way. Cam.”

I shake his outstretched hand, the deep, warm brown of his skin contrasting with the rosy, cool beige of mine. I reach my second decision in as many minutes: I want to be friends with him even if I don’t get this role.

Emily tells us they’re ready whenever we are, so Cam and I quickly get in position to start the scene. In the play, the stage will be full of extras, playing weddings guests, but for the audition it’s just the two of us.

Melina and Leon’s marriage is a political union, arranged by their parents in an effort to strengthen both kingdoms. They don’t love each other, but they’ve resigned to their fate.

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