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  Ashleigh leads us to room 618, and by the time we get there, my palms are sweaty and my heart is performing a polka on fast-forward. “I’m really nervous,” I whisper to my sister.

  “It’s going to be fine,” she whispers back. “They loved us the other day.” But she and I both know it was only her they loved—there was no us about it. I vow to do better this time. You’re the one with all the knowledge, I remind myself. It takes more than charisma to succeed in a race.

  Ashleigh knocks gently on the door before she swipes it open with a key card. “Which of you is Claire?” she asks. “You’ll be in here with the producers first. Miranda, you have your psych eval first, so you can follow me to the eighth floor.”

  My whole body goes cold. “Wait a second,” I say. “We’re a team.”

  “Yeah, I know.” Ashleigh snaps her gum.

  “So aren’t we auditioning together?”

  “Not today. Good luck! Have fun in there!” She gives me a perky little smile, then shoves me through the doorway. I whirl around and meet my sister’s eyes for a split second before the door swings closed between us. She suddenly looks wide awake.

  On the opposite side of the room are six people in suits, seated in a row behind a boardroom table. One of them is Charlotte, and I’m relieved to see a familiar face. There’s also a large camera on a tripod, manned by a guy with those weird plugs in his earlobes. Everyone is facing the Interrogation Area, where a single chair is flanked by white-hot lights. The pigtailed PA hasn’t made a mistake. I really am supposed to be in here alone. What if Miranda was right and I can’t handle it? She’ll never forgive me if we get eliminated because I pass out on the floor. I squeeze my clammy hands into tight fists and order my body to keep breathing and stay upright.

  Charlotte beams at me like we’re best friends. “Claire! I’m so glad to see you. Let me introduce you to our casting team.” She points at each person in turn and rattles off a rapid-fire stream of names, none of which I retain. There’s a guy with a bushy Santa Claus beard, a platinum-blond woman who looks like she just downed a shot of lemon juice, a fidgety guy with a lot of piercings, a freckled woman with a sunburned nose, and a woman who looks remarkably like Oprah. I move forward, shake each extended hand, and try not to look like someone has shot me between the eyes with a stun gun.

  “It’s nice to meet all of you,” I say, and my voice comes out steadier than I expect.

  “Have a seat, and let’s get started,” Charlotte says.

  I perch on the edge of the chair and fold my hands in my lap, trying my best to look relaxed. It’s easily ten degrees warmer under the lights, and a bead of sweat crawls down my spine. I’m not sure if it’s from the heat or the fear.

  “How are you this morning?” Santa asks.

  On the verge of hyperventilating, thanks. Anyone have a spare paper bag I could breathe into for a while? “Um, fine, I guess,” I say. “Surprised. I thought I’d be auditioning with my sister, since we’re, you know, a team.”

  “We like to get a sense of what each individual person brings to the table,” Charlotte says. “So, let’s dive right in. We talked a lot about Miranda and Samir the other day, so we know why she’s here. But we didn’t get to talk much about you. Why are you here, Claire? Why do you personally want to be on Around the World?”

  Thank goodness we’re starting with something easy—this time, there’s no one to take over for me if I start babbling like an incoherent fool. “Well, I’m here to support my sister,” I say. “I was there the night Samir cheated on her, and it was a seriously ugly scene. I’ve never seen her fall apart like that. Honestly, from the second I met him, I thought Samir was a total douche bag—oh God, sorry, can I say that in here?”

  Oprah smiles. “You can say anything you want. We’ve heard a lot worse than ‘douche bag.’ ”

  “Okay, well, um, that’s what he is. Really smug and pompous and self-centered, you know? Like, he has his IQ tattooed on his arm, if you can believe that. I don’t know what Miranda saw in him—he’s not nearly good enough for her. I can’t wait to help her take him down.”

  “Sounds like you really idolize your sister,” Lemon Juice says.

