Chapter Text
Reia
It all started with a call from her agent. A call that Reia will remember forever as it changed her entire life. She was in the middle of a night out with her colleagues when the phone started to buzz in her purse. As she took a look at the screen she realized who it was and she answered.
The next day Reia had to attend a meeting at the agency’s office as per agreed on the other night. She had been a big name in the industry thanks to some academy nominated films she had done and people had turned their heads whenever the great Reia Carrero walked into the office. Everybody was proud of her for delivering such unforgettable performances, especially her agent, Horatius. Especially after betting on a no-name Spanish actress and trusting her enough with important leading roles.
That day was no different and as she walked in all eyes were on her and she could bet she had heard someone yelping from one side of the hall. It was all her hard work that led the brunette to this kind of achievement. She had not gone to any fancy drama schools, as a poor immigrant from the other side of the world she would have never gotten into any of those. Sometimes she missed her home country, Spain, but with time and with the little help of fame she soon started to consider Los Angeles her new home.
Horatius had been waiting for her in his office and as soon as Reia entered he sensed something was off.
“Reia? You look awful. One of those nights again?”
The man sighed and shook his head with obvious disapproval painted on his face. The actress shrugged and hopped down at a chair across the table.
“Nice to see you too, Horatius.”
The brunette finally took off the sunglasses she had on to cover her hangover face and rubbed her eyes, even yawning.
“Will you ever stop with this unhealthy behavior? You know what, don’t even answer that.”
The restless efforts of her agent made the Spanish chuckle.
“Oh you know me too well. So…you have anything for me?”
The man started to fumble with papers, bringing up a script and tossing it over to the actress.
“This. You have been in different kinds of films, and I know you want to try everything a bit. This is the future and I bet this is going to be a hit.”
Reia took the script and read the title before looking back at the man with a questioning look on her face.
“She-Ra? Really? You think my next big gig is going to be an animation adaption? Is that how low we need to go now?” The brunette scoffed, throwing the papers back on the table and leaning back in her chair. “Tell me you didn’t drag me all the way here for this.” She sighed, rubbing her forehead as it started to ache.
“Read it at least. I wouldn’t have called you if I hadn’t thought it would fit you. You could totally go for the leading role.”
Reia laughed a little and shook her head. “The hero? You want me to audition for a white blond girl’s role? Are you out of your mind?”
The man crossed his arms before his chest.
“Just imagine, a Spanish woman playing the hero who saves everyone. Wouldn’t it be something new? Something you as yourself would like to see happening in the cinema?” Horatius really tried his best to get Reia’s attention and persuade her into going for it. But Carrero was not having it as she kept constantly groaning about it. “Have I mentioned Elizabeth Banks would be directing it?”
Suddenly the protesting stopped and with sparkling eyes she looked at the agent.
“Now we are talking. Why haven’t you said sooner? Honestly, Horatius…” Reia looked down at the script again and took it. “Fine, but I am not promising anything. I will just read it and let you know what I think.” With that the brunette stood up and with the heavy papers in her hands she left the room.
Hayley
Whenever Angelique called, Hayley would get some kind of nervous feeling as she hoped some new job was coming her way and maybe it would be better than the previous one. It had been late at night, after one of the blond's shifts in a cafeteria. She had to take on some odd jobs as she needed to tie all loose ends at the end of the month. Being a new actress in a big city as Los Angeles meant hard work and not being too picky in choosing your parts or other jobs. Hayley was quick to pick up although she had been getting ready to go to bed.
“Hey Angelique, are you calling with good news?”, she asked her agent as she sat down on her bed.
“Hayley, there is a Cattle Call for a huge movie project, almost all parts are open. From the moment the information came in, I asked for the character breakdowns and there is a part that would be ideal for you.”, the woman sounded excited and it overflowed from one end of the call to the other, making the blond stand back up.
“That sounds amazing Angelique! What’s the project called? And what kind of role did you find?”, she walked around in her room as she felt glad to finally have another audition.
“It’s called, wait give me a second, I know that it’s based on an existing animated series on Netflix…”, she heard the woman searching her papers. “She-Ra and the princesses of power, the animation was produced by DreamWorks in two thousand and eighteen and ended in twenty-twenty. It was a remarkable success and in deliberation with the studios and original director they decided to make a live action movie.”, Hayley looked wide eyed because this was indeed a huge project, bigger than any of the movies she had played in so far.
