Complicated

I woke up at ten the next morning. I wish I could say I felt refreshed and ready for the day, but I’m not much of a morning person. Despite it being late morning already. The sun was shining and creeping through my curtains so I could feel its warmth already. It’s gon’ be a hot one.

I slid my legs off of my bed and slowly stood up, stretching as I went. My audition slot was at 1pm, quite late compared to others I’ve had. Amy finally text me with the rest of the details last night when I got home after Rachel’s family dinner. Oh yeah, that. I groaned softly and rubbed my face, particularly my eyes in an effort to keep them open.

I went to Rachel’s as a single straight woman and came out as a taken lesbian. I rolled my tired eyes at the situation as I leaned over to turn on the shower.

I kept the water cool. To wake me up and regulate my temperature, ready for the heat outside. I was in and out in 11 minutes, my average shower time. I sat on my floor in a towel for a while after that, deciding what to wear. As it was such a last minute affair, the casting directors were asking young female adults to come in and read a script given to them. This would test my improvisation skills and my range as an actress. Anything could come up in that script. I wish I had more information about the actual show so I could predict what situation might arise. But regardless, I was definitely excited.

They’ve already seen what I can do since Amy showed them some of my previous work on video. I just need to impress them this one time. Which brings me back to what to wear. I need something lenient that will allow me to move in case that’s what’s needed of me, but also something that says ‘I’m fun, I’m professional, I’m the girl you’re looking for’. I think I need to text Amy.

What kind of girl are they looking for? Ergo, what should I wear?

It’s a game of chance when messaging Amy; will she reply within minutes or days? You just never know.

Luckily, I must have caught her by her phone because within seconds she replied.

This girl is sporty and outgoing. Dress to impress but make it look like you’re ready to workout at a moment’s notice.

Right, how can I do that? Leggings. My nice leggings, not my lazy leggings. Or yoga pants? Running shoes definitely, and maybe a pretty but casual top. I could make something work, surely. I found a dark green tank top that flowed around my torso, and wore a lime green sports bra underneath. I found my yoga pants that made my bum look more toned than it was, but that’s always a positive.

I blow dried my hair upside down and clipped half of it up after I’d flipped it back and brushed it out. I let some tendrils of my hair fall out at the front and blew them back and in a purposefully windswept way. My makeup looked light to the untrained eye, but really I had subtle contouring going on, and put on elusive eye makeup that made them look bigger. A few coats of mascara on my lashes and some light pink gloss and my face was done. I checked my phone. 11:45. I packed a small bag of essentials and grabbed a granola bar to tide me over until I got to Costa for a coffee and snack. One final look in the mirror made me begin to doubt myself so I looked away, took a deep breath and put on a confident smile.

They like me. They’re going to want me. I’m versatile and I can handle this. I blew out my deep breath with a new resolve and grabbed my keys.

I regularly came to this Costa and usually sat on a stool facing the window overlooking the high street. The seat was fortunately empty today and that’s where I found myself sitting, sipping on my tea and nibbling on a muffin, watching a familiar face walk past the window and head towards the door. He and his buddies strolled into the Costa laughing and smiling at each other. It was Andy, Valerie’s husband. They all sauntered up to the counter to order and I turned back to the window to people watch.

It wasn’t long before I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up at Andy. I was vaguely shocked. I figured if he spotted me he wouldn’t deem us close enough to say hi.

“Hey, Jasey,” he smiled politely. “What are you doing? You look great,” he told me, giving me a once over.

“Thank you.” I smiled. Don’t blush. “I’ll be on my way to that audition soon. You know the one my agent called me about last night.”

“Of course. Oh wow, good luck dude. Uh, these are my friends and bandmates.” He gestured to the four guys behind him.

“You’re in a band?” I grinned at all of them in greeting. I got a round of ‘nice to meet you’ and ‘hello’s directed at me from his friends.

Andy nodded enthusiastically and told me briefly about Black Veil Brides and how the boys and he were on their way to a rehearsal right now. I checked my watch. It was 12:35 and it was 15 minute drive.

“Do you need a lift anywhere?” Andy asked as I stood up. I almost politely accepted until I remembered my own car was parked outside.

“No, that’s alright,” I smiled, shaking my keys.

“Alright, well we’ll see you soon then!”

I began walking out, throwing a nod and a ‘sure’ back at him as I left.

Notes