Chapter 4: Callbacks

"Who did you read for?" Misaki asked.

"The enchantress," Sakura said. "I have the perfect face for it but it doesn't require too much acting. It might have singing though!" she added. "Benedict is considering for me to sing for the sound track."

"You should have read for a bigger role," Misaki said. "You could have played a much bigger part."

Sakura sighed. "Not really," she said. "I may have been in the industry longer than you but you are a much better actress. I was shifting more toward music these days anyways," she told Misaki.

"You don't want to act anymore?" Misaki asked.

Sakura rested her chin on her propped up elbow.

"Don't get me wrong, I love acting," Sakura paused. "But I've discovered this connection with music. I know plenty of singers who rock both worlds but I don't really know which I should pursue more."

Misaki nodded. "Are you still with Kuuga?" she asked.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "We weren't ever technically together," she said. "It's just an image for the press. I don't think we've actually had a real conversation outside of the studio before."

"Why don't you set everyone straight then?"

Sakura poured herself a glass of champagne. "My publicist says it will ease me into the circles if I'm with Kuuga."

"But don't you feel horrible?"

"Not really... We're friends in the studio and acquaintances outside. It's just an act. It's not a big deal."

Misaki nodded, pretending to understand.

"What about you?" Sakura asked, leaning closer. "I heard Takumi Usui was reading for Derek. Maybe you'll get Marina and he'll get Derek!" she squealed.

Misaki rolled her eyes. "I don't even know him."

"Have you seen Crossroads?" Sakura asked. "He's gorgeous."

"I've seen a little bit," Misaki said.

"He's so charming," Sakura stated.

Misaki shrugged. "He doesn't seem to really like me," she told Sakura. "I ran into him when I was out this one day and then at the audition. He kept telling me to quit."

"What?!" Sakura exclaimed. "He told you to quit?!"

"Well, he said I wasn't tough enough for this industry," Misaki explained. "He thinks I'll crack under the pressure. I guess it was more like a recommendation that I get out of this world as soon as I can."

Sakura snorted. "It's not like he's worried about you stealing his parts," she said. "Maybe he doesn't want to compete with anyone in the spot light."

"He doesn't seem like that kind of person,"

"Oh Misaki…" Sakura chided. "No one is at they seem. Don't be fooled so easily."

"Maybe, this isn't right for me…" Misaki muttered.

Sakura squeezed Misaki's hand. "You're just new," she reassured her. "Once you understand how we function, you'll fit right in besides what a waste of talent if you don't."

"Thanks," Misaki replied, squeezing her friend's hand back.

"I got a gym session in half an hour," Sakura said. "Feel free to hang around if you want."

"It's okay," Misaki said. "I should get back too."

That night Misaki called her mom.

"Hello?" Minako answered.

"Hi Mom,"

"Misaki!" she greeted, warmly. "I saw you on TV the other night. Are you doing well?"

"Yeah," Misaki said, settling down onto her couch. "I'm auditioning for another movie."

"Oh wonderful-" Minako coughed a few times.

"Mom, are you not feeling well?"

"It's nothing," Minako reassured her daughter. "All those specialists you got me are keeping me very healthy."

"I'm glad," Misaki said with a smile.

Her mom had always been sickly. She use to always cough but it's gotten a lot better with the fancy medicine they've never been able to afford…until now. Retirement and a doctor have done wonders for Minako. Without Misaki's success, none of this was possible.

Misaki wondered some days what her drive was now. She's lived almost her entire life for others and now it was all just for herself…it was a rather strange feeling.

"You must be busy," Misaki said. "I'll call again in a few days."

"Alright. Take care, Misa,"

"Bye,"

Misaki hung up and laid back on her couch. Her laptop laid on the coffee table. It had been weeks since she's opened it. She didn't want to read about herself on the internet. Thousands- no millions of people were discussing her. No one understood what it felt like to be a star. It was very glamorous but the price you pay is even greater.

When Misaki first started becoming famous, she once curiously read a forum about herself. It shocked her how her every action was being analyzed. A girl wrote how much she hated Misaki and everything about her. Misaki on the other hand wondered how anyone could hate someone they've never met. She wasn't as naïve as Takumi thought. She's heard the things said about her. Talentless, ugly, fake, try hard, mistake, snob… Everyone had their own opinion about this person they've never met.

Buzz! Buzz!

Misaki woke up to her phone vibrating.

"Hello?" she asked, answering it.

"MISAKI!" Satsuki squealed. "They want to see you again for Red Rider!"

"What?!" Misaki exclaimed, jerking out of bed. "You're kidding!"