“This is an A-class movie Angelique, isn’t it?”, she asked enthusiastically, already wanting to agree on whatever role she would be casting for.
“This movie is very promising, Hayley, it has a huge fandom and the animation won an Emmy award for best animation.”, the woman spoke a little breathlessly, knowing how big this could be for the young actress.
“What kind of role did you find me?”, she asked next.
“The lead role.”
It was silent for a moment as Hayley took in what her agent had just said.
“T-the lead role? Angelique are you serious?”, the blond said with a little chuckle, hoping it was a joke and the truth at the same time but she knew the woman wasn’t the kind to make jokes.
“Hayley, the role is open for anyone to take it, we have to aim as high as possible. If you don’t take this chance, you’ll regret it the rest of your life.”, Angelique made clear and the young woman knew her agent had a point.
“I’ll give it my anything.”, she answered determined.
“So you’re in?”, the agent wanted one last confirmation.
“Yes, I’m in.”
Reia
Reia took the script home and with the company of a sweet red bottle of wine and her trusty cat, Melog in her lap she started her reading. Time flew by in her comfy and cozy little set up of a reading nook and a few hours later she caught herself dialing her agent.
“Horatius, you must get me this role. This is amazing and emotional and I want it. Why haven’t you said that this is lesbian love story??”
From the other side of the line a laugh was audible.
“Only if you ask nicely, tell me I was right and never try to disagree with me. If I say you take this role, you do as I say.”
If eyerolls could be heard Horatius would have heard them a lot, especially now.
“Fine…you were right. Now please, get me this role.”
Contently the man hummed.
“Hmm…Well, I can arrange an audition for you. For once you have to actually work for it, Reia. I will send you the details as soon as I get the exact date.”
The actress shifted in her seat nervously as she thought about it. It’s been a long time since she had to go for an audition, usually directors asked directly for her and only her.
“Alright, if that’s what it takes…” She said after a little silence.
“Good…oh and Reia, bring your best performance. I heard Elizabeth is picky and strict. Don’t embarrass me or the agency, got it?”
The Spanish sighed as she knew this was her cue to not fuck things up. “Yes, Horatius.”
And Reia did try her best to prepare for the role, for her audition. She had the script overly analyzed to every detail, to every line and she had spent hours perfecting how she delivered the lines of the hero. She still had her doubts about her being a blond girl with a ridiculous battle cry, but she recited the famous words anyway.
“For the honor of Grayskull!”
In addition, she looked up both the original 80’s version and the rebooted gay version of the animation. To her surprise she was met with an entire She-Ra culture and fandom and became aware of the hype. First she watched the original one, which wasn’t to her liking. Reia had found it too fabricated and overall ridiculous, but when she watched the first episode of the Netflix one she became hooked. Being locked in her home she had binged the entire five seasons in only three days and once it was over she was left with an empty feeling, like her life had no purpose anymore.
That is when she had to remember she could be the one to be a part of this project where they would expand the She-Ra universe and add things that couldn’t be in the animation. Reia had never been a part of an animation adaption as she thought those were doomed from the very start, mainly because of the stupidly high expectations from the fans and mainly because they would only interpret the story only with live actors but without adding anything new, anything more to it. But this one was different, the screenplay was written by the same woman who wrote the reboot for Netflix and she had added some scenes that never made it to the animation. On top of all that, it would be the first time for her to play a lesbian.
It was a secret life Reia had to hide from the public as advised from her agent, manager and even her PA. Only those few knew that the actress had a liking in women and about her little parties where she would secretly meet with girls and take them to private hotel rooms. The staff was always paid off to seal their silence and it worked perfectly. Little did her team know that Reia had been involved with not only regular people but her fellow actresses and even models. It was her own little secret that she even kept from her PA. Those nights were never spoken about again and it was only her business. Being as famous as she was helped her get anyone. Women have usually jumped to the opportunity to share a bed with the brunette and they have never been disappointed. Coming from a miserable past and childhood Reia had learned to enjoy life to the fullest as long as her career was over the roof. You never know when you fall and keeping it in mind she had never engaged in serious relationships.
