In The Dust
A/N: Trying to write as much as I can, as fast as I can! OK, here's chapter 3!
Chapter 3: The Call
"So, Gordo, are you gonna call or what? It's been 3 days!" Lizzie said to me. I had been putting off this phone call for as long as I could, because I was scared.
I wasn't scared that he wouldn't offer me some sort of job. I was afraid that I would get caught up and accept the offer, only to leave Miranda and Lizzie behind. Maybe I would even leave my parents behind. Well, actually, that wouldn't be too horrible...
"I guess I'll call now," I said hesitantly. I really didn't want to call in front of Lizzie, only to break her spirits. But I picked up the phone to make her happy.
Lizzie and I were in her room, because Miranda was away with her parents at her grandma's 90th birthday party. I was at her desk, sitting facing her bed, where she was sitting cross-legged, clutching a pillow to contain her excitement. It's not like you're the one having to call Mr. Big-Shot. I was. So I don't get why she was so scared.
I dialed the number on the business card. The phone started ringing, and it rang twice before I heard the secretary answer the phone.
"Olympia Studios. Can I help you?"
"Yes, this is David Gordon. May I speak to Mr. Taylor Goutrel?" I said in my best business voice. I looked to Lizzie, and she gave me a thumbs-up. I guess that meant I was doing okay.
"Yes. Please hold for a moment while I redirect your call," the secretary said. She must get paid a lot to sound like a recorded message.
I waited for a few minutes and I heard the familiar voice of Taylor answer the phone.
"Goutrel."
"Hello, this is David Gordon."
"Oh, David! Hello! How are you doing today, my favorite young director?" He was trying to butter up to me. Hah. That's nice of him. I still grinned like mad though. Lizzie mouthed, "What did he say?" I still just grinned.
"I'm doing great today, Taylor. More importantly, how are you?" I was trying to sound like I always was on the phone with a big scout from Culver City.
"I'm glad to hear that. And I'm doing wonderfully today, thank you." He was trying to force it out of me, I could tell.
"That's great. Seems like a good day for everyone," I said. Oh god, that was cheesy. Real cheesy. Dangerously cheesy. Wait, I'm not a Cheetos bag.
"Yes, I guess so. I presume you called because of my offer." See, he was trying to get me to do all the talking.
"Of course." And that made me sound arrogant. Lizzie scrunched her nose up. That was HORRIBLE.
"Well, I was thinking about something here... Your documentary was amazing, especially a man your age. So, maybe you could come down here in two weeks and stay for a while, say, maybe 6 months, and we can try you out as an assistant director." Just what I was trying to avoid. But, I acted like it was the best thing that happened to me, for Lizzie. I was smiling like a fool. She flashed a smile at me to humor me, I guess.
"That would be great. I was wondering, do my parents come, too?" I sounded like a guy who couldn't live without my parents, when I actually could.
"Yes, yes, of course! The more, the merrier! Just immediate family can come, though. We don't want to take your friends out of school for this. They wouldn't have fun anyway," he said. He read my mind. He IS a scary guy.
"Alright, I guess that's fine. I'll tell my parents immediately. Thanks again!" I said. That was better.
"Okay then. Goodbye, David. See you in two weeks."
"Bye, Taylor."
CLICK.
"So, what happened there?" Lizzie asked eagerly. "Sounded like it went well."
"I guess," I said wearily. Part of me wanted to tell her, but the other part wanted to save her.
"Tell me, Gordo! I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything," she said, putting her puppy face on. I sighed, then decided to tell her.
"I'm leaving for LA in two weeks. And staying for half a year," I said. I avoided eye contact with her.
She sat there, about to cry, and gave me a hug.
"I'm gonna miss you so much, Gordo. I really will," she said, and hugged me for a long time.
E/N: Aww... sad... ok, well I gotta go now.. bye!