Page 34 of The Love Raffle

Amber saw her finger rise to point at her. Her mouth got dry. “What’s with the ‘no’s? Is it because you can’t believe I went out and did something you said I couldn’t?” More applause flew in and she grinned. “Because it happened.”

“You better believe it, baby!” Beca’s voice fell from the ceiling.

Amber looked up and saw her hanging over her and her friends. “Oh, is that why I kept hearing you say ‘connections’?” She pointed upwards as the crowd laughed.

Elouise giggled. “You’re so silly, Amber. So silly, fun, and cool. Justburstingwith personality.”

“Yeah. It’s why you’ll do great in this industry. The people love you,” Conner added. Both her friends talked like human guests onSesame Street. Uncharacteristically bright and pleasant. Their smiles gave her the heebie-jeebies.

Amber tried to accept their encouragement but this whole dream felt too off. “Okay, I feel like I’m oversleeping. I should probably go. I have work during the day. You know.” She locked eyes with her mom. The woman’s gaze was narrowed with skepticism. “Since I have gigs now?”

“Why do you suddenly have gigs again?” Her mother put her elbows on Amber’s podium.

Amber stepped back, not wanting her close. Her voice had seemed doubled just now. “Um, you know—”

“Iknow!” Beca flew down from the ceiling in a red tutu and twirled in front of the stage, delighting the already ecstatic audience. Someone got on their hands and knees and flipped their hair around.

Amber was disturbed. “Can I wake up now?” She didn’t know who she asked.

Beca stood beside her mom with an arm over the lady’s shoulders. “She’s dating that movie star. No one knows about it but just by being associated with himonce, she’s managed to score some roles.”

Amber’s mom laughed. “Wow. So, it took you being a prop of anactualtalented person for people to notice you? Did those writers evenseeyour audition or did they just see ‘that girl who went out with Levi Marks from that reality TV show’?”

Amber bit her bottom lip as the rest of the audience joined her mother’s mocking laughter. Even her friends were cracking up. Elouise fell to her back and kicked her legs in the air.Veryunlike her. “It’s not bad to use things like that to get my foot in the door.”

“You’re not arealcelebrity.” Her mother’s face dropped, and her voice did too. “If you were, his management wouldn’t push his fake relationship with—again—anactualtalented person and actively deny his involvement with you. You were just a one-time thing.”

Amber crossed her arms as the mockery continued. “Well, it only makes sense. It’s showbiz. At least I know that Levi likes me. And it doesn’t matter if we can’t let the world know. Things will be easier if we keep things under wraps anyway.” She held the edge of her podium and stared at her knuckles. “I might get relegated to just ‘Levi Marks’ girlfriend.’”

“Oh, but you want to be thatsobad because it takes the pressure off. Youknowyou’ve been rejected from major roles because you don’t have what it takes. If you’re a celebrity’s plaything, you won’thaveto be talented to get into the good life. All you’d need is that Levi boy.” Her mother’s teeth grew sharp like a monster’s. She shoved Amber’s podium away and stepped right up to her.

Amber backed up to the curtains. “What are you doing? Y-you don’t even know what you’re saying,” she argued.

“Ido.” Her mom’s voice was now three in one—her regular pitch, a higher pitch, and a lower one too. “I’m your mother.” They blended together to form a sinister tone.

Amber’s back hit the wall behind the curtains. All the while, the laughter continued. She saw Beca dancing around in clogs and Elouise and Conner rolling on the ground. “But that doesn’t mean anything! And Idohave talent. I do.” She held her chest.

“You’ll never even be good enough to be his public girlfriend. He’ll keep hiding you and running around with someone he canactuallyshow the world. Look at you. Do you think you’respecialjust because a movie star is interested in you? You’renot!” The woman’s fingers grew in length and her fingernails became razor-sharp. She grabbed Amber’s arm and yanked her towards her.

Amber screamed while fighting to be released. Slowly, the set was falling apart. The lights and ceiling crashed onto the guests. “I never said that! It’s just something nice right now! Why are you saying all of this? I-I just like him. It’s not anything about—”

“Amber?” Levi’s voice came from above.

Amber didn’t see him. She was being swallowed by her mother’s darkness. The woman was suddenly this dark shadow in a purple suit. “It’s not like that—”

“Amber!”

Amber woke, gasping for air. She took deep breaths before sitting up and holding the sides of her head.

Levi bent in front of her, his hand on her arm. “Amber, are you okay? I woke up because you were mumbling in your sleep and you sounded scared.”

Amber fought to breathe evenly with Levi’s hand stroking her shoulders. She finally relaxed and surveyed her surroundings.

The table was still set up with snacks and the TV was on. Through the nearby window over her kitchen counter, she saw the pale blue sky, indicating the early hour. “What time is it?” she asked after steadying her breaths.

Levi let go and stood up. “About five thirty? You’ve only been asleep for something like an hour.” He smiled. “The same goes for me.”

Amber suddenly felt soothed at the sight of him. Her hands were still shaky though. “God…and it’s Friday?” She had a headache. “I’ve got to get to set by nine a.m.” She rose to her feet and walked to the kitchen.

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