CHAPTER 8: EDITED VERSION

Deloise was in character. She'd been nervous of the watchful eyes of Daniel Greenwood and the importance of this very audition, and fumbled twice as a result of fear, which earned her a solid rebuke from Daniel, and a last chance of redemption coupled with a pep talk from him to give it her best shot.

Knowing it was her last shot, Deloise recounted her journey and how she'd discovered her passion for creative arts, its consequences and costs so far.

She walked all the way to this moment in order to do what she loved and there was no way in hell she was going to leave a failure. She was far too gone to fail.

Under the watchful eyes of the men thrio, Deloise slumped to the floor. Her face contorted to one with immense pain, and the spectators felt the mood of the room change.

In character, she crawled painfully to the mannequin situated meters away from her. In the scene she was to deliver, she had just found her son, bloodied on the floor, and killed by poison administered by her husband's concubine.

Acting as a scorned woman, Deloise screamed out the character's name , shaking vehemently as she crawled up his supposed dead body. Taking the slowest pace possible, she cried her way to his body and attempted touching him.

Her hand hovered over the mannequin, trying countlessly to touch its cold pale body, to no avail. Deloise wept so profusely that at some point, the spectators forgot it wasn't real and felt very emphatic towards her pain.

Deloise managed to immerse all into the little world she'd created. The atmosphere was tense as they awaited for the final part of the scene to be acted out. The female lead was going to seek out and deal with the one who had caused her such pain.

Eyes reddened and a nose running, Deloise looked up, directly at her judge. Still in character, she said with a vengeance driven countenance displayed upon her face.

" An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," she recited the mantra, heaving in pain and anger. She looked at the mannequin and pointed at the supposed concubine, muttering the last words with an eerie coldness, " A son, for a son."

Goosebumps washed over the arms of both Aaron and the director. They'd never seen such realistic acting ever before! Not even from top stars. Daniel on the other hand couldn't help himself and gave her a standing ovation.

" You got it! You are it! Finally! My lead!" He said happily, clapping at her artistry and smooth delivery of the scene. Daniel was happy that he'd given her another chance to redeem herself despite her previous mishaps. The men trio kept on clapping and throwing compliments to her performance, happy to have found her.

Humbled, Deloise got up and wiped her face shyly. She was surprised by the audience she'd gotten as she'd been so lost in the headspace of the character that she took no notice of her surroundings.

After the cheering, Mr Austin walked up to Deloise," that was a great piece, looking forward to having you at Royal Arts Academy. I'm the director." He said, immediately introducing himself.

" Thank you so much sir, I'm Deloise." She answered politely, still in disbelief of what was now turning her reality.

" I know that dear, I'm just going to let you rest and have someone take you to your accommodations on campus and I'll get to you later okay?" Mr Austin said, noting the fact that she was probably yet to settle down and had been made to audition immediately she got in.

" No! Let her wait, the rest are on their way. They need to experience this." Daniel said excitedly, simultaneously typing on his phone.

" They would watch the clip , our star here needs rest." Mr Austin retorted, stressing his point. Daniel, who had now gotten off the high, remembered she was yet to rest from the flight and a sheepish smile came into his face.

Embarrassed by his manners, he agreed. " Take care of her then." Daniel said to the director. Turning to Deloise he apologized, " Sorry about my manners."

" No problem." She squeaked, meaning every word.

" Now that's settled, Aaron, please take her to the students affairs and see to her safe settlement into Royal Arts." Mr Austin instructed, stunning Aaron out of his reverie.

Aaron nodded, still lost as he watched the curvy self of Deloise walk towards him. He immediately turned on his charms and put on a smile, but was surprised to receive a poor countenance in return.

Deloise remembered Aaron from his earlier rudeness and wasn't the happiest to hang with him. Not giving him a time of the day, she spoke upon reaching him,

" Shall we?"

Aaron was stunned by Deloise's beauty and her acting prowess. Of course he wanted to get off on a great Start with her but he didn't appreciate the attitude he was getting. Nonetheless, he spoke in a friendly tone.

" That was a bomb act right there. Now I look forward to spending time with you. I'm Aaron Steele." He said, his hand outstretched with a soft smile as he introduced himself.

" I'm not interested in all of this, please take me to the students affairs." Deloise retorted with a bored expression, their earlier interaction still fresh in her mind.

' He was such a hypocrite! ' She thought.

" Hey, hey, hey, I'm being nice here. And you are just being rude." Aaron said, picking offense.

" Nice? Ha ha, don't play stupid, okay?" Deloise said, still not giving him a time of the day.

