Prologue
At 6 years old, Celia Parker became a famous actress in a hollywood movie.
For years, she felt she was living a dream. She starred in several other movies, and even a TV series.
Everything was perfect.
But when Celia turns 14 she discovers all she's been missing out on.
Will she retire from acting for a chance at normalty, or let her real dream life pass her by?
CHAPTER 1
"Celia! Celia!!! Are you planning to do any more movies? Celia!"
The paparazzi yelled, as I pushed through.
"Leave me alone."
Was my reply.
It almost always was.
I would give a thousand dollars for ONE DAY without these pests, chasing me wherever I went.
No wonder no one ever wanted to be friends with me- Not unless they had an ulterior motive. Fame- Cash- Or just a picture of me, that they could show to everyone at their school.
I finally made my way over to the front door of my 3 story house.
My body guards followed behind me, holding back the paparazzi as I walked inside.
"FINALLY!!!!!!"
I yelled, falling back, onto the sofa, and tossing my purse beside me.
I reached for the remote, ready to turn on the giant flat screen TV when I heard my phone ringing.
I quickly pulled my cellphone out of my purse and flipped it open.
"Hello, Celia Speaking." I said, trying to sound buisness-like.
"Celia, This is Marrie. I have bad news." My manager responded.
"What is it?"
"The studio is going bankrupt."
"What?!!!"
"I'm sorry Celia. Everyone is losing their job- Even the actors."
"What am I going to do?"
"Well, the owner told me they are going to try and re-open the studio but it could take months."
"MONTHS?!" I nearly shouted into the phone.
"Everything will be ok. I'm sure you can get hired by another studio."
"But the contract! I'm not even allowed to work for another studio for a whole year!"
"We will figure something out. I have to go now. If I get anymore news, I'll call you."
I closed my cellphone and threw it onto the sofa.
"Was that Marrie?" My mom asked, walking into the living room. I could tell she had heard the conversation.
"Yeah." I muttered, not bothering to look up, "The studio closed down. I'm out of a job until the studio re-opens... Or until my contract runs out."
"Oh no..." My mom said, sounding like she knew something I didn't.
"What? We still have money to get us through 'til then, right?"
"We owed $400 dollars in taxes this year, plus all the other bills... And food, and gas."
"What are you getting at?"
"With all the other expenses, We won't be able to pay your tutor anymore, and you will have to go to public school."
"What?! Can't you tutor me?!"
"I can't Celia, I'm going to have to try and find a job now."
"But I'm famous!"
Obviously, my moms mind was already made up, because she didn't reply. She just turned and headed into the kitchen.
~
CHAPTER 2:
The first day of the next month was my first day of school. In a way, it was a little exciting. I'd been to schools before many times, but never without a film crew, and dozens of other actors and actresses. This was a real school, with normal kids who have probably never seen the paparazzi in their life.
As soon as I got dressed and ready for school, I ran downstairs where my mom had already prepared breakfast. She'd gotten a new job, and asked to start the same day I went to school so I wouldn't have to stay home alone.
"Good morning. Are you excited about school?" she asked.
"Not really."
"It won't be so bad. Just try it. Soon everything will be back to normal."
"Mhm..."
I took my time eating my breakfast, sort of hoping someone would call saying that the studio had opened again, even though I knew they wouldn't.
"Celia, you better hurry up or you'll miss the bus."
I sighed and quickly ate the last few bites of my turkey bacon. Mom didn't want anyone in her house eating pigs, so we ate turkey bacon, but it tasted the same, so I never cared.