Almost Famous, a Talent Novel Read Online Free Page B

some other time , Elliot Tachman himself emerged from the black Phantom. With his bulky frame and wild, curly hair, he looked like the giant wolverine on his navy blue Michigan sweatshirt.
    “Hello, Emily,” Elliot said, smiling. “I hear we get to keep you in Los Angeles for a little while.”
    Emily nodded. She’d heard that word traveled fast in this town, but this was reallyfast . She’d only moved in with the Armstrongs twelve hours ago. She hadn’t even slept there yet!
    Around her, a crowd of BAMS students headed toward the entrance seemed to slow, as if impressed to see some random girl talking to the multiple-Oscar winner. Emily blushed. Strutting across the campus with the Inner Circle was one thing, but getting attention on her own felt weird.
    “Glad to hear it.” Elliot nodded. “You know, everyone was so moved by your audition. We want to find a part for you no matter what. My office will call your agency, but I wanted to tell you myself. I do hope you’ll consider working with me.”
    Emily looked around her, as if he’d started speaking to someone else. She felt her throat go dry. Her right leg began trembling, then her left leg. She felt weak and excited at the same time: Elliot Tachman had just offered her, Emily Skyler Mungler, a role. In a Hollywood movie.
    “Thanks,” Emily said calmly, but inside she was buzzing. She wished Mac were there to say the perfect thing, because Emily had no idea what you were supposed to say when the biggest producer in America offered you a job. “That sounds like fun.”
    “Great. We’ll be in touch.” Elliot waved. Then, looking right at Kimmie, he said, “And you. Behave. Or else.” He made a “grrrrr” sound like a bear.
    “Duh, Da-dee!” Kimmie said, giggling and making a bear paw back. Elliot disappeared into the Phantom, and it drove off immediately.
    Turning to Emily, Kimmie cried, “I can’t wait to tell eh-ver-eee-one your news!” Emily was still too stunned to say anything. “Are you in homeroom with me and Mac?” Kimmie asked slowly, as though she were talking to a small child.
    Emily nodded weakly. Her brain had shut down.
    “All righty, then. We should go,” Kimmie said. Emily was so excited she barely noticed Kimmie grabbing her hand and leading her to homeroom.
    Emily took one last look at the BAMS grounds, smiling. What had she been so worried about before? She belonged . Not only that, she was going to be Bel-Air ’s newest starlet-in-residence.

CHAPTER THREE
    coco
    Monday September
     
    7:55 AM Le Strut
     
    12 PM Bam-Bams captain audtions!
    C oco’s heart skipped a beat as she opened the blue double doors to the BAMS auditorium. The stadium-style leather seats were packed. True to BAMS policy, the whole school was invited to the captain auditions for the Bam-Bams, the dance team. Anyone could walk in and watch.
    Or snicker .
    Coco was always a little afraid that kids would make fun of her behind her back because her mother was Cardammon—and she wasn’t . Having a living legend for a mom made it difficult to feel accomplished.
    She breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted Mac, Becks, and Emily sitting in the third row, two rows behind the Bam-Bams, taking pictures of themselves with their iPhones. Mac had brought bento boxes for them all for lunch. Becks looked up from a dragon roll to wave hello.
    “You ready?” Mac whispered, turning her phone to snap a picture of Coco.
    “I guess so.” Coco shrugged and began her stretches in the area to the side of their seats. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. This audition was about so much more than just dancing . Earlier that week, Coco had tried out for Brigham Powell, the most powerful music producer in the world—along with her Bam-Bams teammate Ruby Goldman. But Brigham had passed on Coco and had instead signed Ruby up for a record deal. Apparently, Coco needed more work. Unfortunately, today was Coco/Ruby showdown number two, as Ruby was up for captain as well.