Page 1 of Would You Rather
Chapter 1
Lights go out
“Popcorn or Ice cream?”
“Death.”
My roommate, Gabi, laughs on the other end, and I squeeze my phone in my hand. “That bad?” she asks.
“It bit,” I reply, adjusting the phone onto my shoulder so I can open the door. I haven’t even left the building yet, and I’m already dying to go home. I just want to crawl into bed and forget all about this day. “They didn’t even look at me.”
Thanks for coming in.
The fake smiles plastered on their faces were the last thing I saw before I left with another rejection and the only thing I’d see in my nightmares.
I’ve heard those four words so many times that I might as well get it tattooed on me. Day after day, audition after audition, it always ends in the same way.
A smile, a thanks, and a big, fat rejection.
“Maybe my parents are right,” I mumble, pushing through another door. My eyes briefly drift to the staircase where a group of people are descending. I shake my head, knowing there’s no way I’m tackling twelve flights of stairs in heels.
Her gasp rings so loud that, despite the rough day I’ve had, I can’t help but let out a laugh. She’s nothing if not a dramaqueen. “Madeline Davis.” I lift my brows at the use of my full name.Oh boy. “You did not just say that,” she replies, and I can practically visualize her disapproving headshake.
“This is my third audition this week, Gabi. I can’t keep going through this. It always ends the same way.”
“Not with that attitude,” Gabi retorts. She clears her throat and continues, “Repeat after me. I am smart.”
I roll my eyes, letting out a sigh. She does this sometimes- makes me repeat positive affirmations, and as much as I love her for it, I don’t feel very positive at the moment. “Gabi—”
“I am smart,” she repeats.
I let out a breath, knowing she won’t drop it. “I am smart,” I parrot back to her.
“I am talented.”
My lips press together. I like to think I am. I’ve loved acting ever since I was a child, and my sister and I used to put on little productions for our parents. I watched movies constantly, kept posters, and even studied scripts. But if I was talented, wouldn’t I have landed an audition by now? Even a small one? “I am talented,” I recite, having a hard time believing the words coming out of my mouth.
“I am more important than a stupid audition,” Gabi says, making me smile.
“I am more important than a stupid audition,” I repeat.
“And my best friend Gabi should kick their asses for not hiring me.”
They didn’t exactlynothire me, but with the way they hardly paid attention, I know I don’t have a chance in hell at a callback. I let out a laugh all the same, passing a few people on this floor. Where the hell is this damn elevator?
“And my best friend Gabi should kick their stuffy asses for not even looking at me when I was pouring my heart and soul into a stinking perfume commercial.”
Her laugh radiates through the phone. “That’s my girl. I like the improvising.”
“Thanks for that,” I tell her, feeling a little better than I did a few minutes ago. “I can’t wait to go home. Where are you?”
“I’m heading out of class right now,” she says and then lets out a yelp. “Oh fuck.”
“What?”
“It’s raining.” I shift my gaze to the windows, seeing the rain hitting the glass. “Hard.”
“Great.” I sigh, frustration building as I wonder how this day can get any worse. Not only did I not get the audition, but now I’m going to ruin my meticulously styled hair and carefully chosen outfit. “How far are you?” I ask her.
