“I can’t do this anymore,” I say to Jeneva, snapping out of the trance. “I think I need to focus on getting a stagehand job to stay afloat.”
“What?” She stands up. “Are you out of your mind?”
“It’s just going to be another bombed audition for me, and you know it.”
“No, I don’t know that.” She steps onto the stage with me. “And neither do you.”
“When’s the last time I had a good one, Jeneva?” I shrug. “It’s not like I’ll be allowed to continue acting for much longer anyway, so…”
“So, you just give up? Just like that?”
“It’s not quitting. It’s changing course before I crash.”
“Look.” She places her hands on my shoulders, looking deep into my eyes. “I’m not trying to blow smoke up your ass, butyou’re the best actress I’ve ever met. And believe it or not, most people in this program feel the same way.”
“Is that why they laugh whenever I fuck up?”
“Those laughs are them being relieved that they actually stand a chance, Scarlett…” She sighs. “You’re just going through a mental block.”
“It’s been going on for months.”
“Well, that tracks with all the stress you’ve been under, right?”
I nod, remembering that I’ve only told her half of the truth about my life as well.
“I’m sure that guy who came out of your room the other night has something to do with it, too?”
“What?” I blush. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“He was hot as fuck.” She smiles. “When are you going to introduce me to him?”
“Never.” A pang hits my chest. “It didn’t work out.”
“He cheated that soon?”
“He was a virginity thief who dumped me right after.”
Her smile fades. “Then you owe it to yourself to get over this hump…Plus we’ve already committed to breaking into this place all weekend, so—we need to make the most of it.”
That’s true…
“Let’s take a break and come back tomorrow at midnight?”
I don’t answer.
“Scarlett…Midnight tomorrow?”
“Okay, fine.” I shrug. “I’ll be here.”
“Can I trust you to work on your lines at least five times before I leave for work, or do I need to sit back down and watch?”
“You can trust me.” I hold out my hand. “I promise.”
She grabs it and pulls me in for a hug.
“You’re going to nail this one,” she whispers. “I have a good feeling about it.”
She finally lets me go, and I watch her pack up her backpack and slip through the side exit.
