Finally! Let me know what you think. It is only the first chapter so I promise it gets better!
Chapter 1: The Rising Star
"Misaki! Misaki! Look over here!"
Misaki turned and smiled for the dozens of cameras. Her eyes had long grown use to their bright flashes.
"Misaki!" a woman in a short neon pink dress called, waving her over.
Misaki shook the woman's hand.
"Hi, I'm Trish from Hollywood Insider," she told Misaki. She then turned back to the camera men before them. "This is Trish bringing you, Misaki Ayuzawa from the red carpet premiere for the must see movie of the year 'Sparrow.' Tell us, Misaki, what makes Sparrow better than all the movies before it? Why isn't it just another pirate movie?" Trish asked, shoving a glittery mic in Misaki's face.
Misaki smiled at the camera. "Well Trish," she said. "Sparrow is a classical Jack Sparrow movie except everything is better. From the ships we filmed on to the sword I carried, captured a lifestyle. I really felt like...well a pirate," Misaki said with a small laugh.
Trish nodded. "Who are you wearing tonight?" she asked. "That dress looks stunning on you!"
Misaki stepped back and straightened out the short train of her dress. "Alexander McQueen," she told everyone.
Her red carpet outfit was a black strapless dress with gold embroidery on the front and a floral pattern along the hem. Her hair was soft and wavy and done in a princess twist.
"One more question everyone's dying to know. What's up with you and costar Tora Igarashi? Are the rumors true?" Trish asked, eagerly.
Misaki hated this question. "No sorry," she said into the mic. "Tora and I are strictly professional."
Trish looked disappointed. "Alright...well you heard it first from Hollywood Insider. This is Trish signing off!"
Misaki smiled and waved. After a few more pictures, she went inside to join her mom and Suzana.
"It's bad to be late for your own movie," Minako chided gently.
"Mom..." Suzana said. "You know the movie won't start until all the stars are here... Look, Tora just sat down," she said, pointing to a shadowed figure in the back.
On cue, the theater lights dimmed and the opening credits rolled onto the giant screen.
Sparrow was a Jack Sparrow movie except the main character was a girl named Jackie Sparrow played by Misaki. Jackie is the captain of the Black Pearl who later meets the rebellious European navy general, Ralph aka Tora.
Misaki was amazed at how everything came together. The fighting scenes and stunts were amazing though Misaki knew it was her stunt double who did the intense ones. When Tora and her kissing scene came on, Misaki winced. There she was...kissing Tora on a giant movie screen. She heard the people around her quietly sigh
Misaki shivered and tried to enjoy the rest of the movie. Misaki always found it awkward watching herself on the screen but during filming she and the rest of the cast had seen a rough cut of the movie. Now with special effects, music and elegant editing, it was a whole another experience.
The movie was impressive. Misaki was sad when it was over. She really liked filming Sparrow and it had been her first big hit. Before Sparrow, Misaki played various supporting roles in different movies- very small parts. The director for Sparrow, Jim Graph, discovered Misaki when she was playing a waitress in a TV show called "Midnight." Her part had been small, a supporting character, however, Jim claimed she had potential and gave her a chance no one else had. Misaki went in for a reading and bam! She was given the role of Jackie Sparrow.
"Do you have an after party to go to?" Minako asked when they returned to the lobby.
Misaki nodded. "Stan is waiting for me in the back," she told her mom.
Stan was her body guard and driver. His intimating 6'4" figure and bald head ensured that he did his job properly.
Misaki ducked out of the crowded theater and into the waiting limo.
"How was it?" Stan asked as Misaki slammed the door shut.
"Good," Misaki said, kicking off her stilettoes. "Jim Graph did a great job."
Misaki found the white garment bag and unzipped it. Inside, there was a short navy blue dress with silver glitter along the hem. It was a halter dress except crystal flowers held up the dress and clasped together like a necklace on the back of Misaki's neck.
The limo gave Misaki lots of room to get changed. The red carpet gown was hung up on a hanger and Misaki smoothed out the silk blue dress she was now wearing.
"How long will you stay?" Stan asked.
"As long as I have to…" Misaki said, clasping a necklace on. "I'm going to try and bolt in a few hours."
"You don't want to stay longer?"
Misaki snorted. "I'd rather stay home and watch a movie in my sweat pants," she reminded him.
"Right…" Stan said. "It's a wonder that you're the next Oscar winner."
"Stop," Misaki said. "I'm not that good…yet at least."
The limo stopped in front of a VIP club. Misaki could already see all the press waiting with cameras ready through the tinted windows.
"Good luck," Stan said, unlocking the doors.
The valet there opened the door and Misaki stepped out, sliding her dark sunglasses over her face. The security made a path for her to walk through, keeping the screaming fans back.
Misaki swallowed hard and stepped inside the club. She felt just as nervous inside the building as she did outside. Huge celebrities walked around and Misaki felt rather small. Her eyes scanned the crowd, hoping for a familiar face.
"Misaki!" a girl waved.
She was dressed in a fancy pink dress that contrasted with the girl beside her in a sleek black dress.
"Sakura! Shizuko!" Misaki sighed in relief.
Sakura and Shizuko were two of her few Hollywood friends. They were both actresses though Sakura was migrating toward the music industry more these days.
"I saw the movie!" Sakura squealed. "You were so cool!"
"Thanks," Misaki said, smiling.
"You are going to be so big in the media," Shizuko added.
Misaki nodded… hoping that was going to be a good thing.
"Misaki Ayuzawa!" a voice said.
Misaki felt a hand clap on her shoulder.