  That makes me seem like some sort of Miranda groupie. “I don’t know if ‘idolize’ is the right word,” I say carefully. “But I really admire her and respect her, if that’s what you mean, and I love her more than just about anyone.”

  “Do you think she loves you back?” asks Sunburn.

  “Well, yeah, of course. She’s my sister.”

  “And do you think she respects you?” Charlotte asks. There’s a weird look on her face. Is that … pity?

  “Yes,” I say. “I think she does.”

  “You don’t sound so sure about that,” Charlotte says. My voice sounded pretty confident to me, but now I start to doubt my conviction. Maybe she heard something I can’t detect because I’m too nervous. “I’m sure your sister always means well, but she was pretty patronizing to you in your audition the other day, didn’t you think? How did that make you feel?”

  These questions are starting to make me uncomfortable. Are they trying to drive a wedge between Miranda and me on purpose? The network loves drama, I remind myself. You don’t have to do what they want. Stay in control.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say.

  Now there’s pity on everyone’s faces. “We’ve all seen the tape, Claire,” Charlotte says gently. “You don’t have to pretend for us. Miranda basically said that you’re reluctant to try new things and that you need to be sheltered and protected. I mean, it doesn’t seem that way to us. You’re an adult, too, and between the two of you, it sounds like you’re the one who really understands the strategy of this race. But your sister obviously wasn’t taking you seriously. Does that happen a lot?”

  I swallow hard. Even if they are trying to manipulate me, Charlotte’s validating everything I’ve been feeling over the last few days. I am the key person on this team, the one who got us here and did all the research and taught Miranda how to handle herself. And she’s been breezing along and taking credit she doesn’t deserve. If other people think that, too, maybe it’s not just me being resentful. Maybe it’s a fact.

  “It’s okay to talk about it,” Oprah says in a soothing voice. “We’re not going to tell Miranda, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  I take a deep breath. “I don’t need to be sheltered,” I say. “And I do try new things. I was a super-shy, scared kid, and Miranda still sees me that way sometimes, but that’s not who I am anymore. It was my idea to audition for this show in the first place, not hers. She didn’t even want to do it.”

  “I think it’s a brilliant revenge strategy,” Piercings chimes in. “Kudos to you for coming up with it. Why was she against it?”

  “Miranda doesn’t understand reality TV,” I say. “I mean, she gets that it’s entertaining, but she doesn’t understand why it’s actually important. When I talk about how I want to be a field producer or a story editor someday, she tries to be supportive, but I can tell she doesn’t see what I see in it. To her, it’s all just fluff.”

  “Tell us what you see, Claire,” Charlotte prompts.

  For most people, this wouldn’t be a personal question—they like reality television because it’s funny and takes their minds off their lives, like I told those stoners at the graduation party. But for me, it has always been more than that. This is something I’ve only ever discussed with Natalie, and I’m not sure I want to spill my guts to six strangers and a camera. But I guess this is what I signed up for when I agreed to audition.

  “Reality TV is a great equalizer,” I tell those six eager faces. “Pretty much everywhere else, in entertainment and in real life, the beautiful, charismatic people like my sister get special privileges. They don’t have to try, and things just happen for them. But on reality shows, you have the same chance of succeeding even if you’re awkward and average-looking, like me. As long as you’re smart an
d creative and you have an interesting story to tell, nobody really cares if you suck at small talk or if you’re wearing the wrong jeans, you know? Like, have you guys ever seen that show GuilloTeen?”

  “Once or twice,” Charlotte says. She looks really interested in everything I’m saying.

  “There was this guy last season—Ray, I think? He was like a hundred pounds overweight, and he had this awful mullet, and he talked about comics constantly. If he went to my school, he’d be a total laughingstock. But he outsmarted everyone, and he won. And when they interviewed him afterward, he started crying, and he talked about how nobody had ever taken him seriously before because he wasn’t suave and thin and hot. But the producers of that show gave him a chance when nobody else would. And now people all over the country know how awesome he is, and they know that people like him can be awesome. That’s what reality TV is about for me.”

