TO HAVE & HAVE NOT

15

Olivia

I was on a power high after that night, a feeling that pulsed through me like an intoxicating adrenaline rush, leaving me exhilarated and dizzy with possibilities. It all began with a text from Leo, the kind of high-profile man whose presence alone could command a room, just an hour after we parted ways at the party, asking if I wanted to have coffee the following morning.

Those words flickered on my screen like a beacon, warming me from within, yet a voice lingered in my mind, echoing CeCe's advice to make him wait it out, to play it cool, and not reveal my eagerness too swiftly. After all, a man like him must be used to instant gratification, and I wasn't one to be easily accessible, a notion that made my heart race with excitement and trepidation.

Days passed in a flurry of anticipation, each moment a careful balance between the thrill of potential and the need for patience. Finally, I met up with Leo, and as we exchanged pleasantries over steaming mugs of coffee, he leaned in and asked if I would consider auditioning for a film he was starring in. My heart leaped at the suggestion. Though it was only a minor role, it represented something monumental: a tangible stepping stone in a world that has always felt just out of reach, a chance to prove myself, to entwine further our paths in this industry that both excited and terrified me.

Without hesitation, I jumped at the opportunity, the notion of transforming this fleeting moment into a stepping stone to success invigorating me further.

After the coffee date with Leo, exhilaration coursed through me like an electric current, prompting me to reach for my phone and call my father.

"I've got good news, Dad! I'm going to be starring in a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio!" I shouted into the receiver, my heart racing as I strolled down the bustling sidewalk, the city's vibrant energy mirroring my own.

"Will you be the lead?" he asked, his voice laced with excitement and hope.

"No, just staring, but I'll be getting a lot of screen time," I replied cheerfully, feeling as if I could touch the sky with my fingertips.

A moment later, I was met with my father's booming voice on the other end, "I am so proud of you. Hollywood! I knew you could do it!" His joy was palpable, igniting a fire I hadn't felt in ages.

Life was finally aligning for me—that's how it seemed. With CeCe in my corner to celebrate my small victories and Sam moved in with us, our apartment transformed into a sanctuary of laughter and long conversations that spilled late into the night. It was a girls' night every night, filled with dreams, gossip, and the bonds of friendship solidifying amidst the chaos of our lives.

Sam had also begun her foray into acting, quickly climbing the ranks and capturing the attention of the charming, tall blonde model, Nate. He swept her off her feet and introduced us to his equally captivating friends, Fin and Selena. The whirlwind of new faces and stories flooded our lives with excitement, and I couldn't help but feel that the universe was finally aligning the stars for us, painting the backdrop of our lives with vibrant strokes of opportunity and friendship.

I could almost hear the distant echo of dreams taking flight, and for the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to believe that maybe, just maybe, everything was falling into place.