Chapter Text
If Zoey Chambers lived anywhere else in the world, she would rather be caught dead than act in a play written by someone who is younger and less experienced than her. To waste her talent on a show produced by a girl that was a freshman when she was a senior in high school? How embarrassing.
But this is Hatchetfield, where the acting opportunities are little to none. Zoey would much rather star in a mediocre play and be the actress that makes the show memorable, than let some nobody take her spotlight.
So, when Alice Woodward hung flyers around town announcing she was producing her vampire play, A Love That Drains, Zoey decided to audition anyway. She didn’t have a single doubt in her mind she wouldn’t get cast.
Admittedly, the other thing that made the girl hesitant to audition was the fact it was a queer play.
Now, Zoey is not homophobic. She has gay brother, after all. Zach was the main reason she wanted to go for this part. Something about acting in a queer role before him, knowing how much he wants an opportunity like that, was really encouraging.
However, people in this town talk. Zoey does not want a bunch of losers walking around, spreading rumours that she hooks up with girls in her free time. She will just need to make it clear she is only doing this to further her career. Playing a part. Doing her job.
It’s not like she has ever found herself staring at another girl in an acting class or hopes to serve the pretty blonde that regularly comes in for coffee.
Zoey Chambers is straight.
If anyone tries to deny that, Zoey may accidentally spike their Beanie’s order before they head to work or school. Make them rethink their decision to make up stories about her.
At this current moment, the girl sits in the bedroom of her shared apartment, phone in hand. She is waiting for confirmation that she will be playing Addison, the lead in Woodward’s show.
The only reason Zoey even feels the need to look at the cast list is to see what girl will be playing her vampire love interest, Dani. She can only hope the young girl found someone attractive and talented enough to make their romance believable.
When she receives a notification, Zoey immediately looks to the screen as an email from Alice appears in her inbox. Having no anxiety about the content of the message, she opens it straight away.
As predicted, it was the cast list.
Zoey can’t help but grin when she sees her name next to the lead role, not shocked by the obvious choice. Her eyes then glance down to see who will be acting opposite her, the name making Zoey’s face fall.
A Love That Drains
CAST LIST
Addison…………Zoey Chambers
Dani……………Hailey Dilmore
She doesn’t even read through the rest of the list, Zoey’s phone falling from her hand. A laugh escapes her throat, unable to believe what she just read. Surely this is some prank copy they sent out. A joke for everyone to laugh at during their first rehearsal to get rid of any nerves.
Hailey, her annoying, people pleaser of a roommate, cannot be their first choice for this part. Zoey has seen the girl act. Well, attempt to act. It’s sad at how hard she tries, yet fails constantly.
The only reason directors have even considered the short haired brunette in the past is because of her connection to Zoey. It’s as though they think living together means they share some talent. Which couldn’t be further from the truth.
To act opposite Hailey? To play her love interest? That sounds like a nightmare to Zoey.
Just as Zoey is about to call Alice to double check the cast list she sent out was correct, her bedroom door swings open. Hailey then runs in, like some sort of over excited dog.
The girl has an annoyingly wide grin on her face, the laptop in her hands clearly opened on the cast list.
“Did you see?”
Clenching her jaw, Zoey glares at the other girl.
“What did I tell you about knocking?”
This comment causes the other girl to falter, an inaudible mumble falling from her lips as she closes her laptop.
Zoey rolls her eyes at this, grabbing her phone to scroll through the email again.
“And of course I saw.”
Hailey looks away at Zoey’s words, shrinking down. It’s almost pathetic how easy it is to scare her.
“Right! Obviously.”
The girl then draws off, eyes on the floor.
“My first big role, I just hope I don’t mess up..”
Zoey looks up from her phone, staring daggers at her roommate. Standing from her bed, she storms over to Hailey and moves close so she can stare down at the other girl. Hailey looks up to meet Zoey’s eyes, a familiar look of intimidation in her gaze.
“I’m already doubting the director's choice of casting you. Do not give me more reasons to think that.”
Hailey gives a small nod with a swallow, eyes still fixed on Zoey.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you down.”
Taking a step back, Zoey sighs as she looks at the brunette. It still confuses her how the girl in front of her is supposed to portray a vampire of all characters.
Realising she has yet to respond to Hailey’s claim and has simply been staring, Zoey crosses her arms.
“Good. Close the door on your way out.”
Another whisper comes from her roommate, the door clicking shut before Zoey has the chance to ask her to speak up.
Whatever.
It’s not like Hailey ever has anything of importance to say.
Chewing her lip, Zoey moves back to her bed, phone still opened on the email. She has looked at this stupid cast list for what feels like the hundredth time now, as though she’s waiting for it to magically change.
She then pulls up Alice Woodward’s contact, pressing the call button. Zoey just wants to know the creative vision behind Dani’s casting. To help better understand the direction of the show, of course.
Not that she’d doubt the thought process of a person who’s basically still a teenager.
After two rings, the young girl picks up.
“Zoey? Hi! Did you get the email with the cast list all okay?”
With a roll of her eyes, Zoey puts on her usual sickly sweet tone when talking to her directors.
“I sure did! And I am so grateful you are trusting me to bring Addison to life, I will not let you down! Just one minor thing, Hailey as Dani? That’s an interesting choice. Mind if I ask why you decided to go with her?”
A brief silence is heard on the other end before Alice speaks up.
“Well, she really spoke to me. Lost herself in her monologue, which was passionate. Hailey was also the only person who auditioned that I could actually picture as Dani.”
Zoey sits there for a moment, not expecting that response. She thought perhaps Alice felt bad for Hailey and was taking a stupid risk this early into her playwriting career due to pity. Turns out her roommate did well in her audition? She almost wants to scoff at the idea.
When Zoey doesn’t say anything, Alice speaks up again.
“Isn’t she your roommate? There’s no issues between you guys, right? Is that why you called?”
Yes. Hailey in fact is a massive issue.
However, something stops Zoey from complaining. Maybe it’s because she wants to see Hailey screw up in front of everyone, making it a learning moment for both her roommate and Alice.
Or perhaps, somewhere very deep down, Zoey is somewhat curious to see what Hailey is capable of when given a rare opportunity like this. To see if Woodward is right.
Not that she would ever say that out loud.
“No, nothing like that. Just asking! I will see you at rehearsals.”
She is quick to hang up after that, already over talking about Hailey this much. Throwing her phone on the bed, Zoey lays down on her mattress as her gaze fixes on the ceiling. Hailey starts to swarm her thoughts, a feeling of annoyance swelling inside.
There are times Zoey has been tempted to find somewhere else to live. Or push Hailey to move out. Whenever the girl gets too much, Zoey wants nothing more than to turn around and tell the other girl that their living arrangements are no longer working out.
But those words have yet to leave Zoey’s lips.
The barista brushes this fact off, telling herself it’s just because she needs someone like Hailey around. That having a suck up of a friend is a great boost to her ego.
Why else would she want to live with Hailey Dilmore?