Star Style (15 page)

O
livia slipped on to the red velvet seat beside Mr Vega. During a video after the commercial break, she’d been escorted out into the audience so that the cameras could see her reaction as the award was announced. Almost immediately, a cameraman closed in, his huge black camera lens pointed right at her.

Jackson stood at the podium and smiled at the audience. He didn’t show any of the stress that Olivia guessed he might be feeling. The last thing he’d had to deal with before going on stage was her being upset. ‘And now, I am delighted to
announce the nominees for the Brightest New Star award, given to a debut actor or actress with a bright future in Hollywood.’

Olivia knew she had about ten seconds before her face was splashed across the huge screen in the auditorium and broadcast live to the nation – they always showed the faces of all the nominees as the award was being announced. She ignored the panicky feeling that was welling up in her and focused on one moment: it was just after Christmas. Ivy, Mr Vega and her parents were sitting together in the Abbott’s kitchen. All the crazy family together.

That’s what matters in all of this
, Olivia thought to herself.

Jackson called out clearly, ‘Olivia Abbott . . .’

There was an awkward silence, then a smattering of polite applause. Everyone in the audience was in full formal wear. One old lady
was wearing a tiara and the man next to her was wearing a full tuxedo.

Olivia just kept thinking about her family, to distract herself. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see her big face on the screen.

Jackson read out the other four nominees, whose applause was clearly more than polite.
It’s almost over, it’s almost over
, Olivia kept telling herself.

‘And the winner is . . .’

Olivia felt her heart thumping through her body.

It would be amazing to win, but it was next to impossible. She knew the votes would have been cast long before Jessica’s video stunt; there was no way she could have made that big an impact with just one small role in a Jackson Caulfield flick.

But a little voice inside her said, ‘It was big
enough to land the
Eternal Sunset
role!’

It was like slow motion as Jackson opened the gold envelope and then looked her way. He locked eyes with her and read out, ‘Olivia Abbott!’

There was a loud whooping noise – that sounded distinctly like a certain sister of hers – and then an awkward hush descended on the audience.

Mr Vega squeezed Olivia’s hand. ‘Go on,’ he told her. ‘Enjoy your moment.’

Olivia stepped out into the aisle and walked up on to the stage, squinting under the glare of the lights.

‘Congratulations, Olivia,’ Jackson said, leaning into the microphone, as Olivia strode towards his podium.

Now she could see that the huge auditorium was packed. There were hundreds of people staring at her. Young girls were scattered through
the rows – clearly Jackson fans, judging by their scowls. One of them, wearing pink taffeta, stuck her tongue out at Olivia.

Jackson handed her a tall glass trophy and the envelope. She glanced down to see that it really was her name written there.

She stepped in front of the microphone and said, ‘I’m so surprised, but happy.’ Jackson gave her a huge, proud smile and Olivia knew that this might be her only chance to set the record straight about her and Jackson.

‘I know some of you might be disappointed by the video that you saw earlier – believe me, that took me by surprise. But so did falling for this wonderful person.

‘At the beginning of the year, I was a nobody – just a Jackson fan standing at the barriers when a film set in my home town was being shot. Then, in a blur, I had a role in a movie and a
mega-famous boyfriend. It was totally overwhelming, but the best feeling ever.’

She smiled at Jackson and there were a few faint sounds of ‘ooh’ and ‘ah’ from the audience. The pink taffeta girl was grinning now. ‘We never meant to mislead anyone, but it was all so new that we didn’t want any more pressure on our relationship.’

She stopped, not sure if there was anything else to say.

In the pause, someone called out, ‘We love you, Olivia and Jackson!’ The old lady with the tiara clapped and nodded while the girl in pink whooped and cheered.

Next to her, Jackson applauded and winked.

‘Thank you so much for this award,’ Olivia said. She saw Harker standing in the wings giving her a thumbs up. ‘There’s just one more thing I have to say. A big “thank you” to my sister, Ivy.
We are complete opposites, but she is the best person I know, and more people should be like her. Without Ivy, I wouldn’t be here today. We all need family, right?’

The auditorium exploded in applause, and Olivia felt so much better. Jackson scooped her up in a huge hug, which just made the audience cheer even louder.

When the noise settled, Jackson whispered in Olivia’s ear. ‘You have to announce the next award.’

Olivia nodded.

He pressed an envelope into her hands.

Olivia looked out at the audience, which had more welcoming faces now, and said, ‘I’m honoured to be able to present the next award: the Brightest Star award.’ The nominees were all written on the back of the envelope. ‘The nominees are: Beverly Bonds, Naomi Coleman, George Morrow . . .’ She had to take a deep
breath before saying the next name, ‘Jessica Phelps, Mark Richter and Emily Tipman.’

As she fumbled with opening the envelope, a hush fell over the audience. She could see Harker watching from the side of the stage.

This was the biggest award of the night, and Olivia felt sure about who was going to win. She pulled the little card out of the envelope to confirm it.

‘Jessica Phelps,’ she read out and the audience burst into even louder applause.

Blonde hair flowing, Jessica floated out on to the stage. She’d changed her outfit and was wearing a long red dress with diamond studs and an amazing diamond choker. She looked classy.

Too bad she is everything but classy
, Olivia thought. But she smiled and clapped along with everyone else. Jackson handed Jessica a trophy, and over his shoulder, Jessica gave Olivia a pointed look.

Jackson broke away and leaned over to the microphone. ‘Before we hear from our winner, let’s watch her tribute video.’

He kept clapping and turned to watch the big screen. A familiar face appeared.

