CHAPTER 2 - Making a Move.
Dinner in the Green house-hold that night was a mixture of awkward silences and even more awkward stares. The subject of Harry came up on a number of occasions, and the fiery response received did not go well for Beth, who was still yet to tell her parents of her new life. She knew they were going to crazy when she told them that not only are their 19 year old daughter moving out, she's moving across the freaking world. Pushing her Spaghetti Bolognese around on her plate, 'it's now or never' she thought.
"Ok, I need to tell you something." out of the corner of her eye she could see her Mum send a glance towards her Father. "The letter I received today, the one I was so excited about, well, it was an acceptance letter, a job offer really", her voice was getting quieter," I didn't tell you guys about it because of the possibility nothing would come of it, but something has and I want to take it..." She looked between her two parents, both faces were eager to hear the rest; even in the poorly lit room Beth noticed the worry on their faces. "The job is in America. I will hopefully be starting in a month." She stopped fiddling with her food and attempted eye contact with them both. Silence. That was the worse thing - silence for a good ten minutes at least, then she heard..."ok."
Shock and disbelief
spread across Elliott's face after Beth described the whole
incident to her the following morning when they met for breakfast
before going 'essential' shopping - her Mum said pots and pans,
towels, household BORING stuff - what Beth considered essentials were
flip-flops, trousers, jeans, cute flats, dressy heels, bags, lip
glosses, that she couldn't live without. If you didn't know by
looking at her, you certainly would by looking at her wardrobe - she
was a shopaholic.
"Are you freaking kidding me?! You're
going to work, when did you even apply? Why didn't you tell me?! We
could have gone together!" Elliott practically yells at Beth
across the tiny Starbucks table they were sat at. Beth looked over
her mug, before putting it down and explaining, "No we couldn't.
This is not about you Elliott, this is about me. I need to get away
from here, from London and home before it's too late, before I lose
hope in people and lose hope in me. And before you say, this is not
about Harry and what happened - he is whatever, it's me that counts
now and this is me - well for the next year." Looking over
behind Elliott's glass framed eyes; tears were forming at the
realisation that her friend was truly leaving - without her. She knew
they would never be the same but to be a true friend, she knew she
had to let her go. Pulling her glasses off and putting her sunglasses
down over her eyes, Elliott stood up and held her hand out to Beth to
follow - she had heard everything she needed to hear.
The rest of the day went without a hitch. Every shop in the shopping centre was brought from; 'essentials' in both Beth's and her Mums terms were brought. She was set to go.
Monday rolled around way to
quick - this was her day for a good thing and bad thing. Beth took
her offer letter to work to call from there, and also put her
resignation letter in her black Gucci bag also. As she applied the
last bit of lip gloss to her made up face and touched up her hair,
she thought to herself that in one month's time she is going to be
in front of my own mirror, in the USA, doing this.
"Beth,
come on your going to be late!" yelled Tom from downstairs,
interrupting her train of thought. The journey to work was the same
as any other day, except she paid it a little more attention, as is
to take it in on the last few journeys she'll ever make.
Sitting
at her desk, she closed the door to her small, light, and uncluttered
office when she entered, picked up the phone and made the call of her
life. After a few rings, the phone was picked up; "Hello
Shooting Star Productions, Mandy here."
"Hi, I was
wondering if I could possible talk to Greg Mitchell please, its Beth
Green." Beth noticed that she sounded particularly British
compared to her America counterpart on the other end of the phone, A
couple moments of silence, "Greg Mitchell."
"Greg,
it Beth Green calling to make arrangements regarding my position as
assistant to Kenny Ortega,"
"Good to have on board Beth.
We were thinking to have you out here and start on the 20th February
- the same day Kenny starts the cast on their rehearsals."
"Sure,
that sounds great..."
The conversation continued for another
30 minutes until all plans were finalised and flights and
accommodation had been discussed.
"Oh, I have one last
question, what film is being started when I arrive?" Beth
thought it was best to ask - at least to know what she is getting
herself in too.
"Its HSM 2"
"I'm sorry, HSM 2?
Beth began to wish she'd done some research on this director guy
before calling!
"High School Musical 2" Replied Greg,
obviously a little surprised that she didn't know.
"Oh of
course, sorry, it's Monday what do you expect?!" Laughter and
goodbyes followed.
The plans were set - her flight was on the 18th February. She was officially going. She stood up to go and get a snack from the breakfast trolley, in passing she proudly put her resignation letter in the out tray. "This is it." she though.
