Living With Anna Kendrick

Chapter 1 - The Role (Edited Version)

Alex's POV

The nerves rush through my body, electrical impulses burning, aching, shaking me to my core. I don't normally get this nervous, then again, nothing normally matters this much to me, nothing has mattered at all for a long time now. It's been a while since I felt the rush of my heartbeat as it beats thousands of beats per minute. I've always found the idea of our heartbeat's being measured in the same unit as Music incredibly beautiful, mesmerizing and ironic, for I knew, at least for my own experience, that Music was just as vital and expressive as the muscles that contract to give us yet another second to breathe, the pure elixir of life. Of course, I had learned from a very young age that a life isn't measured in time, but in the moment, for moments are what make living worthwhile. Well, that was what they used to say, they even had it engraved on a ring for my 16th birthday, a ring which I constantly twirl nervously, a habit I had picked up along the years, the same way that people bounce their leg or bite their nails. I circle the fragile silvery rim, feeling the texture of the medium sized square blue stone that sat upon it, it was very expensive I'm sure, of course, I had never really asked for anything too expensive or extravagant as I was never much for Jewelry or any pompous objects really.

However, that year on my 16th birthday they gifted me with this ring, as a symbol of their love, they really captured my personality as they had picked a jewel I wouldn't mind (I would even dare say, like) wearing. How time had gone by! Five years. You would not believe how much could change in five years. I went from a normal girl living with her family in São Paulo, Brazil to a woman, who lived alone and independently in the wonderful city of Los Angeles, California. At the exact moment, I briefly stop twirling my ring to have a small skim of the world around me as I had just been stuck in my own world, for all I know, an atomic bomb could have been dropped a block away and I wouldn't have noticed as my body turned to ash. A river of girls that have the same dream as I do cover my horizon. Honestly, I could tell there were some of these women who were tens of thousands of times prettier than I, all done up in their girly dresses and I immediately feel myself getting self-conscious, yet another feeling I don't tend to experience. The sensation only heightened as I started to compare my choice of outfit of a simple pair of ripped jeans (that actually weren't ripped when I bought them but started to cease with time so I decided to "renovate" them), red vans and a Nirvana t-shirt to their overly extravagant choices. I ask that you don't judge, those were my good pair of jeans, you should have seen the other ones!

Negative thoughts struck in mind like lightning questioning my every move, second-guessing all my talent. ''What are you even doing here your not pretty enough.' 'You know you'll have to sing right?? You haven't been able to sing since that day.' I really did try screaming back at my brain, you would never guess how loud it can get to here, like honestly, sometimes I would rather be in a room filled with crying babies than being left alone with my own mind. 'I can do this, all I have to do is act.. one of the only things I've always been good at.' I find myself calming down as a deep and slow breath parted through my lips.

What I had not noticed was that my eyes had been closed for probably the last 1 minute or so. "Last call for Alex Donato!" I shot up from my seat briskly running towards that 50-year-old male who had called my name, his smug expression showed his lack of appreciation for my 'tardiness'. "I'm sorry, I'm here!" I apologize before stating the obvious making the tall male even more annoyed. "Right in there." He puffs out, his warm, clingy breath sticking to my face. So disgusted by his attitude, my eyes squint as I step into the room the man had 'so kindly' indicated. A blank, white audition room, completely bright and ready to be filled with the memories I was about to make. A large but, flimsy table had been placed on the far end of the wall towards the right, and there, looking completely and utterly uninterested sat, Anna Kendrick, Skylar Austin, and Elisabeth Banks. It was so intimidating to stand in front of people I have idolized my whole life, especially Anna, as she also had the wow factor that was her beauty. "Hh , Hi, my name is Alex Donato and it's a pleasure to meet all of you." I state, stumbling slightly in the beginning, but, do you blame me? You try and go stand in front of three amazing actors and then we can talk.

That seemed to have gotten their attention as all of their gazes were now on me, all of them certainly looking surprised, however, Anna looked somewhat pleased to see me and that was a very big shocker. I was terrified, to be honest, but, the show must go on and so the audition started. Taking a deep breath I delivered my first Line, really trying to more accurately play the character I was auditioning for. "I can't do this Beca! This is not the person I am, I can barely recognize whoever this is, and I hate it! I want to be able to love, and smile and whatever normal people do but, that's not who I am. I won't just be the person that stands back and watches as all the people she knows leave." I deliver, noticing how shocked they all looked, Anna quickly recovered reading her next line. "You can do whatever you want dear, it is time for you to decide. Many years ago I had to the lead and call the shots, and that was a decision I was willing to make, I stood up for what I believed in and I don't regret it in any way. You can stay if you so desire, but you can also leave go, live your life. I'll be here, I promise. What I can not take is having you do what doesn't make you happy." I look down, as tears fill my eyes as an effort towards a more dramatic delivery. "I don't know what makes me happy. How can I be expected to know this kind of thing right now! I'm barely out of college, my parents are literally going to kill me if I take this job offer. So no Beca, I don't know what I want! And It's unfair that everyone expects me to know and understand exactly what I want!" snap back at her, of course only for the acting but, I could only hope that it sounded genuine and real. Anna then says "Yes you do. You just don't know what you are ready to give up." With that last line delivered all so gracefully by the one and only Anna Kendrick the scene is over, and a large weight is lifted off of my shoulder. As if I had been carrying a bolder I wasn't even aware of. Elizabeth, Anna, and Skylar start to clap after a few brief moments of silence and all I manage to do is give them a nod professional yet welcoming nod, as well as a smile, wiping the corners of my eyes as there were a few residual tears left there. "Thank you, that was wonderful we will contact as soon as possible, that is if you get the part of course." Elizabeth explains professionally, with one last smile my feet drag heavy to the door, and I'm out of the audition room. Let's hope get this one! Fingers crossed, and toes too if possible. One thing stuck to me though, they didn't even ask me to sing, as boy was I happy about that one!  

A/N - So I decided I will just post on here the newly edited story, I'll leave the previous version until there are enough chapters to cover the previous storyline. If you all feel so inclined I can create a book where the draft of the old story can be posted and you guys can read the old version of the story anytime you want. 

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the new format of the story. I really am open to any comments or opinions as I am only just starting the story again and would happily change the tone.