The Accidental TV Star by Emily Evans Read Free Book Online Page A

contestant. You’re up.”
    “But, I didn’t apply. Or send in a video.” Shocked bewilderment colored my voice.
    Hannah shrugged. “Surprise. You’re now in the top six out of thousands who auditioned.” Hannah typed on her tablet. “We’ll order another assistant from the cooking class.” She looked back up at me. “You can cook, right?”
    I nodded.
    Her fingers paused, and she didn’t seem convinced. “Well, just fake it for an episode until you get kicked off.”
    I didn’t have to fake it. I could cook. I moved toward Wilma’s spot, pulling on the blue contestant apron over my white kitchen-hand one, feeling a sense of unreality and rising excitement.
    Sprinkles of red dust landed on my arm. I glanced over at the dark-skinned man. His apron was labeled Spice King . He flicked his hand at me.
    I narrowed my gaze and brushed at the powder but I didn’t say anything. For all I knew that was a greeting, but it felt more like a declaration of war. Don’t draw me into your TV battle, chef, save it until the cameras go off.
    The good-looking dark haired guy said, “Take Wilma’s unlucky spot, Messy. I’ll take you down too.”
    The lady with the tight lips loosened up enough to say, “Wilma never cleaned her cookware. Your dish will taste like last week’s beef Burgundy.”
    “Stop helping her,” the grandmother snapped.
    Ms. Sims moved in front of the camera.
    The director said, “Action.”
    “Well contestants, with Wilma’s defection, we’re forced to bring in an alternative. In a surprise twist for the season, please welcome our new contestant and former kitchen-hand—Messy Marissa.”
    The contestants clapped and shouted welcomes. The camera spun around the room capturing everything and I waved at it, feeling like a moron.
    Ms. Sims said, “We’re down to three guys and three girls. Who will be the next Scoop-tastic Chef and win a shot at working at my restaurant?”
    My hands shook and my mouth dried at the thought.
    Ms. Sims said, “And who will leave with a doggy bag?”
    I barked along with the others, only stopping when I realized that I was the only one still going.
    Ms. Sims said, “Meet your new final six contestants: Cajun Cal, Grandma Gert, Clean Kate, Willful Will, Spice King, and Messy Marissa.” As she said each name, the camera zoomed in on the contestant and each carried out a signature ritual. My neighbor Cal winked and saluted off the gator’s snout. Grandma made a heart-shape with her hands and held it over her heart. Kate polished her tabletop. Will shined his knife, and the Spice King dusted the air with paprika.
    The camera swiveled to me. A bright light shined in my face. Before I could blink, bark, or faint, Garrett’s ringtone belted out. “We will live on, for an eternity.”
    Oh no.
    “Cut.”
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    Hannah held out her hand. I slapped the phone in her palm, and the image of Garrett in his toga stared up at us. Hannah’s eyes widened. Turning away from the host, she winked and pocketed my phone. “Nice.”
    My shoulders relaxed.
    The director thumped the brim of the cameraman’s ball cap. “Did you get that?”
    He nodded.
    “That’s one of our studio’s films, right?”
    After receiving his second acknowledgment, the director turned to Ms. Sims. Their eyes met and a silent exchange took place. Then the director said, “Counting down, three, two, one.” She made a rolling motion and pointed at Ms. Sims.
    Ms. Sims said, “Meet your new final six: Willful Will, Clean Kate, Spice King, Cajun Cal, Grandma Gert, and—”
    The bright lights attached to the camera swiveled and blinded me.
    “Star Stalker Marissa.”
    I gasped. The camera lingered and then turned to Hannah.
    With a reluctant grimace at me, Hannah held up my cell phone and maneuvered the screen so that the picture of Garrett faced the lens. The camera zoomed in.
    The director said, “That’s a wrap.”
    The contestants shrugged out of their aprons and headed for the