Just Friends (24 page)

“Thank you.” He said, resting his head against his back in his stupidly brilliant dragon costume.

“Don’t mention it.” Ethan replied.

“Max that is the best outfit I have ever seen, ever.”

I couldn’t stop laughing at him. Max released his grasp from around Ethan and patted him on the back.

“You’re not staying here tonight, though, don’t push it.” Ethan shouted as Max flew away.

Ethan glanced down at me, and then I realised something. He pretended to be drunk earlier with Max on the balcony, what if he pretended to be drunk during the crash? It seemed stupid, but it played on my mind. I stopped what I was doing and ran upstairs.

NEW EMAIL FROM AUGUST BISHOP

Leonard, Did I mention that Ethan was drunk during the crash? August.

NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS

Impossible!! If he was I will happily write a newspaper column and announce he is the best magician the world has ever seen!

NEW EMAIL FROM ETHAN KNIGHT

August, Leonard.

I thought we discussed we wouldn’t talk about this matter anymore? Leonard, I’ll tell you how I did it. Just so I can sit on my balcony enjoying my cereal while reading your article about how I am the greatest magician ever.

August we need you downstairs, Ethan.

NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS

August, if I were you I’d marry that boy. Leonard.

I don’t know what was in that email from Ethan to Leonard and I never will. That’s the magician’s code. Ethan remained silent as I returned downstairs, obviously he didn’t want to cause a scene in front of Max and Eleanor, even if there was one to cause. Our eyes met, as if an understanding took place between us. Then he tried to recreate my
poop
stare, but failed horribly.

November 3
rd

“
W
hy do you have to go back to LA?” I groaned to Ethan, holding onto his leg as he dragged me along the floor towards the door.

“August let go of my leg, you weirdo! I’ll see you soon don’t worry. I will only be gone a few days. Is it because I can’t to make it to your premiere?”

I tightened my grip around his ankle. “I will be lonely and alone and by myself. I have no one to be my date for the premiere either. Max is going with Eleanor, obviously.”

Ethan bent down and picked me up like a small child and stood me on my feet. “I’m sorry ok, this is the last time for a few months. Once I get back I’m all yours, ok?”

I sulked and crossed my arms, “Fine.” I grabbed ahold of his
Rubik
’
s cube
tie I bought him for our ninth Christmas together as he kissed my forehead. He swiveled and picked up his bags. My head suddenly screamed
Kiss him you fool, kiss him!
But by the time I lifted my head, the door had already closed behind him. I stared at the door for a minute or two in hope he would return and sweep me off my feet. Instead, I found myself in his room, wrapping myself in his clothes and duvet.

NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP

Are you free to discuss work stuff with me?

NEW MESSAGE FROM MAXIMUS PARKER

How long has it been since Ethan left?

NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP

I think it’s been fifteen minutes now.

NEW MESSAGE FROM MAXIMUS PARKER

LOL, I’m on my way.

“I was gonna send you an email with all this information in. But, I might as well tell you in person now I’m here. I’ll email it all over to you anyway, in case you forget. Recently, I’ve had hundreds of emails, asking for interviews and photo shoots. I’ll send you the list of them for you to take a look at,” Max said as we sat down to discuss taking my career forward.

“I’ve had three movie auditions sent in my direction for you. The first; is a film directed by your last director, Stanley Tennant. It’s another action film. This one however has mythical creatures or zombies. Something that isn’t real anyway. They want to start filming in January or February. The second; a romantic film. You play a small town girl who falls in love with a pop star, cheesy I know. Apparently it will be huge. They’re willing to push the start date back for it until June if you get the part for the film directed by Stanley. The third; you play an astronaut who’s on the moon with your team. You wander off, stumbling into another dimension or something, discovering this whole new planet and aliens and blah blah blah. They’re also willing to push the start on that one, too, to November. These guys love you. Everyone does. You’re a massive star behind the scenes already with no one really knowing who you are yet! Newspapers have worked in your favour so far! Stanley hasn’t stopped talking to everyone about you also. The good thing about all these productions is there no further than two hours away from New York. So when you and Ethan finally admit that you’re madly in love with each other, and can’t live without one another then it’s perfect for you. You best get your audition game ready!”

I nodded. “You think he’s in love with me?”

Max flapped his arms. “I’ve just presented three auditions to you, and that’s what you ask me?”

I grinned, “I’m kidding! I’ll audition for them all, please. I’ll read the scripts later, they all sound good, especially the astronaut one, thanks Max. Shall we have lunch?”

Max jotted in his notepad, “Right ok, I’ll get back to all of them for you. Yes, lunch sounds great, I’m starving.”

And just like that I casually landed three more major movie auditions.

