Jade walked into the festival with mixed emotions. Her nervousness was only matched by her excitement. The festival was well attended. There must have been two thousand people there, at least. Beck and the others didn't leave her at any moment. They were waiting for Jacob at the place he told them to.
"Stop biting your fingernails." Cat told her as she took Jade's hands.
"Ugh. I can't help it!" Jade said bitterly. Her savior came in the form of Andre.
"A giant cup of coffee. Here. Now calm down. You look like Beck on caffeine when he had that cricket in his RV and couldn't sleep." Andre said, shaking his head. He watched Jade take a giant gulp. It helped, if only a little.
"When is your movie up?" Tori asked.
"I don't know. I think it's up third or forth." Jade said before she took another big sip.
"Third." They turned around to see Jacob stand there, Monica right beside him. "Now where are Andrew, Samantha and Rachel?" He asked, looking around.
"We haven't seen them." Robbie said as he looked around himself.
"The guy is like eight feet tall. If he was here, we would see him." Beck stated, making everyone nod.
"Six foot seven and you guys must be blind." Andrew said as he walked towards them, Rachel in one hand. Samantha was right behind them, greeting everyone and introducing herself.
"So, ready to go inside? The show starts in fifteen minutes." Jacob said. The others nodded and they headed inside. The festival was help in an open air theatre. A big screen was visible and most seats were already taken. Jacob walked them over towards the fourth row where they all were. They all took their seats, Jade sitting between Beck and Cat, who were between Jacob on Beck's side and Tori on Cat's side. The show opened with an introduction about the festival itself, how long it had been active etc. It was nothing Jade paid special attention to.
Finally, the first movie began. Jade watched it as the first scene came. Jade was somewhat relieved that the movie was nothing more but a gore fest. She herself loved those types of movies, but she also knew that it was a cheap way of making a movie scary. She also knew that too much gore can make the movie look absurd. And this was the case here. It was really ridiculous to the level that a guy was killed with a wooden pencil trough the skull, something impossible, and that five gallons of blood sprayed immediately trough it. When the ending finally came, the crowd gave a standard applause a crowd always gives after something was shown. After a short break and more information about the festival, the second movie began. Jade was relieved again. It was not even the standard slasher. It was one of those movies you just facepalm at and wish it is over. It had way too many twists and the plot was basically nonexistent. The ending was a mess too. Ninety minutes an officer hunts a serial killer, and in the end it's some alien or something like that. The applause at the end was weak. People didn't like it. Jade noticed many people writing down things while watching the movies. She guessed that those people are critics. She also saw many shake their heads.
"Honestly, the competition here is bad." Jacob said as he leaned over towards Jade. Beck nodded in agreement. He had watched so many horror flicks with Jade, he became an expert himself. And he knew that those two were mediocre at best.
After another break, it was finally time for Jade's movie. Jade felt her heart race as the movie began. The first scene came. Jade felt Beck take her hand and give it a weak squeeze. Everyone watched as the first scene continued. Jade observed the critics, who curiously watched the beginning. She noticed some of them nod. She guessed it was because of the sounds and fake scares she used. After a few minutes, the scene with the policemen came. When the killer's silhouette was seen the first time, Jade noticed some people gasping. But when the song "Pop goes the Weasel" was played the first time while the policemen was holding the Jack in the box was the time Jade had actually found confidence in her work. Throughout the whole movie, Jade witnessed the people get actually scared from all the scenes she wanted them too. She turned to Jacob at one scene where one of the protagonists was killed with a pair of scissors, a trademark she had insisted on. She smiled to herself after she had heard some people scream, including some of her friends. She saw him smile and look over to her.
"They like it." Jacob whispered to her. She turned back to watch some of the critics. She noticed that many of them completely stopped writing anything. They seemed absorbed in the movie. Then came the big finale, the part that was a reason of so many frustrations. She watched as everybody was looking on, waiting for something to happen. When the melting scene came, she heard people behind her gasp. It was amazingly done. Right now she was happy she didn't settle for another ending. When the credits began to roll, the crowd began a long, honest applause. Comments like "awesome" and "scary as hell" made her light up even more. The guys got up and left the theatre as it was the last movie shown that day.
"I guess they liked it." Andrew said with a smirk as they were standing outside.
"I guess." Jade said with a smile. She felt like the pressure of the world had been lifted off her shoulders.
"Excuse me; are you the director of the last movie?" A man came up to the young Goth. Jade, startled at first, nodding.