  “Wow,” Santa says. He’s nodding slowly, like I’ve given him a lot to think about. Oprah is scribbling notes in her pad, and Piercings looks like he’s about two seconds from starting a slow clap. For the first time, I’m relieved that my sister’s not in the room. I would never have been able to get all that out with her looking at me, not to mention talking over me.

  “Those are very astute observations, Claire,” Charlotte says. “You’ll make a great producer someday. Thank you for sharing that with us. Now, let’s switch topics for a few minutes. What can you tell us about your dating life?”

  At first I think I must have heard her wrong. “I’m sorry, my … what?”

  “Your love life,” Sunburn says. “Do you have a boyfriend? Or a girlfriend?”

  What does this have to do with racing around the world? Are they asking because of the Samir situation? “No,” I say. “I like guys, but I don’t have a boyfriend. Is that a problem?”

  Sunburn laughs. “Of course not. Tell us about your last boyfriend. How long were you together?”

  And just when I thought I had my feet under me, I’m totally out of control again. The casting team looked so impressed with me a minute ago, and I don’t want to tell them that I’ve never even had a real date, unless you count the handful of times Doug Garfield and I cut study hall to make out in his car. “Um,” I say, scrambling for a way to spin the truth. “I’m not really into serious relationships. I like to keep things casual, keep my options open, you know?”

  “Are you telling us you’re totally inexperienced with boys?” asks Sunburn.

  “No, of course not,” I say, like that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.

  “I get it,” Piercings says. “You like to play the field. I respect that.” Behind him, the cameraman waggles his eyebrows at me. Ew.

  “And why do you find yourself shying away from commitment, Claire?” asks Charlotte. “Is it because you don’t believe in love?”

  I start laughing. “No. I believe in love.”

  “Even after what Samir did to your sister?”

  “Sure. One guy being a moron can’t destroy an entire concept.”

  “So if you believe in love, why don’t you believe in relationships?”

  “I believe in them. The right person just hasn’t turned up yet.” Horrifyingly, an image of Will Divine pops into my head, and I feel myself starting to blush. I push the thought away. “I go to a really small school—there are only, like, two hundred guys, and I’ve known a lot of them since I was three. When you’ve seen someone peeing in the sandbox and licking scented markers, it’s pretty much impossible to date him, you know?” Everyone laughs, and I relax a little.

  “Sounds rough,” Santa says. “Did your sister have the same problem finding people to date in high school?”

  “I guess not, no. She actually dated a fair number of people.”

  “How do you explain that?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe I have higher standards than she does.”

  “Or maybe Miranda’s more open-minded than you are?”

  “You don’t know the guys at my school. If you did, you’d understand why I’d rather not open my mind too much.” Everyone laughs again, and a warm feeling blooms in my chest. I’m actually doing this—I’m sitting in front of a bunch of executives, without Miranda, and I’m totally holding my own. They think I’m funny, and in a ha-ha way, not a what a freak way.

  “Tell me, Claire,” Charlotte says. “If a situation were to arise on the show in which only you or Miranda could continue racing, would you help your sister and risk being eliminated, or would you save yourself?”

  “What?” I say. “That would never happen—we’re on the same team, so we’d be eliminated together, right?”

  “Pretend it was a possibility. What would you do?”

  I’m honestly not sure. The whole point of us being here is for Miranda to get revenge on Samir, so if he was still in the game, I guess I’d have to let Miranda keep racing, regardless of what I wanted. But what if she’d already gotten her revenge, and Samir wasn’t a factor anymore? I have more to prove than she does. If I wanted to show the world I was a competent, fierce contender who deserved to be taken seriously, I couldn’t afford to sacrifice myself for someone else. Sure, it might make me look generous, but it would also make me look weak. It’s exactly what Miranda would expect me to do, and it would show her that I consider myself disposable. If I think of myself that way, how can I expect her to disagree?

