The Fontaines of Hollywood series: The Lies Between the Lines

For a second, I'm completely speechless. We haven't even been in the room together for two minutes and he's completely written me off. Without even bothering to do the scene with me. My dream is slipping through my fingers, and he won't even give me a chance.I don't know what comes over me then. Maybe it's all the stress surrounding this audition - I hardly slept at all last night - or maybe it's just years' worth of desperation finally bubbling up to the surface. Either way, I'm not about to let him take that away from me - not without at least letting me audition.I run to the door."Luca!" I yell after him.He stops and turns slowly, one eyebrow raised quizzically. "Yes, my dear?""This is bullshit." The words that come out of my mouth shock me. And they appear to shock Luca, too, because his eyes widen."Excuse me?" he says.I know this is a mistake, but I can't stop myself. "You heard me. This is bullshit. BULL. SHIT. So what if I don't have that much experience? I guarant

The whole fake relationship thing was Luca's idea.Nothing sells a film like some good drama between co-stars, and he wanted Cataclysm: Earth to be huge. He had a contract and everything, spelling out what we could and couldn't do, breaking down exactly when all of our dramatic "relationship events" would take place, laying out exactly what was expected of me. I knew this was my chance to really make it big, so I signed it.And it worked. Our little show began the moment my signature was dry on the contract, and Luca and I have been in the spotlight ever since - one day making out on the beach, the next breaking up, the next starting baby rumors...and over and over and over again until I was convinced people would be bored with us. Instead, it only made them more obsessed.And now I have a rock the size of a golf ball to wear on my finger.My engagement ring is currently locked in my safe here in the trailer - I can't exactly wear it during filming - but I can still feel the weight

Unfortunately, my prediction turns out to be exactly right.Everything starts out okay. The first half of the scene is mostly dialogue. Our characters, Jax and Isabel, have just escaped from a horde of alien creatures (another addition to the sequel) into the relative safety of an abandoned convenience store. The set today looks spectacular - exactly like you'd expect an already trashy gas station mart to look after a huge apocalyptic event. Dilapidated shelves dangle at all angles, dented cans are scattered everywhere, and - of course - everything has a thick coat of "apocalypse dust." The only thing that breaks the illusion is the giant green screen behind the convenience store's "windows" - where they'll add in the scenery and CGI alien creatures later.Luca, as usual, is stunning. He always is. No one can accuse him of coasting on his looks - he's that good an actor. It still fascinates me to watch, even two years into our working relationship. One minute Luca is there, all charm

Luca has very skillfully brushed off my question, but I can't pretend his tardiness is the only reason I'm having issues today."I think... I honestly think it's just the pressure," I say. "Everyone believes that what you and I are doing out there is real. And if we're awkward or if something about it is off, then they're going to know the truth."One of his golden eyebrows rises. "If you're worried about it looking awkward, then I'm afraid that ship has already sailed.""I know. I just..." God, what is wrong with me? "I got a weird call from Javy this morning and I'm a little distracted.""Javy?""My brother." We've been "together" for two years and apparently he still doesn't know my little brother's name. But I can't blame him, I guess - Luca and I never talk about personal stuff.He's watching me a little too closely. I don't think he realizes how intense his gaze is - how it has a way of getting under your skin, even when you try to guard yourself against it. I look down at

I'm no longer the innocent girl I was the night I signed that contract. I've learned how to play the publicity game. And I've learned not to trust Luca's - or anyone's - smiles.I straighten my shoulders and head up the front steps. This is the last place I want to be right now, but after the way I humiliated myself on set today, I know I don't have a choice. I need to practice that scene.My nerves start to sink in again as I ring the doorbell. I'm still not sure what came over me earlier. I've never had a panic attack on set before. It doesn't help that I still don't know what's going on with Javy. I've called him multiple times and left him a couple messages, but so far his only response has been a quick text message to tell me he'd talk to me later. I spent the entire ride over here debating whether or not I should call Mom and Dad about him. What the hell could he need twenty thousand dollars for?Just when I'm starting to lose myself in my anxiety again, Luca answers the door.