Chapter 17: The Waiting Game

The days after the final audition felt like they stretched on forever. Lucas tried to keep himself busy—returning to the set to finish the last few scenes of his current film, working out, and meeting up with friends—but in the quiet moments, his mind always wandered back to Red Oak Studios. The waiting was the hardest part. After putting everything he had into the audition, all he could do was wait for the call that would determine what came next.

It didn't help that every time his phone buzzed, his heart would jump into his throat, only for it to be a message from a friend or some promotional text. The anticipation hung over him like a storm cloud, never fully allowing him to relax. Still, he tried to focus on the positives. He had given an audition he was proud of, and he had felt the connection with the character. Whatever happened, he knew he had done his best.

One afternoon, as Lucas sat in his apartment reviewing the script for his current project, his phone buzzed again. This time, when he glanced at the screen, his heart stopped. The name Greg Warner appeared in bold letters.

For a moment, Lucas just stared at the phone, his stomach tightening with nerves. This was it. The call that could change everything. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, and answered.

"Hello?" he said, his voice steady despite the nervousness building inside him.

"Lucas, it's Greg Warner," came the familiar voice on the other end of the line. "How are you?"

"I'm good, thanks. How are you?" Lucas responded, his palms beginning to sweat as he waited for the news.

"I'm doing well," Greg said, his tone professional but with a hint of warmth. "I won't keep you waiting any longer—we're offering you the role."

Lucas felt like the world stopped spinning for a second. His breath caught in his throat, and he struggled to find words. The role. They were offering him the role.

"That's incredible," Lucas finally managed, his voice shaking with emotion. "Thank you so much, Greg. I—this means the world to me."

"You earned it, Lucas. Your audition was phenomenal, and everyone on the team is excited to have you on board," Greg said, his voice genuine. "We'll send over the details and the formal contract later today, but I just wanted to personally congratulate you."

Lucas couldn't stop smiling, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and relief. This was it. The opportunity he had been working toward for so long. "I can't wait to get started. Thank you again. I'll be ready."

"I have no doubt you will be," Greg replied. "I'll be in touch soon with next steps. Take care, Lucas."

As the call ended, Lucas sat in stunned silence, the phone still in his hand. It had happened. He had landed the role. All the years of hard work, the endless auditions, the rejections—it had all led to this moment. And for the first time, he felt like he had truly arrived.

That evening, Lucas met up with Darren and a few other cast members from his current film to celebrate. They gathered at a small bar downtown, the energy high as Lucas shared the news.

"I knew it," Darren said with a grin, raising his glass in a toast. "You've been killing it, man. I told you Red Oak would see what we all saw."

Lucas smiled, still riding the wave of excitement. "It still doesn't feel real. I keep waiting for something to go wrong."

"Nothing's going to go wrong," Darren said, clinking his glass against Lucas's. "You worked for this. Now enjoy it."

The group cheered and raised their glasses, congratulating Lucas and celebrating his success. The atmosphere was light and full of laughter, but even in the midst of it all, Lucas couldn't shake the realization that this was just the beginning. The role at Red Oak Studios was a major breakthrough, but it was also the start of something much bigger.

As the night wore on, Darren pulled Lucas aside, his usual playful demeanor replaced with something more serious.

"Lucas, I'm really proud of you," Darren said quietly. "You've got something special, and people are starting to notice. But remember—this industry can be brutal. You've got to keep your head on straight and not let the pressure get to you."

Lucas nodded, appreciating Darren's words. He knew Darren was speaking from experience. Darren had been in the industry longer than him and had seen both the highs and lows that came with success.

"I'll keep that in mind," Lucas said sincerely. "I know this is just the beginning, and there's a long road ahead."

Darren smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Exactly. But I have no doubt you're going to crush it."

The next few days were a blur of contracts, emails, and preparations for the upcoming film. Lucas spent hours going over the script, familiarizing himself with the character and planning how he would approach the role. The film was a dramatic thriller, and his character was a deeply flawed man trying to make amends for his past mistakes. It was a complex, emotionally charged role, and Lucas knew it would challenge him in ways he hadn't been challenged before.

As he worked through the script, Lucas felt a sense of excitement building inside him. This was the kind of role he had always wanted—the kind that required depth and vulnerability, that pushed him to dig deeper into his craft. It was the role that could define his career.

One afternoon, while reviewing his lines, Lucas received an unexpected text from Rachel.

"I heard the news! Congratulations! Coffee soon to celebrate?"

Lucas smiled at the message, feeling a rush of gratitude for Rachel's unwavering support. She had been there from the beginning, always pushing him to believe in himself even when he doubted his abilities.

"Absolutely," Lucas replied. "I owe you a coffee after all your support."

A few hours later, they met at a familiar café near Rachel's acting studio. As soon as Rachel walked in, her face lit up with excitement.

"There's the man of the hour!" she said, pulling Lucas into a hug. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Rachel," Lucas said, smiling as they sat down. "I honestly still can't believe it."

"Well, you'd better believe it," Rachel said, her eyes gleaming with pride. "This is your moment, Lucas. And you've earned every bit of it."

They ordered their coffees and spent the next hour catching up. Lucas told her about the audition process, the call from Greg, and his excitement about the role. Rachel listened intently, her enthusiasm infectious.

"You know," Rachel said after a while, her tone more serious, "this is just the beginning for you. This role is going to open up so many doors. But don't lose sight of why you started acting in the first place. Stay true to that."

Lucas nodded, her words striking a chord with him. "I won't. I've come too far to let the pressure change me."

Rachel smiled, sipping her coffee. "Good. Because what makes you great is how much heart you put into everything you do. Don't ever lose that."

As Lucas walked home later that evening, Rachel's words stayed with him. She was right—this was only the beginning. And while he was thrilled about the role at Red Oak, he knew that the journey ahead would be filled with new challenges, new pressures, and new expectations.

But for the first time in his life, Lucas felt ready. He had proven to himself that he could handle the pressure, that he could rise to the occasion. And now, as he looked ahead to the future, he knew that whatever came next, he was prepared to face it head-on.

Because this wasn't just about one role. It was about the career he was building, the legacy he was creating. And Lucas was determined to make it count.