Better Than Revenge [Chapters 1-15 Rewritten]

Chapter 7: Colliding Forces

Chapter 7: Colliding Forces

"Sophia, calm down," Tori said, shaking me violently. I wasn't sure how that was going to help me calm down, but I was in no position to argue about something as trivial as that when my brain was going on overdrive with all of the possible outcomes of my first big movie audition in Los Angeles. "You can't go in there like this."

"I can't," I said, wiggling out of her grip. My voice had taken on that whiny, annoying quality I usually hated. "I've never been this nervous in my life." I hugged the plain white folder containing my headshot and resume, trying to offset my nerves with positive thoughts. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure anything could offset them that day.

Mrs. Franklin, the wine-loving teacher that had recommended me for this audition, had called me yesterday and had somehow managed to turn my nervousness into excitement. She told me a talent agent was going to be at my audition. Mrs. Franklin was a friend of Lea Jameson's and had called her to let her know she had a good candidate for her. Mrs. Franklin also gave me some last-minute words of wisdom that had calmed me down enough to practice, but that soothing effect was long gone.

Despite my mental reminders that I was only auditioning for a small part, my nerves just wouldn't budge. This wasn't some play being put on in my hometown or some low-key movie being shot at a run-down set. This was a real Hollywood audition. I was so close to doing what I felt like I was meant to be doing, yet I couldn't will myself to move.

"You can't let them see you're nervous," Tori said. "Just take a deep breath.... Just breathe, Soph."

"I am breathing. If I weren't breathing, I'd be dead right now."

"Shut up and breathe deeper."

Following her advice, I managed to steady my breathing, which did calm me down considerably.

"Better?"

I nodded. "Much."

"Good. Now are you ready to go knock their socks off?"

"Are you kidding? I was born ready," I said. I didn't feel as sure of myself as I was letting on, but at least I could make it seem like that was the case.

Tori beamed at me. "That's what I like to hear. Now, go! And don't forget to be your charming self."

"Who else would I be?"

"I don't know," she said in an exasperated tone. "Just go!"

I laughed and exited the car, shutting the door behind me. I looked up at the huge L.A. building where auditions for Kidnap My Heart were being held and took another deep breath. "Here goes nothing," I muttered, walking towards the building. I hesitated at the entrance, wondering if I was in over my head here.

A honk snapped me out of my negative train of thoughts. I spun around and saw that it was Tori. I gave her a thumbs up, showing her that I was fine. She stuck her own thumb out the passenger window and I couldn't help but smile. Even if this audition was a total flaw, I knew I'd always have Tori to lean on.

Clutching the silver door handle in my hand, I pushed aside my unease and opened the door.

I followed my instincts as I made my way around the building, somehow managing to find where I was supposed to be. I had left my apartment early to make sure I'd have enough time to find my way to the audition room and was still pretty early by the time I found it, but I figured it was better to sit there for a bit than to be late and miss my slot.

I walked into the lobby where a couple of people were already seated. Judging by their nervous expressions, I figured they were probably hopefuls waiting for their own audition.