"Give me the phone," Honoka demanded when Satsuki started mumbling. "Misaki? Okay, so they want to see you today. I know it's rushed but this is good news. They are considering you and two other girls. I have no idea how they made cuts but you really do have a shot at Marina."

"I- I…What should I do?" Misaki asked.

"Your prep crew should be arriving any second. Satsuki and I are pulling into the parking lot. Just go shower or something."

"Oh, okay," Misaki said, throwing back the covers.

By the time she was out of her shower, her living room had been set up for her.

"Congrats!" they all cheered.

"Not yet," Honoka said. "We still have a LOT of work to do."

Misaki sat in her swivel chair so Subaru could work on her hair.

"I want a very natural look," Honoka directed. "We'll play up the fresh face look. I have a feeling Benedict Riser wants someone fresh."

Misaki's hair was left loose and soft. Her outfit was a pale robin egg blue t-shirt with a short white skirt over it. The skirt had panels of little stones in a mosaic pattern. A checkered belt clinched around her small waist. Her only jewelry was a thin gold chain.

"It looks effortless," Honoka agreed, examining Misaki over.

They headed over to a studio where Misaki sat in a room with just Benedict Riser and Regina Frank.

"Hello," Benedict said, shaking her hand. "It's nice to see you again."

"Hi," Misaki said. "It's nice to see you and Regina again too."

"So you've probably heard. We've narrowed twenty girls down to three," Benedict said, twirling a pen around.

Misaki wondered why Benedict's shirts were always wrinkled. His hair was tousled and a cup of coffee was in his other hand. He almost looked like he just rolled out of bed.

"Yes…" was all Misaki could think of to say.

"I don't know what I'd do without my lovely Regina," Benedict said. "I could not decide on who I should choose."

"So I suggested that he just put all thoughts aside and draw his version of Marina Cleo," Regina explained. "Beni is quite the artist."

Misaki just nodded, wondering where this was leading.

Benedict held up the paper to Misaki. She walked over and took it from him. At first glance, she was shocked. His detailed pencil drawing resembled her. It wasn't exactly like her but the eyes and mouth were very close.

"What are you saying…?" Misaki asked, slowly.

Benedict shrugged. "I did not think your audition was the best. It was very very good but there are plenty of more experienced actresses who auditioned," he explained. "But I still couldn't decide. Regina suggested we go see a movie and maybe we can scout an actress. Guess what we ended up watching?"

Misaki bit her lower lip.

"Sparrow," Benedict filled in when she didn't say anything. "There's something about you," he said. "You are so charismatic on camera. It's like a way for you to channel your emotions. You seemed very calm and professional on the outside but you have all these emotions on the inside."

Benedict slid off his glasses and set them on the table. "Tell me, Misaki. What's your drive?"

Misaki cleared her throat. "My family," she said. "I wouldn't be the Misaki Ayuzawa I am today without them."

"You ever have a boyfriend?"

"Um…no,"

"How do you know of that kind of love then?"

"I don't," Misaki said, honestly. "But Jackie Sparrow did. I'm not Misaki on the screen but Jackie."

Benedict digested her words. "Tell me something else," he said. "What do you think movie will do for you? More fame? An Oscar? I know what all the agents are telling their clients. Are you in this for the Oscar?"

Misaki felt a small smile touch her lips. "Fame is worth only so much to me," she told him. "It's here one day and then tomorrow it's gone. I love acting. I missed out on all those school plays and drama clubs. All I ever was to help my family and to be an actress."

"Does anyone interpret your words as fake?"

"Yes. They do," Misaki said. "What is real then?" she asked.

"Well many actors are known for their down to earth personality. They're always just silly and joking," Benedict explained.

"But that's not me," Misaki said.

"Last thing," Benedict said. "Why do you deserve this part?"

"Because I will give it everything I have."

"Thank you. That's all I wanted to ask today," Benedict said. "I'll be making my decision soon."

Misaki thanked them and walked out of the studio. Honoka texted her saying she had a meeting to go to.

Misaki tried to open her water bottle with shaking hands. The bottle slipped out of her hands and landed onto the linoleum floor. She kneeled down to pick it up. Her phone then fell out of her pocket and clattered onto the floor too.

A hand reached down and picked it up for her. Misaki looked up.

"You again…" she said, looking at Takumi.

"Seems we're always seeing each other," Takumi said. "It seems almost set up how we keep meeting," he said.

He took Misaki's hand and gently helped her up. Misaki felt rather strange because he held her hand like a prince would a princess. She quickly retracted her hand and thanked him. They stood there looking at each other for a moment.

