The Lucky One

By Diana AKA DeeReadinQueen

Chapter 1 - Discovered

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I still remember the day my whole life changed as clearly as if it happened an hour ago. I hadn't realized how much I'd settled until I was offered a chance to make everything change. I thought I was happy with my small town, my quiet life, but who could turn down a once in a lifetime opportunity? It was something most people only dream about, but it happened to me. I honestly didn't think people were ever discovered anymore. I thought the only way to get In with the Hollywood big shots was to marry or be blood related to said big shots. Turns out, I was wrong about that. On very rare occasions, a nobody like myself is plucked off the streets and thrown unexpectedly into the spotlight, and their life is forever changed...

-December 24, 2011-

"Oh my God, Matt," I gushed as I tugged the slightly taller young man by the hand towards the beautifully decorated Christmas tree lighting up Rockefeller Center, "It's huge! Look at it!"

"I see it, Lena," Matt chuckled, enjoying my childhood enthusiasm. It had been our plan for years to come to New York City for Christmas, and this year, we finally made it happen.

He pulled me in for a kiss, before releasing me to run towards the half-concrete, half-gated wall separating us from the ice skating rink. It was packed full of people, but I knew Matt would wait in line with me for however long it took if I really wanted a turn on the ice. "Wow, look at all the people." I leaned into Matt's back as he wrapped his arms around me, and I commented contently, "Let's just watch them for a few minutes. Then, I'd love to get some hot chocolate."

"I think that sounds perfect," Matt mumbled into my hair as he placed a kiss on my temple.

Before looking for a place to buy hot chocolate, I requested, "Take my picture in front of the tree?"

"Of course," Matt consented, pulling his digital camera from the case hanging from his shoulder.

I stepped in front of the tree and turned to face Matt, stuffing my mitten-covered hands in my pockets as a cold gust of wind surged by. I realized I probably looked like a bundled-up Eskimo, but I didn't care. I was in New York City with my wonderful boyfriend, celebrating our five-year anniversary and Christmas all in one weekend. I had nothing to complain about. I couldn't be happier. I grinned at Matt and saw the camera flash. Then, I ran to him, jumping into his arms and causing him to spin us around in a circle. I rubbed my nose against his before kissing his lips slowly and stating, "I love you."

"I love you," He returned.

I linked my arm through his, and we made our way through the heavy crowd in search of a coffee shop. We ducked into the first one we found, grateful to be out of the biting December air. It wasn't this cold down in Virginia. We could feel our bodies thawing out immediately, starting with our noses and toes. I leaned against Matt and started humming along to the tune of the Christmas song playing throughout the coffee shop. I loved Christmas time.

A few moments after we entered, a man with chestnut brown hair wearing a business suit covered by a long black coat, looked into the shop before swinging the door open and striding through with a purpose. He was talking loudly into his cell phone, "I just found her...Yeah, it's her. I'll call you back." It was hard not to turn around and look at him when he was talking at such a high volume directly behind our backs. The strange thing was, he was looking at me. He smiled charmingly and immediately stretched out his hand, "Hi, I'm Alaric Saltzman. Would you mind if I spoke to you for a moment?"

I looked at Matt before extending my hand to shake his. "Elena Gilbert. What is this about?"

Mr. Saltzman stood in line with Matt and I as we waited to order a hot beverage, and explained that he's a talent agent who works out of L.A. but is visiting NYC to get some last minute shopping done for Christmas. He said he spotted me back at Rockefeller Center, and he followed us here. I was admittedly creeped out at first, but after he explained that he thought I had the perfect look for an upcoming role in a big-time Hollywood movie, I was interested in hearing what he had to say. Apparently, I fit the description of the leading lady to a T, and Ric, as he insisted we call him, thought my personality was big and radiating. He wanted to try and get me in for an audition, but it wasn't going to be easy. He said it was a closed-casting, and he only knew about it because his friend is being considered for a role.

"They've been having trouble finding someone to fill the role," Ric explained as we sat in the corner booth of the coffee shop sipping our hot chocolates, "And I really think once they see you, they'll want to give you the audition. They'll have to." He seemed really confident.

"I'm flattered," I told him, "Really, you have no idea how flattered I am, but I don't know...I've never really acted before. I mean, I was in a play once in school, but I wasn't the lead. What if I'm not any good at it?" I didn't want to give this man the impression that I was actress material. I'd never even thought it was a possibility, so I could have been downright awful, for all any of us knew.

