ambience [h.s]

CHAPTER 1.

I need more coffee. My head was already pounding from the four cups I have had, but I need more. 

“Diana!” I call out for my assistant. 

“Um, Rose?” I turn around to see her standing right behind me. 

“What the heck?" I almost jump in surprise. "Sorry, okay, more coffee please and thank you.” I face her now, her eyes as tired as mine. I stand still in my clothes from yesterday: jeans and a large NYU sweatshirt. Diana was still in her work clothes when she came over to my hotel room. I called her around seven pm and it’s now seven am. We have only slept about three hours, and still have to get ready for today. Joy. I fall back on to the couch. I close my eyes and lean my head back, willing my anxiety to leave, begging it, almost. My phones ring tone makes me snap my eyes open. When I see that the caller ID is LA Movie, I suck in a very deep breath. So deep that I choke and my eyes water. I quickly answer. 

“Is this Rose Williams?” Says a deep male voice. 

“Yes sir, it is.” I reply, trying my hardest to sound awake and normal. 

“Is it correct that you are scheduled to present to me this evening?” As he is speaking I realize who it is. It’s Mr. Filcock. He is the CEO of LA Movie. I have only ever spoken to his assistant. 

“Yes, I am.” 

“Is it true that you are nineteen years old, and a female?” His voice is holding something I can’t detect.

“Yes sir, it is 100% true.” I use my most confident voice. 

“Great, I look forward to your presentation.” 

“I look forward to presenting!” 

“Alright, see you at five sharp.”

“Yes sir.” I answer, as he hangs up. As soon as I hear the line go dead I cannot help the scream that comes out of my mouth. I fall back onto the bed. I am just about to pick up the phone and call Diana when she knocks on the door. I open it up I grab the coffee out of her hands, set it down on the half table thing by the hotel room door, squeal, and hug her. She hugs me back and we sit on the bed as I recall every detail of the conversation with Mr. Filcock to her. Not that there were many. She grabs my hands and squeezes. We drink our coffees fast, and then start getting ready. I put on my most professional outfit, I cannot appear as a nineteen year old. I must be an adult today. It is one of those girl-suit things. I add heels to spice up  the look, since it's looking a little bare. I need makeup, considering I have been awake for the past fifteen hours. I have dark circles surrounding both of my eyes, and a little bit of acne on my forehead from the stress. Hopefully it would clear up by the time of the interview, with a little bit of cream. It’s not that noticeable. 

“Is a tight bun too uptight and bitchy?” I ask D. She steps out of the bathroom in only her pants. Not that I care, she is my best friend.

“Yes, you're nineteen, not thirty.” She replies and steps back into the tiny hotel bathroom. 

“But I want to look thirty!” I call back. Ugh, what to do… a ponytail? Too casual. A braid? Too ... “I’m a teenager who doesn't want a job,” I groan before an idea pops into my empty brain. A braid bun would be perfect, since I'm both a teenager and trying to be thirty. I make the most elegant braid bun that I can, with a few pieces loose to add a bit of playfulness. After my hair is up and my outfit is on, I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth, apply deodorant, and grab my makeup bag. Diana is singing in the shower behind me, but her voice is pretty so I don't tell her to shut up like I usually would. I first wash off the cream to see that the little acne I had has shrunken greatly. I apply concealer and a little foundation. I dial my mom and put the phone on speaker as I begin to apply my powder. It rings, and rings, and rings. Finally she answers as I am highlighting my cheekbones. I yell at Diana to shut up. 

“Hey mom.”

“Hello Rose.” I can hear the tension in her voice.

“Um, I just felt the sudden need to tell you that I have my first presentation today...” I start applying my mascara. 

“That’s great! What for?” Her voice is genuinely happy, which makes me hate her a little less. 

“A movie that I have been writing and plan on directing.” I say with as much confidence as I can muster. 

“Wonderful! What is it about?” She asks, intrigued. 

“The life of a teenager and all that.” I reply, trying to be vague. I hear Diana mutter a “yours” from the shower. “Shut the fuck up!” I mouth back at her and she laughs. 

“Awesome!” My mom squeals. 

“Yeah. So I have to go. I, um, love you?” I don't let my voice falter at the end like it did when I used to call during therapy. 

“Love you too, Rose.” I don't answer, just hang up. Diana looks at me with proud eyes through the shower. I smile at her, feeling proud of our conversation myself. I throw my phone on the bed and finish off my eyes with a light plum color to bring out my light brown/green/yellow eyes. I adjust my dark hair once more. I hum along to Demi. I am in an unusually good mood, feeling ready to present. Diana notices and smiles and shakes her head. She finishes getting ready quickly, while I transfer all of my belongings into a much more boring, adult-like bag. I help Diana adjust her hair that is down normally. She looks beautiful, which will hopefully help me a little. Her wavy blonde hair falls to her back, even longer than mine, and her blue eyes flick over the papers we are passing out one more time. 

“Ready?” I ask her, grabbing the car keys. She nods. I swallow hard and open the door, stepping into the hallway.

^^^^^

wow first chapter yay, dont worry the story gets WAY better. 

thanks for all the wonderful advice em.

and thanks x100 for your hard work ari.

-sage