What You Don't Know - A Tom Holland Fic (WIP)

Chapter 1

"Her debut on-screen role in the indie film Stained Glass Sky had quite a bit of Oscar buzz surrounding it, as well as rave reviews from critics and movie-goers alike. She now has several projects lined up or in the works right now. Ladies and gentlemen, making her first ever appearance on a late night talk show, please welcome Cordelia Collett!"

    The studio audience cheers and applauds as Jimmy Fallon introduces me. The Roots play a vamp of some sort as I walk onto set, in view of everyone. The cheers continue as I walk up to greet Jimmy, hugging him, and giggling feeling starstruck. I take my seat next to his desk and rub my sweaty palms against the skirt I'm wearing. The crowd settles down and the band hits the last few notes of my intro music and I let out a sigh. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be here, in this spot, in this room. I dreamed about it, of course, but some part of my brain told me it would never happen. But I'm here. This is real.

    "Cordelia Collett!" Jimmy says, enthusiastically. "Welcome! We are so excited to have you!"

    "Thank you! I'm so excited to be here!" I say, matching his excitement.

    "Wow. So, Stained Glass Sky. I saw it a few weeks ago and was absolutely blown away," He pulls out a small poster board and turns it around to show the cameras. It's a still of me in the movie, wearing a powder blue dress, looking almost panicked. I smile at the picture. "For those who haven't seen it, and if you haven't, shame on you, it's fantastic, Cordelia, would you mind giving a brief synopsis?"

    "Of course! So Stained Glass Sky is about a girl," I gesture to the photo, "And she lives in an abusive household, with her alcoholic, drugged out father, and her little brother, and it's basically about my character, her name is Christine, getting herself and her brother out of this house and this lifestyle. The father has done some awful, awful things to the children, and it's a very emotional film, but there is also a lot of heart and relatability to some of the characters. It was such an amazing film to work on and be a part of."

    The crowd gives out a short spat of applause and I can't help but smile. I don't actually think I've stopped smiling this entire time.

    "It's an amazing, beautiful film. If you haven't seen it I urge you to, you will not regret it at all." Jimmy sets the photo down and looks at me. "So, this is your first time on a talk show, live interview, sort of thing, correct?"

    "Yep. First time."

    "Are you nervous?"

    "Oh, very." I laugh.

    "Don't be! You're doing amazing." Jimmy kindly smiles at me. "Now tell me, before this movie you were, doing what mostly?"

    "Community theatre, mostly. I did theatre all throughout high school and I did a few shows in college before I landed this job. I have always loved acting so even though this was my first ever time on camera, it's not like I have no experience whatsoever." I feel like I'm rambling, but I always feel like I have something to prove when it comes to my resume.

    "What were some of your favorite roles while doing shows like this?"

    "Umm, I was Emily Webb in Our Town which is every high school, theatre girls dream role I feel like." The audience laughs. "And I guess I also really liked playing Jean in August: Osage County a few years ago."

    "Those are some pretty distinguished roles!"

    "I mean I did some other shows, like Charlotte's Web but I always found the more dramatic and dark roles to be better teaching experiences."

    "I one hundred percent agree." Jimmy says. "Now, you basically came out of nowhere, the second Stained Glass Sky hit theaters, I swear to you, every director in Hollywood was like 'Where has this girl been hiding?' right, folks?" He looks to the audience and the cheer in response. I'm still smiling. "What made you decide to finally go out and audition for a movie?"