"Look," Ric said seriously, "It's only an audition. You won't get picked if you can't act. I think you'd be crazy to pass up this opportunity. I wish I could tell you more about the film, but it's really top secret. It's going to be the biggest movie of 2013. If you get this role, Elena, your entire life will change. Trust me, all the young A-List actresses want this role. Kristen Stewart wanted it, but she's already doing Twilight, Emma Watson, Megan Fox, Lindsay Lohan - boy, was that a joke," Ric laughed. "Oh, and Caroline Forbes, and they really considered her, even though she doesn't have the look; she's certainly got the acting talent. She's working on a few projects at the moment though, and I guess something really important this summer, which is when the movie is going to be wrapping up filming, so it just didn't work."

"Caroline Forbes?" I repeated in a stupefied voice. Did he just say Caroline Forbes? "Oh my God, she's my favorite actress. I've loved her since her very first movie, back when she was eight: Runaway Princess? It's still one of my favorite movies. She and I are the same age, too! She's three months older..." I stopped talking when Matt put his hand over mine to signify that I was babbling a little too much. I giggled awkwardly and apologized, "Sorry. I just can't believe...any of this, really. I'm kind of shocked. I don't know what to say."

Ric thought over my words before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, white business card. He strongly suggested, "Here's my card. Give me a call after you've thought about it, but don't take too long. I'll talk to the movie producers and get in touch with who's in charge of casting, and I'll see if they'll talk to me about scheduling an audition. If you can call me back by the end of the weekend, I'll have an answer for you about the audition. How does that sound?" He paused and then quickly added, "And if you do get picked for the audition, we'll fly you out there, all expenses paid."

"Really?" I gaped, my brown eyes likely the size of saucers. Could this really be happening? To me? No way... "Okay. I'll definitely think about it. Thank you so much, Mr. Saltzman."

"Ric," He corrected, "Call me Ric. And I'll be waiting to hear from you, Miss Elena Gilbert." He shook my hand again briefly and winked before walking out of the coffee shop.

"Matt," I turned to my blonde haired boyfriend, my face extremely serious as I asked, "Did that really just happen?"

He nodded slowly and replied, "Yeah, Elena, I'm pretty sure it did."

I considered Mr. Saltzman's proposition over the course of the next two days. I talked to Matt about every fear and every hope I had that this opportunity presented. Matt told me that he would back me up one-hundred percent on whatever I decided to do. He said it was completely my decision, and if I wanted to go for the audition, he'd be right there with me. But he wasn't going to make the decision for me.

I talked to Jeremy, Aunt Jenna, and Meredith, the three closest people in my life besides Matt. I even talked to Aunt Jenna's new husband, who I think is a dick most of the time, Logan Fell, and Jeremy's girlfriend Anna, and...eventually I was convinced there was no harm in taking the audition if it was offered to me. If I didn't, I'd likely regret it the rest of my life. I wasn't looking to have any more regrets.

I called Ric the day he asked me to, and told him I'd like to take him up on his offer.

His reply: "You're in luck, kid. They want to meet you."

-January 10, 2012-

Los Angeles was nothing like New York. I always pictured them being somewhat the same, in terms of the streets and the big buildings and the constant rush of people, but it was a completely different culture and behavior in L.A. I was immediately intimidated, but I...kind of liked it. The palm trees and the warm breeze and the beautiful scenes...they were a sight to behold, and I was taking it all in. I wanted to remember every bit of this trip, as short as it may be.

"I don't know if I can do this, Matt," I whispered as I held his hand tightly while we sat in the back of a taxi cab inching through bumper-to-bumper traffic on our way to the audition location. All the surrounding commotion was making my nerves even more on edge, and I was feeling sick to my stomach. Oh God, I hoped I didn't throw up during my audition. That would be the worst thing that could ever possibly happen.

"You're going to be fine," Matt soothed, rubbing my neck gently to relieve some of the tension I was holding there. He always knew what to do to put me at ease. He knew all the best ways to make me feel better. "You can do this, Elena. You are strong and confident; you're the most independent and brave woman I know."

"I'm not though," I shook my head, my voice slightly defeated, "I can't do anything on my own." Ever since my parents' death, when I was 17, Matt has been there for me. I couldn't picture leaving him, not even for a day, but if I got this movie role, I'd have to leave him for months. I didn't think I could do it.

"Yes you can," Matt insisted with a wry smile, "But, I'm here, aren't I? You're not on your own yet. If you can make it through this, though, I believe you can do anything you set your mind on."

