Better Off Famous? by Jane Mendle

Author:Jane Mendle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

chapter 25

When I walked into makeup on Monday morning, the first thing I heard was a champagne cork popping.

“Champagne,” I told Robin, who was frothing the bottle into plastic cups. “Not just for breakfast anymore.”

Hallie grabbed a glass and tossed some back. “Didn’t you hear? We hit number one last week.” Her voice took on a higher, more excited pitch. “Annie, we have the highest Nielsens of any debut show this season! Spider’s thrilled, obviously. There’s going to be a huge party to celebrate, something absolutely enormous.”

Max walked in and immediately slapped a steaming washcloth onto my face. I gagged inadvertently. Obviously it is nice having someone else fret about my problematic pores, but I was on the verge of second-degree burns.

“Mpmmmph,” I protested. Max removed the washcloth and hovered over me, scrutinizing my skin with a fervent intensity. “No champagne for the girl next door,” he announced as he threw the rag over my face again.

I hadn’t known I wanted a glass until he said that.

“OK,” I said as Max removed the towel. He handed me an expertly frothed cappuccino that had been delivered from the canteen. Gratefully I took a sip as Max pulled out the Brillo pad. Pain. Also not just for breakfast anymore. “That’s skin, you know, Max. It doesn’t regenerate automatically.”

“Don’t be a baby.”

I bit my lip. “Is this party going to be a megadeal?” I asked him quietly.

“I imagine so. Red carpet and everything.”

I thought for a second. Maybe this was it: the celestial star alignment destined to catapult me into romantic bliss with Jason forever and ever. I would ask Jason to the party. Really, it made perfect sense. I was new to the city, didn’t know many people, and it would be utterly mortifying for a TV star of my growing celebnitude to show up alone. There was no way he could refuse. I envisioned myself in a fabulous, sophisticated dress, sort of like the one Hallie had worn on-set last week. The minute he saw me, Jason would decide that it was obviously pointless to deny his feelings and we’d dash off to the party in a haze of kisses. I mean, this Romeo and Juliet garbage was for the birds. No one was going to end up, like, dead in a tomb if we went out.

“Will you, um, will you?” I said aloud to Max.

“Spit it out.”

“Well, I’ll need a fabulous outfit, right?”

“Your prom dress won’t cut it for this party?” Max asked.

“It’s from the Youth Orchestra Ball, thank you very much.” I sighed. “But yeah.” I swiveled around in my seat. “Max, come on, please go shopping with me. Please,” I begged.

I was groveling. Max tilted my chin upward and squinted at my forehead.

“Another blemish? Honestly, Annie, are you using that night wash like I told you?”

“Max, you didn’t answer my question,” I pleaded.

“Like you ever answer mine,” he groused. “‘Oh, Max, of course I use your night wash,’” he squeaked in a falsetto. “‘That’s why I have pimples the size of the Ritz.

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