The only constant love in her life was her work as she adored her job. She was a natural talent and even actors coming from posh drama schools such as RADA had envied her of how easily she could slip into the shoes of any character thrown at her and how differently she acted and looked like each time. What those people didn’t know is that she had learned to put on a mask and act in a hard way when she was only a child. Being raised in an orphanage with an abusive mother figure was a tough lesson for a lifetime. Something Reia had never thought to benefit from. She had become strong and defied any odds that came in front of her only to become one of the most popular actresses on Hollywood’s market.
Hayley
That same night, Hayley received all the information that her agent had already gathered. First auditions would start quickly, in only a week's time. Angelique had sent up the blond's resumé and pictures so they would make a chance in being invited over. The young actress didn’t have much hope in getting this role as she would have to compete with many talented actresses. She searched down the internet about the series, read the character breakdown and quickly discovered this was a role she would gladly play. Her height and natural blond hair were already fitting for the character, together with her eye colour. Small details could make a huge difference.
“White female of 17-20 years old, blond, tall and blue eyes, slight muscular build. Leading part, several sword fighting scenes and stunts.”
There wasn’t more information beside a short summary of the story and the character’s name, Adora. Of what Hayley could make up from it, this story would tell about a young woman, deserter that leaves the evil side to fight for the good after finding a magic sword and trying to save the planet with it. Not a complicated storyline but of what she had read on the internet, the story brought more depth to it than expected. It took her some time to find sleep that night, with all the new information filling her head but eventually she did.
“This is huge Grace, I would be happy if they called me for an audition and over the moon if I got some part.”, the blond spoke as she took some deep breaths.
She had a day off and had hit the gym with her best friend. Her friend was more for supporting and helping the blond not to kill herself with heavy weights.
“Mom told me, she was as excited as you are and the moment she got the information she said this was a role for you Hayley. You should really aim for the highest possible part. Do I need to add more to it?”, she asked as she pointed to the leg press in which the blond was sitting.
“I know I have to aim high, that’s why I’ll go for the leading part. Yes, add ten more, thanks. But I want to be realistic Grace, what are the chances I will be chosen?”, she spoke before getting ready to push the heavy weights with her legs.
The pink haired girl hummed as she watched her friend pushing the weights, ready to interfere if something would go wrong.
“You never know Hayley, chances are indeed slim but they’re not non-existent.”, her friend spoke supporting words as always while the blond gave the weights some last pushes, panting and wiping away the sweat forming on her forehead.
“I.. know…”, she spoke breathlessly before taking a sip of water. “But… still, I don’t want to get my hopes up too high. I need to get an invitation to the audition first before I can even start thinking about a possibility of getting the leading part.”
The audition would be at the end of that week, knowing that she would get an invitation rather quickly if she wanted to make a chance. Never had she been looking at her phone so often as she did that day. Whenever she had brought beverages to her clients she would stand behind the bar, giving her phone a quick glance only to see she had a Facebook notification or a message from her friend, asking if she had heard anything. The hours ticked along but no message from the casting and the blond's hopes quickly started to plunge. This is why I don’t want to get my hopes up , she told herself as she got changed into her normal clothes, bidding the other waitresses goodbye as she left the cafeteria.
With a sigh she got into her car, her phone placed in its holder after she checked it one last time but nothing. The drive back home took her normally thirty minutes, if there wasn’t any traffic jam. Her eyes went to her phone every now and then while she waited in line with hundreds of other drivers wanting to go home. When her phone lit for a new email she quickly took it from its holder, opening it. It was from the casting for the movie, nerves peaked so high that she needed to read it a second time for the information to come through. We gladly invite you for an audition on Friday at 10am.
The rest of the week the blond deepened herself into the character she might possibly play. Starting with the animated series she binge watched on Netflix in a couple of days while reading some information pages about the character. It was a kids show but with many adult content, topics such as religion, sexuality, freedom and love were shown all in the cover of a funny animation. Hayley was quickly hooked, especially liking the ending as the two leading characters would come together. The blond felt confident about possibly playing the leading role, acting out some of the scenes in her house, trying to imitate some of the character’s facial expressions and way of saying things but giving them all an authentic feeling.
