Finally, the day of the audition arrived. Amanda woke up early, her spirit high and her focus sharp. Quentin was up right along with her, shadowing her every move like a loyal puppy, until she and Winter finally climbed into the car. Only then did he concede he couldn't follow her any further.
The audition was held at a private campus in the east of the city, belonging to Director Maxwell. When Amanda and Winter arrived, the hall was already packed. Amanda counted at least twenty other women competing for the female lead.
Her audition number was dead last. Unfazed, she led Winter to a pair of empty chairs and sat down. Instead of getting restless, she pulled out her script and began reciting her lines once more.
"Well, well. Look who it is. I thought the 'Arrogant Eldest Lady' would be too humble to audition with the rest of us!"
A shrill voice rang out, drawing the eyes of everyone in the room. Amanda looked up to see a woman sitting diagonally across from her, wearing a mocking smirk. It was an acquaintance—Candice Miller.
Amanda didn't remember much about Candice's acting career, only that she was a professional sycophant who spent all her time sucking up to Elena Lewis. Sure enough, Amanda spotted Elena sitting right next to her. It seemed that even without Amanda to leach off of in this life, Elena had still found a way to get her foot in the door of the Deep Friendship production.
Candice continued loudly, making sure everyone could hear. "Elena, you should never pick up the bad habits of these rich socialites. Real talent comes from hard work and earned auditions, not just having wealthy parents buy you a role. You're the only one here who actually deserves the lead."
Elena looked secretly proud, though she carefully masked it with a shy, modest smile. "Icey, don't say that. Everyone here is competing based on their own strength."
Candice tilted her head back and raised her voice. "That's right! There are plenty of powerful actors here... and then there are those who don't know the first thing about acting and should probably just go home to their mothers."
"You guys are completely out of line!" Winter snapped, her face flushing with anger. She moved to argue, but Amanda caught her arm.
Amanda smiled at the flustered girl and shook her head slightly. "Winter, don't worry about it. When a dog barks at you, you don't bark back. If you get too close to a stray, you might catch rabies."
Candice turned purple with rage. She looked ready to slap Amanda, but Elena held her back. Elena knew better than to get them kicked out before the audition even started.
Winter beamed, proud of Amanda's sharp tongue. "You're right! I don't know why so many wild dogs have been escaping their cages lately."
Elena glared at Winter before forcefully pushing Candice back into her seat. "Icey, quiet! You know Director Maxwell hates nothing more than a scene."
Candice snorted, casting a final glare at Amanda. "Enjoy your complacency while it lasts. Failure will be much more painful!"
Amanda didn't give them another thought and returned to her script.
Fate seemed to have a sense of humor: Elena's audition was right before Amanda's. Elena was inside the room for over half an hour, a fact that sent a wave of anxiety through the remaining actresses. In an audition, the longer a director keeps you, the better your chances.
When Elena finally emerged, she looked like she wanted to lift her chin all the way to the clouds. As she passed Amanda, she flashed a triumphant, sarcastic smile.
"So, Lena!" Candice chirped, rushing to her side. "Were you chosen for the lead?"
Elena looked down bashfully. "Director Maxwell asked me to stay and wait for a while."
"Then you've definitely got it! He wouldn't ask you to wait otherwise!" Candice cheered as if she had won the role herself. Elena didn't disagree, silently basking in the assumption. A few other actresses heard this, lost heart, and left the building.
Amanda ignored the spectacle and stood up as her number was called.
"Some people really don't know when to quit," Candice sneered as Amanda walked by. "With the results already obvious, it's pathetic to keep trying."
Amanda stopped in her tracks and leveled a cold, razor-sharp gaze at Candice. "If you can't keep your mouth clean, do you need me to hire someone to rinse it out for you?"
The sheer ice in Amanda's eyes made Candice turn pale and stumble back. Amanda snorted and continued into the room. She had no time for "brave" rabbits who only knew how to squeak.
Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed—or rather, the judges were tired. It was the end of a long day. Jasper sat at the jury table next to Director Maxwell, his face an indifferent mask. Amanda pouted slightly and gave him a tiny, playful wink.
"Are you Amanda?" Director Maxwell asked. He was a rounder man in his forties with thick black glasses that made him look perpetually disgruntled.
"Yes, that's me," Amanda replied respectfully.
Director Maxwell nodded. "Alright. I want you to perform Scene 13: the moment the female lead discovers the male lead's body."
Amanda's brow furrowed slightly. Scene 13 was a silent scene—no dialogue, only raw emotion. Before she could react, Jasper spoke up.
"Director Maxwell, is that really the right scene for a first audition?"
Maxwell glared at him. "You're the one who told me she could act. Let's see it. Besides, the girl who just left set a very high bar."
He clearly wanted to finish the day on a high note or get her out quickly. Jasper looked ready to object again, but Amanda cut in.
"I'll do it."
Jasper looked at her with concern, but Amanda just gave him a confident smile. Real gold is not afraid of the fire. She wanted to prove to herself—and to everyone else—that she belonged here.