Fuck it I love you

4

Months passed, filled with anticipation and a mix of emotions as I waited for news about my audition. The whirlwind of rehearsals and my mom's tour kept me busy, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the excitement—and anxiety—of what might happen next.

Then, one crisp afternoon, my phone buzzed with an incoming call that made my heart leap into my throat. I glanced at the screen and saw a number I didn't recognize. A mix of hope and dread washed over me as I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, is this Emma Raine?" a cheerful voice on the other end said. My breath caught in my throat.

"Yes, it is!" I replied, barely containing my excitement.

"I'm calling from the casting team for the new Percy Jackson series. We loved your audition tape and would like to offer you the role of Isla Holden!"

A rush of joy surged through me, and I nearly dropped the phone. "Oh my God! Are you serious?" I exclaimed, my voice filled with disbelief.

"Yes! We're thrilled to have you on board. We need you in Vancouver in about four months to start filming. Congratulations!"

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" I could barely contain my excitement as I hung up. I felt like I was floating, the weight of anticipation finally lifting as reality set in. I had done it—I had landed the role of Isla Holden!

Without wasting a second, I dialed my mom's number, my hands shaking with excitement. As soon as she picked up, I could hear the bustle of her tour in the background.

"Hey, Emma! How's everything going?" she asked, her voice warm and familiar.

"Mom! You're not going to believe this!" I nearly shouted. "I got a callback for the Percy Jackson series! I got the part of Isla Holden!"

There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end, and then my mom burst into a joyful laugh. "Oh my God! Starshine, that's incredible! I'm so proud of you!"

"I can't believe it! I have to be in Vancouver in four months!" I could feel the excitement bubbling over as I paced the room. "This is everything I've wanted!"

"I wish I could be there to celebrate with you right now!" she said, her voice filled with pride. "But I'll be home soon, and we can throw a huge celebration. You deserve it!"

"I can't wait! I want to start planning everything," I said, already imagining the fun we'd have. "This is my chance to really dive into acting, Mom. It feels surreal."

"I know how much this means to you, and I have no doubt you'll be amazing," she replied, her encouragement washing over me like a warm hug. "Just remember to stay grounded and enjoy the process. You've worked so hard for this."

"I will," I promised, still buzzing with energy. "I'm going to give it my all, just like you taught me."

As we continued talking, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for my mom and all the support she had given me throughout this journey. We had both carved our paths in the industry, and now it felt like we were sharing this incredible moment together, even from afar.

After hanging up, I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling in disbelief. I had landed the role of Isla Holden, and soon I would be stepping into a world that had once felt like a distant dream. This was the beginning of something amazing, and I was ready to embrace every moment of it.

Chapter 8

When my mom surprised me by coming home early from her tour, I could hardly contain my excitement. She walked through the door, her eyes sparkling with joy, and I rushed to her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Surprise!" she exclaimed, holding me close. "I couldn't wait any longer to celebrate!"

"What are we doing?" I asked, my heart racing with curiosity.

"Milkshakes at our favorite 50s diner!" she declared, her face lighting up. "I thought it would be the perfect way to celebrate your big news."

"Are you serious? Yes! Let's go!" I cheered, grabbing my jacket and slipping on my shoes. The diner was our special place—filled with retro décor, jukeboxes playing classic hits, and the best milkshakes in town.

As we drove to the diner, I felt a rush of nostalgia. The familiar neon lights flickered in the dusk, and the sound of laughter and music spilled out as we entered. We settled into our usual booth, the red vinyl seats welcoming us like an old friend.

"Two chocolate milkshakes, please!" Mom called to the waitress, and I couldn't help but grin.

"Extra whipped cream?" I added, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"Always," she said with a wink.

As we waited for our milkshakes, we talked about everything—her tour, my audition, the upcoming filming schedule. It felt good to have her home, sharing this moment together. I couldn't help but feel like everything was falling into place.

When the milkshakes arrived, towering with whipped cream and cherries on top, I couldn't resist. "Cheers to Isla Holden!" I proclaimed, raising my glass.

"To Isla!" Mom echoed, clinking her glass against mine. We both took a sip, the rich, chocolatey flavor sending waves of happiness through me.

"Seriously, I can't believe you got the part. It's a dream come true!" she said, beaming with pride. "You're going to be amazing on set."

"Thanks, Mom. It still feels surreal," I admitted, swirling the straw in my milkshake. "I can't wait to start. I want to do Isla justice and show everyone what I can do."

"You will," she said confidently. "Just remember, you've been preparing for this your whole life. Trust yourself and have fun with it."

"Yeah, you're right. It's about enjoying the journey, too," I said, my mind racing with ideas for how I wanted to portray Isla. "I want to make her relatable and strong."

As we shared stories and laughter over our milkshakes, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. This was a new beginning, and I was grateful to have my mom by my side.

When we finished our milkshakes, we decided to share a slice of pie—because what's a celebration without pie? We ordered a classic apple pie, and I savored every bite, feeling more connected to my dreams and my mom than ever.

As we left the diner, I looked up at the stars twinkling overhead, a blanket of possibilities stretching out before me. With my mom's unwavering support and the excitement of my upcoming role, I felt ready to take on the world, one milkshake at a time.