" You know, in this production, I'm the male lead, and in order for me to work with you, you need to reel in the bitchiness." Aaron lashed, aiming to get back at her and felt satisfied knowing he succeeded.

Deloise countenance grew poor, " did you just call me a bitch?" She asked incredulously, her distaste for him grew to an all time high.

" Didn't say that. I just asked that you reel. In. the. bitchiness." He replied, drawing out each word and having way too much fun from her expressions.

" I'm not about to handle this right now, I'm tired and rightfully need to settle down. I think I'll help myself from here on." Deloise said, totally annoyed at the prick and headed out to the hallway, only after did she realize that he was supposed to take her to the students affairs.

Releasing a frustrated sigh, Deloise decided it was better she found her way around herself. She wasn't looking forward to spending another passing second with the douchebag. With that, she headed out of the block, her plan being to ask questions until she got to the office.

******

Aaron stood with a smirk, waiting for the fire cracker to return, knowing he was her only hope of navigating the school grounds. He was surprised when he found out she actually left.

Without him.

Mr Austin and Daniel watched their interaction and couldn't help but smile at the duo. Mr Austin was pressing to have Aaron let out of the production, yet refusing to cite a solid reason.

" They already hate each other, let's make it easier and find some other male lead." Mr Austin said, pressing on the notion to have Aaron dismissed.

" Matter of fact, if I hadn't seen that, I would have accepted to replace him. But now, he doesn't seem like he wants to lose the role." Daniel Greenwood said, motioning to Aaron who stood with an odd smile, looking at the door in bewilderment.

" You don't know that." Mr Austin said with a smile.

" Let's find out then," Daniel said, and without further Ado, called out to Aaron with an excited glint in his eyes. " Hey boy! Still want to drop your role?" He asked, drawing the attention of Aaron.

Aaron felt caught, seeing the material they were working with, he felt challenged and didn't want to drop out anymore. He needed to see more of the firecracker and her acting.

The original reason why he wanted to drop the role returned with a vengeance and he felt conflicted. He wanted it but at the same time didn't.

Daniel could see the conflict in his eyes and his lips curved into a smile. He was looking forward to producing him alongside Deloise, they had some chemistry, waiting to be unearthed by the right words in the right scene.

Aaron reminded Daniel of his younger self - talented, determined and conflicted. He was also ambitious seeing his reluctance to drop the role after seeing the chosen female lead.

Deciding to put the young man out of his misery, Daniel spoke up. " Take your time, think it through. I'll be here next week, same time for your answer." He said, and Aaron nodded in reply before stepping out.

Meanwhile, Deloise walked around the school compound, admiring the new environment while also trying to find her way to the student affairs. Judging from her previous college, it should be close to the administrative building.

She trudged around the not-so-busy school environment, passing various halls where lectures took place. She even saw a shed where some acting and filming was ongoing. Deloise felt excited, her exhaustion vanished as she watched in awe.

As she watched the people recite their lines, each adding a touch of passion and style to their delivery while the others watched, she knew for certain that she was home.

" Beautiful isn't it?" A feminine voice jolted Deloise out of her reverie.

She turned to the source of the voice and was surprised to find a brunette who looked around her age standing beside her.

" Um..Hello?" She said in reply, suddenly feeling out of place, not to mention, watched.

" Isn't it beautiful seeing such beautiful lines come to life? You know one thing that never ceases to get me? The fact that it all started with an idea, some words, a book , then finally a film." The slender lady said in awe," the most fulfilling yet unsatisfying part of the process."

Deloise couldn't for the life of her understand what this person was getting at but she didn't feel like leaving either. Her earlier fatigue evaporated the moment she saw first hand what a movie set should look like. It was a school after all.

In seconds, a loud voice in the crowd cried the word - 'cut!' signaling the end of filming. Noise was restored as the involved people spoke between themselves, oblivious to the extra audience they had.

" I'm Layla. Who are you?" The girl asked outrightly, her eyes scrunched up as she observed the general appearance of the acclaimed Layla.

" I'm Deloise and I'm new." She informed her.

" I knew it! I just arrived some weeks ago myself, what's your major?" She asked excitedly, her gap tooth evident from the broadness of her smile.

" Major? This is an acting school." Deloise said, confused as to what she meant.

" Yes, silly! You didn't expect the Royal Arts Academy to be all about acting, did you? " She asked incredulously, surprised at Deloise' confused look.

" Okay. If you're going to survive here, you need me to tell you things like this. First, it's an arts school, not an acting school. " She corrected with a tut. " There are writers, musicians, artists, dancers and the rest who study here. Everyone to his niche."

