-Jermaine-
It had been three days since the social event. I had so much shit to get done and my schedule was crammed to the max. Meetings and gigs back to back.
This was one of the things I hated about being known... everybody wants a piece of your time so you never have any to your self. But the women also want a piece of something else, so that was a plus.
And I hate to be like one of those lame niggas from the rom-coms but even with all I had going on, I couldn't get Ashanti out of my head. I had replayed our conversation over and over in my head so many times I could probably act it out like a script.
I don't blame her for leaving, I probably sounded like such a dickhead. Why would I say that shit?
I paused shaving my face and sat the razor down. I stared at myself in the mirror as I realized I was about to do some corny nigga shit.
I pulled out my phone and googled her full name.
Immediately all her social medias appeared, along with a bunch of interviews, talk shows, and paparazzi images.
I clicked on her Instagram and saw she had over 2 million followers. I scrolled through damn near all of her photos, but I focused on her most recent post.
It was the look she had at the event. This girl was fine man. It didn't even look like she had to try. I debated on whether or not to interact, and decided I might as well. I followed her and liked the photo.
Yes, that was a little boy move but I wasn't feeling bold enough to dm her just yet. I put the phone down and continued my shave routine.
-Ashanti-
I let out a small chuckle as I checked my inbox.
Well look who it is.
I found it cute how he went out of his way to find my socials. I hit the follow back button as I scanned his page.
The lord took his time with this man and it showed. I liked one of his pictures in return. I felt giddy like a middle schooler.
"Earth to Shanti..." I looked up from my phone to see my best friend Chardonnay looking at me like I'd lost my head. I stopped swiveling in her tall kitchen
stool.
"Sorry, what were you saying?"
"I was asking how the date went?"
Ever since Nay had gotten engaged, she's been hell-bent on finding me a man. And last night she had set me up on a blind date.
Yes, a blind date at my big age of 27. And it went horribly, might I add.
"Not good, that man is the most self absorbed person I have every met. It felt like I was fighting to get a word in!" She fixed her lips into a pout at my response.
"But Shanti," she dragged out the end of my name. "You didn't even give him a chance!"
"How could I when he didn't even give me a chance to speak? I basically got cute to hear his autobiography." I leaned forward onto the kitchen islands and rested my chin on my fist.
"Well hey, he was one of many fish in the sea! We're gonna find yours boo." She placed her hand under my chin and lifted it up before walking over to stove to start cooking. I smiled at her mother-like tendencies and went to wash my hands so that I could join her.
~
The next morning I woke up in a good mood. I sprung up out of my bed in an almost cartoonish way, and started to get ready for my busy day.
I had an audition for an upcoming movie today. It was called Through The Darkness. It's the story of two teens dealing with mental illness who helped and healed each other in their own way and of course, the birth of their love.
I had fallen in love with the script as soon as I read it. My manager, Mike, had got it personally sent to me early by the director because they had been friends for years. Even though I had connections, I still wanted to move the judges with my talent and really earn the role myself.
Even though modeling was my main income, I had loved acting since I was young. I used to be so insecure, so putting on a mask and being someone else had become natural for me over my teenage years. It was like a light switch. On, off. On, off. Whenever I wanted.
But I was never a fake, two-faced person. I just never let anyone see anything I didn't want them to.
I put on a white button up tee and tied it in the front. I paired it with my light wash mom jeans and some strappy white heels. I grabbed my purse, packed it with my essentials, and of course put on my jewelry.
When I walked out of the house I saw Mike and the car waiting in the driveway. I hopped in the back and said a quick good morning which he returned as he signaled for the driver to go. Me and Mike had an agreement that any car rides before 10AM were silent, because neither of us were very talkative in the mornings and forced small talk wasn't our thing. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the smooth jazz on the radio.
~
About 45 minutes later we arrived at the facility where they were holding auditions. I got out of the car and me and Mike made our way to the front entrance.
"Now are you sure you want to go through all this Ashanti? We could have just sent a quick video, your role would have basically been secured."
"No, I want the same chance as everyone else. It won't feel as rewarding if I don't feel like I've earned it, Mike." He sighed, nodded, and placed a hand on the small of my back as we entered the doors.
I took a second to take in the scenery. A few girls were gathered around a long table set with bowls of many different fruits and finger foods. All the other girls were sitting anxiously, reading over their scripts and replaying every line trying to perfect them. I knew because I was the same way every audition.
Me and Mike had a seat and watched as one at a time, they went in the audition room excitedly and came out with a disappointed look on their face. One girl even came out crying. Yikes.
I heard Mike snort under his breath. I gave him a side-eye and he coughed and sat upright.
I was auditioning for the lead female role, Layla. I related to her because she goes through some of the same things I did as a child.
After what felt like ages, a head popped out of the room and called my name. I got up out of my seat and Mike followed. As soon as we walked in a deep voice greeted us.
"Hello hello! You must be Mike's girl! I'm Jason, the director." As I approached the table he extended a hand for me to shake.
"Ashanti Miller, pleasure to meet you." I shook it. Him and Mike exchanged greetings as well as I scanned the room.
It was basically empty, because there wasn't much space to put anything. It was small and crowded with just enough space for the judging table, a wooden floor, and a few chairs scattered around the place. And in one of the chairs sat Jermaine, aimlessly scrolling on his phone.
You gotta be kidding me.
"You're getting good at this stalking shit. You know it's a crime, right?"
