Superstar Calling

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"I know, I know." I grouched bitterly as I sat down in a chair in front of a large oak desk. "Detention for two evenings" That was the punishment at my school for falling asleep in the middle of class. The principal, Mrs. Lawrence, shook her head gently. "No, Quinn. I'm not going to punish you for this one." I looked up sharply. She was't going to give me detention? C&C Academy, which is just a fancy name for a regular, old, boring, high school, was very strict about it's discipline.
"What? Why?"
Mrs. Lawrence linked her fingers together and looked at me. Her eyes bore into mine and I began to fidget.
"I can discipline you if you want it, but- " She trailed off and when I shook my head she continued. "You have been requested by someone very important to write a biography about them. That someone read your blog and loved your style. That someone," She paused dramatically. " is Venus VonCleave."
I almost choked. "V- Venus VonCleave?" I sputtered. " She's the most famous pop-star in the US! She wants me to write her biography? Woah. Sweet!"
Mrs. Lawrence, however, did not look amused. "I would not use the word sweet if I were you. Mrs. VonCleave has asked you- only you to come. That means you cannot bring any members of your family. For more details, she has asked me to set up a meeting time with you. Are you interested?"
My jaw dropped to the floor and I quickly tried to regain civility. For the most part, it didn't work. I was almost falling off my chair with excitement and my left hand was shaking like it does when I get super excited. Once I had gotten to a point that I could speak again, I said, "Absolutely! How could I not be!"
Still frowning, Mrs. Lawrence asked me to bring it up with my parents first, before I did something I would regret. I was appalled. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked defiantly. Mrs. Lawrence's eyes widened and I immediately knew that I had crossed the line.
"I will pardon your rudeness this time, only," She emphasized the word. "because of the situation at hand." I made a silent apology and she answered my question. "You may regret going to Los Angeles for a year because her life may not be what it appears to be. Also, you are sixteen and still very young to be without parents for that long. Just think about it. Rationally."
I smiled at her, making sure that it didn't have any trace of attitude and said, "Thank you Mrs. Lawrence."
She nodded curtly and told me I could go back to class. I stood up and slipped
out of the room. On my way back to math class, I wondered how I could ever pay attention with all this excitement.

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That afternoon after school, my mind was filled with the thought of the news I had received today. I looked down at my math and tried to answer the questions on the page.
What is the square root of 453?
It was a simple question, but I could not focus. Then I had it! The answer just came to me. I wrote down what had popped into my mind and read it aloud.
"The square root of 453 is Venus VonCleave." I put my head in my hands and sighed. There was only one remedy for this. I was in desperate need of a Callie-call. Callie Foxwell and I had been best friends since kindergarden when we both wanted the same color of play-doh and augured about it for about two minutes before the teacher noticed us. She put us in time out together for five minutes and when it was over, we played happily together for the rest of the day. I have no idea how that worked out, but we have been best buddies since then.
I picked up my iPhone and pressed on her name. Callie picked up after two rings. Her soft voice came through, and even that calmed my nerves.
"Hey Quinn! Let me guess, homework problems?"
I hadn't had a chance to talk to her all day because she wasn't in any of my classes after math and I was not allowed to call her until my homework was done. But in extreme cases, I could. I would call this pretty extreme.
"Yeah, you could say that. Look, Callie, I went to the principal's office today."
"You did? Did you fall asleep in class again?"
I smiled. She knew me so well. "Yes, but here's the weird thing. No detention."
I heard a gasp crackle through and she asked, "Why not?"
I took a deep breath. I was so worried that she wouldn't believe me. I made up so many fictional stories to post on my blog, that this might sound like one of them.
"Apparently, Venus VonCleave read my blog posts, loved what she saw, and wants me to come to Los Angeles for a year to observe her and write her a biography."
I waited for Callie's response. It only took a few seconds, but it felt like hours and I could feel my heart beating super fast.
"Hmm. I'm not sure I believe you. But I can always tell if you are making it up if I'm looking at you. Can I come over? Then I can help with homework too."
"Sure. I'll call my mom to check if it's ok."
"Ok, Quinn. See you soon." Callie said, and hung up. I quickly called my mom and told her about Callie. I hadn't told her about Venus VonCleave yet; I wanted to do it in person. My mom approved and I texted Callie, letting her know. A few moments later, the doorbell rang and a bolted downstairs to open the door.

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"Wow. I still can't believe you were telling the truth!" said Callie. We were sitting on my bed sipping the smoothies we had made while I told her everything. I was the one who mostly made the smoothies. Callie just stood there muttering to herself. Once in while I caught something she was saying. It consisted mostly of, "Venus VonCleave." and "But, how?" I just chuckled and let it all sink in, knowing how unbelievable it was when I got the news. Once we were in my room, she was able to talk normally.
"So she wants you to go to Los Angeles for a month? Why that long? How are you supposed to survive on your own? You're sixteen! And why can't you bring any friends or family? Specifically friends."
I laughed and tried to answer her frantic questions as best as I could.
"Yes, she wants me there for a month. I don't know why that long, maybe because she wants me to fully observe her." I said the last three words with a mock diplomatic face and voice. That made Callie laugh and I continued brightly. "I am not going to be on my own, I'll be living with Venus in her house-mansion thing. I have no idea why I can't bring my family or friends. Sorry. I would love to bring you."
Callie sighed, obviously disappointed. "Well, we'd better do our homework. I brought mine." I nodded and went over to grab my book bag. I glanced out the window and saw a red pickup truck pull into the driveway. Mom was home.
Here it goes. I thought. I hope she believes me.

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