"Thanks, Matt," I tried to give him a confident smile, but I was still too anxious thinking about the audition. Now I was also nervous we were going to be late. Ric told us to do anything but show up late; that was like the number one no-no. I wanted to lean forward and as the cab driver how much longer until we arrived, but he already looked grumpy enough. I didn't want to risk being snapped at by the cabbie and tossed from the vehicle. That was probably not a very likely scenario, but it could happen.

When we arrived at our destination, a seemingly normal looking building with no obvious logo on the outside to advertise its name. That seemed odd to me. What kind of building doesn't have a name? Is this supposed to be a movie studio? No, surely not...I wished I'd asked Ric for more information. I was suddenly feeling like we answered a false ad on Craigslist and a serial killer would soon be popping out from behind the metal door to drag us to our painful deaths. I really didn't know where all the morbid thoughts were coming from. Must be the L.A. smog poisoning my brain already...

Thankfully, Ric was waiting for us just inside the door, and he ushered us through the waiting room and straight into an elevator. He was proclaiming that I looked even prettier today than I did the first day we met, and I was going to knock the socks right off the casting director and the rest of the panel, but I was panicking at the idea of an entire panel of people scrutinizing my every movement. I was barely holding it together, I was that nervous. But Ric calmed my nerves with more compliments and words of reassurances. He was confident in me, and that made me a bit more confident in myself.

When the elevator doors opened, we were almost at the top floor of the building. Ric showed us into an empty conference room, and talked me through the steps of the audition so I'd know what to expect. He gave me some pointers on what not to say and do. He really made me feel like the audition wasn't as big of a deal as it was. It was a big deal!

"You're going to do great, Elena," Ric stated, "They're going to love you. Heck, I already love you, and I've only met you twice. Just be yourself. Make sure you smile. Don't be afraid to show off your personality. Just act like you have this role already, and you will get it."

"But," I cut in, "I don't even know what the role is. How can I audition with no lines? With nothing to read from or practice? Are they going to make me memorize something on the spot?"

"No," Ric chuckled, "Of course not. I can't tell you what it is, Elena; it's crucial that the movie stay under-wraps until the role is filled. Like, I've seriously signed my soul over to the company in exchange for keeping their secret. If I tell you, I'll be eternally damned. Kidding, kind of. But I'm sure they will have a few pages of lines for you to read-through. You won't have to memorize anything today. Relax. They should be ready for you any minute."

At the sound of those words, my heart began pounding rapidly in my chest, but I tried to follow Ric's advice and relax. I took slow, deep breaths and focused on the ocean painting hanging on the wall of the conference room. I repeated everyone's praises and confidence in me over and over in my head, building myself up until the moment the Casting Director's PA came to signify it was time for my audition. I was nervous the entire walk to the audition room, and up until the very moment that I was introduced to the two Casting Directors: the lovely Rose Williams, and the handsome yet humorous Trevor Anderson. There were extra people in the room to watch over the audition, and a cameraman filming, but Rose and Trevor made me forget about everyone but them. They are very good at their job.

"Well Miss Elena Gilbert," Rose said, standing at the conclusion of my hour long audition. She had a great big smile on her face, showing off her extremely pearly whites, "I'm so glad Alaric introduced you to us. I can see why he thought you'd fit right into our film. I, for one, agree. What do you think, Trevor?"

"It is no doubt, she has the looks for the part," Trevor nodded his head in confirmation, "And you look great on film. You have a special light about you, which is a perfect fit for your name. Elena means light, right?"

"Yes, well, that's what my mom always told me," I explained.

"We'll look over your audition tape and pass it on to the director and producers," Trevor told me, "And we'll get back to you. But," He lowered his voice and leaned in like he was going to tell me a secret, "I wouldn't wander too far from L.A., my newly discovered gem, you just may be getting a call from us very soon."

At his words, the butterflies in my stomach started fluttering in excitement and my heart swelled with joy. I actually had a chance at getting the part, whatever it may be! I actually had a chance to be a part of something bigger than myself! Maybe this is what I've been waiting for, why I haven't been able to move on with my life and make something of myself. Since my parents death, I've felt stuck in a rut watching life pass me by, but maybe this is exactly what I need to pull me out of that.

"Thank you so much!" I gushed, shaking Rose and Trevor's outstretched hands, "It was such a pleasure meeting both of you."

"Hopefully, we'll be seeing you soon, gorgeous," Rose called as I followed the PA out of the audition room and back to the conference room where Alaric and Matt were anxiously waiting for me.

-January 27, 2012-

"Elena!" Aunt Jenna called from the living room while I was finishing up the dishes in the kitchen. She is two months pregnant with her and Logan's first child, so I've been forcing her to get her rest while she can. Cleaning up the dishes after she cooked a meal is the least I can do. Besides, I can't wait for my new baby cousin to be born! "Elena! Your phone; it's ringing!"

