Cupcake A Day

Chapter Thirteen:

hey everyone, I formally apologize I have not and probably will not be on a tv show, so I am sorry if what I write isn't completely accurate but the great part is its writing so it does not have to be! enjoy!

I open the heavy glass door with the classic red star, the one I idolized and now maybe I will be idolized. Absolutely crazy!

"Crazy, crazy, crazy..." I repeat to myself as I head in and check myself in at the front desk. 

I've heard that this is one of the least time consuming times. I am only recording little snips of things they will add in through the episode. This Thursday will be a bigger recording day and I will need to miss school, unfortunately. But my dad arranged it all with my teachers so I just hope I can keep up. 

"Name." The secretary asks on my arrival. 

"Austyn Thomas." She hands me a name tag on a lanyard. 

"Door seven in the left wing." 

"Thank you." I look to the left wing and walk slowly down. I am quite early considering I came right from school, but I wanted to keep my stuff to work on when I don't go and didn't want to risk being late by going home. 

I open the door and per usual, I clumsily crash into someone. 

"I sure hope this isn't how you work in the kitchen." 

"No!" I rush. "I am so sorry it was an accident." 

"It was more my fault." He smiles at me. "Cole. I manage all of the contestants and just make sure everything is in order. I am in a film program at NYU." 

"How incredibly convenient." 

"And then my aunt works in the building too." 

"Also how incredibly convenient."

"Take a seat in that side room. There are tables, couches, food, drinks, and if you need something there isn't, well then that is why I am here!" 

"Awesome." 

I walk over to the pretty large sized room. I suppose a lot of people will be hanging out in here. I connect my computer to a hotspot from my phone and fill out all the "get to know you" stuff and forms that come at the start of every new year. 

Keeping myself busy helps me not stress about filming. I don't worry about stuttering or how I look, and just focusing on answering these annoying questions. 

I hear the door click and see another contestant walking in. 

"Hello, I am Austyn." 

"Hey, I am Jasmine!" I can see that her brain is connecting me to my story, it is completely evident on her face. I don't show it, I am a little more camera trained and better at hiding my emotions, but I connect her to what I researched on foodnetwork.com, it had our bios, and she is a middle aged pastry chef with teenage kids. 

This "recognition" thing happens with everyone who walks into that door. All seventeen other contestants. I keep my attitude bright as always and try not to show how tired I am. First days are typically emotionally draining, so even though I was expecting it, it proves that I can never fully prepare myself. 

We all sit around the room and I am clearly the odd one out. Younger than all of them by the least of 12 years. Yikes. I sit quietly on my phone, plugging away at the stupid google forms. I never connected with any teacher I had, I see no reason behind them knowing my favorite outside of school activity and my pet peeves. 

Cole walks in with a piece of paper on a clipboard and gives me a knowing smile. Like he knows what it is like being the youngest among a bunch of adults. They have all been polite, but I know they would rather have friends their age.