The news spread quickly among their families and friends, and soon congratulatory calls started pouring in. The trio reveled in the joyous atmosphere, feeling the weight of their accomplishment and the thrilling journey that lay ahead.
The Evergreen household was abuzz with excitement. Alexander's parents, Katherine and Thomas, along with his older brother Charlie, sat around the living room. The atmosphere was a mix of anticipation and pride, the air charged with a sense of accomplishment.
Charlie, his dirty blonde hair falling over his forehead, grinned at Alexander. "You know, little bro, I always knew you had it in you."
Alexander's smile widened. "Thanks, Charlie. It's still hard to believe."
Katherine, their mother, leaned forward with a warm smile. "We're so proud of you, sweetheart. To think that your passion and hard work have led you to this point."
Thomas, Alexander's father, chimed in with a chuckle. "You've always had a way with words, Alex. And now you're getting a chance to see your words come to life."
Alexander's gaze shifted from his family's faces to the framed copy of "The Chronicles of Everwyn" on the wall. "It's been an incredible journey. I couldn't have done it without the support and encouragement from all of you."
Charlie raised his glass of juice in a toast. "To Alexander Evergreen, the soon-to-be-famous author and actor!"
They all clinked their glasses together, the sound echoing in the room. As the laughter and cheers filled the air, Alexander felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his family's unwavering belief in him he couldn't help but feel the stark contrast between them and his family of his previous life.
Meanwhile, a similar scene was taking place In Alice's living room, her parents, Eleanor and Edward Montgomery, sat on the couch. The room was adorned with family photos and mementos, a testament to the love that filled the space.
Eleanor, Alice's mother, beamed with pride. "We've always known how passionate you are about acting, sweetheart. This is your chance to shine."
Edward, Alice's father, nodded in agreement. "And shine you will, just like the star you've always been."
Alice's cheeks warmed with a mix of happiness and humility. "Thanks, Mom and Dad."
Eleanor's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Can I have your autograph now, before you become super famous?"
Alice laughed. "Sure Mom, but only if you promise to come to all my movie premieres."
Eleanor's grin widened. "Deal! I would have that anyway."
As the family shared laughter and stories, Alice couldn't help but feel a deep sense of belonging. The love and support of her family were like an anchor, grounding her amid her whirlwind adventure.
...
The next day of school excitement rippled through the halls as news of Alexander and Alice's roles in the movie "Chronicles of Everwyn" spread like wildfire. Whispers of admiration and awe followed them wherever they went, turning heads and eliciting enthusiastic congratulations. The dynamic duo had always stood out, but now their star shone even brighter.
Amid the buzz of anticipation, a small group of their classmates had gathered in a corner of the school courtyard. The conversation was animated, a mix of genuine happiness and a tinge of envy. Alexander and Alice, unaware of the chatter, approached their classmates with warm smiles.
"So, are you guys like celebrities now?" Jessica, a girl with long black hair and dark brown eyes, one of their classmates, asked with a playful grin.
"We're not exactly celebrities, yet anyway," Alexander said in a joking tone.
Alice nodded, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "It's like a dream come true, really. We can't wait to see how it all comes together."
Emily, a close friend, and the first girl to become their friend way back in elementary school, chimed in. "Honestly, I think it's so cool. You guys have always been creative and talented, so it's not surprising that you landed these roles."
Jackson, a tall guy with curly black hair, brown skin a penchant for making people laugh, raised an eyebrow, "Wait a minute. Does this mean you guys will be walking the red carpet? Should I be preparing my 'I know them' speech?"
Alexander laughed, "Yeah maybe you could use it as a pickup line."
Jackson laughed, "Oh that's a good idea. But seriously, this is huge. And we all knew it was only a matter of time before Hollywood discovered you two you've been the leads in pretty much every play in school, though," he paused dramatically, "I do expect an invite to the premiere. And of course, front row seats."
Alexander nudged him playfully, "Only if you promise not to shout 'I know them!' during our scenes."
Jackson feigned shock, "Who, me? I would never...okay, maybe I would."
The group burst into laughter, the underlying pride and admiration evident in their eyes. The genuine support from their friends was heartwarming, reaffirming the bonds they had forged over the years.
However, jealousy has a way of finding even the smallest cracks to seep through. Liam, a classmate known for his competitive spirit, chimed in with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Must be nice to be in the spotlight, getting all the attention."
Alexander exchanged a glance with Alice, his smile unwavering. "It's not about the spotlight or attention. We're just doing something we're passionate about."
Alice's tone was light, masking any hint of defensiveness. "Yeah, we're really grateful for the opportunity."
Liam's response was measured, his eyes flickering with something other than sincerity. "Sure, sure. I guess some of us have to settle for less glamorous pursuits."
Jessica, ever the peacemaker, interjected with a friendly tone. "Come on, Liam, let's not rain on their parade. This is a big deal for them."
As their classmates continued to chat, Alexander and Alice exchanged a knowing look. They had faced challenges before, and this was just another test of their resilience.
Once the conversation moved on, Alice turned to Alexander with a grin. "Looks like we've got our own little group of supporters."
Alexander chuckled. "Yeah, our own fan club right here."
Their laughter was a reminder of the genuine friendships that had always been there, grounding them amid their extraordinary journey.
As they walked away, the courtyard's lively atmosphere embraced them once again. The jealous whispers were but a faint echo, overshadowed by the symphony of dreams that they were about to bring to life.
As the final days of the school year gradually flew away making way for entrance of the summer. Alexander and Alice wrapped up their studies and preparations, knowing that a new adventure awaited them. The production was ready to move into its next phase. Rehearsals were set to begin, and the cast members were called to gather to bring the magic of Everwyn to life. The destination was the very heart of the film industry, the vibrant city that held the title of the "film capital of the world" LA.