I could barely hear her over the sound of the water, so I yelled, "What?!"

"It's California! You're getting a call from California!" She squealed excitedly, running into the room with my cell phone out-stretched in her hand, shoving the screen in my face.

I gasped, reaching for the faucet to turn the water off and then quickly drying my hands off on a towel. I snatched the phone from Jenna and answered, "Hello? This is Elena..."

"Elena," A familiar voice replied, sounding like a breath of relief was exhaled into the ear piece, "I'm so glad you answered."

"Ric," I returned, wondering why he didn't call me from his cell phone or normal office number, both of which I had saved to my phone since I'd had two auditions that first visit to Los Angeles, and one more audition last week when they flew me back out there. We'd gotten to know each other quite well, Ric and I. I've also decided to hire him as my agent, if I get the part. "Hi, how are you? What's up?" I was really asking him if he'd heard any news on the part, but didn't want to sound too desperate by coming right out and asking.

"Great, great," Ric bragged, "Everything's great. In fact, that's why I'm calling..." He trailed off, drawing out the anticipation of his impending words.

"Yes..." I urged him anxiously, wondering if this was the moment I've been waiting for.

"I just got off the phone with Klaus Mikaelson," Ric admitted, dropping the first big name since I've been him. Klaus Mikaelson. The Klaus Mikaelson? Youngest and most successful director currently making films in California? Oh my god... "And he wants you in his movie, Elena. You got the part."

I immediately dropped my phone to the floor in shock.

"Elena?" Jenna jumped up from the kitchen table, a look of concern crossing her face. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Her words snapped me out of my stupor, and I scrambled to retrieve the phone. "Sorry...I don't think I heard you," I told Ric, sure that I misunderstood his words, "What did you say?"

Ric chuckled, "I said, you've got the part, Elena. If you want it, it's yours." To elaborate, since I was clearly overwhelmed and still didn't even know what part was actually being offered to me, Ric clarified, "If you say yes, I guess I'll be calling you Katherine Pierce for a while..."

Again, I nearly dropped my phone, this time right into a pot full of murky water. Katherine Pierce? The Vampire Huntress? I'm going to be Katherine Pierce: Vampire Huntress?! No fucking way! I can't believe this! The Katherine Pierce books are even more popular these days than Twilight. Who wants to read an awful romance about a love triangle anyways? And, not to mention, everyone thinks it's creepy that Jacob winds up in love with Bella's baby, and everbody knows it. What was I talking about again? Oh yeah! Katherine Pierce: Vampire Huntress! I read the trilogy back when I was in high school, and it's still one of my favorite book series! I can't believe I could be Katherine if I choose to...

"Are you kidding me?" I asked incredulously.

"I am not kidding," Ric promised.

"Yes," I said quietly, and then cleared my throat, repeating, "Yes. I want it. I'll do it. I can't believe it, but I am so excited!"

Hearing my words, Jenna enveloped me in a huge bear hug as she screamed, "You got the part? You got the part!" Running out of the room, she called to Logan, Jeremy and Anna, "Elena got the part! She's going to be a big Hollywood actress!"

"I'll let you go celebrate," Ric cut in before anymore screaming started, "But I'll call you tomorrow morning, all right? We've got a lot to discuss."

"Okay," I agreed, "Thank you so much, Ric. You have no idea how glad I am you spotted me in New York last month. I never would have thought this would be happening to me."

"It was fate, Elena," Ric suggested, "I wasn't expecting to find you either, but here we are. You're welcome, and thank you. I feel just as lucky as you do."

After hanging up with Alaric, I did celebrate with my family. We cracked open a bottle of champagne, leftover from Jenna and Logan's wedding in the October, and each had a glass. I called Matt and he came over after work, with flowers! He was so happy for me and nothing but supportive. I was high on life. It was an incredible feeling. I was ready for my big change, and now that it had arrived, I wanted to get started living it. I knew everything was going to be different after this, but I thought I had it all figured out. I'd have my family, I'd have Matt by my side, and I'd have everything else we ever wanted to wished for. But nothing in life is ever that simple, is it? Even a Lucky One can eventually run out of luck...

Author's Note: Thanks so much for checking out my second story ever! I hope you guys like it as much as you've been liking The Babysitter. And please, please review! Your feedback means everything to me, and it really helps me know I'm writing something you're interested in reading(:

Thanks!

Next chapter will have Damon's introduction, so I'm sure you'll all be happy to know that;)

-Dee