Page 47 of Becoming Cinderella

“Okay, sure. I can stay for a minute.” I respond, mostly because I don’t know how to turn her down. She probably never has been turned down before in any capacity.

Her energy is contagious as we head towards her trailer, which is only a row behind Liam’s. Her trailer, unlike Liam’s, is unmistakably hers. It smells like the flower arrangement on her table. She has pictures she’s tacked onto a wall, a stack of books, a basket full of fruit next to her small kitchen sink and a dark green blanket that’s tossed over an arm of the couch.

Olivia slips off her sandals and sits at one end of the couch as I move closer to the wall of photos. There are pictures of her with other celebrities I recognize and some with people I don’t know.

“That’s my best friend from home.” She nods at a red-haired girl standing with their arms in the air and a lake in the background. “That’s my family.” She points to a photo of five people standing on a dock with a lighthouse behind them. “More friends from home.” She moves to a picture with a small group piled on top of each other, the picture taken with them all mid-laugh. Based on how Olivia looks in the photo, it doesn’t look like it was taken that long ago.

My eyes continue to roam over the photos, learning a bit of Olivia’s story through them when I’m drawn to a picture of her and Liam. One where he’s cheesing it with his eyes closed and Olivia is leaning over his shoulder, her fingers pulling at the corners of his mouth forcing the smile.

“You guys are close, huh?” I wasn’t sure how close they were. Had they dated before? Are they dating now? Liam doesn’t talk about his own dating life with me and I realize how incredibly selfish I have been to not even ask. I keep it all about me.

She nods. “We’ve been running around the same circle for a few years now. We haven’t worked together before though, so this movie has been fun for that reason alone. He’s one of the good ones, you know?” Her eyes light up. “Why don’t we go see what he’s filming right now?”

She doesn’t wait for me to respond before she starts tugging me towards her door. I’m again hit with the thought that I doubt people ever tell her no. Which is fine, because right now, I don’t want to tell her no. I want to see Liam at work. I mean, he’s seen me at work, so it’s only fair, right?

Olivia asks me all about school as we walk. She doesn’t ask how classes are though, she asks the type of questions that would only come from someone who has never been to public school. She asks what it’s like to have a locker and if lunches are as gross as the movie’s make them seem. She starts to ask about school sports events when we enter what is usually a ski lodge but has been transformed into a 17th century village. I think I like how the movie is supposed to be modern, with touches like this of the original fairytale.

I watch in awe behind the cameras at Liam, storming around the set as he fights with his on-screen father, an actor I don’t recognize.

Olivia nudges my shoulder with her own. “He’s talented, right?”

I only nod. He’s full-on captivating and I can’t look away.

“Cut!” The director calls.

Liam goes over to his on-screen father where they say something and laugh, as if they weren’t just arguing.

“John, the guy playing Liam’s father, came here from voice recording for a new Pixar movie. I’m jealous, that’s definitely on my bucket list.” Olivia tries to make conversation next to me, but I’m unable to focus on anything but Liam.

Like he senses my stare, Liam glances in my direction before turning back to his co-star. I watch as his expression changes from amusement at whatever John is saying to confusion as he looks back at me, like his eyes have played a trick on him.

The moment his eyes are on mine, my heart reacts by skipping a beat and then speeds up, as I give him a small wave.

Liam takes a step in my direction, his expression still confused, when the director steps away from his little huddle around a small screen.

“Alright, from the top.” He calls, stopping Liam from advancing towards me.

Liam gives me an apologetic look before turning back towards John.

My stomach is twisting into knots and I think my palms are a little sweaty as he gives me a side glance before going back to his mark to start the scene.

“Hey, Olivia?” I lean in to whisper. “I should probably be going.” It’s not that I want to go, but I think I need to go. Suddenly I’m nauseous and my heart beats feel irregular and I’m not sure what’s happening to me.

“Sure. I’ll walk you out. Are you feeling okay?” She looks at me concerned.

I’m not so sure I am.

I’m not supposed to like Liam, I’m not even supposed to talk to Liam!

Feelings really are easier when you keep them buried. When you don’t allow people in, because eventually they’re going to leave. And that’s exactly what Liam is going to do.

I blame Penn. This might not be fair to her, because she has done nothing but try to get me to open up about it, but still, I blame her. She did help me admit these feelings to myself and now here I am malfunctioning on a movie set.

“Are you sure you’re okay to drive home?” Olivia stands in front of me, stopping me from continuing towards my car.

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry so it feels like sandpaper. Why is my body suddenly giving up on me? It has never reacted like this with Jared.

“I’m okay, really. I’m just getting a headache.” I force a smile to help solidify the lie.

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