"I have to go," Misaki said, avoiding his eyes.

"Good bye,"

Misaki walked away but couldn't resist a backward glance to see if he was still looking at her. He was. She quickly turned and left the building.

"Hmm…" Benedict said, peering around the corner. "It's about time, I got them to interact a bit more."

"Oh Beni," Regina said, poking him. "You know you want to cast Misaki but you keep making life difficult for her."

"I just wanted to make sure she was perfect…" Benedict stated, walking back into the studio. "I kept scheduling Takumi Usui right after Misaki Ayuzawa but I didn't catch their interaction last time. Misaki disappeared way too fast."

"Are you satisfied now?" Regina asked.

"For now…" Benedict said.

He flipped over his board of photos so it was facing him. His hand swept up a photo of Misaki and tacked it next to Takumi Usui's headshot.

"Do you think she knew we were watching?" he wondered.

"Takumi maybe-"

"Of course I did," came a voice by the door. "Benedict Riser," he greeted.

Benedict cracked a smile. "Not surprised," he muttered. "You and I have been acquainted for a long time," he said, sitting down. "Your honest opinion of Miss Ayuzawa."

Takumi closed his eyes for a moment. "She doesn't belong in this cutthroat world," he thought to himself. "She has yet to pay the price for fame."

Of course, he couldn't say this out loud.

"She's very talented," he told Benedict. "Very respectable actress."

"Did he give any hint if he wanted you for the part?" Honoka demanded. "Tell me word for word what he said."

Misaki repeated her interview again.

"I have no idea," Misaki said, exasperated. "It's killing me. He's says I'm great for the part but then say's I'm not. Then say's I am again. I don't even know."

"There there," Satsuki soothed. "Give it time," she comforted. "Just worry about what's happening now."

"You mean the Glamour photo shoot?" Misaki asked.

"Precisely!" Satsuki said. "They want you on the cover of this month's edition."

They got to the building and were directed to a brightly lit studio.

"Hello!" a super tall women greeted. "My name is Pamela and I will be shooting you today."

Misaki shook hands and went behind a screen to change into a robe. She then sat down in front of a table full of makeup and hair products. The stylists there got to work immediately. One rolled her hair up in rollers while the other dabbed foundation on her face.

"So the scenery is by a stone wall," Pamela informed her. "We want a beautiful and soft look."

When Misaki was released from the chair, she got changed into a high low nude dress. The dress has clutters of pink flowers and a long gauzy train. Sporting 5 inch nude heels, Misaki carefully walked outside. She took her place by the stone wall and straightened out her train.

Pamela already had a crew waiting with lighting and a fan. Misaki leaned against the wall and gave a small smile.

"Good," Pamela said. "Chin down a little. Good,"

The camera clicked over and over as Misaki switched up her poses.

"Okay, I want you to hold you train in your hand," Pamela instructed. "When I tell you you're going to drop it."

Misaki nodded and lifted up her train.

"Now!"

As her train was fluttering down to the ground, Pamela took several shots.

"Fierce look!" Pamela ordered.

Misaki wasn't much of a model but did her best to follow the instructions given to her.

"I think we have it," Pamela said, standing behind a screen and flipping through the pictures. "These are gorgeous."

"Thank you," Misaki said, stepping off the stone platform.

Honoka gave her a hand so she wouldn't fall on her face in the high heels. Misaki changed back into her street clothes and got into the car waiting for her.

"Good afternoon," Stan greeted.

"Hi Stan," Misaki said, buckling herself in.

On the car ride back to Misaki's suite, Satsuki's phone rang.

"SHH!" Satsuki hissed. "I think it's Benedict Riser!"

Stan even slowed down a little. Everyone held their breath as Satsuki answered the phone.

"Miss Ayuzawa's publicist, Satsuki speaking," Satsuki said in a very professional voice.

The three women all squeezed hands.

"Why hello, Mr. Riser," Satsuki greeted. "How are you?"

There was a pause. Satsuki's eyes widened.

"I will let her know," Satsuki promised. She started nodding at Honoka and Misaki with a huge smile on her face. "Thank you very much, Mr. Riser. We will get in touch soon. Thank you again. Bye…"

Satsuki hung up. "MISAKI! YOU GOT THE PART!"

Misaki felt her jaw drop open. "What?!" she screamed.

"YOU GOT THE PART!" Satsuki cheered.

Misaki was speechless. "I'm…playing Marina Cleo…?" she asked, bewildered.

"Yes," Honoka said, squeezing her shoulder. "You did well, Misaki."

Misaki just felt a smile light up her entire face… She was going to star in a Benedict Riser movie…