Chapter 2: Set Up
As Chloe stood in her sparkly pink dress, waiting for her makeup and hair to be done, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her dream pressing down on her. She had moved to Los Angeles with barely any money and even less experience, but she had a fire in her belly that kept her going. A fire that she hoped would one day turn into a roaring inferno of success.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted her daydream. "Hey, you're new here, right?"
Chloe turned to see a brunette girl with sparkling green eyes and a megawatt smile.
She was wearing a vibrant red dress that matched her lipstick perfectly. "I'm Elizabeth," she said, extending a hand. "Elizabeth Gillies. And you are...?"
Chloe shook her hand, a little starstruck. "Chloe. Nice to meet you."
Elizabeth's eyes scanned Chloe from head to toe, taking in her pink dress and curly red hair. "You're an extra on set today, right? Cute dress, by the way. It suits you."
Chloe blushed. "Thanks. Yeah, I'm just here for the day.
Thought it'd be fun to be a part of something big," Chloe said, hoping she didn't sound too starstruck. Elizabeth flashed her a knowing smile. "Well, Chloe, welcome to the madhouse. It's always fun to see new faces around here."
Chloe's makeup artist, Max, finished his work and stepped back. "There you go, gorgeous. All set."
Elizabeth clapped her hands together. "Perfect timing. I was just about to grab some lunch. You in, Chloe?"
Chloe's stomach growled at the mention of food. "Sure, that sounds great.
Thanks for inviting me," Chloe said, grateful for the chance to spend some time with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth linked arms with Chloe, leading her out of the soundstage and towards the studio cafeteria. "So, tell me about yourself, Chloe. What brings you to LA?"
Chloe took a deep breath, trying to keep her excitement in check. "Well, I moved here from a small town back east. I've always loved acting, ever since I was a kid. So, I figured if I wanted to make it big, I had to come to the big city."
Elizabeth nodded, her eyes reflecting a similar passion.
"That's awesome. I know what it's like to have that dream. I was just a kid from Pennsylvania when I started out too."
As they walked, Elizabeth pointed out various buildings and landmarks around the studio. "That's where they film 'Sam & Cat,' and over there is where they did 'iCarly.' Oh, and that massive building? That's where they do all the post-production magic."
Chloe's eyes widened with each new revelation. "Wow, this place is incredible. I've watched so many shows filmed here. It's crazy to think I'm actually here now."
Elizabeth laughed.
"Yeah, it's pretty surreal sometimes. But you get used to it. So, have you done any acting since you've been here? Or are you just starting out?"
Chloe shrugged, trying to play it cool. "I've been going to auditions and trying to get some experience. I've done a few small roles and some student films, but nothing big yet."
Elizabeth's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Well, if you're serious about making it in this industry, you need to be networking. And what better place to do that than here at Nickelodeon?"
Chloe nodded eagerly. "Exactly.
And I think I might be able to help you with that," Elizabeth said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know a few people around here who could give you some great opportunities."
Chloe's heart skipped a beat. "Really? That would be incredible."
Elizabeth grinned. "Of course. But first, you need to impress me. Show me that you've got what it takes."
Chloe nodded, determination burning in her eyes. "I won't let you down. What do you need me to do?"
Elizabeth chuckled. "Nothing too crazy. Just want to see how you handle yourself in a social situation.
I like to introduce new people to my friends—see how they mesh. Sound good?"
Chloe smiled, relieved that Elizabeth didn't expect her to do any sort of impromptu audition right then and there. "Sounds great. I'd love to meet your friends."
Elizabeth winked. "Perfect. Let's grab some food first, and then we'll head over to the commissary. That's where most people hang out between takes."
The cafeteria was a bustling hub of activity, filled with actors, crew members, and even a few animals from one of the shows.
The scent of various cuisines mingled in the air, creating a symphony of aromas that made Chloe's stomach growl loudly.
Elizabeth laughed, "I see someone's hungry. Let's grab some food. You can tell me all about your dreams and aspirations while we eat."
They joined the line and piled their trays high with food—pasta, salad, and a variety of desserts.
Chloe's eyes widened at the selection, making Elizabeth laugh again. "Don't worry, I won't judge if you want to try everything."
Once they had their food, they found an empty table by a window overlooking one of the outdoor sets. As they settled in, Elizabeth gestured for Chloe to start. "So, tell me more about your dreams. What kind of roles are you hoping to land?"
Chloe took a bite of her pasta, savoring the flavors before answering. "Honestly, I don't really care what kind of roles I get. I just want to act.
I want to play complex characters, make people laugh, cry, think. I want to be a part of something that resonates with people, you know? Like, when I watch a show or a movie, and I feel so connected to the characters that it's like I've known them my whole life? I want to create that kind of magic." Chloe finished speaking, her eyes shining with passion.
Elizabeth nodded, smiling. "That's a great answer. I feel the same way. There's just something about performing that makes me feel alive. Like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be."
Chloe took another bite, chewing thoughtfully.
"And I know it's not going to be easy. I've had my fair share of rejections and setbacks. But I'm not giving up."
Elizabeth leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Chloe's face. You've got to have thick skin in this business. And a lot of patience. Sometimes it feels like you're banging your head against a brick wall, but you just have to keep going."
