Auditions

Disclaimer: I do not own Life with Derek or its characters. Note: Some names and last names (the principal and Sam) are entirely made up and so is where they live, for the record.

"In conclusion, this movie would be great publicity for the school," Charlie said to Mr. Gibson, the school's principal. It was Wednesday after school, and Charlie was trying to get Mr. Gibson to let her use the auditorium for auditions and the halls and classrooms for shooting of her movie.

"How so?" Mr. Gibson asked sternly.

"Last night, while I was surfing the Net, I came across an ad for the Canadian Youth Film Festival, which every year travels from city to city. This year, it's in Toronto, which isn't very far away. They have a contest in which young filmmakers send in their movies. The finalists' movies are screened in front of anyone who wants to come, plus the judges, who decide who wins the grand prize of 10 000$ worth of filming equipment! The school would be mentioned in the credits, and everyone would see what a fine job you're doing with the school…"

"All right," Mr Gibson said. "You can have the auditorium Friday from three-thirty until five o'clock. We'll discuss you're schedule for filming later on."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr Gibson," Charlie squeaked, nearly jumping out of her chair.

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"Hey Mr. Assistant Director," Charlie said the next morning, walking towards where Derek and Sam were standing.

Derek turned around and said, "Yeah?"

"I've got an assignment for you," Charlie said. "Put up these flyers around school. Use your 'charm'", she said making quote signs with her fingers. "To get people to come and audition tomorrow."

"Yes mam," Derek said as she handed him the pile of flyers. "See you guys later."

"Hey Charlie," said a voice coming from behind them. It was Casey. "Hey Sam," she said, slightly blushing.

"Hey," he replied. "Ummm…I'm gonna go help Derek with those flyers. Later." And he walked away in the direction that Derek had gone.

"So…what's up?" Charlie asked.

"Nothing much. You?" Casey replied.

"I'm using your step brother for slave labour," Charlie said, nodding.

"Nice," Casey said giggling. "How's that?"

"He's my assistant director for my movie," Charlie said. "So far, I've gotten him to buy me a cookie and put up flyers."

"Cool," Casey said.

"Hey what's with your friend Emily?" Charlie asked as they walked down the hall towards her locker.

"Nothing. Why?" Casey asked.

"You seem to always be looking for her. Is she avoiding you or something?"

"No. The last couple of days she's had to work harder cause her grades are slipping. But she'll come to watch me audition tomorrow."

"Cool," Charlie said. The bell rang. "Gotta go. See ya later."

"Bye," Casey said.

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"Okay everybody," Charlie said into the microphone. It was Friday afternoon, and auditions were about to begin. She was surprised at the turn out. There were at least 50 people there. "As the flyers said, you can audition for the part of Christine, Sarah and Dylan. The rest of the parts will be distributed to people who auditioned but didn't get the leads. You'll have to recite a couple of lines."

Charlie got off stage and sat in her director's chair, a present from her mother on her 13th birthday, which was placed next to Derek. One by one, people got up on stage and auditioned. An hour and a half later, Charlie was glad it was over. Only four people were any good: a sophomore guy named John Baker, a senior girl named Christy Hawkins and, surprisingly enough, Casey and Sam.

"Wow," Derek said as he and Charlie exited the auditorium. "They sucked."

"Not all of them," Charlie argued.

"Who was good, then?" Derek asked, smiling his evil yet charming smile.

"John Baker, Christy Hawkins, Casey and Sam."

"Well…I guess…that's still only four people out of 63."

"We've got to pick who does what now," Charlie said.

"We?" Derek said.

"Yes we. You don't want to help me?" Charlie said, giving him puppy eyes.

"Fine, fine. I'll help you. Come over to my house and we'll talk it over."

"Okay."

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On Monday morning, Charlie posted a poster near her homeroom class:

Thanks to all who auditioned for my movie, "Skin Deep". Here are the all the parts and the people who will be playing them. If you would like to help out with costumes, make up, set design, etc., please contact my assistant director, Derek Venturi ASAP. And for the following people, please contact Derek Venturi to receive your scripts. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET!

Christine Harper- Casey MacDonald

Dylan Miller- Sam Weyman

Sarah Harper- Christy Hawkins

Mimi Sinclair- Andrea Del Rossi

Josh Arnold- John Baker….

It continued until every single part in the entire movie was given out.

"Yeah!" Casey shrieked, coming up from behind Derek and Charlie. Then she gave Charlie a big hug. "You didn't pick me just because I'm your friend, did you?" she asked.

"No, we chose you because you were good!" Charlie said.

"We?" Casey said, confused. "You and who?"

"Me and Derek," Charlie replied.

"Derek?"

"Yeah," Derek said. "And for the record, I was against the whole Sam-and-Casey-kissing thing. When you film it, I'm taking a sick day."

"Can't handle the love, Mr. Venturi?" Charlie said playingly, making Casey turn red like a tomato.

"My stomach can't handle it," Derek said.

"Ha ha ha," Charlie said, and stuck out her tongue at Derek.