"Jim," she greeted, giving him a brief hug.
Her director was in a suit and tie with a drink in hand. "That sure was something, wasn't it?" he asked.
Misaki nodded. "It turned out great," she agreed.
"Come," he said, steering her off to go talk with other people. "Here comes Jackie Sparrow!" he called.
A large group of people applauded for her and Misaki just tried to smile.
"You were stunning," a woman said.
"Thank you,"
"Misaki, get to know these people," Jim encouraged. "They are Hollywood's cinematic geniuses at the moment," he explained. "Your next big hit could be with them- unless you want to star in all of my movies," he joked.
"You can't hog her," another director joked back. "Miss Ayuzawa is certainly going to have a role in one of my productions!"
"Mine too!"
"Don't forget me!"
Misaki felt a little overwhelmed by all the attention. Instead of attending high school or university like a regular girl, she was now in the movie industry. "Sparrow" ensured that Misaki was never going to be just a normal girl again.
There was a fan girl gasp that rippled through the room which caused Misaki to look up and glance at the door. A new celeb had walked in to the party and just by the gasp Misaki knew it was someone big.
He was tall, blonde, and extremely attractive. Misaki definitely knew who Takumi Usui was- the entire nation knew who he was for crying out loud. He played the mysterious detective in the most popular TV show ever, Crossroads. Misaki had even watched a season of the 7 season show. He was good. He was very good…
"Look who decided to show up," Jim said, clapping the young actor on the shoulder.
Takumi gave an easy smile and shrugged. "The movie was pretty good," he said.
"Pretty good?!" Jim laughed. "For a brat, you're sure hard to impress," he said. "Speaking of the movie… Takumi, this is Misaki Ayuzawa-"
"Star of the night," Takumi finished for him. "I know."
Misaki awkwardly shook his hand. Takumi was about the same age as her except he was ten times more famous and infinitely more experienced.
"Nice to meet you," Misaki said, nervously.
"You too," Takumi said.
"My, isn't it a party here!" Tora said, wrapping his arm around Misaki's shoulders.
"Hi Tora…" Misaki said, casually stepping away.
"Where do you think you're going?" Tora asked, grabbing her arm. "The People's magazine wants a word and a picture," he said, bringing her over to a couple reporters.
"Hi," Misaki said, shaking their hands.
"Congrats on your first big hit Misaki," the reporter said. "And congrats to another success for you, Tora. What are your plans now?" she said, holding the microphone out to Misaki.
"Um…" Misaki said. "Uh… I have a few ideas I'm currently discussing with my manager," she finally said.
"Like what?"
Misaki didn't know what to say… Her manager, Honoka, never officially decided on her next big project because they apparently needed to choose very carefully. Misaki had no direction at all at the moment…
"That's no fun!" Tora interrupted. "You just have to keep your eyes open for the next billboard."
"Will you be working with Miss Ayuzawa again?" the reporter asked, holding the microphone out to Tora.
"You know a star couple when you see one," Tora said, smirking.
Misaki elbowed him. The reporter perked up.
"Couple?" she asked.
"No!" Misaki exclaimed. "We're not together," she said, firmly. "I just want to focus on work right now. I don't have time for relationships," she elaborated.
"But one day-"
Misaki stomped on Tora's foot. "Are we done yet?" she asked, sweetly. "I still have to speak with others."
"Of course," the reporter said. "Just a final picture," she said, waving the camera man closer.
Misaki forced a smile on her face as she stood next to Tora. After they moved on, Misaki let out a breath of relief.
"What was that for?" Tora asked. "My foot kills."
Misaki whirred around. "You know full well!" she hissed. "We are NOT together! Our relationship is strictly professional. Stop hinting to the press that it's something different!"
"I think we'd steal all the attention if we got together," Tora argued. "Don't you want to get more coverage?"
"I don't want to be a tabloid star because of gossip," Misaki corrected him. "I don't want in on the Hollywood drama."
"You'll change your mind," Tora warned her. "You're the rising star. Everyone is watching your every move because you're a fresh face. You'll need drama to keep people interested. This is Hollywood… just like high school," Tora informed her. "Oh, I forgot. You never went…but think of it as a drama. Get your game face on, sweetheart."
"Whatever," Misaki said, walking away.
She weaved through all the people and finally found herself in the cool night air. She called Stan on her phone and he turned the corner within seconds in his regular black Jaguar.
"That was quick," Stan observed as Misaki slid into the back seat.
"Yeah…" Misaki sighed. "I'm tired."
"I will get you home then," Stan said.
Misaki sipped a bottle of water and closed her eyes. Stan drove her to her apartment building. Misaki wrapped her trench coat over her dress and got out.
"Bye," Misaki said.
"Take care,"
Misaki went inside and took the elevator to the pent house suite. She unlocked the door and kicked her shoes off. Her hand felt around for the light switch and lit up the room.
It had been a long day. Simply getting ready for the red carpet had taken hours plus there had been interviews, studying and etc.
Misaki took a shower and practically dove into bed. No doubt tomorrow she was going to be busy. Maybe Honoka could postpone her interviews to the afternoon…
Misaki texted her manager and slid out of bed to get a glass of water. As she sipped her water, Misaki looked out her large window that over saw the entire city. In the distance, there was a large billboard. It was a picture of her in full pirate costume locking swords with Tora.
SPARROW COMING SOON TO THEATERS!
Misaki gently leaned against the window. Sparrow was just the beginning.
"Embrace the choppy waters," Misaki quoted her own character, Jackie. "Because only the true sea legs will remain standing at the end of the storm…"