November 15
th

NEW MESSAGE FROM MUM

I’m so sorry we can’t be there, sweetie. Dad has to work, as always, and so do I. Madeline is dying to visit, but we know you’re busy so we don’t want to just drop her on you. She still has school for another couple of weeks before she finishes for Christmas and New Year. Please come visit soon, August. I hope the premiere goes splendidly. Take plenty of photos for me! I love you lots.

November 16
th

T
oday is the final day of promotion. Tonight I’ll be walking down the red carpet signing autographs as we end with the premiere. The past few days have been spent doing private interviews, radio shows, and press conferences. At first I found them overwhelming, and they scared me. I soon got use to them though. I have to. This is what the rest of my life will be like. I enjoyed doing the radio shows most. They’re a lot more fun and relaxed. You just have a laugh and then have a slight discussion about the film. Simple really.

Stanley and Jasmine have organised a dress for me to wear for the premiere. As a thank you for everything I’ve done for them. I don’t know why they keep thanking me. I didn’t really do much. I just gave Stanley the encouraging push.

I’m hoping my size hasn’t changed at all since filming. I’ve been working out at the apartment, and I’ve started to develop the cutest little six-pack, so I’m praying it’ll fit me. Otherwise I’ll forever be known as the wonder girl who’s dress didn’t fit her. Great start to my career. Way to go August. I’m a little nervous. Maybe it’s because the time had arrived for the world to meet me, and for me to meet the world.

It’s been great spending time with Stanley and Jasmine again, and Eleanor. We have rekindled our sister like relationship now she’s sleeping with the friend I’m not in love with. I wish Ethan could make it tonight. My first big event and he’s missing it. I know what he’s doing is equally important, but I wanted him to be by my side.

We have one final press conference before we need to get ready for tonight. Everyone is only interested in asking me questions during these conferences. Ninety percent me, ten percent Eleanor, Stanley and the others. It’s becoming tiring telling everyone how long I’ve wanted to be an actress.

Eleanor and I shared a dressing room to prepare ourselves for tonight. We had our own make up teams at our disposal
.
I would die for Eleanor’s eyelashes. We used the same mascara, but somehow it made her lashes appear miles better than mine. We both hate fake eyelashes, too. Eleanor’s hair looks
amazing
, too. The hair stylists told me she is having a straight, centre-parted style, which will come over her shoulders. And I’m having a messy chignon with tousled strands to frame my face. It baffled me, but I still pretended like I understood what they meant and that it was exactly what I wanted.

Jasmine knocked on the door as she entered. “August, I have your dress! It’s so beautiful!” She had such a bright, bubbly grin on her face. She trotted over with the dress bag in her arms. Eleanor, Jasmine and I gathered around it as if we had discovered a treasure chest. Jasmine opened the bag and removed the cover to reveal what can only be described as perfection. The make up staff gathered around. I swear I saw a tear come out of the corner of one girl’s eye. We all admired it as if it were a painting at a gallery. The lights shun upon it and it sparkled beautifully. Not too bright so I looked like a disco ball, but not too dull so I’m dressed for a funeral. It’s a mysterious black, and
so
elegant. I’m concerned at the length around the chest area however. I’m worried my breasts would be the slightest bit… exposed.

“Oh August, if you’ve got them, flaunt them.” Jasmine said as I slid into the masterpiece behind a curtain.

I took a deep breath before turning and checking myself in the mirror and I have to say, I looked hot. I mean I was smoking in this dress. I performed a twirl and for a second… I felt like a Princess. The gown only dragged behind me a couple of inches, so I wouldn’t clumsily trip over it. I’m sure I’ll somehow find a way. I stepped out, holding my chest and allowed Jasmine to zip up the back.

“I think I’ve chosen the wrong gender friend altogether.” Eleanor said, scanning my figure. I blushed because she didn’t look as though she was joking. The make up staff once again gathered around and admired. This time there were definite tears shed. The dress felt so smooth and soft. Whoever designed and created this piece of perfection was a genius. My concerns were correct, a lot of my upper torso is on show. I doubt people will complain about that though. I just hope nothing that shouldn’t pop out, pops out. All I could think about since then was how much this dress must have cost Stanley and Jasmine.

“Stanley has a friend. I wish I got a wedding dress made by this guy. I might have to get married again just to wear one!” Jasmine replied when Eleanor asked which planet the dress came from.

I’m anxiously sitting in my limo on the way to the red carpet. My heartbeat is throbbing in my ears. I poured myself some champagne and gulped it, carefully avoiding smudging my lipstick. The fizzing flowed into my churning stomach and didn’t produce a good combination with my nervousness.

“Nervous?” My driver asked as he rolled down the privacy glass.

The throbbing in my ears made the voice sound a lot quieter than it should have been. “Petrified,” I replied.

He stuck his head around the privacy glass and smiled, it was Wayne.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” I asked.

“They asked me to drive you! Since we’re bestfriends.” He chuckled.