𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘢 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵? 𝘸.𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭

002 - pain

Annika slouched in her usual spot at the back of the art room, lazily sketching a scene from her favorite graphic novel as the afternoon sun streamed in through the windows. The soft hum of chatter filled the room as students worked on their projects, but Annika remained focused, her headphones blasting music to drown out the noise. Art class was her escape, her sanctuary amidst the chaos of her everyday life.

"Annika!" Maria's voice cut through the music as she slid into the seat next to her, a mischievous grin on her face. Annika reluctantly pulled out an earbud and raised an eyebrow.

"What's up, Maria?" she asked, setting down her pencil.

Maria leaned in conspiratorially. "You know how you're always saying you need something different to shake things up?"

Annika snorted. "Yeah, but I was thinking more along the lines of dyeing my hair, not anything crazy."

Maria waved a dismissive hand. "Hear me out. There's an audition for this new show, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians". They're casting for Aphrodite's daughter—Percy's love interest. You should totally go for it."

Annika blinked, caught off guard. "Me? Acting? Nah, I'll leave that for the professionals," she replied with a chuckle. The idea seemed absurd—standing in front of people, pretending to be someone she wasn't. It was far from her comfort zone.

"Come on, Annika," Maria urged, undeterred. "You're always saying you want to try something new. And you've got the look—they're looking for someone edgy and unique. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? You don't get it, and we laugh about it later."

Annika hesitated, mulling it over. "I don't know..."

"At least audition," Maria pressed. "Think of it as a chance to prove everyone wrong about who they think you are."

Something about Maria's words struck a chord with Annika. There was a part of her that craved change, that wanted to challenge herself beyond the confines of her art and music. "Alright," she finally conceded, "I'll give it a shot. But only if you come with me."

Maria beamed triumphantly. "Deal. We'll make a day of it."

Annika found herself at the auditions a week later, nervously tapping her foot as she waited for her turn. The room buzzed with energy, aspiring actors practicing their lines, and casting agents shuffling through paperwork. Annika felt out of place in her worn jeans and oversized hoodie, but Maria was beside her, offering reassuring smiles and a steady presence.

When her name was called, Annika took a deep breath and stepped forward, doing her best to push aside her nerves. The script in her hands felt foreign, the lines strange on her tongue, but she threw herself into the role with all the intensity she could muster. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once, a rush of adrenaline that left her breathless.

A few days later, Annika received a call that stunned her into silence: she had landed the role. She was going to play Aphrodite's daughter, Percy's love interest. The realization was surreal, a mix of disbelief and excitement that left her reeling.

There was just one catch—Walker Scobell, her ex-boyfriend, had been cast as Percy Jackson, her on-screen love interest. The news hit Annika like a bolt of lightning, dredging up memories she'd tried to bury. They hadn't ended on bad terms, but seeing him again, working with him, would undoubtedly stir up emotions she wasn't sure she was ready to face.

Maria was over the moon when she heard the news. "See? I told you you could do it!" she exclaimed, hugging Annika tightly. "This is going to be amazing. Who cares if Walker's in it? You're gonna shine, and that's all that matters."

Annika nodded, trying to muster the same confidence Maria had in her. "Yeah, I'm gonna shine.." Maybe this was exactly what she needed—a chance to step out of her comfort zone, face her past, and discover who she was meant to be.