Flaws

After school I try to mind my own business I really do, but that’s never been my strong suit. It’s been two weeks since Jude, and Beck got their Words. In those two weeks I got a role as Wanda in my dads new move. A lead role of course. This morning I’m not thinking about that though. There is only one other young celebrity at our school. Megan, or better know as Shy. She’s the daughter of pop star. She’s a bit of her loner except for her attached at the hip friend Luna. Who you could swear had no emotions what so ever. She held herself with an ‘I don’t care attitude.’ She wasn’t very popular. Shy was quiet I didn’t know much about her, but I couldn’t help but observe the way her boyfriend acted, and the gossip. I loved gossip. Though school gossip wasn’t normally very good.

“Did you hear that’s her knew boyfriend. He has a history of cheating you know.” He had a Flaw Word too. Greedy. Was written on it. The way he looked, and smiled at other girls. It may not mean anything, but… Luna to my surprise walks right up to me. She takes my arm and pulls me aside.

“Hey.” I say.

“Listen she doesn’t believe me about him cheating, but I know he has. I just don’t have proof yet. I don’t want to be right. But you could find out?” Luna says.

“Why ask me?” I say.

“You seem like the right sort of person too.” Then she leaves snapping gum between her teeth. She’s such an odd girl. During lunch I write my love letter, but then I see an opportunity I can’t pass up. I had been spinning, and plotting ideas since this morning. Finally I get a full picture.

“What are you going to do?” Beck asks, and I wink. I walk right up to Mr. Greedy, Garret I learned his name was. Luna’s eyes snap to me immediately. I see a hit of recognition in Shy’s eyes when she finally looks up. Garret looks up last.

“Well are you going to explain yourself?” I say. My voice loud.

“What?”

“For ghosting me last night. You said were were dinning at the La Emilie. For an hour I waited. You never showed!” My acting is perfect. He doesn’t doubt me for a second. I can see it in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Ava?” I see him weighing which relationship he wants to try, and save. “Tell you what I’ll make it up to you.”

“Make it up to me.” I say sounding angry but also intrigued.

“Who is she?” Shy asks in such a brittle voice it takes everything in me to stay in character.

“I’m his girlfriend.”

“This is my girlfriend Ava. Sorry, Shy. You’re just not easy to talk too.”

“I’m not actually.” I say. He looks at me. They all do. Everyone at the table. “Your girlfriend. So who’s Ava?” With my applause of stunned silence I leave.

“You are something else.” Beck says. Most of the time he doesn’t approve of my way of doing things. It’s nice to see him smile at something I’ve done. I paint my nails dark blue in my next class. Blue like the sky, blue like Jude’s bob, blue like Beck’s Word. I hold the letter to him in my hand. It’s shaped like heart. Once he sees it there’s no going back. That’s when I see them holding hands. I smile the actress I am.

“Well aren’t you two sweet.” I say. Jude looks embarrassed. “You’ll be quite the power couple with the same Flaw.” I say. There’ll be pretty popular online. I should have expected this. I was so blind to Jude’s feelings for him. They really are similar. A perfect couple. They really are good for each other. I think. After school it’s Shy’s turn to take me aside.

“I know what you and Luna did, and thanks.”

“Yeah. No problem.” I really didn’t do much. Honest anyone probably could have done what I did. Couldn’t they? I shrug it off. It was time to get ready for my interviews about me, and my new movie. After laying everything out I sat in front of the Wall Screen. I watched as many of my Father’s movies as I could, and then the directors cut. There was only a few of those. I felt a tightness in my chest I couldn’t place. Then I realized it was because he talked to the camera in a way he never talked to me. I turned off the screen.

“What are you wearing to night.” He asks. The word Ambition drawing my eye.

“What Word do you think I’ll get dad?” He blinks. This isn’t normally how these sort of things go. He helps in my ambitions. I help his. We talk connections, dress codes, and hairstyles. How to act, and what to say. How we both can have everything we want. After all I’m an Ire we always get what we want. Always find a way. He’ll expect me to rise in fame the way he did. He also genuinely wants that for me.

“Um.” He sputters putting in earrings. “I don’t know Lair maybe.” I don’t even flinch. I knew my Father would lie about what he thought it would be, but the Flaw Word can’t lie ether. Maybe I wanted an unbiased opinion. Maybe I wanted him to say something else. A silence falls on the room a moment, and I think I see a flicker of regret pass on my Father’s face. But I must be mistaken my Father is a very unapologetic person. “Now get ready.” I put on my dress, and fix my make-up.

“Didn’t we agree on make-up that wasn’t to flashy?” He asks. My cock tail dress is my favorite. Short, with a flowing skirt, and sparkling. My eye shadow matches it. I glare at him.

“Fine.” He relents this time. He walks out into the cold air. My mom is almost done doing my hair.

“Mom what do you think my Flaw’s going to be?” She thinks a long moment.

“People Pleaser maybe.” I smile not because of her guess, but because of the fact that I had guessed that too. “Well maybe not.” She adds. “After a if People Pleasing was your Flaw Word you would have probably changed your eyeshadow, but I’m glad you didn’t. You look beautiful.” She says. I smile. Wondering who I am deep down. The parts of our selves were normally so keen to hide when we’re young. Even from ourselves. The wait is making me stress. The interviews go perfectly. After a while dad sits, and talks with the cast members, and a few other celebrities from the same building. My Father introduces me to an actor from down the hall. They look my age eighteen. They already has their Flaw Word: Controlling. We exchange greetings, names, and pronouns. His name is Mr. Alex Kit. He, him.

“So you’re a new coming star yourself yes. We young actors and actresses should really stick together don’t you think?” I say. He smiles. He really is very handsome. Blonde, and dark eyes.

“I couldn’t agree more. How about you stick close to me this evening. I’d love to get to know you better.” I agree, and we make conversation. Occasionally stopping to eat, or drink something on the buffet table that was set up for us. Some one even started playing music over the speaker, but soft music. Something you’d put in the background to study too.

“I would like to see you again. There is a party. You know the Hamptons don’t you? Be my plus one?” He asks. A date.

“Alright.”

“I’ll pick you up at nine then.” I feel a little blissful like things are finally working out. Then I catch my reflection in my mirror. At first I think it’s a bit of stray eyeshadow and try to wipe it away. When it doesn’t I move closer to the mirror. My heart is pounding. The Word reads: Manipulator.