“Because I don’t want to be remembered as a vapid vampire princess for the rest of eternity!” she said, throwing up her hands. “I want to be cast in dynamic, meaningful roles that earn me Oscar nominations. I want to have a career that lasts a lifetime and for people to take me seriously.”
I snorted. “And you thinkLady Phoenixwill help you accomplish that?” Although I loved the series with all my heart, I wasn’t naive. Things teenage girls liked—whether it was the Heartbreakers,Twilight, or Taylor Swift—were always mocked by the rest of the world as uncool and less than. This would be no different.
“Maybe not, but it’s a step in the right direction.” Violet sank down on the end of the bed and briefly closed her eyes before letting go of a frustrated gulp of air. “My screen test is next month, so I need to start practicing. Any idea where my script disappeared to?”
A heaviness settled over my body at her response.
So she really was auditioning. Despite Dad’s promise to spend more time with me, Violet’s desire to press pause on acting, and her forthcoming album, she was still going to try out. I knew I was being childish, but the realization made my eyes water. Sure, there was always a chance Violet wouldn’t get the part, but I knew better than to hope for that. Not only was she good at her job, but after the phenomenon that wasImmortal Nights, Violet was a hot commodity. What director or producer wouldn’t want to tap into her massive fan base?
“Not a clue,” I lied through the lump in my throat. I’d deal with returning the script later. Right now, there were more pressing matters at hand. “What role are you auditioning for?”
Please not Kelina. Please not Kelina! Anything but her!
“Some weird alien girl,” Violet said, pulling her hair over her shoulder and twisting it into a thick rope. “I think her name is Kelly Stardust. You read the comic, right? Is she a good character?”
“No!” I gasped, the word erupting from my mouth before I could stop myself.
My outburst must have caught Violet off guard, because she accidentally dropped her hair, which sprang free and unraveled. “So…she’s not a good character?”
“That’s not what—” With the shake of my head, I broke off. Violet’s mouth opened, but I held up a hand to ward her off until the bile burning at the back of my throat subsided. “You can’t audition for her,” I said at last.
She scratched her forehead. “Why not?”
“Because. She’s myfavoritecharacter.”
The expression on her face turned stoic. “What does that have to do with anything?” she asked, her voice low and seething.
“Everything!” I breathed hard to keep back a sob. “Look, I know this probably doesn’t make sense to you, but I’ve been waiting for aLady Phoenixadaption for years, and if you’re in it, I don’t think I’ll be able to watch—”
Violet shot to her feet in one swift motion. “You’re unbelievable! I’m not allowed to have a conversation with you about your collegeapplications, but you can ban me from an audition? Do you realize how selfish you sound?”
Shaking my head, I willed her to understand. “Violet, I don’t care if you audition for every role that comes your way from now until the end of time, but please, I’m begging you,” I said, clasping my hands together in a plea, “not this one.”
There was a long pause. Finally, “Maybe if you acted more like my sister and less like a bitter bitch, you wouldn’t have to beg,” she said, using a twisted version of my own words against me. “And for future reference, I don’t need your permission to do my job.”
Without waiting for my rebuttal, Violet shoved past me and slammed the door shut. All I could do was stand in the spare bedroom, one hand flattened against the wall for support, the other pressed to my chest. My whole body felt shaky, like I’d somehow come down with the flu in a matter of seconds, and I had to count my breaths to fend off a wave of dizziness. Suddenly, the thought of playing football with my entire family—having to interact with other people and pretend to be happy—made my stomach churn.
All I wanted to do was be alone.
I spun on my heels and dashed down the stairs, tears pricking my eyes. I took the back hallway so I wouldn’t bump into anyone, grabbed my keys from the mudroom, and hopped into my car. Then I was backing out of the driveway and whipping down the street.
Without any destination in mind, I started driving.
It wasn’t until I reached Sofia’s subdivision that I realized where I’d taken myself. Maybe it wasn’t that I wanted to be alone but thatI couldn’t stand to spend another minute with Violet, let alone the rest of the day.
The Hernandezes’ driveway was aTetrisof cars, so I pulled up to the curb and parked on the street. As I climbed out, I could hear music spilling from the backyard, along with the hum of conversation and laughter. Instead of knocking on the front door, I cut across the lawn and followed the stone path that wrapped around the house. When I rounded the corner and spotted the gathering, I stopped in my tracks.
Sofia had a moderately large family, but this wasn’t a big holiday get-together—it was a full-on party. At least thirty people were milling around the patio, most of whom I didn’t recognize, and I suddenly realized I was intruding. I tried to retreat, but before I could back away, Emma noticed me.
“Indie!” she exclaimed and took off in my direction. When she reached me, she wrapped her arms around my waist and looked up. Something brown was smeared around her mouth. “What are you doing here?”
“I think the better question is what’s all over your face?” I asked with a laugh.
Her tongue darted out, and she licked her lips clean. “Chocolate. My abuelita makes the best champurrado. Do you want some?”
“Thanks,” I said, ruffling her hair as Sofia approached us, a confused smile on her face. “I need to talk to your sister, but I’ll try some later, okay?”
Emma shrugged and dashed away as quickly as she’d appeared, joining a group of kids on the swing set.
