“Okay, well, you don’t have to pick your major right now. College is the definition of self-discovery. Take a bunch of different classes. Figure out what else you’re interested in.”
“The problem is I’m not good at anything besides bingeing Netflix and playing the violin.”
Sofia scoffed. “Sonot true. What about special effects makeup?” As she said this, she sat up straight, eyes sparkling, as if energized by a sudden idea. “Hey, didn’t Melody Nguyen tell you about a school she’s instructing at? Why don’t you apply there?”
Without giving it a proper moment of consideration, I dismissed her suggestion with a wave. “That’s just a hobby.”
“But it doesn’t have to be,” she said. “Besides, applying to this school might help you with your audition.”
“How?”
“When one of my designs isn’t working, I find the best way to figure out what’s wrong is to focus on something completely different. Something exciting. You have to get out of your head, find a new way to spark your creativity, and—” Sofia was cut off when, somewhere down the hall, there was a loud crash.
Two seconds of silence passed. Then, “Emma, I’m going to kill you!”
The sound of hysterical laughter quickly transformed into a shrill shriek. “Oww! Stop it, Javi! You’re hurting me!”
Closing her eyes, Sofia pinched the bridge of her nose. “Hold that thought.” She stormed across the room and into the hall. “What in God’s name is going on out here?”
Javier snapped back in response, but I couldn’t make out his exact words over Emma’s screeching.
“I don’t care what she did,” Sofia shot back. “You’re acting like a child. Let Emma go, and clean up this mess. Am I clear?” With a shake of her head, she slammed the door shut. “Sorry, my siblings are complete morons.”
“I’d take them over Violet any day.” Maybe Emma and Javier were obnoxious, but at least they were part of Sofia’s life.
“That’s because you don’t know any better,” she said with a snort. “Okay, where were we?”
“Vanquishing my all my doubts and fears by way of makeup.”
Sofia speared me with a sharp look. “You mock, but I think focusing on something fun will really help you. I’m not saying you actually have to go to this school, but I’d bet my sewing machine there’s a portfolio involved in the application process. Creating it could be the spark you need, and if worse comes to worst, it will be a good backup option for you.”
I chewed on my bottom lip as I considered. Admittedly, Sofia made some decent points. I wasn’t half-bad at the whole makeup thing, and just because I submitted an application to a school other than Juilliard didn’t mean I was required to attend.
“Okay,” I told Sofia after another minute of thought. “I’ll do it. I’ll apply.”
She blinked, my sudden resolve catching her off guard. “Yeah?”
I shrugged. “It’s not like I have a better idea, so what the hell?”
After allowing herself a brief victory smile, Sofia’s expression turned serious, and she reached for a notebook. “Okay, tell me what’s up with this makeup school. I want to know everything.”
“There’s not much to tell. I don’t even remember the name. All Melody said was that if I was interested in attending, she’d write me a letter of recommendation, but I know how we can find out more.” Leaning to the side, I fished my phone out of my back pocket. Once I found Melody’s name in my contacts, I hit the Call button.
Five seconds passed.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Melody,” I replied as a tendril of excitement rose in my chest. “This is Indie Mitchell-Jamiolkowski. We met at Comic Con? I’m calling because I’d love to hear more about that new cosmetic school you mentioned.”
* * *
An hour later, Melody and I exchanged goodbyes.
Sofia, who had silently listened to our conversation and scribbled down any and all information, paged through her notes, absentmindedly chewing on the end of her pencil. “Well,” she said, glancing up at me. “Thoughts?”
“I think this might actually work,” I admitted.
The Academy of Cinema Makeup, ACM for short, had multiple programs I could choose from, such as beauty makeup for film and TV or high fashion and editorial makeup, but I was only interested in the SFX prosthetics route. Melody explained that the programwould take a year to complete, and to be accepted, I had to submit a small portfolio demonstrating my skills. The more she spoke about ACM, the more I could picture myself attending school there. This was something shiny, fresh, and not tainted by my family drama or audition stress.
