Chapter 1

This was the first time in months that I got a callback. I, Riley Matthews, am finding it impossible to get any roles. It always seems like there is someone younger, prettier, or better.

I moved out to L.A. last year, hoping I would get a better chance on getting my big break. I had to move in with my aunt who I barely knew. I don't have any friends, I left those back in New York. Another one of my many sacrifices I had to make.

I'm an eighteen-year-old trying to step into the world of lights, cameras, and everyone looking at you like you're some kind of big deal. Is that a hard thing to ask for? I guess so.

Back to my callback. It's for this Disney show called Family Ties. Never heard of it. From what I was told at the audition, it's about these two siblings and their best friend who are demigods trying to live a normal life. Classic Disney. Never a normal tv show with those people.

I did that audition almost two months ago. I didn't want to get into Disney, Nick, or anything like that, but I was getting desperate. I needed something to get my foot in the door. Plus, I needed some extra cash, you know to splurge on myself. My parents send my aunt money every month but she only buys me food. The rest she spends on herself. I don't really mind I am living in her home. But that is the reason for my lack of style in my clothing.

I got the email during school, to sum it all up, the person they originally cast can't play the part anymore and they need someone to take her place. The callback is going to be tomorrow at 10 am. Looks like I'm skipping school tomorrow. The address seemed familiar but I put it in my phone just in case.

When I got home I told my aunt. She didn't care. She never does. Sometimes if she's feeling nice she'll call the school and say I'm sick so it's not an unexcused absence. I feel like my aunt is more like a roommate than a family member. She's a nice roommate. She pays all the bills, gives me food, but she never talks to me. I try to make conversation, but it never works out. She either won't reply or just give me a simple nod. I like the privacy, but the silence is killing me. But this is her house. I'm not going to make her do anything outside of her comfort zone.

The only thing my aunt doesn't do for me is bring me to or from auditions. At first, it bothered me. I didn't know L.A. at all. But she taught me how to get everywhere by train or bus. Now I enjoy going to my auditions by myself. I get to review all my material in my head and most of the time I don't get stuck in all the L.A. traffic. Sometimes I do, so I always leave the house early.

Now I'm laying in bed anxious, waiting for tomorrow to happen. I really need to get this part. A girl can only do so many commercials and be an extra in so many movies. I need something that I will actually get credited for. Even if it's a one-time deal.

I'm just hoping everything will fall into my favor. I've paid my dues. Now it's my time. My eyes slowly start to close.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm and started to get ready for the day. The email said to dress casual so I picked out a plain pink tank top with my black skinnies. I braided my brunette hair into a side braid. I looked at myself in the mirror. My skin is fairly tan, my eyes are a deep brown, and my body is fairly proportioned. I am taller than most girls my age. 5' 7''. I used to get all the time that I should be a basketball player or a model. People stopped saying that when they figured how clumsy I am.

When I got to the kitchen there was a note on the refrigerator. 'Riley, Had to take an earlier shift today. Called your school and said you were sick. There is food in the microwave.' Well, that was nice of her. One of the nicest things she's ever done for me. I took my breakfast to go. I rather be an hour early than a minute late.

I got to the train station at 8:30. The train station and I have a hate-love relationship. I love being alone, yet I hate the other people who get on the train. People can be very obnoxious, like as if they are the only ones on the train. It makes it hard to concentrate on anything that isn't their annoying voices. So like any normal teenager, I listen to my iPod on the train.

I'm really into 80's rock and roll. Guns & Roses, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Queen are my favorites. I feel like I'm the only kid in my generation who listens to the kind of stuff. I always felt like I was born in the wrong generation.

Thoughts pour into my head while I'm sitting down on the train. This is where I get most of my thinking done. I look down onto my watch. 9 o'clock. Time sure does pass by fast.

My stop is up next. I get up; ready to get out of the train. Once the train stops I'm the first one out of the train. I hate getting stuck behind people. It makes me feel like I'm going to be stuck on the train forever.

I was ten minutes away from the studio. While walking, I could not help but notice what a beautiful day it was today. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. The flowers were blooming, yellows, greens, and purples everywhere. Springtime is my favorite time of year. I made a mental note to myself to make sure I enjoy the walk back after my audition. When I got the studio, the security checked me and then let me in after telling where I was supposed to go.

I sat in a pretty big room. Nothing out of this world, white walls, chairs filed into rows; it seems like the purpose of this room is to hold people. It was pretty quiet, no one in sight. I seemed out of place. I started to walk around hoping to see someone who knew anything about this studio or the callback. While changing the music on my iPod, I bumped into someone.

"Oh sorry. My bad." I said.

"No, it's okay. I wasn't looking," said the boy. "You lost?"

I almost didn't hear him I was too caught up in his face. He was absolutely the most gorgeous guy I have ever seen. His eyes were emerald green and extremely captivating, his short sandy hair, I just wanted to run my finger through it, and he has muscle in all the right places. His shirt was tight enough to see the muscles coming out of his shirt. He was just all around gorgeous

"Not really, I was just waiting in this room, but no one is there so I don't know if I am in the right place."

"Oh you here for the callbacks?"

"Yeah."

