A/N: Sorry this update took so long! I had an entire storyboard planned out, and it went through the washer, so I had to re-figure the storyline. Hope you all enjoy, and thanks so much for the reviews. I promise, the next update with probably be within the week .
Colleen carried the coffee steady in her hand. It was only her second morning on the job, and already she would be bringing a drink to Matthew Hamming himself. How had she gotten so lucky?
As she tiptoed up to his trailer, she noticed that her hands had begun shaking, threatening to spill the coffee everywhere. She knocked on his door, praying that she wasn't disturbing him. After a moment, he answered.
"Hello?" She had noticed yesterday that no one here was really as 'pretty' up close as she had suspected. Emmy Star had wrinkles, Tiara Angelista's roots were showing (and had she put on a little weight?) and even Devon Ashton, who had appeared in one or two commercials, wasn't as good-looking as she'd suspected. So, of course she was shocked when Matthew Hamming answered the door, looking just as suave as his did on her television screen.
"Hi. Hello." She corrected herself, still startled and shook up and altogether nervous. "I was told to bring your coffee." She held up the cup like a peace offering, and he smiled, opening the door wider.
"Sure, sure. Come on in, take a load off." She was so startled by the smoothness of his voice that she didn't understand what he meant. He motioned for her to come into the trailer and, shocked, she stepped in.
It wasn't much to look at, just the same sort of motor-home you'd see anywhere else, only there was no kitchen or anything – just a dressing-room area, a living-room area, a bathroom and a bed at the far end. He sat on the couch, and welcomed her to sit beside him. At last, he took the coffee from her, and took a tentative sip. Seeing that it wasn't hot, he took a deeper gulp, then another.
"So, what brings you to the Bridgeport? I don't think I've seen your face around – and I would have remembered it." He grinned confidently, and she blushed.
"My sister and I just moved here from Sunset Valley. She's actually going to be playing for the Llamas – I'm very proud of her." Colleen smiled. Bridey was an excellent soccer player, and she was proud of her – and currently grateful to her for supplying conversation fodder. She was surprised at herself, and how giddy she was, sitting beside Matthew. She'd never been into boys during high school, had been too preoccupied with books, films, scripts. She wanted to write screen plays, maybe even one day be a director. Film could be so much more than just vapid romantic comedies, and she felt that she could be the kind of director to bring film back to its true purpose – a mirror of the human condition, reflecting us and showing our true nature.
Matthew smiled. "You should be. That's a very prestigious honor – some huge names are on that team. Moxie Logan, Big Hartley, Richie Striker – all of them play for the Llamas. Do you know what position she's playing?"
Colleen shook her head. "I'm sure she'll be lucky if she gets to play at all. She was starter for the team back home, but I know Richie's the starter here. Bridey hasn't shut up about him – she idolizes him."
Matthew nodded. "So, perhaps this sounds kind of sudden, but I'm sure I know why you're delivering my coffee today instead of helping with the lights – my personal assistant just quit. He, uh," Matthew looked away, his expression darkening momentarily. "He had some personal issues to work out. It's a shame, really. But, I would like it very much if you would be my personal assistant."
Colleen's mouth fell open. "Me? Really? I mean, it's only been my second day, and-"
Matthew shook his head, cutting her off. "Really, there's not much to know. I'll need your cell phone number, and you'll need mine. You bring my coffee, my scripts, my food, you'll probably help me pick out my outfits. I might bring you to the occasional red-carpet affair. Basically, if you accept this job, you'll be spending the better part of your day, every day, with me. So think long and hard before you accept – it's a lot of responsibility."
Colleen felt her heart leap into her throat. "I accept."
Bridey jogged off the field and toward the showers. Moxie Logan, the only other female member, had already showered, and so she had the whole locker room to herself.
What a day. She already felt rejuvenated, alive. The warm-up itself has been enlivening, but the practice session was intense. She hurt in places she didn't even know contained muscle, and she was more than a little proud of the way she'd scored against Big Hartley (who didn't take it personally) during pair-ups. There were a few nobodies who would be benching for the Llamas, but she felt as though she might be able to prove herself, and actually earn some field time.
Finished rinsing off, she wrapped a towel around herself and headed to her locker. Her locker. Sure, it was next to all the other nobody-lockers, but it was hers. She was on the Bridgeport Llamas, the major leagues, and she had her own locker, and her own uniform, with her name and numbers on it.
She was dressed and headed out of the stadium when a voice behind her, deep and luxurious, called out – "Hey, Blondie!"
Bridey turned. She was the only girl from the minors, and the only blonde girl on the whole damn team. And, sure enough, the person calling out to her – Big Hartley – smiled when she turned around.