Hayley received a part of the script, one scene she had to play for her audition and she felt kind of proud when she recognized the part she was given. By the end of the week she knew her lines from the heart, had practised them in front of the mirror until she felt confident enough about her performance. The day before the audition she knew she couldn’t do anything more than she had already done so far. “I can’t be more prepared.”, she spoke against her dogs as they sat outside. It had been a chilly and grey day and the sun that hid behind it all had started to set. It was getting late and she wished it would already be the next day.
Reia
As promised Horatius had gotten her the chance to audition for the role and luckily the date of it was only after she had practiced every line to perfection. The animation was a big help in that. It was weird and somehow familiar to be in the same situation as years ago whenever she would go on different auditions for small roles. The same excitement had been buzzing in her stomach as she had been taken to the studio. Her PA accompanied her to the place as he arranged their way there. The man noticed how silent the actress was and he just had to point it out.
“Are you nervous?”
The Spanish was staring outside through the window of the car, repeating the lines in her head when she heard someone talking to her so she turned her head to look at the blond guy.
“Pfft, me? Please, Kirsch. I have gotten bigger roles than this. It will be easy-peasy.”
Waiting in a corridor filled with actresses who she had never seen before had the brunette think it would be indeed easy enough to get the part. She had been told that the casting took place not only on one day but a whole week and it was the very first day she was attending. She took a seat while Kirsch stood next to her. The young girls recognized her and they started to whisper to each other thinking the Spanish couldn’t hear any of what they were saying, but she did. It was not helpful. Concentrating when they were talking about you was hard enough and it took all of her effort not to shout at them to stay quiet. Luckily nobody dared to ask her for autographs or pictures, though she had seen some of them taking out their phones and snapping quick pictures of her.
“Reia Carrero? You are up next. Come on in.”
Hayley
When the next day hit, her confidence was lacking as nerves took over. The blond ran up to the bathroom three times before she got ready. It was still early but it was a little drive away for the audition and she couldn’t afford being too late. She quickly packed her stuff, resume included although they already received one they may ask for another copy.
“Wish me luck boys!”, she shouted to her dogs as she left her house.
With a deep breath she started her drive up to the audition, hoping this will be a life changer. Her fingers drummed on her steering wheel as she navigated her way through traffic, finally arriving at the building her phone told her to be.
The parking lot was filled with cars, some fancier than others. With a straight back she entered, asking at the reception where the auditions for She-Ra were, the guy behind the counter smiled friendly at her, asking her name and finally giving her a badge before pointing at the elevators.
“Go to the fifth floor, go left and you’ll walk into the waiting room.”, he spoke before bidding her good luck.
“Thank you.”, Hayley answered before doing as he said, going up to floor five and turning left.
The blond had known there would be many people auditioning for this role but the amount of women already sitting in the waiting room took her aback.
Hayley took one of the few seats left, all eyes on her for a moment before they turned back to their scripts, phones or books. The blond crossed her legs, looking at her hands for a moment as she stayed silent. In one of the corners three women talked, whispering but loud enough for all of the people in the waiting room to hear.
“I heard there are famous actresses also auditioning for the role.”, one of them talked as a brunette answered.
“That’s ridiculous, we don’t make a chance if they mingle among us too!”, the others nodded and Hayley had to agree with the brunette, if this was true.
They had done a cattle call but that meant famous actors would apply too, maybe they’ll find some supporting roles for them instead. Whatever it may be, Hayley found herself happy if she would even get a background role as long as she got a role in this. Don’t lie to yourself, you know you make a chance for that leading role and you’re going for that nonetheless. The voice was also right, the director and writers of this movie must’ve been open for some fresh blood to lead the movie otherwise she wouldn’t be sitting here with over a dozen other unknown young actresses. Hayley took her script too, reading it again even though she knew her lines.
It was almost noon, more than half of the waiting room had gone and left. Three actresses had even left without waiting to be called, giving up already. The blond had gotten more and more nervous, her patience running out every time the door opened and someone’s name being called. The brunette from earlier left the room, door closing for a moment to give the casting personnel some time to debate about her performance before opening again and the casting assistant appearing.