‘Hi, I’m Charlotte Brown. You don’t know me – yet – but I’ve got a secret to share with you.’

Olivia was stunned. She looked at Jackson, but he seemed just as confused.

‘I have a special tribute video to show you about my new friend Jessica. I want people to know the truth about your favourite movie star.’

Charlotte’s face disappeared and a grainy shot appeared of Jessica in the Meat and Greet. It was obviously filmed on someone’s camera phone.

Olivia snuck a glance at Jessica, who was beginning to look concerned.

Jessica’s voice rang out clearly, thanking a fan.

‘You guys are the reason that I do what I
do, and I love you all!’ She gave the slightly overweight girl a hug.

‘I heard you were going to star in the movie of
Eternal Sunset
,’ said the girl.

‘Oh, I would be honoured just to audition for that role,’ Jessica said sweetly.

The girl beamed.

‘My friend is filming this, so I can put this meeting up on my fan site – if that’s OK with you,’ said Jessica.

The girl nodded, looking ecstatic, and scurried away.

In the auditorium, the audience clapped, but the video didn’t stop there.

As the fan walked away Jessica turned to the camera and her smile changed into a grimace. ‘These stupid fans are just so obsessive,’ she said. ‘And did you see what she was wearing?’

On stage, Jessica was turning white and
shaking her head, backing away.

‘Ugh,’ Jessica on the screen sneered. ‘And do you know what? I hate those stupid books like
Eternal Sunset
. They are so lame.’

There was a stony silence from the audience.

‘Loser fans are the very worst part of being a mega-star.’ Jessica tossed her hair and sat back down in the booth.

The real-life Jessica whirled around, mouth hanging open. ‘I . . . I . . . I . . .’ For once she seemed unable to speak.

Olivia remembered overhearing how mean Jessica was to Charlotte in the Meat and Greet the last time she saw the two of them together. Jessica might be one of the most famous, talented and powerful young actresses in Hollywood, but that didn’t mean she could cross Charlotte Brown and not suffer some cheerleader revenge.

Olivia looked at Jackson. He nodded towards the wings. ‘Go on, get out of here,’ he whispered. ‘You shouldn’t have to be part of this.’ Olivia hurried offstage, just as the massive boos started to ring out from the crowd . . .

In front of a set of monitors in the green room, with Mr Vega on one side and Lillian on the other, Ivy did a happy dance.

‘I will be nice to Charlotte Brown for the rest of my life!’ Ivy declared, but then she realised what she had just said. ‘Correction: I will
try
to be nice to Charlotte Brown.’

Olivia peeked through the green-room door and lit up when she saw her family there. ‘What was that?’ she asked, but Ivy didn’t want to dish the dirt about how Jessica went all out to swap Olivia’s video. It was enough that justice had been done and Jessica had exposed herself.

‘Let’s just say that we might owe Charlotte a few Beauty Boosting Blueberry smoothies when we get back to Franklin Grove,’ Ivy replied. ‘As long as I don’t have to drink them with her.’

Mr Vega gave Olivia a hug. ‘I’m so proud of you, Olivia. First winning the award and then being so mature in the face of all that silliness.’

Lillian smiled. ‘And you looked beautiful.’

Jackson burst into the room. ‘Olivia!’ he cried, rushing over. ‘Wow!’ He gave Olivia a big hug. ‘You were amazing!’

‘Thanks,’ Olivia whispered.

Harker appeared behind them. ‘Dude,’ he said to Olivia, shaking his head. ‘That was rough, but you really pulled it off. True star quality. How about doing it all over again next year?’

Ivy held her breath. This was Harker asking if Olivia was going to stick with being an actress.

Olivia smiled. ‘If we can do it without all
the drama, I would love to be back here again next year.’

Lillian clapped and Mr Vega beamed and Jackson whooped so loud that the other guests in the green room stared. Even Ivy had to admit she was happy for her sister, but there was something that worried her. Did that mean Olivia was going to leave Franklin Grove?

Harker grabbed Olivia’s hand to shake it. ‘I will definitely be calling your dad tomorrow and we’ll make you a Beverly Hills local in no time.’ Then he turned to Ivy. ‘Are you sure you don’t want a shiny award like your sister?’ Harker asked. ‘We could come up with a new category. The Darkest Star award . . .’

‘Tempting,’ Ivy replied. ‘But this town doesn’t exactly go with my colour scheme. And I’m desperate to get back to a certain someone in Franklin Grove.’ Ivy wasn’t used to being without
Brendan this much and she didn’t want to be.

Harker shrugged. ‘I might have known; there is always some boy. Check you later, then,’ he said and sauntered off.

‘So,’ Ivy said to Olivia, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer. ‘What are you thinking? Are you going to move out here to Beverly Hills?’

If her sister wanted to follow her dream, Ivy wouldn’t stop her.

Olivia shook her head. ‘No way. I’ve only just moved to Franklin Grove.’

‘Me, too!’ Jackson put in. ‘And I don’t want to pack up all those boxes again.’

‘Like Jackson’s already said, we’ll make Hollywood come to us,’ Olivia declared. ‘Or we can travel for shoots.’

Ivy hugged Olivia again. ‘That’s the best news I’ve heard tonight.’

Two hours later, the show had been over for ages and Olivia had been stuffing her face. The green room had been rearranged into a buffet area with sit-down tables and while most of the celebs had gone off to after-show parties, there were still some people hanging around to enjoy the hospitality – and avoid the crowds waiting outside.

‘Live television makes me hungry,’ Olivia said, with a mouthful of fruit salad.