Chapter 20
The Internet café was never crowded. Most of the time I was the only person in it. It was a small beige room with large desktop computer terminals against three walls, and round tables scattered throughout for laptop customers. In the corner was a coffee bar that also sold snacks and sandwiches (every sandwich included ham, don’t ask me why but it was an extremely popular meat product in Puerto Rico). At night the café doubled as a bar, selling beer to local students from the University of Puerto Rico—they called it “UPR,” which I liked because it sounded familiar. It reminded me of “UPenn” or “PSU.”
I sat down on an orange plastic chair at a small table a few feet behind Lilly and Vince, who both logged on to desktops. I could see that Vince was checking the Phillies’ stats. Vince was an all-star first baseman in Spring Mills. He was recruited to play for Cornell, though he denies that being why he got in. I logged on to my e-mail and saw one message from Madison and Emily, which was odd. They usually sent me at least two per day. The message was marked “urgent” and the subject was “We’re famous!” I quickly clicked it open.
What up, Spic!
Madison here. We just finished our first day of filming with Orlando Bloom!!! It was soooo awesome! I can’t even describe it in an e-mail. But let me tell you, he’s so much hotter in person. And I spoke to him! I was stalking him all day and when I saw him go over to the snack tables, I pounced.We both reached for the same water bottle and for a second, our hands touched—flesh to flesh. I felt Orlando Bloom! I told him I thought he was doing an amazing job in his scenes and he thanked me, asked my name, and wished me luck with my acting. He thinks I’m an actress!!!! I can’t believe Orlando Bloom knows I exist in the world. But that’s not even the best news. It turns out he’s staying at the Rittenhouse Hotel—he’s going to be there when I have my Sweet Sixteen tomorrow. Gayle’s sending his assistant an invitation. Orlando Bloom might be at my Sweet Sixteen!!!! I can’t believe it!
Anyway, Emily’s sitting next to me and she’s freaking out because she wants me to tell you our other big news. So here it is—we’re going to be interviewed live on the radio!!! Eagle 102FM was at the set today and they want to do a bit on their morning show about what it’s like to be an extra. They asked Em and me to come down to the station for an interview!!! We have to be there at, like, six in the morning, but whatev, that’ll give me plenty of time to get ready for my party.We’re going to be on the radio! How cool is that? You have to tune in. They’re going to air it live and you can listen to it on their Web site tomorrow at 6:30 A.M. You better listen!
Love ya!
The soon-to-be famous Hollywood Divas,
Mad and Em
I almost puked all over my laptop. There wasn’t a single particle of my being that was happy for them. I knew that was wrong, I knew that I was a terrible friend, but that didn’t stop me from wishing the set of that movie would spontaneously combust. Only that would probably make them more famous, “We were there when Orlando almost died . . .” I could already see it.
“This is unbelievable!” I yelled. “I’m missing everything!”
I slammed my laptop closed and shoved my fingers into my frizzy hair (the humid climate really wasn’t agreeing with the curls I usually tried to suppress).
“What? What happened?” Vince asked, swiveling around in his chair.
“Emily and Madison are in a movie with Orlando Bloom. They’re getting interviewed on the radio, and they’re inviting him to her Sweet Sixteen!”
“Seriously?” he asked, his eyes popping.
“Yes!”
“Wow, that’s really cool.”
“Shut up!”
Lilly chuckled quietly from her seat next to Vince.
“What are you laughing at?” I yelled.
“Nothing. Sorry,” Lilly mumbled. “These are your friends?”
“Yeah, my best friends. But it doesn’t look like they’re missing me much.”
“I told you they weren’t going to sit around crying over you,”Vince said. “That’s why you need to go out. And you’ll have to do something big if you’re gonna top Orlando Bloom at her birthday party.”
“I can’t believe this. I don’t even want to think about it,” I said, shaking my head. “He’s not going to go. He can’t go. He’s a movie star. He’s got better things to do. But still, they’re in his movie and they’re gonna be on the radio and her party’s tomorrow! I’m missing everything!”
