The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project by Lenore Appelhans

Author:Lenore Appelhans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fiction-Young Adult, Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Contemporary, Fantasies, Modern, Black Comedy, Dark, Humor, Humorous, Comedy, Comedy, Humor, Humorous, Satire, Satirical, Carolrhoda Lab, Lenore Appelhans, Manic Pixie, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, Meta, Meta Humor, Teen, Teenager, Teenagers, Teens, The Manic Pixie Dream Boy Improvement Project, Tropes
Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group
Published: 2019-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 31

Ava greets me with a kiss when I arrive backstage at work, which takes me by surprise. “I’ve decided I like kissing you better than Rafferty.”

I can’t deny her announcement massages my ego most ergonomically, and in my head I shout, “I am awesome!” and “Suck it, Rafferty!” But now that Zelda and I are maybe fast-tracking it to coupledom, I probably shouldn’t be letting Ava give me sugar behind the scenes.

The Extras grazing at the craft services table seem supportive, though, judging by their clapping and cheering.

“Nice to see you, too.” I squeeze her hand, but also step back. “So what’s on the docket for today?”

“We’re waiting for TropeTown to send over a dog to play Bruiser, and then we’ll take a walk with him in the park.”

Considering our wardrobe—T-shirts and sweatpants—I predict running and possible canine shenanigans.

“So this will be your first encounter with Bruiser?”

“First time meeting a dog ever!” She bounces up and down on the balls of her feet.

“Really?” It strikes me how limited Ava’s experience will always be. While as a Developed she has the privilege of touching Readers’ lives, she’ll be eternally stuck in a world only as large as what the Author gives her. As a Trope, I may not stick in Readers’ minds for long, but I’ve been given the potential for a much wider range of adventures. Of course, I’m greedy and I want more. Isn’t there a way to have it all?

“Oh, look! There he is!”

I glance over at the landing area and recognize a familiar blue windbreaker and sunglasses.

After the brown and white collie laps up an entire bowl of water, he trots over to us. “Hey—you’re the kid we mistook for a New Age Therapist. How’s therapy been treating you?”

Ava’s eyes widen in horror. Leave to a dog to let the cat out of the bag.

“Just fine, Bruiser,” I say through clenched teeth. I guess he hasn’t heard about our therapy being canceled, and I don’t exactly want to discuss that right now. “How’s yours?”

“Call me Sal.”

I cross my arms. “I wouldn’t expect a Legacy like yourself would go for such a minor role.”

“It’s essentially a cameo. A couple of days’ work at most. Good visibility in a projected blockbuster. Plus, I’m tired of doing death scenes.”

Ava kneels in front of him. “Is it okay if I scratch behind your ears? Dogs like that, right?”

“Starting out on the right paw,” Sal says.

While Ava acquaints herself with Sal, I change into my wardrobe. The pants the Author chose fit me in terms of size, but not personality, unless she means for me to wear the repetitive print of the high school’s snarling wolf mascot ironically. The plain but tight sweatshirt accentuates my chest, so I can hardly complain about that.

The green light beckons everyone to the stage, including the Extras. On the way, Bruiser shrugs out of his windbreaker and sunglasses, so he can act like a Reader World dog. Ava puts a collar on him and attaches a retracting leash.

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