All Chapters of The Actor's Contract: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Date = 18 MarchPlace = San Francisco International AirportAria Thompson = 20 years oldEnrique Blackburn = 23 years oldLeyla Thompson = 7 years oldPOV - Aria ThompsonI hold a firm grip on the small hand in mine, patiently waiting next to one of the blue cylindrical columns that support the roof of the terminal. I keep my eye on the silver carousel for our bright green suitcase to arrive.Funny how you can fit a whole 20 years of existence into a single suitcase. For the umpteenth time since we bordered the plane, my morning coffee pushes up in my throat; my nerves are not only raw but bleeding. I swallow down the burning sensation and look down to find a pair of tired teal eyes fixed on me. I fake a smile at the pale elf-like face under the bright pink bandanna sprouting white daisies and receive a goofy toothless one in return.The colorful garment hides her bald head, her hair loss a side-effect of the chemo treatments, but typical Leyla … she just takes it in her stride. She no

Date = 18 March For the first time in my 23 years, I officially have a girlfriend. And even this time it’s fake.Place = San Francisco (Enrique’s home) Meeting her for the first time when she’s moving into my house.POV - Enrique Blackburn“All I’m saying is just make damn sure she’s not a fucking backstabbing gold digger using you to extort every penny you have,” my twin shouts from the screen.I wonder who tried to rob his pennies. Jackson won’t go off like this without a good reason. But I’m not worried … given that he has a ton of pennies, whoever will need to engage in a lot of extortion. And given that he’s not easily fooled, I’m sure they won’t even get a dime.Instead, I nod wholeheartedly, as if I’m paying attention to his counsel.“And don’t be like Damion … use a fucking condom.”“I’m not planning on reproducing soon,” I tease, “But thanks.” He mumbles a goodbye.With an irritated flick of my hand, I close the laptop on the coffee table while simultaneously getting up from

Date = 26 March The girls are stretching out the day. And I don’t mind at all.Place = San Francisco (Pier 39) And I get to go to places I’ve never been before.POV - AriaWe are halfway to the pier, top retracted, debating whether a taco truck is considered fine dining or not.We are laughing so much, tears stream down our cheeks, and my tummy actually starts to ache. These girls know just how to cheer a person up, and I’m so glad they entered my life.Even if it is under false pretenses, the friendship I feel is very real.POP! BANG!We swallow our laughs. The loud noise jerking us all into a shocked silence.The car swirls across the road and seems to decelerate quickly, making a strange flop-flop-flop sound.“Ship!” Kiara screams and tugs on the steering wheel to counteract the sudden pull to the right. She concentrates on keeping the white BMW going in a straight line, her tongue sticking out of her mouth, and eventually she manages to slow down to the shoulder and park.The sme

Date = 27 March Same night.Place = San Francisco (Palace of Fine Arts) Same place.POV - EnriqueI gnash my teeth so hard I might crack a molar.I hate Brian Cruise more than Jackson hates feelings, and vice versa. As for Damion’s feud with Graham — it can probably fuel a decade-long reality show.Aria, I might excuse, since she doesn’t know any of this. But my sister … she bloody knows pretty darn well.Both girls sneak a glance in our direction, then share a look — that conspiratorial, trouble-brewing expression I know all too well.Yup. I’ve known Mel her whole life. And this … this has Mel’s mischievous fingerprints all over it — the express lane to hell, paved with glitter, sass, and betrayal. And she’s taking Aria with her — willingly or not — that part I still need to figure out.I feel the temperature rise in my skull. And then, as if the universe is mocking us, One Direction sings enthusiastically over the speakers.‘Everybody wanna steal my girlEverybody wanna take her he

Date = 28 March Same day. Same hangover. Same obnoxious boys.Place = San Francisco (Inferno) New place.POV – Aria“Wait for Logan at the door!” Enrique calls out as soon as we get out of the car. That comment is meant for me.I salute bravely and grasp Leyla’s hand, weaving the other arm through Lee’s.I have two reasons for doing this:First and foremost — I require some emotional and physical support (I’m a little unsteady from the hangover /slash/ kiss).Second, I need a human barrier between me and my fake lover (to keep me from doing something stupid that might land me in jail or naked in bed).“Hi, how’s the head?” Damion asks, passing us with a lopsided grin that would melt the frickin Snowqueen. Tall, broad-shouldered, sun-touched skin gleaming under the mid-morning rays. Ugh, why are all these guys blessed with such flawless genetics? It’s detrimental to a girl’s hormones. And health.“Banging.”“Yeah, you should probably not drink everything my crazy girlfriend hands you,