The Filming of The Prisioner of Cell 25

Chapter 1: The Letter

The final bell of the year rings and people begin cramming books and papers into backpacks and general hubbub breaks out.

"Remember, class, those who wish to take AP English next year must pass that exam. The results will be sent out in about a week."

Teachers last words should not be spoken, for they fall on deaf ears, I think.

"Hey Abby, whatcha doing this summer?"

My best friend Autumn falls in step beside me as we shuffle out of the classroom and into a bus.

"Eh, I don't know, probably just sleep in every day and eat junk food."

"Ha, ha, ha. As if you could ever spend one single day without me."

"No. I'm gonna see if I can't get myself a job so that I can save up for that big trip to Europe. You're going, right?"

"Yup. As long as I have enough money."

Autumn's parents are really rich. Her mom is a psychiatrist and her dad's a dentist, so her comment about having enough money makes me slightly uncomfortable. But I shrug it off and continue staring out the window of the school bus. Presently it screeches to a halt outside my house. The doors swing out and I step off and wave goodbye to Autumn.

I sigh as I step through the door and kick off my Vans. My mom walks in, smiling.

"Hey honey, how was your day?"

"It was actually pretty good. I'm just excited that its summer now."

"Oh, do you think you could be a dear and go get the mail? I went shopping and I didn't have any extra hands." She smiles wryly.

"No problem."

I grab the key and head out t the mailbox, which looks like a birdhouse, and extract the bundle of mail. Most of it looks like junk, but one letter catches my attention. It has my name on it. Who would be sending me a letter?

I hate letters. With a burning passion. Every letter that's been sent to me in the past few years has been bad. A letter from my school saying that I was suspended for doing something I didn't do. A letter telling me that my short story 'Willow Child' hadn't been accepted into the magazine I was hoping it would be published in. And worst of all, a letter informing my mom and me that my dear, sweet father had died serving his country.

So, naturally, I'm sure when I bring the bulky white letter with 'Abby Hudson' typed on the front in that it contains bad news. I become even more nervous when I see that it's from Paramount Pictures. One of my favorite books, Michael Vey and the Prisoner of Cell 25, is going to be made into a movie, and they sent out letters to various acting schools to find ten young, talented actors. The other seven had already been found.

As soon as I heard the news, I sent a letter, ironically, applying for the position. Today was the 10th. If the letter was what I hoped it was, a notification that I was eligible for an audition, I had a week to get ready.

I tear open the letter and unintentionally shriek aloud. There was a letter, folded in three pieces, and behind that, the script. The script! That meant that they had found the actors, but had yet to assign then roles. My favorite character was undoubtedly Taylor, but I didn't mind if I was assigned McKenna, or Abi, who had the same full name as me. Skimming through the script, I smile as I recognize events that took place in the book.

My mom tells me she had a slight headache, so I decide to help start making dinner. I quickly change out of my school clothes and put on some sweats and a tank top. I throw back my hair in a braid and head downstairs. My twin brother Sean is sitting at the kitchen table eating an apple. I walk over and smack his hand.

"Hey, no snacking. I'm making dinner right now."

"What are you making?"

"I thought I'd make some lasagna. Does that sound okay?"

"Yeah, that sounds great!"

That's why I love my brother so much. He's always ready to help, no matter what he's doing.

He walks into the kitchen and grabs a package of lasagna noodles. I take a pot out from the cabinet next to the stove and fill it with water. Once the noodles are done cooking, I put them between layers of pasta sauce, cheese, and meat. I go up to mom's room to see how she's doing.

"Knock knock."

"What's up, Abby?"

"Well, I made some lasagna, if you're feeling better you can come eat with us."

"Oh that sounds great. I'll come down in a second."

After dinner, which Sean and Mom both say is delicious, I decide to try and tell them the good news.

"Soo, remember how I sent a letter to that guy who was looking for actors for his movie?"

Sean looks at me with a funny look on his face.

"What?" I say defensively.

"Well are you going to tell us whether or not you got in or are you waiting for an invitation?"

I stick out my tongue at Sean and he smiles back innocently.

"So, as I was saying....I got in!!"

Mom reacts predictably.

"You did? Oh, sweetie, that's awesome!"

"Yeah, I just got the letter today. Well, I don't actually know what role I got yet, but I'm in! My very first big film!"

Mom looks at me with happiness shining in her eyes.

"Your dad would have been so proud."

"Well, I think he still is. He's up there, watching me, looking out for me. I know it."

She looks at me with a very serious expression on her face.

"Just promise me you won't let this whole 'being famous' thing change you. You've seen what all the famous actors live like. Don't become one of them."

"Okay mom. I promise I'll be the same Abby when this is all over as I am now. Just a little older."

She gives me a quick hug and then gently pushed me toward the stairs.

"Okay, now it's time for bed for you, missy."

I smile and head upstairs, tripping over Sean, who was sitting on the landing playing a game on his iPhone.

"Go to bed, you worthless thing."

"Right back at ya, little sis."

Now I'm riled up.

"For your information, I'm sixteen minutes older than you, thus making you the little bro and making me the authority over you."

Sean playfully punches me in the stomach and goes into his room. As I crawl into bed, my last thought before I go to bed is that some of the characters were describes as extremely attractive, and with any luck, the actors might be pretty cute too.