“Hayley Sanders?”, he called as he watched from his paper the remaining actresses sitting in the room.
Her insides managed to find themselves in some knots as she knew it was her turn. The blond stood to her feet, smiling friendly at the man who looked briefly at her.
“Come on in miss Sanders.”, he spoke as he made way for her to pass.
The room was almost empty, only one table with several people sitting at and in front of them was a little improvised stage, several cameras and lights. The assistant gave the others some papers before taking his seat, Hayley standing in front of them, waiting.
“Okay, Hayley Sanders…”, the woman spoke as she read her resume quickly before looking up, “I’m Ellen Lewis, casting director for this movie and Emily will be your reader for today. You received the script? Good, then look in that camera for me dear, give us your name, age and for what role you’re auditioning. Then you may start the scene. Whenever you’re ready.”
The blond nodded at the director and looked over to the reader, making her dizzy for a moment as she realized it was Emily Blunt. Chill, if you ever want to become as good as her, you’ll need to nail this in front of her . She looked at the camera that had been pointed out to her.
“Hayley Sanders, twenty-three years old and auditioning for the role of Adora.”, she spoke fluently before turning back to the table with the casting personnel.
There was a camera pointed directly at her face and two others to her sides. All eyes were on her as she took in a breath, closing her eyes for a moment and reaching out for her character. When she opened them again, she nodded and started her performance.
“This is all super good information, um, and I can’t wait to hear more.”, she spoke a little rapidly with a nervous chuckle at the end, one hand at her hip as she pointed at Emily. “Just one thing, though—”, she was interrupted by the other actress who spoke her line, making Hayley look a little puzzled before waving her hands and shaking her head, making a groan like noise as Emily went on with her lines. “Ugh.”, the blond spoke as the reader said hers, rubbing her face and frowning as she stepped closer to Emily before stumbling backwards, “No, no, I got it.”, she spoke as the reader said her lines. Hayley’s character got frustrated, showing this with her body language and in her voice, “Can we skip to the part about my powers?”, her facial expression softened a little, “I need to learn how to heal my friend.”, Emily spoke again as the blond got more determined. “Yes. Shadow Weaver did something to Glimmer and took her powers away. I need to figure out how to heal her.”
The scene went on, different emotions had to be acted out and the longer it went on, the better she got into her character, saying her lines to Emily who spoke back in the robotically way of her own character. The end was nearing and desperately Hayley said, “I will. I will do whatever you want. I’ll come back and train, and learn about everything! But I have to heal Glimmer first. I can save the planet and save her.”, the young actress went silent after that and Ellen called in cut. The camera’s stopped rolling, Hayley tried to relax but instead got more nervous as she had nothing more to do but eye all of the people sitting in front of her, Emily giving her a smile and a nod.
“Good, thank you Miss Sanders. We’ll discuss your performance, you’ll get more information by next week.”, the casting director spoke with a friendly smile as the assistant got out of his chair to open the door.
“Thank you for your time.”, the blond spoke before leaving the room.
Only when she reached her car, she dared to breathe again. Her hands started shaking and her head was spinning, turning red because of the tension finally leaving. The blond stayed in her car for some moments, breathing as she tried to recall her audition. It went well, it went great actually . She couldn’t see big flaws in her little performance. It had been hard to read their expressions, if they had been impressed or not by what she had brought before them. Only time will tell , she knew.
Hayley called her agent and best friend, telling them how her audition had gone, still fangirling over the fact she had stood in front of Emily Blunt. After doing so, her life went on, she still had to go to the cafeteria to serve as a waitress. She still had to do grocery shopping and prepare her meals. She still had to walk her dogs and go out to the gym. Life went on but the anticipation for the big role stayed at the back of her head, popping up from time to time to remind her there was a lot on the line. It was completely out of her hands now, she had done whatever she could in that moment. The blond imagined how the director would bow over her performance, deciding whether she had it in her to play the leading part.
Or, what kind of role she could play in their movie. Hayley would be over the top if she got some kind of message that she could work for them, even in a minor role. Having her name underneath such a promising movie would mean the world to her. An honest voice reminded her that she would be a little disappointed if she didn’t get the leading role. Aim high , she sighed to herself, aim high but be ready for the fall . Every day she would watch her calendar, striping off the days until a week would’ve passed by. When it did, she lost all sense of time and reality, living on automatic pilot and not even caring about the scolding she got at her job for being at her phone way too much.