"My name is Frank Mitchell. I am the owner of " He said.
"Oh my god, I know that website. I'm there all the time. Nice to meet you." She said as she extended her hand. He shook it and continued.
"I loved your movie. I will review and recommend it on my site. Was this your first work?"
"Y… yes it was."
"Well, you did a fantastic job. I have to go now. You can find the review on the website tomorrow." He said as he left. Jade watched him leave with her jaw dropped.
"Only one of the biggest horror websites in the country is going to recommend the movie. Well, that's a nice start." Jacob said with a grin. More critics approached Jade in a short amount of time. But the reaction was always the same. Praise and congratulations. An hour later, everyone was in a restaurant Monica had told them about.
"Well Jade, you certainly don't seem nervous anymore." Beck joked, seemingly reading everyone's mind as everyone nodded and laughed.
"Oh come on. How could I have known that everyone would like it?" Jade almost begged.
"Next time you will listen to us when we say it's good." Andrew said. "But now that I'm looking at everything, Jade, did you base the characters on your friends?" Andrew asked, earning a confused look from everyone.
"No, I mean, physically, it's a match. A the dark haired girl who is a writer, the redhead who survives, and is a actress, the brown haired singer who sacrifices herself to save the redhead, the tall boyfriend who searches for the killer, the black friend with dreads and a tall, skinny guy with curly hair and glasses." Andrew said, pointing at everyone as he was listing the characters. Everyone turned to Jade, who was blushing I bit.
"Now it makes sense." Robbie said.
"I guess we now know who she loves the most." Rachel said as she looked over at the other redhead on the table.
"I agree. Looks like you managed to kill off everyone, including yourself, but couldn't kill Cat." Jacob said with a smirk as he took another sip of his drink. The gang turned to Jade.
"I… I simply had an inspiration. I mean, it fit's perfectly into the story." She tried to explain.
"You had me murdered with a pair of scissors into my throat!" Andre yelled in an overdramatic manner as he mimicked a stabbing movement, making everyone at the table laugh.
"Hey, I should be mad, she killed me off." Beck protested. "I mean, I'm her boyfriend, and I get killed before I get my revenge? That was not me." He over dramatized himself. Everyone joined in, pointing out details and laughing at the comments they made, Beck and Andre being the worst. During all this, Jade felt a hand take hers. She turned to her left to see Cat looking at her with a smile.
"So you didn't kill me off, huh?" Cat asked. Jade shook her head.
"I couldn't. But I didn't expect anyone would notice." Jade honestly admitted.
"I still don't know how a five foot four girl can kill a six foot seven monster, but hey, it's a movie right." They heard Andrew join in. "And why are you guys complaining? I had my inner organs melted trough acid. I should be the one who is mad!" he said, acting offended.
"You really suck at acting. Good thing you didn't have any dialogue." Jacob said as he looked over at his friend.
"Oh, I'm sorry that I'm alive." He said with a grimace.
The whole evening went that way. Everyone had fun as they continued to talk about the movie and the people's reaction. Jade was somewhat listening, but spent most of her time talking to Cat, who was still thrilled that her character was the only one who survived.
The next morning the gang was woken up by a loud knock on the door. Tori got up, half asleep, and opened the door to see Jacob and Andrew stand there.
"Hey Tori, are they still sleeping?" Andrew asked, peeking inside.
"Yeah. It's only… 8:30 AM." Tori said after a quick look at the clock. Andrew and Jacob walked in anyway. She noticed them carrying some newspapers.
"Guys, get up, I have to show you something." Jacob yelled. A few moments later, everyone was gathered in the living room, not in a very pleasant mood.
"What is it?" Jade finally asked. Jacob gave her a newspaper opened inside out at one page. She looked at the marked article, her eyes growing wide as she read on.
"What is it?" Cat asked. Jade began reading out loud.
"An incredible combination of atmosphere and horror." She read the first line of the review. Everyone slowly began waking up when she read it. She looked back at Jacob, who handed her another one.
"The way a kid's song and a toy are used to freak you out is incredible and not seen since clockwork orange!" Andre read out loud as he stared at the article.
"And I could give you ten more that praise it." Jacob told her throwing all the newspapers on the table. "And those aren't just local papers."
"How did you…?" Jade tried to ask.
