The Leading Lady

Chapter One

Thanks to thunderheart15 for making this amazing cover, and I hope you'll enjoy reading this story. It's a little different from all the ones I've done, but please VOTE, COMMENT, AND/OR FAN if you like it, and want me to continue with it.

<3

Jessica

Chapter One

     The sun began to shine through the foggy morning as Lacey McDonald continued to drive, and Sheradin Olden stared out the window—feigning interest in the pop music playing on the radio as she sat in the passenger seat. With the windows open, her thick, medium length auburn hair flew with the wind, and when it came into her jade green eyes, she'd keep pushing it back into place only to have to repeat the process until she'd eventually give up. 

     She watched as Lacey's Toyota passed by the numerous oak and cedar trees, nearly dried up creeks, and the numerous hills of the Texas hill country. All of them topped with patches of green, almost light brown grass. Sheradin knew from random people on the street, and from her parents, that the heat wave has been brutal. Every morning, her mother had hoped for rain, but throughout the summer it's as if the entire state of Texas were placed in an oven. Even now, in September, the entire landscape is slowly turning into a desert.

     Though Sheradin does enjoy being a part of the small town of Bulverde, part of her longs to get out, and see the world. But for now, she's stuck here, in this small town, until the day she graduates high school. She's already paid for her passport, but even after she turns eighteen, her mother won't let her go until after receiving her diploma.  

     The outline of Smithson Valley High School comes into view. The morning fog only made the building look more palpable—spooky even. Eventually, Lacey's car managed to fight through the fog, and entered the student parking lot.

     "Sher, are you okay?" Lacey's voice penetrated Sheradin's reverie as she parked the car in an empty space.

     Sheradin tore her gaze away from the window, and met Lacey's blue-eyed gaze. Unlike Sheradin, Lacey is more outgoing, blond, tan, and perfect. Despite their own external differences, Sheradin, Lacey, and Amy Beck—the third member of the group—have been best friends since kindergarten.

     "Yeah. I'm fine." Sheradin mumbled.

     Lacey quickly slid the key out of the ignition, and gathered her things. Sheradin quietly copies her. Then, not wanting to start the day off on a mute note, she casually said, "Who do you think is the greatest triple threat in Hollywood?"

     She watched as Lacey rolled her eyes. "Oh, that's easy, Hugh Jackman." She said with a smile, like it should be obvious to Sheradin. As they exited the vehicle, with their backpacks in tow, she added, "I'm telling you, he's the greatest triple threat since Gene Kelly."

     Sheradin laughed briefly. "Did you manage to get a bootleg copy of him performing Oklahoma at the West End or something?"

     "Have you seen him host the Oscars a few years ago?"

     This time, Sheradin became the one who rolled her eyes before she said, "Whatever."

     As both girls begin to stride toward the school, Sheradin noticed someone coming toward them. This girl—with long dark brunette hair tied back into a ponytail, wearing an oversized t-shirt, blue jeans, and worn out sneakers—walked toward them. Sherdin knew instantly who this girl is.

     "Hey Amy!" Sheradin called.

     As Amy Beck got closer to the group, a smile had formed on her oval shaped face. Her dark brown eyes seemed to have twinkled. "Hey!" She said. "Are you two going to the auditions?"