"I hope you're not heading home so soon. A couple of us are going back to my pad to get a soak in the hot tub, ease our muscles for tomorrow." He smiled, flashing his bright, white teeth.
Bridey stopped, waiting for him as he walked slowly toward her. "Well, I'll have to check my agenda," She began, smiling flirtatiously, "But I think I can fit it in. Where is this pad of yours, anyway?"
Big threw an arm over her shoulder. It was heavy, and her small frame nearly buckled below the weight. "Tom Wordy's place. He's got this nice pad with his girl Sugar, and Lil' Bling – you heard of him?"
She had. The kid wasn't even out of high school yet, and already his album was platinum. "Sure. All the freshest beats, all the sickest rhymes."
Big laughed, a deep, booming noise that almost startled her. "You're alright, Blondie." He said, smiling as his car pulled up. He gestured for her to get in first, the followed, sliding close to her. In the confines of the car, his closeness unnerved her, but she would never let on. She was in Bridgeport now, and if this was how she got to the top, so be it. Richie Striker had a kid, a life – he couldn't be starter forever, and getting in with his friends might get her a better spot on the team. Plus, Big was nice, and charming – and cute. He'd dropped a lot of weight since joining the team, and he was looking great.
Bridey smiled coyly. "Yeah? You're pretty alright yourself."
Colleen startled as the door creaked open. She watched Bridey, ghostly white in the starlight that shone through the windows, creeping in. Colleen rolled toward the nightstand and picked up her alarm clock. 3:15. She sat up.
"Bridey, it's three in the morning. Where the hell were you?" Her voice was sharp, loud in the silence.
Startled, Bridey dropped her duffle bag. In it was her uniform, her cleats, plus the underwear and bra she'd been wearing. When it had been time to go, she'd barely had time to throw her clothes over the swimsuit Big had given to her. She'd been shocked to see how quickly the party ended, and to find herself not in a cab, but riding the subway back home with the swimsuit soaking through her jeans and silk top. Now she was shivering, tired, and maybe still a little buzzed.
"Tom Wordy's place. Big had a private party there, with me, Moxie Logan and Richie Striker. It was a really big deal, Coll." She watched her sister's expression as she tentatively headed into the kitchenette, looking through the fridge. There was some leftover autumn salad, and she pulled that out, grabbing a fork and picking through it. After a few bites she set the plate down, peeled off her wet clothes, and continued to eat in her swimsuit.
Colleen slid out of bed. The swimsuit Bridey wore wasn't hers – it was way too expensive. The white monikini's front was lined with loops that appeared to be plated in real gold. "Where'd you get the suit?"
Bridey smiled through a mouthful. "Big let me have it. He has some spares at his place for the hot tub, and he said he doesn't know any other girls this tiny, so I might as well keep it."
Colleen smiled. She wanted to be mad at Bridey, but her sister's excitement was too contagious. Besides, she knew the only reason she was really mad was that she'd been waiting all afternoon to tell Bridey how excited she was about being Matthew's personal assistant.
"So….are you and Big Hartley an item now?" Colleen smiled. Gods, this was so cool. She'd never been into the whole celebrity obsession thing, but it made her feel like somebody to be so involved with their lives, brushing shoulders with such big names. The more involved she and Bridey got with the town, the closer she felt she was to actually being somebody – somebody who mattered.
Bridey laughed, shaking her head. "No, no. We flirt, but it's nothing serious – we're co-workers. Plus, I think maybe he and Moxie have a thing? It's hard to tell. Everyone in this town is so flirty." She smiled to herself, though. Just the fact that Big thought she was beautiful – and he'd told her that tonight, while mixing her a drink at his bar – meant a lot to her. Sure, she'd heard it before, but never from someone so important. Coming from Big, who could have any girl he wanted, it really meant something.
"So, guess who got a promotion today?" Colleen asked. Now that she was up, she fixed herself a cup of tea. It's not like she had to be to work early, like back at home. Here, she could afford to be up late.
Bridey looked up from her food, grinning. "Already? It's your second day, and you're already getting promotions? What are you now, assistant to the assistant of the lighting guy?"
Colleen laughed. Bridey had a point – it did seem impossible to get anywhere in the hierarchy of film. "No, no. I'm Matthew Hamming's personal assistant now – I've got a beeper and everything." She grinned.
Bridey squealed. "Oh, my god! That's so awesome! How did that even happen?"
"Well," Colleen began, curling her hands around the warm coffee mug. She smiled excitedly as she began the story, telling each detail to her sister's eager eyes. Inwardly, she was shaking with excitement. They'd been here less than a week, and already, she felt like somebody.