CHAPTER 6: LIAM
“Still no answer.”
I almost growled at the secretary as I came out to check on the status of our scholarship recipient. It was Friday, and we still hadn’t gotten in contact with her. Typical Porsche had left me unable to read her handwriting, and so Amy’s email address was illegible. The phone number was all we had, and it rang constantly, without a voicemail.
“I’m going to go down to the kitchens and get something to eat.” I said, as calmly as I could manage. “And then when I come back, we’ll contact the runner up.”
The secretary nodded, and I stalked off, pulling out my cell phone as I walked.
Any Idea who I should pick as a second choice? I texted Porsche, checking my watch. She had flown back to Russia for a charity ball. The ballet was supposed to be on break now, but occasionally, there was a gig or two she had to attend. The time difference said it was early evening, so she should be able to answer me.
Why??? She texted back, instantly. I thanked my stars that she was often glued to her phone. Looking down as I typed, I pushed open the doors to the kitchen. This was a modern mishap, something I guess I had to learn to deal with if I was going to live forever. I collided head on with somebody, who let out a startled yelp that was followed by a clatter of kitchenware.
“Sorry.” I said, barely looking up.
“No problem,” Amy replied, and I stood, shell-shocked, staring at her.
“You’re here.”
“Uh…huh.” Quickly, she glanced behind her, to her father, who was approaching.
“Headmaster. Is there something we can get you?”
“Yes!” I said, probably with a bit too much excitement. Both of them had mirror image expressions such that you could see the family resemblance. “Your daughter.”
“Excuse me?” He asked, shocked.
“Amy tried out at our open auditions for the full scholarship. We selected her and have been trying to get in contact, but…”
Suddenly, without warning, the young girl pitched forward. My reflexes were faster than a human’s, and I spent many a night at parties catching those who couldn’t hold their liquor.
Deadweight was always heavier than it looked, and I decided that the easiest course of action was to ease onto the floor with her, her limp body already rejoining the world of the conscious.
There was commotion in the kitchen, as everyone rushed towards her, calling her name, trying to decide if they should call for an ambulance. Her father went tearing into the changing room, I assumed to find her bag of tricks. Even now, in my human form, I could tell this girl had something off about her.
Her eye lids fluttered and she came to staring straight up at me. She really was beautiful, when she wasn’t nervous, her face symmetrical and angular, her eyes piercing and huge, reminding me of a baby deer. Her lips were full and soft, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to kiss her.
“Are you alright?” I asked, softly, under the commotion, and she nodded, trying to make sense of her surroundings.
“Amy!” Her father came sliding back onto the scene, almost ripping her away from my arms. He shoved a white pill into her hand, and while she looked annoyed, she swallowed it, dry.
“Dad, I’m alright. I’m alright. I was just…surprised. Ladies used to swoon all the time in the middle ages,” she tried to smile, leaning half against her father and half against a table leg. “Am I really the one you chose?”
“What’s this about?” Her father demanded, looking at me as if I was the one who caused her to faint. Which, to be fair, I guess was true.
“Our open call for a full scholarship, room and board. Lots of girls tried out, but Amy was the one who showed the most promise.”
“Is this a joke?” His eyes narrowed. “Amy may be talented, but she has never had a formal education in theater.”
“All the more reason for her to go to a formal school for theater education,” I replied, raising an eyebrow. Behind me, a few of the chefs chuckled in spite of themselves. “All of her costs will be taken care of for the time she is educated with us. We’re prepared to start her as a junior if she goes back a grade or a senior if she wants to remain here just for the remainder of her education. You are homeschooled, Amy?”
“Yes,” she nodded, still in shock.
“Then we’ll have to give you a few tests to see where you are.”
“Amy is educated properly, I promise you,” her father said, and I shrugged.
“I didn’t say she wasn’t.” I began to realize how silly it was that we were having this entire conversation on the floor. Shifting slowly, I pushed myself up, reaching a hand to Amy, who took it. I pulled her up as well, while her father used the table for support. “Now, I came in here for some lunch.” I said, trying to brush off the dramatics of the situation. “And then, after that, if you wish, you two can meet me in my office and we can discuss the particulars, if you accept.”
“I accept!” Amy blurted out, and her father gave her a sharp look. I sighed, plucking a readymade sandwich from a tray, and headed towards the door. Before I pushed it open, I looked back, attempting to make my comment seem off hand.
“Of course, the scholarship would include full medical insurance, as all our students buy into it.” I didn’t stay to hear their reaction, but continued walking down the hall. I knew that it would be the deciding factor in the end. In acting, they called it changing tactics, shifting from one point to the next, until you get what you want. And I knew I had just won.
Pulling out my phone, I sent a quick text to Porsche, who was probably going out of her mind with curiosity.
Never mind…
Immediately, it beeped:
(#$(#$(#($*!@@#$!!!
Came the reply, and I laughed, as I shut the door to my office. It was good to know I could still drive her nuts across the ocean.