This was the biggest award of the night, and Olivia felt sure about who was going to win. She pulled the little card out of the envelope to confirm it.
‘Jessica Phelps,’ she read out and the audience burst into even louder applause.
Blonde hair flowing, Jessica floated out on to the stage. She’d changed her outfit and was wearing a long red dress with diamond studs and an amazing diamond choker. She looked classy.
Too bad she is everything but classy, Olivia thought. But she smiled and clapped along with everyone else. Jackson handed Jessica a trophy, and over his shoulder, Jessica gave Olivia a pointed look.
Jackson broke away and leaned over to the microphone. ‘Before we hear from our winner, let’s watch her tribute video.’
He kept clapping and turned to watch the big screen. A familiar face appeared.
‘Hi, I’m Charlotte Brown. You don’t know me – yet – but I’ve got a secret to share with you.’
Olivia was stunned. She looked at Jackson, but he seemed just as confused.
‘I have a special tribute video to show you about my new friend Jessica. I want people to know the truth about your favourite movie star.’
Charlotte’s face disappeared and a grainy shot appeared of Jessica in the Meat and Greet. It was obviously filmed on someone’s camera phone.
Olivia snuck a glance at Jessica, who was beginning to look concerned.
Jessica’s voice rang out clearly, thanking a fan.
‘You guys are the reason that I do what I do, and I love you all!’ She gave the slightly overweight girl a hug.
‘I heard you were going to star in the movie of Eternal Sunset,’ said the girl.
‘Oh, I would be honoured just to audition for that role,’ Jessica said sweetly.
The girl beamed.
‘My friend is filming this, so I can put this meeting up on my fan site – if that’s OK with you,’ said Jessica.
The girl nodded, looking ecstatic, and scurried away.
In the auditorium, the audience clapped, but the video didn’t stop there.
As the fan walked away Jessica turned to the camera and her smile changed into a grimace. ‘These stupid fans are just so obsessive,’ she said. ‘And did you see what she was wearing?’
On stage, Jessica was turning white and shaking her head, backing away.
‘Ugh,’ Jessica on the screen sneered. ‘And do you know what? I hate those stupid books like Eternal Sunset. They are so lame.’
There was a stony silence from the audience.
‘Loser fans are the very worst part of being a mega-star.’ Jessica tossed her hair and sat back down in the booth.
The real-life Jessica whirled around, mouth hanging open. ‘I . . . I . . . I . . .’ For once she seemed unable to speak.
Olivia remembered overhearing how mean Jessica was to Charlotte in the Meat and Greet the last time she saw the two of them together. Jessica might be one of the most famous, talented and powerful young actresses in Hollywood, but that didn’t mean she could cross Charlotte Brown and not suffer some cheerleader revenge.
Olivia looked at Jackson. He nodded towards the wings. ‘Go on, get out of here,’ he whispered. ‘You shouldn’t have to be part of this.’ Olivia hurried offstage, just as the massive boos started to ring out from the crowd . . .
In front of a set of monitors in the green room, with Mr Vega on one side and Lillian on the other, Ivy did a happy dance.
‘I will be nice to Charlotte Brown for the rest of my life!’ Ivy declared, but then she realised what she had just said. ‘Correction: I will try to be nice to Charlotte Brown.’
Olivia peeked through the green-room door and lit up when she saw her family there. ‘What was that?’ she asked, but Ivy didn’t want to dish the dirt about how Jessica went all out to swap Olivia’s video. It was enough that justice had been done and Jessica had exposed herself.
‘Let’s just say that we might owe Charlotte a few Beauty Boosting Blueberry smoothies when we get back to Franklin Grove,’ Ivy replied. ‘As long as I don’t have to drink them with her.’
Mr Vega gave Olivia a hug. ‘I’m so proud of you, Olivia. First winning the award and then being so mature in the face of all that silliness.’
Lillian smiled. ‘And you looked beautiful.’
Jackson burst into the room. ‘Olivia!’ he cried, rushing over. ‘Wow!’ He gave Olivia a big hug. ‘You were amazing!’
‘Thanks,’ Olivia whispered.
Harker appeared behind them. ‘Dude,’ he said to Olivia, shaking his head. ‘That was rough, but you really pulled it off. True star quality. How about doing it all over again next year?’
Ivy held her breath. This was Harker asking if Olivia was going to stick with being an actress.
Olivia smiled. ‘If we can do it without all the drama, I would love to be back here again next year.’
Lillian clapped and Mr Vega beamed and Jackson whooped so loud that the other guests in the green room stared. Even Ivy had to admit she was happy for her sister, but there was something that worried her. Did that mean Olivia was going to leave Franklin Grove?
Harker grabbed Olivia’s hand to shake it. ‘I will definitely be calling your dad tomorrow and we’ll make you a Beverly Hills local in no time.’ Then he turned to Ivy. ‘Are you sure you don’t want a shiny award like your sister?’ Harker asked. ‘We could come up with a new category. The Darkest Star award . . .’
‘Tempting,’ Ivy replied. ‘But this town doesn’t exactly go with my colour scheme. And I’m desperate to get back to a certain someone in Franklin Grove.’ Ivy wasn’t used to being without Brendan this much and she didn’t want to be.