Thinking about the surroundings at these short moments Ashlyn smiled. 'I got this. It will be fine.' She thought. Apart from the cell phone, she had a pen, a candle, and a piece of paper. Like really?
She started replaying the scene over and over again in her head She imagined herself using the props she was given and acting everything perfectly. At some point, she started to feel nervous.
'Ah, how complicated. The pen and paper can work as the letter but what about the candle?' She wondered. She looked around the room and saw the others getting ready with the props of their own.
"I'll just have to work with this," Ashlyn mumbled and she took a seat. After they were all done two people at the time went inside the actual audition room. Some came back quickly and the others took longer.
It all looked so quick and random that it made people more nervous but Ashlyn was inclined in staying calm and composed. If she let the nerves get to her then how will she be able to perform well?
She was surprised when both she and Sissie were lead inside the room together. Their numbers were a bit apart from each other, could it be that they did this on purpose? Hmmm.
She started getting a bit suspicious. Isn't such a weird coincidence huh? She sighed and walked inside. The first person that was called out to do her audition was her stepsister. Honestly, she felt that it would be a bit of an advantage having Sissie go first. Although she is acting too arrogant for her own good she isn't to be underestimated either. She has some good skills. If only her character weren't so rotten and disgusting Ashlyn would have sure gotten along with her.
So many 'ifs'. If her father had not changed like he did she would be happy living with him and her stepmother. If they weren't bad people she would have accepted them and moved on. Unfortunately, she did not get what she wished for and the reality was much more different then what she expected.
Ashlyn and two other girls were in the room and they watched Sissie's audition carefully. Genesis glanced at the director and she smiled. She realized that she had met him before. Next to the director was one of the biggest investors, the author of the book himself and the male lead. The male lead a big superstar in the entertainment world.
Alvin Ruiz a very popular movie star, adored by everyone and the biggest star in her husband's company. All of that didn't matter what Ashlyn was interested in was his great acting skills. The way he became every character he played amazed her and it sparked her interest. It would be an interesting experience to be in a film with him.
She paid careful attention to every expression Sissie had during her audition. It was all realistic and she did a perfect job. No, it flawless too perfect. Ashlyn could admit that it was perfect. As expected from an A-list actress. She took a deep breath and walked towards the center of the audition room.
She figured that they left her and the other two girls in the room because they wanted them to know that to pass this audition they would have to do better than Sissie. But how could they do better when Sissie did a perfect job? The key to this was to create an impression in them. They wanted someone that could do more than perfect. Someone that would be able to become the character herself. In short, they wanted the character to become real through the main actress.
None said a word. Not even when Sissie audition. The only person who spoke was the woman who had brought them inside the room. She said 'start' and nothing else.
'Well, they are scary as hell I'll give them that.' Ashlynn thought and she closed her eyes for a few seconds. She then started the scene.
~~~~~~~~~~
Elna sighed. She took a deep breath and opened the letter. She read the letter in her mind silently. Her eyes became teary and she froze in her spot. A few seconds went by with no movement.
"Ah!" She suddenly squealed in excitement. "I got in! Yesss." She shouted.
(Ashlyn imagined someone coming forward and telling her that she had been called to the headmaster's office.)
Elna nodded her head. "I'll be there right away!" She answered and waited for the person to leave. Once the person was gone she squealed again. She grinned and folded the letter nervously. She held back her excitement and skipped to the headmaster's office.
(Ashlyn walked a few steps forward and sat in a chair placed in front of her. She faced the 'judges' and thought of them as the headmaster.)
"Elna I'm sorry but Mr. and Mrs.Vandelock backed out. I'm afraid there isn't anyone else ready to adopt you." The headmaster dropped the news.
(Ashlyn was surprised that the male lead decided to play the headmaster but she went along with it anyway.)
The grin Elna held disappeared and all her excitement was gone. The happiness she had felt just a few minutes vanished. Her face was gloomy and she smiled bitterly. She was smiling but in her eyes, one could see the pain.
"Thank you. I-I'll take my leave." She answered and exited the room. The headmaster sighed.
(Ashlyn walked to the corner of the room and she used the candle from before. She sat down on the floor.)
Elna's shoulders dropped and small sobs filled the room. "Happy birthday to me I guess." She mumbled with a fake smile but the tears flowed uncontrollably. Her heart shattered at that moment.
She but her lip attempting to suppress the tears and with clenched fists, she 'blew' the candle. She made her wish and stood up. She wiped her tears away and took out the letter from before. She read it out loud once again and she smiled.
"It's okay. You got this. You will succeed no matter what." She determined and walked off.
~~~~~~~~~
Ashlyn wiped her tears away properly and the woman who had brought them in took the props from her hands.
Ashlyn then exited the room along with the lady. She was brought back to her seat in silence. Ashlyn sighed. Even when she exited the room she was still in character. She still glowed with determination. She smiled pleased with her performance. In some way, she could relate to Elna but especially on the determination to succeed.
'No matter what happens I will succeed.' She thought.
"Miss please come with me." The woman called her and Ashlyn furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
"We need you back in the audition room."