More Than Yesterday

Chapter 1: An Early Start

The sound of my alarm went ringing through my ears as the tone sang from my phone and woke me up. I begin rolling around in my messy bed, all tangled up in the sheets. I slowly opened my eyes to stare up at the ceiling fan above me, trying to convince myself that it wasn't four o'clock in the morning in hopes that I could lug myself out of bed.

"Damn you LA traffic," I murmured, slowly sitting up and reaching for my phone, "making me drag my ass out of bed at this ungodly hour."

Moments later I hear a gentle knock on my door, followed by, "Annie? Are you awake?"

"Unfortunately," I replied with a surprisingly calm tone considering how unhappy I was about my current situation.

The door opens slowly with a low creak as my mom peers her head in my room. Of course, she had to flick the light on... thanks mom. In one swift motion I managed to grab my blanket, covering my face and bury myself beneath it, using it as a shield from the blinding lights above. I hear soft footsteps nearing my bedside, then the other side of the bed dipped, followed by a hand on my arm.

"Annie, today is that day," she said as she patted my arm. "C'mon Annie, we have to be on the road in twenty minutes."

I say nothing, praying to myself that she leaves me to wallow in my sleepiness alone until I gather the motivation to move.

"Julianna Lane..." she said warningly, you know, the way moms do. A pause, then I heard her take in a deep breath and say with a sigh, "Alright, I'm going to go get ready."

I felt my mom get up from the bed and make her way out of my room, closing the door behind her. I gave myself a countdown from five and quickly pulled the sheets off myself and ran to the light switch, turning off the four artificial suns hanging above me in a circle. Darkness spread throughout the room and I began getting ready.

I showered the night before and put my hair in braids so I would be bumpy in the morning. I took them out and let my hair cascade down like miniature hills over my shoulders and back. I read the notifications on my phone as I brushed my teeth. Three texts from Jess, my best friend on the face of the earth, as well as eleven snapchats, and two emails-both of which regarding todays event, the reason I am up so damn early.

I finished up my work in the bathroom and went out to the kitchen to find my brother sleeping on the couch. As soon as I opened the fridge he awoke and sat up. I looked over my shoulder at him and smiled. And then it hit me...

"What are you doing out here," I asked, "Did you get home late last night or something?"

He chuckled softly, "I wanted to come with you to your audition."

I tilted my head at him with a surprised and confused expression on my face. I don't like getting up this early for me, let alone someone else. That's some real dedication right there, let me tell you.

"Aww, Emmett! That's so sweet! You're insane, but so sweet!" I walked over to him as he laughed, trying to stay quiet so we didn't wake up our dad. I gave him a hug and silently thanked the lord that he'd be joining me for this today.

"Like goddamn... it's early..."

He sighed, "Yeah I know...," He let released me from our embrace and held my shoulders, "but it's worth it. It's your biggest role you've gone for yet."

"Yeah," I said with a dreadful sigh, "tell me about it."

"Hey, you're gonna be real great mah sistah, don't stress." He looked me in the eyes as he spoke, trying to contain him laugher beneath that fighting smile on his face.