Deloise was stunned. Royal Arts had once again managed to bring her to a whole new level of admiration." So… I get to study other things too?" She asked, trying to assimilate the new information.

" Well yes, but the sweet thing is, it's totally optional. The idea is to enable creatives to get in touch with all their creative sides, not just one. That's what makes our art different, outstanding and noble." Layla said in a recital tone, her head tilted and nose upturned, as she attempted a real life imitation of Mr Austin.

Deloise smiled at her antics, she seemed like a nice person. " You act like you've heard that a billion times." She said earning an affirmative from Layla.

" We have! Soon you'll see. So.. when did you get in and where's your room, Dee? " She asked, taking note of her deer in headlights look.

" Dee? " A full blown smile was pitched on Deloise's lips. It's been a long time since she'd been addressed so fondly, not to talk from a stranger.

" Oops, you don't like it? I'm sorry, Deloise is a mouthful for me." She muttered sheepishly.

" It's okay, I actually like it. I'm sorry I don't have one for you yet, Layla. " Deloise affirmed, putting it at the back of her mind to find a suitable and natural nickname for Layla.

" It's okay. Where are you off to? " She asked with a beautiful smile, not the least bit offended.

" Yeah! Students affairs for my accommodation." Deloise rattled off, finally remembering her situation.

" You met just the right person. Come on! " Layla said, tugging Deloise along.

The girls walked together and soon enough they were done, and Deloise settled in. Surprisingly, Layla was one of her roommates and together they arranged her things while chatting like long lost reunited friends.

*******

Daniel was on his way home from Royal Arts Academy. Inside his car, he kept smiling, only stopping himself when he felt like he may appear a tad bit crazy in the eyes of his driver.

He couldn't help himself. He finally found his little angel! At the mention of the natural nickname he had managed to give her, Daniel burst out laughing. This time around, startling the poor driver who kept his face forward but stole glances at him.

He noticed his driver's discomfort but couldn't bring himself to care. He was in a good mood and he couldn't hide it. Something was finally going his way after a long row of never-ending bad news.

Content, he relaxed in his car, Daniel got on his phone, and checked his schedule. He was supposed to be in Chicago in a few days for a business meeting.

A cocky smirk clouded his face when he remembered his friend Elvis. He was going to his turf once again and decided it was best to announce his coming this time around.

With a tap to his phone, Daniel dialed Elvis, and waited for the line to connect. On the other hand, Elvis was in his office, busy with some work when the call came in. Surprised, he swiped to the green icon.

" Am I safe? " The friendly voice of Elvis said immediately the call connected, his tone depicted an aura of wonder.

" It depends… " Daniel said, playing along. " Confess your crimes and maybe l get you a light sentence."

" Ha, ha.. boring! I expected something even more creative from a world renowned actor." Elvis called out, patronizingly.

" Whatever. I'm in a great mood and there's nothing your ass could do to ruin it." He ascertained.

" Easy, pretty man. Don't get all snarky with me. Tell me, what's up?" Elvis dropped his pen on the desk and laid back in his chair.

" I'm ecstatic. I just got the lead female for my project, I couldn't be more satisfied with her." Daniel chatted excitedly.

" She must be very good if you are this satisfied with her. Congratulations!" He remarked.

" You make it seem like I'm insatiable. It's not a crime to have an impeccable good taste in everything."

" Yeah right. Whatever makes you sleep at night." Elvis' tone dripped sarcasm.

" You know what? I'm not about to humor you. I'll be coming to your City in a few days. " Daniel said, finally getting on track.

" That's good news, Maybe this time around you will get to meet the family." Elvis suggested, already creating plans in his head for the moment his family met Daniel.

Especially his wife who made it a point of action to tease him about what she described as an imaginary friendship with Daniel Greenwood.

Not that she didn't believe he was telling the truth about his friendship with Daniel, but she decided to consistently tease him about the situation until she got to meet him for herself.

" Yeah, I look forward to seeing them, and getting a front row seat to analyze the joys of marriage. " Daniel teased, expertly referring to their last conversation and how he had so beautifully described his marriage.

" You are in for a surprise then." Elvis' office door opened and his secretary walked in, holding up some files he demanded for. " Um, we'll discuss the details later, congrats once again. I have to go." Elvis said, and ended the conversation.

Deciding to get some work in, Daniel took out his laptop while the car sped past the road. While clearing his emails, he met an offer to invest in a company in Chicago. Immediately, he fired a reply and added it to his schedule for the trip.

*****

Deloise was in her Royal Arts dorm room. Since her arrival the previous day, she was occupied with unpacking and getting her schedule ready. For the first time in a while she was finally getting free time to properly settle in before classes commenced.