When over seven days had passed, she had given up her hope in getting any part in the movie. She had tried and failed, something she couldn’t blame herself for as she had performed well but the competition had been better. Hayley got her mind back into her current job and searched for new roles together with her agent.
“There is another shark movie coming up and they’re casting, it’s not like your previous audition but somehow these movies are watched by many people.”, Angelique had said as she went through the latest open auditioning.
The blond hummed a little absentmindedly. She would’ve been over the top a few weeks ago, knowing these kind of cult movies were huge for a beginning actress as herself but after having a glimpse of hope to a lead role for a major movie… Well, it all seemed so much less exciting.
“Hayley, you have to go on, this is also a good opportunity.”, good but not great.
“Yes, I’m sorry Angelique, it has been a busy day at work but yeah enlist me for the shark movie.”, she answered as she rubbed her eyes, sitting on her couch as some cooking program played on her television.
They ended their call and the blond was left behind with an empty feeling, shutting off her television and hitting the bed as there was no reason for her to stay up any longer. Her night was filled with weird dreams in which she had to slay a shark with a sword, getting scolded by the directors as they asked why she was wearing a tiara to film the shark movie.
As always, the young woman woke early in the morning only to decide to stay in bed just a little longer. She had nowhere to go until later in the noon. Hayley tossed and turned, after half an hour she somehow managed to slumber away into a deep sleep. It had been the best sleep she had in a long time and it was cut too short when her phone started buzzing. At first she had tried to ignore it but it kept on going, making her peak at the screen. An unknown number… It’s not like I’ll fall asleep a second time , her tired mind said so she picked up with a hoarse voice.
“Hello?”, a yawn escaped her mouth as the person at the other end of the call said.
“Am I speaking to Hayley Sanders?”, it had been a female voice, the blond nodded as she rubbed her eyes before realizing the other person couldn’t see her.
“The one and only.”, she answered.
“Excellent, I’m one of the assistants of miss Lewis. I call you regarding your audition for the leading part of the She-Ra movie."
Hayley felt how all the blood in her face vanished, her mouth turning dry and her heart racing in her chest.
“Yes?”, was all she could say, encouraging the woman to continue.
“I can gladly tell you that miss Lewis and miss Banks, the director, took great interest in your audition and would like to invite you for some table readings and a chemistry read with another actor.”, the blond couldn’t believe her ears.
“Wait, so this means I got the role?”, she had to ask, she needed to hear the words or otherwise she would never believe it.
“Yes miss Sanders, you got the part if everything goes well with the table and chemistry read with your fellow actors.”
Reia
It has been days since she had delivered a perfect audition but still, she hasn’t gotten a call. It started to frustrate her and she kept glancing at her phone, checking her emails every 10 minutes, but the only thing she got was spams.
“What takes them so long?”
Even though she knew the audition lasted a week and they had to see and listen to everyone it still surprised her that she only got a call from Horatius two days after the last day of the audition.
“What? I didn’t get the part? Are you kidding me?” Reia couldn’t believe the news she had been told but apparently the man was not lying about it.
“Unfortunately not…this is very disappointing. I trusted you with this, Reia.”
The actress was boiling on the inside by now.
“But I…I did my best. I have said everything perfectly, I swear…Who got the part??”
She needed to know a name, someone she could blame for stealing her role.
“You would never believe who they chose. Hayley Sanders. Ever heard of her?”
Something in the brunette snapped as she clenched at her phone tighter.
“Who the hell is that?? No, I have never heard that name before…I can’t believe this…a no-name nobody…stealing my role…”
Still in denial Reia refused to look up that mysterious nobody as she was furious. She was not used to getting rejected and it has been a while since she felt so low. Her sorrows had to be drowned in a great scotch as she tried to grasp the moment she fucked up her audition. Her night was chaotic and reckless, listening to her sad playlist on Spotify and rambling about how unfair and unbelievable the situation was. But her phone set off and started ringing loudly from the kitchen. Lazily she walked up to it and frowned as the screen showed an unknown number. Normally she wouldn’t pick numbers up she hadn’t known but she was intoxicated and reckless that night so she did, after turning the music down.
