endlessly

34

"Alright everyone, we'll continue with monologues next class, make sure to submit your peer critiques for today's monologues by the end of the day!" Tatum's professor states as the acting students leave the performance hall. Tatum and Jules both performed today. The brunette is actually glad Jules made her perform because she didn't feel nervous performing in front of the others.

"Do you wanna grab lunch? On me?" Jules asks as she and Tatum get up to leave.

"Sure!"

"Oh, hey, Tatum," A familiar girl stops the two girls on their way out, "Can I talk to you?"

"Uh, yeah, sure," Tatum answers hesitantly. The girl seems familiar but she doesn't know from where, "I'll catch up with you in a second."

"Okay, no rush, I'll wait by the parking lot," Jules smiles. She leaves Tatum and the other girl.

"So, how have you been?" The girl asks, smiling. Her smile makes Tatum immediately recognize her. It's Elodie, a cast member of Sadie's, although the two never directly worked together. Tatum met her at the Hollywood pool party.

"I'm fine," Tatum answers, "How did you know I go here?"

"I have connections," She answers with a slight grin and shrug of her shoulders, "I'll make this quick... here."

She thrusts an envelope at Tatum. The brunette opens it and pulls out a thick wad of paper. She quickly skims its contents, "What is this?"

"A contract deal. I was wondering if you wanted to come be my personal assistant," She smiles. Although Tatum can tell there's more to this contract deal, especially with how things went down at the pool party.

"Oh, I already am working for someone," Tatum answers.

"Yeah, you're working for multiple actresses, why not add another? I pay well," Elodie grins. Tatum doesn't reply, prompting Elodie to ask, "What do they pay you? I bet I could double whatever you make now."

"Elodie... I just... don't think I can add anymore work on top of the others," She tries to let her down easily, "And school! I'm already so busy."

"Well, I bet I could pay enough for you to just come work for me. Then you wouldn't be so busy and you could focus all your attention on one actress," Elodie grins again. Tatum begins to wonder if people could tell that there was something going on between her and the girls.

"I... I don't know, I really like ——"

"Just think about it. You don't have to get back to me today," Elodie smiles. She walks forward to stop at Tatum's ear, "Just think. My bed has room for two."

And with that, she walks away. Tatum is left with the stupid contract in her hand. She shakes her head and walks in the opposite direction, toward the parking lot.

"Who was that?" Jules asks when Tatum comes close enough to hear her.

"Elodie. She worked on Stranger Things 4 and she was at the Hollywood pool party the girls took me to," Tatum explains. She gets into Jules' passenger seat.

"And what did she want?"

Tatum sighs, "She gave me this." She hands the papers to Jules, "A contract deal. To work with her."

"Holy shit," Jules comments, looking over the contract.

"Yeah, and she made a comment about her bed having room for two, so I don't think she really cares about having a personal assistant," Tatum explains, "Just a person to hook up with."

"You're not going to sign this, right?" Jules asks, looking up from the papers.

"Of course not. I wouldn't leave the girls, especially not after becoming another partner," She says, "Should I tell the girls about it? Do you think they'd be mad?"

"No. You should tell them. I'm sure they'll just have their agent speak to Elodie's," Jules advises. Tatum nods and they begin their journey to find a place for lunch.

***

"Hey!" Sadie greets Tatum when she walks in the front door.

"Hi!" Tatum smiles. She quickly runs upstairs to drop off her backpack. She notices Emma's room door is closed. She furrows her eyebrows at the sight before returning downstairs, "Is Emma ok?"

"She's sick, must've gotten a virus or something," Sadie answers.

"Oh, that's not fun," Tatum frowns.

"Yeah, Jenna's been taking care of her, she'll be okay in a couple days hopefully," The redhead replies. She sits with Mikey on the couch.

"Did you perform today?" Mikey asks. She has her computer on her lap, but looks up to make eye contact with Tatum as she sits next to Sadie.

"Yeah, I think it went really well. I wasn't nervous at all!" She smiles.

"Good!"

"Anything else interesting happen?" Sadie asks. Tatum thinks for a moment. She thinks about her conversation with Elodie. She knows she should just tell the girls, but she doesn't want them to get mad.

"Uh, no, not really," Tatum answers, "Just normal school things."

"Do you enjoy going there?" Mikey asks.

"Oh yeah, school is just school, you know?" She replies. The door to Emma's room opens.

"Mikey, can you come up? I need a little backup," Jenna's voice calls.

"Coming!" Mikey answers. She stands up and goes to the stairs.

"Oh, hey, Tatum, did Rick send you the details for my photoshoot?" Sadie asks.

"Yes! I didn't look over the email entirely, but it's on Saturday, right?"

"Yeah. And... Do you think... you could help me with the shoot?" The redhead asks nervously.

Tatum furrows her eyebrows, "Help you how?"

"Well, it's... it's a Calvin Klein photoshoot," Sadie says hesitantly.

"Oh." Everyone knows that the brand is known for its underwear line, "You want me to help you with the underwear?"

"Well, I mean... like... do you think you could also get some photos done? So I don't feel awkward standing in my underwear?" She asks.

Tatum isn't so sure about getting her pictures taken in her underwear, but this is her job, "Uh, yeah, sure."

"Really?"

"Yeah, if it will help," Tatum smiles from seeing relief wash over Sadie's face.

"Yes, it will. Thank you!" The redhead hugs the brunette. Emma's door opens again.

"Tatum?" Mikey calls.

"Yeah?"

"Can you contact Emma's directors? There's no way she can go to set tomorrow."

"Yeah, I'll call them right now," Tatum stands up from the couch, pulling her phone out.

"Tatum?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you also stay home with Emma tomorrow? Jenna has filming, I have a wardrobe fitting, and Sadie has her interview," Mikey says.

"Yeah, of course!"