He smiled, "Well, it's a good thing you bumped into me because our callbacks are in the other waiting room. I'll be glad to show you the way. After me." I start following him when he asks, "And who do I have the pleasure of escorting?"

I smile at him, "Riley, Riley Matthews, and who may you be?"

He chuckles, "The man of your dreams."

I laugh, "Well isn't someone just full of themselves," I smirk at him.

"Only when I talk to beautiful girls such as yourself," I can feel the red rising to my cheeks, "Lucas Friar at your service."

Lucas and I chit-chatted it up while he gave me a tour of Studio 5. I had gotten to the studio early so we had time to look around. He talked about his time so far on Family Ties, apparently, he's one of the leads in the show. I told him that I really have no idea what the show was about so he gladly explained it to me. It seems like a good TV show. I would give it a shot.

Lucas explained that they are behind schedule because the girl dropped out at the last minute. They were supposed to begin shooting the episode tomorrow.

"So what is the part exactly?" I asked.

"The part is to play my love interest."

"Well, that shouldn't be hard to do," I mumbled.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing." I smiled. I explained to him that I really wanted the part, "I haven't landed a part in almost 6 months." I sighed.

"Well with so many no's a yes is bound to show up eventually. Just don't give up," he said with a smile.

"Yeah I'm trying," I said softly.

"Well everyone should be getting here soon, so we should just sit down and wait," he pulled out a chair for me. How sweet.

After we sat down, we didn't talk much. I just listened to my iPod and he was engaged with his phone. It was fine, though. I was going over my lines in my head. I looked at the clock: 10 o'clock., people should be filling in by now.

Right after the thought popped into my head, a young girl, probably sixteen came in with her parents. Must be nice, I thought. Slowly but surely, the room started to become packed with at least ten other teenagers.

Then an older man came into the room and started speaking. "Hello, everyone! I'm Chris Peterson one the executive producers/creators here on the show Family Ties. Here with me today is Bryan Moore another executive producer/creator, Farkle Minkus who plays Corey on the show, Maya Hart who plays Sabrina, and Lucas Friar who plays Peyton. The other cast members are not with us today because they are shooting their scenes ahead of us since we are a little behind schedule. So as you can tell we would really like to cast this part as soon as possible and get back on schedule. Since this part will be mostly with Lucas, we decided that there won't be any monologue just a cold read with him. Any questions?"

I kind of zoned out after that. No monologue? I don't know if that an advantage or not. I have worked hard on my monologue. And every good actor has between four to six monologues ready for any audition. All that hard work down the drain?

"After this episode taping, will you ever need my daughter again?" a mother asked. This caught my attention. A recurring role? That would be amazing. This would be the opportunity I have been waiting for.

"Great question. We haven't decided on how many episodes this character will be in, or if she's going to become an important role, but she will be in more than one episode."

"Does that mean that there is a chance that this character can become a main character?" another woman asked.

"She could be. It depends on how the audience likes her and if she fits in the show." This caused a lot of buzz. I could feel the tension in the room rising. A possible lead role? This is turning out to be a great day. Now if only I could get the part….

"Alright, everyone. Maya here will pass out the scene that we want you to present to us today. It's a small piece of a script we are working on. And everyone will get a chance to work with Lucas, so no need to worry. Now Farkle will pass out numbers that each of you needs to wear. When we call your number that means it's your turn. Break a leg everyone!" He and the other executive producer walked out of the room.

When I got my script, I reread it about a bunch of times. The girl's name is Rowan. What an interesting name. The page reads, 'She's a bit of a nerd, yet she's got a bad side to her.' Sounds like my type of role. The scene seemed kind of intense for a Disney show, but nothing I couldn't handle.

"You like what you're reading?" Lucas asked from behind me. He was holding my number. That was weird I thought Farkle was passing out the numbers. Huh, Farkle what a weird name.

I took my number from him, "Thanks. And to answer your question, yeah it's really good. Not the kind of scene I expect for Disney, though."

He looked around him and then whispered, "Can you keep a secret?"

"Sure."

"The scene really isn't this intense. The producers just want to see who can handle it because with this character and Peyton's we might get to add an intense scene."

"Well, that's too bad. I really liked this scene."

"Me too. Hey, maybe if you do a great job they'll put the scene back in," he nudges me slightly.

"I just hope I get this role."

"Don't worry, you'll do fine. And I pulled some strings so you'll be the last one in there," he smiled at me, showing all his pearly whites. Wow, I can get used to seeing that every day.

"I don't know either to be grateful or not."

"I figured that we should save the best for last," he winked at me, "Well, I better get going. There are tons of girls waiting on me," he walked off not before looking back at me one more time and sending me that award-winning smile of his.

Was he hitting on me? I couldn't believe it. Snap out of it Riley. I can think about guys some other time but for right now I need to focus on getting this role.

A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first multi-chapter story and I am very excited to be sharing it with you all! Please if there are any questions, leave them in the comments. Just so you know I am starting my second semester of college soon, but I know where I want this story to go and how long I want it to be. Hopefully, I can post every week or two. Lastly, thank you so much for reading. This story is like my baby and I am really proud of it, so thank you for taking the time to read it. Have a great week!