“Hello?”
The tables have turned as Elizabeth Banks herself called the brunette, offering her the other leading role, the role of the antagonist named Catra.
With her script in her hands she rustled them together as she groaned.
“I still can’t believe I have agreed to this. Why do we need a chemistry test anyway? It is known I have great chemistry with everyone.”
Reia was reluctant about the whole request for a screen test with the one she so hated right now.
“Come on, Reia. Elizabeth insisted on this. She wants to make this work and wants the best for the fans. You two have to make a believable couple by the end.”
The woman accompanying the brunette was her manager, alongside her PA, Kirsch. Emily was a practical woman and she wanted to make sure Reia would attend the test personally.
“I still don’t get it how they chose that nobody over me. What good could come of it? I bet if it is up to her this movie will be a failure.”
The purple-haired manager shook her head.
“Just give her a chance. She might prove you wrong.”
Reia scoffed as the car stopped and they arrived at the location where the test would take place. “I highly doubt it.”
The blond guy listened to them and chuckled at the backseat.
Hayley
It was unnecessary to tell that the blond actress was over the moon for receiving the role after all. Everybody was at least as excited as she was, that night Grace came over even if it already was midnight (Hayley had to work late) and for once the pink haired girl had brought in some liquor.
“Once in a while you’re allowed to celebrate, this is such a moment.”, she had said with a wink before both got wasted and stayed up until the sun rose again.
Hayley had no regrets as this was indeed a moment to celebrate.
“God… The leading part in a big movie, I can’t believe this!”, she said for a millionth time as both girls laid on the couch, holding their soar heads.
“Could you… please stop talking?”, Grace said with a grunt as she got up to drink some water.
Even with the biggest hangover she had had in years, Hayley was still feeling the best she could.
“I wonder who the other actors will be.”, she continued repeating herself and her friend being supportive as ever listened as if it was the first time.
“Maybe I’ll be staring beside some famous actors, can you believe it Grace? Me beside Scarlett Johansson or Kristen Stewart.”, her friend snorted as she leaned on Hayley’s knees, looking into the ocean blue eyes of her friend.
“Those won’t fit for your counterpart, right? The cat lady, Catra?”, she spoke and made the blond chuckle.
“No indeed, I wonder who it would be though.”
An answer she would get rather soon as the chemistry read was a few days after she had received the call. Hayley got the information that was needed to prepare her for the chemistry read. Beside a script, a date, place and hour she hadn’t gotten anything more. The young woman prepared like she had done before, reading the script several times and getting into character while doing some research about her counterpart. “Childhood friends to enemies to lovers.”, that much she did know thanks to the series. She had paid some attention to the feline character but she hadn’t gotten as deep into as she had done for her own role. Whoever was going to play Catra, this person will be tested and placed into several daring situations. The feline's character was complex and had many struggles.
Hayley knew from the start this project was going to be a life changer, if she had only known how much it would change her.
She wasn’t as nervous as at her first auditioning, she had shown what she was worth and somehow the director of the movie had seen potential in her. The young woman already had one foot inside, which was more than she had hoped for the last few days. Only thing she had to do was place her second foot in and she’d be inside, enrolling with this promising project. Of course she was a little nervous, especially as in who would be her partner in all this for the upcoming year. Hayley left for the studios where the reading was held and thanks to some traffic jam she managed to be almost too late. So far the good first impression .
She parked her car next to a fancy Maserati and almost ran up to the studios, following the instructions to some kind of meeting room. The note on the door read Chemistry Read She-Ra , she gave a little knock on the wooden panel before entering. She eyed the clock that just turned two pm, meaning she was just in time. After that she eyed the people in the room, giving them a smile.
“You must be Hayley Sanders, thank you for joining us. I am Elizabeth Banks, the director for this movie.”, the woman walked up to her to shake her hand before introducing her to some crew members.
Lastly she went to a young brunette who didn’t need any introduction.
“And as for your partner in crime for this movie—“, the blond couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Reia Carrero.”, Hayley spoke a little breathlessly.