"Jacob and I went to drink a morning coffee and I bought one of those newspapers. When I saw a review of our movie, a bought one of each newspaper they had. Guess what the two of us found in almost all of them?" Andrew said as he sat down on the table.
"And my bosses are more than happy about that." Jacob said. "They called me and told me to tell you, that we are going distribute it in every major theater in the country." Jacob proudly announced. Jade couldn't believe what she had just heard. She jumped right into his arms, hugging him for dear life. Everyone else congratulated Jade.
"What now?" Beck asked, looking at the producer.
"Now, we are going to show the movie in the cinemas. The premiere is in a month in New York. You guys want to come?" he asked, looking at them. They all turned to Jade.
"Your decision." Beck told her. She took a moment to think. After a minute, she finally spoke up.
"No. Right now, I simply want to go home." She said, looking at her friends
"You don't want to stay until the end of the festival?" Robbie asked. Jade only shook her head.
"No. I simply want to go home again. I need a break from directing." She said with a small laugh as she looked at her friends, and then at Jacob and Andrew.
"I understand. It was a pleasure working with you." He said as he offered his hand for a handshake. She took it, but then pulled him in a hug.
"Thank you for the opportunity. You are the best boss ever." She said softly. She tried to prevent herself from crying, but she was overexcited right now.
"No problem. You did a great job. If you write another script, send it directly to me. I would love to work with you again." He told her.
"If you need another villain, I'm available." Andrew said as he walked over and gave her a goodbye hug.
"You are going to be my first choice." Jade told him as she hugged him back.
"It was nice meeting you all. Maybe we can work together too. Have a nice trip. And watch out for her. She really is a jewel." Jacob said as he and Andrew left. The others waved them goodbye.
"Wait! The apartment, you need the…"
"I got the spare key. Just clean it up a bit before you leave." Jacob told her as he shut the door.
"So, you want to go home?" Tori asked her. Jade only nodded.
"Then let's pack our things and go. I'll call a cab." Andre said as he began making his bed. They left that day, arriving at the airport in the evening. Jade couldn't wait to see her house again. The cab dropped her off last. She walked into her house, happy to be back for good.
She walked towards her room and dropped her luggage. She lied down in her bed and closed her eyes, enjoying the moment. When she heard the door open, she snapped out of her thoughts. She walked downstairs to see her father walk in. He came back from a business trip.
"Dad!" Jade yelled as she ran downstairs, crushing her surprised father with a hug.
"Jade!" He said as he hugged her back. He kissed the top of her head as they walked towards the living room and sat down.
"Dad, the movie great! The critics…"
"I know." He interrupted her as he placed today's newspaper on the table. "I'm extremely proud of you. You followed your dream and were successful with it. I'm sorry I hadn't taken them seriously before." He apologized.
"Thank you." She said as she hugged him again. After they talked for another hour, she went upstairs. She was tired and needed to sleep. The moment she lied down into her bed, the dream world took her in.
A month had passed since she came home. She took the finals and passed them all with hard work and some help from her friends who helped her catch up. Right now, they were sitting at their café again. They were talking about random things and the plans for the summer. During all this, Jade hadn't even managed to see how the movie was going.
"I knew I would find you here." They were interrupted by a man in a suit who parked next to them.
"Jacob?" She gasped.
"Mhm. I have to leave soon, but since I was in LA I figured I'll bring you the numbers." He gave her a sheet of paper. On it was the data about how much money it made in what week and how much it made after the first month final.
"As you see, it made five million on the first weekend. You had a 250% profit in only three days. That's impressive." He said as he pointed at the numbers. "Now, looking at how it drew 30 million dollars in a month, and how we agreed on a three percent share, I guess that makes you a millionaire." He simply said while everyone sat there, stunned at the news.
"Well, if it makes any more money, you will get your share. I have to go now, got a lot of work. And my offer still stands. You write something again, call me." He told her as he got back into his car and left, leaving the gang sitting in silence.
"Oh… my… god…" Jade only muttered, barely.
"Jade, you did it!" Cat squealed as she gave Jade a hug.
"Congratulations." Everyone said. It took her a while to rearrange her thoughts again, but after half an hour, she finally did it.
"What are you going to do now? You could immediately jump to directing." Robbie told her.
"I'll finish school first. But right now, I simply want to enjoy my summer. I need a break from directing." Jade told the others and they nodded, understanding. Jade looked back at the past six months. The hard work she had put into it. The ups and the downs. And looking back at it, she only concluded one thing. It was worth it.