It was six in the evening, and everyone was utterly exhausted. Captain Walce had been particurly ruthless today, especially unpleasant. Jack Sauce had given up halfway through the day to catch his breath, while Kate Bosworth hadn't quit, but in the end, she too had to pause for some air. The exercises seemed desigo torment Billy.

  -I think you owe me five dolrs, David, - Billy remarked to the soldier, utterly disced. Though young, these soldiers were four years older than Billy and were undergoing practical courses. In some way, this camaraderie was their way of bonding. Billy had bet he could keep up with the soldiers for the eraining, while they bet against him, predig he’d fail. His friend Sauce roof of the challenge, and the physical exercise had been grueling, but that was the thrill of it.

  -I'll pay you ter. And it's pounds, you idiot, - David replied with a ugh.

  -Hahaha, you better. I think some of you 't stand the fact that a 'star' outruns all of you, - the boy sighed, his hands on his knees, pletely exhausted. But this wasn’t anything that bothered him—he had trained uhe Arizo in juveention, running to apany the thoughts of his new life. A life he hadn’t asked for, but one he was grateful for as time went on.

  -You're a total disappoi, - David responded. - Stars are supposed to be different; it’s not fair. -

  David was crouched down, the exercise had been intense, and exhausting, and they had no idea why. It was supposed to be a simple parachuting lesson, but with all the prior physical training, they were only supposed to learn the Gray teique here. Gray had spoken to Captain Wald found out two things: they were beied, and sed, he had nht to question it. The exercises would be as many as Walce wahem to be.

  -What are you doing this weekend? - Billy asked.

  -Heading to the hotel, we’ll have a few drinks. Jad Thomas live three hours away, so they’ll be with their families. Maybe we’ll find something iing in the small vilge—a dy to love us, - David ented, giving Billy a pyful hug. They had grown closer, something that couldn’t have beeed. David, the son of farmers, had lived on a ranch, and due to his good grades and excellence, he had mao join the U.S. military.

  I got it. I hope everything goes as you expect... see you Monday, - Billy replied, sounding both tired and busy.

  -What about you, superstar? - David asked.

  -I have an audition for the Narnia series, and, well, a friend’s arriving uedly in London. We’ll probably go out to eat, and visit some pces. I’m sure the press will have a field day with it. All the neers are obsessed with me and my p the world, - Billy ented.

  Yawning, he was greeted by a car waiting for him outside. Jack Sauce had arrao meet up with Kate Bosworth, which was typical for him. Between Billy and Sauce, they were the rebellious ones—both ag on impulse, always following their gut. Thanking the driver, Billy wiped the mud from his hair as he headed to his hotel in London. Narnia would be filmed partially at a produ studio in Engnd.

  ***

  In front of the studio, after a long development process, Andrew Adamson was the direark Johnson was dug a serious interviehilip Steuer, part of the produ team, was also present. Despite their professionalism, the audition process was tough. So far, no one had been worth sidering—they were either too old for the role or too nervous to handle even the simplest interviews. For these reasons and more, the pool of didates was slim.

  -You’ve got to wear the suit and smile, but beyond that, yaze o be fierce—don’t doubt it, a fierce look, - Billy’s agent, Michael Ockrs, advised him. Michael supported Billy's ag career, unlike Jerry, who believed it could be beneficial for Billy iure. Billy’s musical talent was remarkable, but he needed freedom, the ce to experience failure.

  -Thanks, Michael, but everything will go just fine, - Billy said as he ehe private hallway, keeping a low profile to avoid unnecessary attention. He had been scheduled an hour earlier to prevent any leaks for the sake of the produ. The press would poun the child actors, and the director, and scrutinize every step, g little for the actual issues at hand.

  Adjusting the armor and fully fitting into his knight’s suit, the first se was simple—just wearing the clothes, giving the right profile, and delivering a few lines in armor. Nothing impressive, but it was done. His main petitor would be William Moseley, the previous actor. His long hair suited the period, but it would o be trimmed slightly to match the style and year, 1915. His features were those of a teenager.

  During the audition, no one made much of a rea when they saw him in armor. They took a few photos while asking him to move around in the suit, delivering a few lines. He followed the advice given to him by a future vampire, Robert Pattinson: fidence was key, and he had plenty of that.

  -Could you repeat the following lines? - Mark Johnson asked, visualizing a camera idea in his head. The script he held was thick, with some notes and cross-outs, requiring Billy to imitate the British at as closely as possible. He trained his mouth to the best of his ability.

  -Read page 15. You’ve got five lines marked uhe er, - Mark instructed.

  The script was unusual and different—only his lines were visible, the others pletely bcked out and crossed through.

  -But how it be true, sir? - Peter/Billy said, reading the lines with his best British at, adding a touch of expression, but not too much.

  No one responded, so he tinued his performance.

  -Why do you say that? -

  -Well, for ohing—first of all, - Peter responded, - if that story were real, why don’t we find that try every time we open the wardrobe? There was nothing there when we all went to see. Even Lucy admitted there was nothing. -

  -How you agree with suusual magic as you speak of? It fasates me that you accept those words as truth, - Peter remarked.

  -No, sir, it’s the opposite. -

  -It’s always been that way. -

  ...

  -Thank you, you go, - the producer said.

  That’s how these things went, Robert had told him once. Don’t panic—it’s better to smile and avoid looking too eager because if you seem too anxious, it leaves a bad impression.

  With his head held high, Billy left the studio, his thoughts still restless and his mind already turning tons for the weekend. Many of his songs would be released amidst a fervor of distent and some pnning, which he sidered nothing more than a trivial task.

  -I think it went well, but I ’t firm anything, - he whispered to Michael Ockrs.

  A loud sigh followed.

  -The meeting is the day after tomorrow. You’ll have to be up early and back at the barracks as soon as possible, but you did well. Two more weeks, and I think Jerry and Nike will sider you ready, - Michael remarked.

  Captain Walce’s motto was to do everything at least a thousand times, something he had diligently followed. Repeating jumps a thousand times might be an exaggeration, but it was for his good. His biggest fear was that the parachute wouldn’t open, but they had several safety measures in pce, including the reassuranike had already provided by bringing two professionals into the mix.

  ...