Chloe laughed. "Yeah, I've felt that way more times than I can count. But like you said, I'm not giving up.
I can't."
Elizabeth grinned, "Good. That's the spirit. You know, I've seen a lot of people come and go in this industry. Some with talent, some without. But the ones who stick around, the ones who make it, are the ones who never give up. They're the ones who keep pushing, keep fighting, even when it feels like there's no one left to believe in them."
Chloe felt a warmth spread through her at Elizabeth's words. It was like she had found a kindred spirit, someone who understood the struggle and the passion.
"Well, I'm going to keep fighting.
No matter what it takes," Chloe said, her voice filled with determination.
Elizabeth raised her glass of water in a toast. "To fighting the good fight," she said, and Chloe clinked her glass against Elizabeth's before taking a sip.
As they finished their lunch, Elizabeth stood up and gathered their empty trays. "Come on, let's head to the commissary. It's time for you to meet some of my friends."
Chloe followed Elizabeth out of the cafeteria and onto a bustling pathway lined with various buildings and sets. They soon arrived at a large, open-air building filled with tables, chairs, and a stage in the corner.
The commissary was buzzing with activity, and Chloe could see actors, crew members, and even a few executives milling about, engaged in lively conversations.
Elizabeth spotted a group of familiar faces sitting at a table near the stage. She waved them over, and soon a small crowd had gathered around their table.
"Hey everyone, this is Chloe. She's new here," Elizabeth said, introducing Chloe to the group. "Chloe, meet Ariana, Miranda, and Victoria."
Chloe's eyes widened as she recognized the three actresses from Nickelodeon. She quickly composed herself and offered a friendly smile.
"Hi, nice to meet you all," Chloe said, her voice barely betraying her excitement.
Ariana, the petite brunette with a radiant smile, extended her hand. "Ariana Grande. It's great to meet you, Chloe. Welcome to the crazy world of Nickelodeon." Her handshake was warm and firm, a stark contrast to her tiny stature.
Next to her, Miranda Cosgrove, a stunning dark haired beauty with piercing blue eyes and a mysterious aura, gave Chloe a once-over before offering her hand. "Miranda.
Pleasure," Miranda said, her voice smooth like velvet. Chloe felt a slight shiver run down her spine at the intensity of Miranda's gaze. She quickly shook off the feeling and turned to the last member of the group.
Victoria Justice, with her long brown hair and warm, brown eyes, smiled at Chloe and held out her hand. "Victoria. Nice to meet you, Chloe. Elizabeth said you're new here?"
Chloe nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Yeah, I just moved to LA a few months ago.
I'm still trying to get a feel for everything," Chloe said, her voice steady despite the jumble of emotions inside her. She couldn't believe she was standing in front of three of her idols, all of whom she had watched on TV countless times.
Ariana grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, you've come to the right place then. This studio is full of opportunities if you know where to look." She winked at Elizabeth, who was watching the exchange with obvious amusement.
Miranda leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Chloe's face. "So, what brings you to Nickelodeon?
Are you an actor too?" Victoria asked, her voice warm and inviting.
"I'm working as an extra today, but I'm really hoping to get into acting. I've always loved being on stage, making people laugh and cry. I just moved to LA from a small town back east, so I'm still trying to find my footing." Chloe admitted, her eyes shining with passion.
Miranda quirked an eyebrow, her gaze never leaving Chloe. "That's admirable. But you know, this industry is tough.
It's not just about talent—it's about who you know and how well you can network," Miranda said, her voice like silk. Her eyes never left Chloe's face, making her feel both flattered and slightly unnerved.
Chloe nodded, appreciating Miranda's honesty. "I've heard that before. It's one of the reasons I joined an acting class as soon as I got here. I figured it'd be a good way to meet people and learn from professionals."
Victoria smiled, her eyes softening. "That's a great start. And who knows?
You might just meet some interesting people," Ariana added, winking at Chloe. "Hell, you've already met some of us. We're not so bad, are we?" she asked, playfully nudging Victoria, who rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless.
Miranda, however, remained silent, her gaze unwavering as she continued to study Chloe. Her intense scrutiny made Chloe feel a little uneasy, but also strangely intrigued. There was something about Miranda that was both captivating and slightly enigmatic.
Elizabeth, noticing the tension, stepped in. "So, Chloe, tell us more about yourself.
What's your story?" Ariana asked, her eyes twinkling with genuine interest.
Chloe took a deep breath, trying to keep her nerves in check. "Well, I'm from a small town in Pennsylvania. I've always loved performing—I was in all the school plays, local theater productions, that sort of thing. When I graduated high school, I knew I had to give acting a real shot, so I moved to LA."
Ariana's face lit up. "That's amazing, Chloe. I'm from Florida, so I get it.
The move out here can be rough, but if you've got the passion, you can make it. Right, Victoria?" Ariana asked, looking to her friend for support.
Victoria nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. The road to success is never easy, but with hard work and determination, anything is possible." She turned to Chloe, her warm brown eyes filled with encouragement. "Just remember to stay true to yourself and never give up on your dreams."
Chloe felt a surge of gratitude and inspiration wash over her. To hear these words of wisdom from women she admired so much was more than she could have hoped for.