BAD ACTING

JEDI

        The first day of May, Andrew invited me to work out with him at his gym. He picked me up ay my apartment and we drove to the Equinox in Woodland Hills. Checking in at the front desk Andrew revealed that Carrie gifted me a year membership for the Tarot reading.

        "Seriously?"

        "Yeah, now we can be workout buddies," Andrew said, smiling.

        "This is so nice of her," I said, feeling awkward about disliking Carrie, and not knowing her boyfriend at all.

        "She didn't know what to get you, and I suggested the gym! Working out is like essential in LA, and I wanted to show you the secret to my success."

        "Ok cool."

        Andrew guided me through his work out and after twenty-minutes of bench presses he pulled out sides from his pocket.

        "This is my secret to memorizing lines," he revealed.

        Andrew handed me the papers and I ran lines with him while we lifted and took turns spotting each other. By the end of the workout, Andrew completed memorizing the pages of script for his audition the next day.

        "We should work out again soon," Andrew suggested, dropping me off at my apartment.

        "Sure", I replied, closing the door, and waving goodbye.

*

        The afternoon of May the fifth commenced with Andrew, Carrie, and I driving around, collecting our newly formed gang, and making plans with outside friends to meet up and have a larger party at Carrie's that night.

        Cinco De Mayo.

        We picked up Matt, Julia, and Leah and cruised around the valley drinking cans of cheap beer. Eventually, we arrived back at Carrie's'. Carrie started assembling random decorations and the group began getting ready for guest. Andrew and Carrie invited most of the older students from the YA Studio and a handful of their other friends.

        Leah and I sat in the kitchen not helping with the setup. We started playing a dart game that involved a bottle of Tequila and two shot glasses. Trashed before the party began the two of us took it upon ourselves to greet Carrie's guest as they arrived.

        "Welcome!"

        "Please come in!"

        "Let me take your denim jacket."

        "I love that jacket."

        "It is a very nice denim jacket."

        "Very nice! So denim!"

        More people showed up to the party than we expected. The house filled up with too many privileged young actors and models to count. Leah and I made it our job to make sure everyone drank more than they wanted. We encouraged all guest to dance and take off articles of clothing.

        An actor from class who had a role on Dexterity playing the younger, flashback version of the lead character showed up.

        "The quiet Mormon guy is here."

        "No way...really?"

        Leah and I grabbed the Mormon and passed him off to Julia. Julia took control and forced him to dance with her while repeatedly trying to make out with him.

        Leah captured my attention for the remainder of the night. We crashed through the guests with no apologies while tango dancing in our underwear and chasing each other with toy lightsabers. Our Jedi battle barreled out on the balcony and up onto the roof. The red and blue glow of our swords lit up the night as we became the main event. Leah fought fiercely in her pink panties and leopard bra. I swung my saber valiantly in neon orange boxers. Leah defeated me with a jab to the heart and I threw myself onto the roof gulping one last sweet breath of air.