  In any case, Charlotte’s question is purely hypothetical. I’ll never really have to compete against my sister in the race. And I can tell what the producers want me to say.

  I square my shoulders and look Charlotte right in the eye. “I’d let Miranda be eliminated,” I say. “When it comes down to it, I’m not racing for her. I’m racing for myself.”

  * * *

  From: “Charlotte Sweeney”

  To: “Miranda Henderson” ,

  “Claire Henderson”

  Subject: Around the World

  Dear Claire and Miranda,

  I’m delighted to inform you that you’ve been selected to compete on Around the World, LifeLine TV’s highly anticipated new race-around-the-globe show! We think viewers are going to respond well to you and your story, and we’re so glad you decided to audition. Welcome aboard!

  Because your team is a last-minute addition to the show, you will have very little time to prepare for the race, and we apologize for the inconvenience. Attached are several waivers and confidentiality agreements, which you must sign and return to us via fax or email within twenty-four hours. Please include a copy of your valid United States passport. I have also attached a list of mandatory vaccinations required for international travel, which you must receive from an infectious disease specialist or travel clinic as soon as possible.

  The race begins in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 19—eight days from now—and the network will fly you into LAX on the 17th and pay for your hotel accommodations until you depart. Regardless of when you are eliminated from the race, you will not return home until July 12. You may not tell anyone where you are going, aside from your emergency contact. Doing so will be considered a breach of contract and is grounds for elimination.

  Everything you bring on the race must fit inside one hiking backpack. Additional luggage will not be allowed. Keep in mind that airline size and weight restrictions vary by carrier, and remember to pack for diverse climates—LifeLine reserves the right to send you anywhere in the world! You will not be responsible for any specialty items, such as parkas, snowshoes, or swimwear, but all other clothing must be your own. During the rest periods between legs of the race, you will be provided with sleeping accommodations, but you may choose to bring sleeping bags or bedrolls for napping at other times. You may not bring cell phones, GPS equipment, computers, or any other electronic communication devices on the race, nor may you bring any cash. Feel free to bring paper maps and guidebooks.

  Good luck,
and happy racing! We look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles.

  All the best,

  Charlotte Sweeney,

  Ruby Harris Casting

  (MESSAGE RECEIVED JUNE 11, 7:14 PM)

  WILL DIVINE: WE MADE IT ONTO THE SHOW! You?

  ME: You are not my emergency contact, so answering that question is a breach of contract and grounds for elimination.

  WILL DIVINE: OMG YOU MADE IT TOO!!!! Congratulations!

  ME: I have no idea what you’re talking about. (!!!!!!!!!! You too!!!!!)

  WILL DIVINE: See you in L A. Can’t wait to fight you for my million dollars.

  ME: I believe you mean MY million dollars.

  WILL DIVINE:

  The California sun is bright as a spotlight when Miranda and I climb out of the network car and follow a production assistant toward the outfield of Angel Stadium. I hoist my new red hiking backpack onto my shoulders and am dismayed once again by its weight—I brought as little as I could, but the straps are already starting to cut into my shoulders.

  Miranda pauses at the edge of the field, where four other teams are already gathered. They’re not doing anything but milling around and shaking hands, but they’re already being filmed from several angles by burly camera operators and sound people with audio mixers strapped around their waists. I squint and try to pick out Will and Lou, but they don’t seem to be here yet. Samir and his brother aren’t either, and I’m glad—I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he arrives and spots us.

  “Wow,” my sister says. “We’re actually here. We’re really doing this.”

  “We are.”

  Miranda bumps my shoulder with hers. “Hey, Clairie? I don’t think I’ve actually said this yet, but thanks for coming here with me. I know this is hard for you, so it means a lot.”

  “It’s going to be great,” I say, willing my stomach to unclench from where it’s coiled like a spring in the corner of my torso. “We’re going to rock this race. Samir won’t know what hit him.”