Ebony Falls

2. Got a Plan

Yesterday was a major disaster. Not getting the lead role wasn't the only thing that threw everything off.

Somehow, everyone from Drama Club had heard that I didn't make the audition, I don't know how (they haven't even finished auditions), but they did. After the word was spread, everyone kept whispering (not so much of a whisper either, might I add) about how it was unbelievable that I couldn't get this lead. All the respect that I have build up in my years of Drama are slowly going down the drain.

At the end of the day, I went home and thought. I thought about something that I could possibly do to be more 'edgy'. Maybe I could-

"Ebony! Come down for dinner!" My mother yelled from the kitchen. Well, I guess I'll have to think while I'm eating. Lazily, I picked myself up from my bed and headed to my kitchen.

When I reach the bottom of the stairs I could hear my mom talking to someone. Wait, dad wasn't home yet, who could she be talking to? I hope she's not talking to herself again. As a rounded the corner, I saw that my mother was sitting at the table with the woman that looked to be her age (early thirties) and a teenage girl. When I fully entered the kitchen I was greeted by my mom dragging me to our visitors. At first I had no clue who anybody was, but then I got a closer look at the teenager. She had half of her hair dyed black and the other half blue; she had spider bites and a nose piercing and her outfit consists of black.

Immediately I felt stupid for not recognizing her. Charlotte Envy. How could I not recognize her? She's like one of a kind! You don't see people that have her physical appearance every day! Aside from her appearance, you have to live under a rock to not know who she was. She had a reputation in our school: the bad girl.

"Ebony, this is Shannon." She gestured to the lady sitting across from her, I smiled. "Shannon, this is my daughter, Ebony." I offered her my hand and she took it, smiling at me. After introducing us Mom turned to Charlotte. "And this is her daughter Charlotte. Charlotte this is Ebony, I believe you're in the same grade." I smiled and offer her my hand as well. To my surprise, she took it and smiled back at me. I was actually expecting her to scoff and ignore me.

"Ebony, Shannon and Charlotte will be joining us for dinner. And after, you could invite Charlotte to your room and me and Shannon can talk down here." Mom suggested. Being polite, I nodded, but on the inside I was freaking out. Charlotte had a freaking reputation for doing multiple things, that I can't even name on one hand. Wouldn't you freak out?

As soon as dinner was over, Mom practically kicked us out of the kitchen and up to my room. I made my way up the stairs and to my place of peace. Right away I knew that she would judge the way my room was decorated; its Hello Kitty themed. I know, you're probably laughing as well, but give me a break! I was 7 at the time!

As we entered my red and white room, I could already hear how hard she was going to laugh. "Cool room." Wait what? I slowly turned around and gave her a questioning look. My face probably looks ridiculous right now, considering the fact that one of my eyebrows is arched and my mouth is in like, a frown. "What?" Charlotte asked me.

Honestly, I'm shocked. Was what I wanted to say. I thought that she was all dark and scary; there goes to show that I know absolutely nothing about people. I shake my head, feeling that making that statement is not the brightest idea. She might have just said that she liked my room, but I think saying that I thought she was some dark and scary person wouldn't be the best for me. "Nothing," I replied, walking to my bed.

"So..." I try to make some conversion, but fail. After sitting there for about 5 minuets in an awkward silence, Charlotte speaks. "Is it true?" I look at her, confused. What is she tal- oh. I bow my head and nod. This is embarrassing. Literally everyone knows that I didn't get this stupid part because of the big mouths of my trusted Drama Club. "Well, why didn't you get it?" I look up at her again, letting out a sigh. I guess I'll just tell her, who would it hurt anyways? No one but your pride.

"I'm not edgy enough." I told her, feeling stupid once the words left my mouth. She probably has no idea what that even means.

"Well," she says and then stays silent for a little so that she can think. "Can I see the script?" I look at her questioningly before getting up and walking to my dresser, grabbing the script and handing it to her. She read the first few pages and then closed it. "Yeah, this sounds nothing like you."

I open my mouth to tell her I already knew that, but I'm interrupted by Shannon calling her daughter. "Well, I gotta go. Sorry you didn't get the part. I'll see you around." And with that, she left.

***

I've been reading this over and over again. I've been rehearsing dozens of times. I've been trying to figure something out, but I just can't! I don't know what I'm going to do!

This character is a troubled, bad girl that goes through life as if the glass is half full, but half empty. How does that even work? How can you see the negativity in life, but still have the time of your life? I just don't get it.

"Ebony, sweetie, did you and Charlotte get along?" My mother comes into my room. Then it hits me. Charlotte. She's this character, or at least she seems like her. I could be around her and learn from her. "Yeah mom. If you'll excuse me, I have to make a quick phone call."

***

"You're crazy!" Callie yelled at me from the other line. I cringed at her high pitch voice and pull the phone away from my ear. I just got finished telling her my plan to get the part.

"No I'm not! This will work, trust me!" I defended myself as I got dressed for bed.

"Have you at least talked to Cyrus about this?" And here's the topic I've been trying to avoid. I know I should tell him, but then he would try to talk me out of it. Cyrus has this overprotective side of him when it comes to me. I mean, it's kind of nice to know that I have someone to look after me since I am the only child, but sometimes it's overwhelming.

"Um... I'm losing service," I yelled into the phone as I use my hand to make the weird sound into the speaker. I know, I know, this is pathetic and she's obviously not going to buy it, but whatever. I really need to avoid this discussion. "I'll call you later!"

"Eb-" and I hung up the phone. Smooth Ebony, real smooth.