“I say we get out of here. Let’s do something!” Vince suggested, jumping from his plastic chair.
“I don’t want to.” I sighed, closed my eyes and dropped my head back.
“What’s wrong with you?” he yelled. “Do you hear yourself?”
“I just don’t feel like going out. My life sucks.”
“Mariana, you’ve been sulking for weeks now and it’s getting annoying.You don’t have to be depressed and miserable in order to be loyal to your friends. They’re not doing that for you.”
“Vince, I’m not in a good mood.”
“No kiddin’. That’s why you need to go out. Let’s go to San Juan or something.” Vince flicked a glance at Lilly.
“That’d be cool,” she added.
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” he wheedled.
“No, I don’t want to. Besides, I need to get up early tomorrow to hear their interview and send Madison an e-card before her party.”
“Are you freakin’ kidding me? You’re scheduling your life around them? They’re not here!”
“I know,Vince, that’s the point. Being in a movie, hanging out with Orlando Bloom, that’s a big deal. I want to hear it. I want to be a part of it somehow,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“I don’t care what you think.”
“You should.”
“Why? Because your judgment is so great? Please! How long did you know Dad knew about that party you threw?” I asked, slapping my hands on the table.
I had debated the whole flight over whether I should bring up Dad’s little surprise comment at the airport. At the time, it seemed pointless. I was going to Puerto Rico. My life was ruined. Nothing was going to change that outcome. Plus, I didn’t have the energy to fight with him. But in this moment, with my brother being all self-righteous like he knew what was best for me, I couldn’t help but throw it in his face. Just because we were in Puerto Rico, didn’t mean our entire lives in Spring Mills were wiped clean. He wasn’t any more mature or responsible now than he was then.
“I don’t want to talk about that,” he said.
“I know you don’t. Because apparently your bright idea to throw a party last year is what kept you from Europe this summer, isn’t it? And it’s what’s keeping me from Madison’s party!”
“Shut up, Mariana.”
“No, ’cause I’m right. Dad found out about the party and punished you by not letting you go to Europe with your friends. Then he punished me by forcing me to come here and babysit you.”
“Oh, really! Now who’s being forced into doing things by their parents?” Lilly shouted, rising from her chair. “You got pissed at me because you thought my parents were forcing me to hang out with you and there you were, forced to come here by your parents. Gee, thanks.”
I looked at Vince and swallowed hard. I didn’t know what to say. I sort of forgot she was there.
“Nice going, Mariana,” Vince snapped.
“Oh, don’t change the subject. Point is, Dad busted you for the party and that’s why we’re here. No offense to you, Lilly, but this whole trip wasn’t exactly my idea.”
“Yeah, that’s a surprise,” she droned.
“Oh, please! Don’t you have a party to plan?” I asked Lilly, my eyebrows raised. “Your Quinceañera is in two days, your mom has been going absolutely bonkers, your grandmom has been cooking ’round the clock and you just want to go out for the evening?”
“Hey, this party wasn’t exactly my idea. I wanted them to skip it and buy me a car. But, noooo. My mom insisted I couldn’t ‘back out on tradition.’ She doesn’t care what I want.”
“Yeah, I know the feeling,”Vince muttered.
“Exactly. You’ve got issues with your parents and I’ve got issues with mine.”
“You know, this party’s really important to your mom,” I said.
“Yeah, and I’m sure coming to Puerto Rico was really important to your dad.”
“Good point.” I nodded.
“Look, let’s forget all this. Are we going out or not?” Lilly shifted her brown eyes between the two of us.
“Yes.”
“No.”
Vince and I said in unison.
“How ’bout we just go to a movie? We won’t even have to talk,” Lilly noted.
Finally, I nodded and grunted, “fine.”
It took another thirty minutes of arguing over action flick versus romantic comedy, but eventually we settled on a big budget thriller. We all went to the theater together and sat in silence.