13

MIA'S POV

My audition is today. I don't know what to wear. I feel unprepared, even though I've been practicing nonstop. 

After I take my shower, it takes me a long time to pick out a shirt, but when I do, I choose a floral tank top, skinny jeans, and sandals. I put my hair into two French braids and put on some light makeup, but a little heavier than usual.

When I go downstairs, Anna and I just eat cereal, since it's quicker and we have to be at the audition in an hour. 

"Are you excited?" Anna asks.

"Yeah," I reply, but I'm really freaking out inside.

"I believe in you," Anna smiles.

I just smile back and put my plate in the sink. Anna grabs her keys and we go out to the car, jamming Ariana Grande all the way there.

When we get to the center that the auditions are being held at, Anna and I get out of the car and Anna puts her arm around me. 

"Baby, you're shaking..." Anna points out and I just nod. "Don't be nervous." I look down. She stops us in our tracks and picks my head up with her finger. "Look at me. You're going to be amazing. You're so talented. I love you."

I hug her. "I love you too."

We walk inside and walk around for a little bit, until we finally find the room where the auditions are taking place. 

The room is full of other girls around my age and some older ones. All of them are wearing dresses and have there hair done and curled or straightened.

Shit. I should have worn a dress, I think to myself.

"Don't let them psych you out," Anna says, as if she can read my mind.

When we sit down, I hear the girls whispering about Anna and I. I know they're whispering in excitement because it's Anna Kendrick and her daughter, but I can't help but think that it's because there's something wrong with me.

The auditions start soon after and I watch as girls come out of the room crying or smiling. I look over my lines constantly, until they call my name. 

"Good luck, babe," Anna smiles when I stand up.

I walk into the room, behind Jeffrey, the director. I stand in the middle of the room, in front of a group of very official-looking people.

"Hi. My name is Mia Kendrick, I'm thirteen years old, and I'll be auditioning for the part of Raelynn," I tell them. 

"You're Anna Kendrick's daughter, right?" A lady asks me.

"Yes."

"Okay. Whenever you're ready, Mia," Jeffrey says. "Read through the scene on page sixty."

I flip to the page and start to recite the lines. It's the scene where I have to cry and have a mental breakdown because my parents never pay attention to me. 

I think back to the abuse I used to go through, and that brings the waterworks.

"You never pay attention to me!" I cry.

"Yes, we do, Raelynn," one of the ladies replies.

"No, you don't! You're too busy with you're job and interviews to care about me. Face it. I mean nothing to you!" I recite with more tears falling from my eyes.

When the scene ends, they're all clapping for my performance. I just smile before saying thank you and walking out. 

"How did it go?" Anna asks when we're in the parking lot.

"Really well, but I doubt I'll get it," I tell her.

"Hey. Don't doubt yourself," Anna says. "You're very talented."

"Thanks," I smile as we get into the car. 

We go home and close the door behind us, kicking off our shoes and dropping our bags. We sit on the couch to watch some TV.

"We have some people coming over soon, just so you know," Anna tells me.

"Who?" I ask.

"Just Skylar, Anna Camp, Hailee, and Brittany. We're just having a little get-together," she explains.

"Oh, okay," I reply.

We watch TV for a while, then the doorbell rings. We run to answer it and they all come in. 

Hailee and I sit on the couch, watching TV and talking about our record labels, while the others go over to the kitchen to talk.

After a while, I smell the alcohol. My mind goes back to the day that I came home and smelled that smell. I was raped and beaten that night.

Tears rush down my face.

"Are you okay?" Hailee asks.

I don't say anything. I just run up the stairs, slamming my bedroom door behind me. I sit on the bed, in tears. 

"Mia?" I hear Anna say. I smell the alcohol get stronger as she walks into the room.

I push my back against the wall, trying to get as far away from her as I can. 

"Mia?" Anna repeats. "What's going on?"

"Please don't hurt me," I cry softly. 

She sits next to me and fear takes over me. I don't speak. I just put my head in my hands and sob.

"Baby, I would never hurt you." Anna puts her hand on my leg. "What would ever make you think that?"

"I can smell the alcohol in your breath," I tell her, not looking her in the eye.

"Oh." She's realizing why I'm upset now. "Is this about your foster parents?" I nod. "Babe, I love you. I'll put the alcohol away if it makes you scared. I'd never do anything to hurt you and I'll never let anything or anyone hurt you."

Anna pulls me to her chest and lets me cry for a little bit, stroking my hair, and telling me everything is okay. Then, Hailee walks in.

"Hey." Hailee sits next to us and rubs my back. "I don't know what's going on. But, I'm here for you. You know that, right?"

I look up at her and wrap my arms around her, my crying becoming softer and softer.

"I'll tell everyone to put it away, babe," Anna reassures me. 

"Wait!" I look up. "Don't. It's okay. I'll be okay. I've realized that I'm loved now, and you wouldn't hurt me."

Anna sits on the other side of me and her and Hailee both hug me.

We head back downstairs when I'm done crying, to meet up with everyone else.

"Everything okay?" Britt asks.

"Yeah. It's fine. Don't worry about it," I assure her.

I join them all at the kitchen island and we talk for a while, play charades, take pictures, and all that fun stuff.