Carla answered her cell phone after the second line of her
special ringtone “Nobody Weird like Me”, Travis’s favorite song. “Hi,
Travis, what’s up?”
“Hey kiddo, nothing much, Just wanted to see how my baby sister was doin’.”
“Oh, fine, I guess. Just wish Dad would ease up on me.”
Travis chuckled. “Still skipping classes, aye?”
“You know I hate school, Travis. Why do I need an education to be in movie? It’s…” Carla’s voice trailed off.
“I know, Sis. You just wanna hit the big time now.”
“Yeah, as if that’s going to happen.”
“I
had a few minutes. Just wanted see how my kid sister was doin’
before I iron my uniform, polished my buckle and shine my boots. You
know how it is.”
It was Carla’s turn to chuckle. “OK, have fun at boot camp. Don’t let them catch you with your cell phone.”
Carla
rested back on her pillows and sighed. She missed Travis; missed his
loud music and after school visits with her to the game parlor when they
were supposed to be doing homework.
Her cell phone buzzed. “Hello,” she answered without checking the caller ID.
“Hey, Carla, you up for some fun?”
It was Toni, a girl she’d met a few weeks ago at the game parlor. Toni wanted to be a model and Carla liked her right off.
“What kind of fun?” Carla answered half-heartedly.
“Remember Kevin?”
“Yeah, he’s the camera nerd at the parlor. Goes to that snooty school off Main Street.”
“Yep,
that’s him.” Toni sounded excited. “He’s making a video for school. His
Dad is on the school board and has heaps of money and some neat video
equipment. He likes Kevin’s script and wants to enter him in a junior
film maker’s competition in Hollywood! Kevin needs some girls to do some
acting for him.”
Carla sprang from her bed. “When?”
“We’re meeting them at the parlor in half an hour.”
“I’m on my way.” Carla ended the call. This could be the break I’m looking for. If Kevin wins the competition, Toni and I could be on our way to Hollywood, too.
***
Carla
entered the noisy parlor and saw Toni talking to Kevin. They were with
another guy who was leaning against a soda machine. Carla smiled at the
handsome young man. He reached out to shake her hand. She was mesmerized
by his presence. “Hi.”
Kevin broke the spell. “Dad’s waiting for us at home. We’re doing the video there.”
Kevin’s
house was a few blocks from the game parlor. On the way Kevin explained
his script. “It’s a film I’m doing for my photography and visual
effects class. Dad’s helping me with his equipment.” He laughed. “He
doesn’t trust me with his precious stuff.”
They arrived at a huge
two-story house surrounded by an immaculate garden. They climbed the
front stairs and Kevin unlocked the door.
Carla was elated as she
stepped into the impressive entry. She looked beyond an archway where
two video cameras and a still life camera were set up on tripods facing a
sofa… a sofa covered with cushions and satin sheets. Toni grinned at
her and winked.
The boys stepped in front of the girls and headed to one of the cameras and began to adjust some dials.
“What’s going on, Toni? Where’s Kevin’s father?” Carla began to panic.
“Who needs his father? We have the equipment. We have the opportunity of a lifetime here.”
“Where’s his father, Toni?” She persisted.
Steve
returned to Carla’s side and skimmed his index finger down her cheek
and flicked her hair. “Hey Carla, don’t fret. Isn’t this what you
wanted? Glamour! Fame! It’s worth a hundred bucks.”
Carla’s heart
raced and her breathing quickened. With one sudden movement, she turned
and ducked through the still open front door. She raced up the path and
onto the street. She turned to see the three of them standing outside.
They were laughing at her. Carla gasped and began to run.
When
Carla was sure she hadn’t been followed, she slowed her pace. Tears and
sweat streamed down her face. She drew in deep breaths and swallowed
repeatedly, trying to regain control before returning home. Maybe I should wait a few years before I think about Hollywood. She wiped her brow with the sleeve of her sweater and wished for some big brother advice.
***
“I’m home,” Carla called from the front room. “I’ve got an assignment due. I’ll be in my room.”
“OK,” her mother called back. “We’ll be eating at seven. I’m running late.”
Carla
entered her bedroom and closed the door. She took her cell phone from
her pocket and hit Travis’ speed-dial. Taking a deep breath she
struggled to fight back more tears.
“Hey Sis, you just caught me. What’s up?”
© Chrissy Siggee
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About Chrissy Siggee
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