Layla - who was tired from her seven o'clock class- dozed off the moment she returned. She could tell that her roomate wasn't a morning person.

Nevertheless, Deloise was happy to finally get settled inside her room and got busy on her phone, going through the internet, when she came across a picture of a popular mother and daughter duo in the industry.

For a while, she analyzed the picture with a ghost smile. How great would it be if she had her mother with her on this journey? Deloise wondered if a time would come when she got the support of her mother.

As though the earth heard her thoughts, her phone broke out in a loud ring, and to her utmost surprise, it was her mother!

How on earth she decided to call at that point in time was a thought that scared Deloise. A thousand thoughts filled her head on why she was calling her. What if she's been found out? Maybe Anna told her?

Deloise's mind was a tug, while the phone rang for the third time. Biting the bullet, Deloise swiped green.

" Baby! Where have you been? I was getting a little worried when you weren't picking up." Her mother's worried voice made its way into her ears.

" Uh, um, I mean, yeah." She managed to reply, hyperventilating.

" Those aren't words, are you okay? Should I be worried?" Esther said, her motherly instincts up and gauging her daughter's reactions.

" No mum! I'm okay, just erm… I was erm… " Deloise struggled to speak, she looked to the side, saw a sleeping Layla and immediately blurted, " Sleeping! I was sleeping." She said to her mother who was quiet behind the phone.

" Hello? " Deloise called out when she received no response from her mother's end.

" Yeah, I'm still here. I could tell something was wrong with you, I guess I woke you up. I'm sorry, I just missed you a lot." Esther said and she felt relieved.

" It's okay. It's fine." She said, feeling terrible for the blatant lie she had resorted to in order to cover her slip ups.

" Since you're already up, tell me, how's school going over there, and Anna? Is she with you? "

" Uhm, it's fine mom, can we talk later, I need to go, take care of yourself, I love you, bye! " Deloise rushed out, ending the call without waiting for a reply from her mom.

Deloise let out a huge sigh of relief. She didn't realize she held her breath the entire time. The fact that talking to her mom now gave her a claustrophobic reaction threw her mood downhill.

How did it get to this point? She wondered painfully but decided against dwelling on it. It was only going to hurt her.

She threw her phone by the side of her bed and laid down properly. Exhausted and feeling the need for some comfort food, she got up, deciding to explore the food spots on campus.

With a stroll, she made her way out of the dorm, breathing through the situation and hopeful for the best.

*****

Inside one of the cafeterias on campus, Aaron, Stella and Tony were seated together, sharing a table. The Royal Arts cafeteria was the best you could find in the school environs. It was usually always packed with hungry students in need of a snack.

It was also a throbbing spot where all manners of meetings, hangouts and gossip took place. To add to the allure, their burgers were nothing short of heavenly.

" For getting the role, you sure are cranky. " Stella said to Aaron, and sipped her drink.

" Yeah, one would think he didn't get the role. He's been in a piss mood for some days, it's like living under a dark cloud. " Tony added with a joking tone, knowing his friend wasn't in his best mood.

Aaron didn't humor them with a reply. He wasn't in the best mood and despite knowing the role played part of the reason, he knew it wasn't all there is to it.

It was the fact that he suddenly didn't feel like dropping out of the damned production. The fact that he couldn't seem to successfully push thoughts of his firecracker out of his head.

His conflict was annoying as he always knew what he wanted. He had always been clear on what mattered and what didn't, but recently, everything seemed to be spiraling out of control.

His thoughts, his decision making process, and the fact that he unconsciously longed to get another glimpse of the little firecracker who got the role of lead female was concerning.

Another angle was the fact he didn't inform Stella that the role she coveted was taken by someone else. Not only that, but he found himself yearning for the shoot to begin.

It was a weird dynamic for him, coupled with the fact that he'd been given an extra week to decide if he still wanted out of the production.

" Uhm, hey, Aaron.. Hello?! " The voice of Stella snapped him back to reality.

" Are you done eating?" Aaron asked as he got out of his reverie, noticing the attention on him.

" Uh, yeah? Ages ago. What's up with you man?" Tony asked, point blank worried about his friend.

" I'm okay, I just.." Aaron replied and suddenly went quiet midway. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was her.

The little firecracker he'd been on the lookout for. She literally walked inside the cafeteria looking lost and cute as ever. Bef

ore he could stop himself, Aaron stood up and took purposeful, confident strides towards her direction. Having no idea what he was going to do.

Meanwhile, Stella and Tony remained seated. Tony looked at him with an amused look while Stella bored a hole behind him.