Reia
The casting was not an easy ride for Reia. She had applied for the She-Ra role, the leading part of the movie based on the animated series. However, she had not got that job. One day her agent called her and told her that she had not been chosen for the role of the hero. But another day the director herself called and said they wanted her on the other leading part, to play the villain and later love interest of She-Ra. It wasn’t what she intended to play, but still, it was a role that paid and sensed it would be a blockbuster movie so she agreed to take the second lead.
She didn’t actually know who she would be playing beside as she refused to acknowledge that a no-name C or even D-lister actress snatched the dream role from her. What was worse was that they required a chemistry read. Reia had already signed the contract so it was the other one, a certain Hayley who needed to be probed. Casually she arrived in the room and introduced herself to everyone. Not only the director was there but the producers and the executives as well. She was on time, that was her thing, but her lead partner arrived a few minutes later. As soon as the unknown blond woman stepped inside and Reia caught a glance she froze in her place. Damn, nobody said anything about her being this hot. That’s where the trouble started. How was she supposed to act when someone this seductive was by her side. Oh right, that was her profession and she nailed it just fine.
The taller actress went around introducing herself and the brunette watched her intently, trying to analyse every movement, every gesture and facial expression of the other one. What was evident was that the blond worked out. She had more muscle on than the Spanish and she started to understand why they chose Hayley over her. But can she act? An impressive build was not enough to pull off such an intensive role. The Spanish got lost in her own speculations and was only snapped back to reality when the blond was blocking the light in front of her, holding a hand out and mumbling the brunette’s name out loud. Reia could only smirk as she caught it and looked into ice blue eyes.
“Yeah, that’s the common reaction.” She took the offered hand and gripped on it firmly to establish dominance.
“I’m sorry, you get this a lot probably but it’s really an honour to meet you.”
The brunette’s grin widened and returned the kind words.
“Nice to meet you too…Who are you again?”
The actress knew exactly but she just couldn’t skip her chance to sting wherever she could as a payback for stealing her role and apparently it worked as the other one face-palmed herself.
“Oh right, I am Hayley. Hayley Sanders.”
Once the late comer sat down too the director clasped her hands.
“Alright. The cameras are rolling girls. Page thirteen, line twenty-two. Whenever you are ready.”
Three cameras were set up in the room to capture all of their angles, one form each side and one in front of them. The lights were pointed at them as well, causing their temperature to go up. All eyes were on the two of them but Reia was not worried at all. She knew exactly what to do, she had done this too many times. It was only Hayley who they were curious about and how they would click together. The brunette watched the blond shift in her place as she inhaled deeply. Her composure changed and Reia watched her curiously. After a few moments of silence the other actress delivered the first line easily, her whole body language and her previous shyness was gone since that moment. The blond completely turned into a different person and Reia found herself not only saying her own lines but acting against the blond. It was a beautiful and suspenseful scene which evidently left the judges with opened mouths.
The scene was not long but powerful. It ended in only a few minutes and silence followed until the two actresses got out of their characters. Reia was the first one to speak and she asked the director directly.
“Do you need more or are we okay?”
Elizabeth’s wide grin was enough to answer.
“Yes, we are more than okay. Thank you both for attending, we will be in touch soon.”
No more words needed to be said and Reia knew already that the judges were pleased with their performances. The Spanish stood up and wanted to leave but Hayley was not moving and inch.
“Hey…you got the part. Don’t sweat it.” She said, placing a hand on the other one’s shoulder to reassure her and make her move. “It was not so bad.”
The brunette and her PA were the first ones to leave and on their way out Kirsch started to speak.
“She was amazing…and you too. Ah man, I could feel the tension in the air.”
The Spanish scoffed and walked faster.
“Anyone could do that. Even you could do that, Kirsch.”
The blond guy laughed and shook his head.
“No, no, I have seen how you looked at her. You liked it too. Don’t even try to deny it.”
The brunette stopped in mid-track and pointed a finger at the man.
“Shut up. I did not. You are pushing your luck here.”
But the guy was not taken aback this time as he was sure of what he had seen.
“I’m going to enjoy this very much.”
They got into the car where Emily waited for them.
"So how did it go?", the purple-haired woman asked, looking at her client.