Second act

The car was filled with an electric excitement I could barely contain, my fingers tapping against my leg as we cruised through the evening streets. Maya sat beside me, her grin contagious as she snuck glances my way.

I'd done it—I'd landed the role of a lifetime, the princess role, and it still felt like a dream.

My chest buzzed with pride and joy, emotions bubbling just beneath the surface, and I could feel the smile tugging at the corners of my mouth no matter how much I tried to stay calm.

"You ready for this, princess?" Maya teased, her voice filled with a playful lilt. She'd been there with me through every step of the process, and knowing she was there in my corner made everything feel even more real.

"Oh, stop it!" I nudged her arm, laughing. "You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"

"Not a chance." She shot me a wink, then continued with an exaggeratedly regal tone. "Now, your highness, do you require my chauffeur services all the way to your castle?"

"Please, don't remind me about that whole princess thing just yet," I chuckled, but the joy in my chest only grew as we turned onto my street, the familiar sight of my home coming into view.

There it was, the small but beautiful place I'd always known, glowing warmly under the streetlights. And I could already tell it was more than just a warm light—it was alive, buzzing with the voices and laughter of my family inside.

As we parked, I felt a tug of nervousness amidst the joy. This was a rare occasion, everyone coming together like this. But tonight was a celebration, and for once, it was all about me.

When I opened the door, the aroma of my mother's cooking hit me instantly, the savory smells of albondigas, paella, and tortilla española mixing with laughter and chatter that floated from the dining room.

I could hear my mom calling out, "¡Mija!" before I even saw her, her voice carrying over the noise of my sisters chattering. It was the most comforting sound in the world.

"Layla!" she called again, rounding the corner with her arms wide open, her face lighting up the second she saw me.

I barely had time to set my bag down before I was engulfed in one of her warm, tight hugs, her familiar perfume mingling with the smell of food.

"Mija, we are so proud of you," she whispered, pulling back just enough to look at me, her eyes shining with tears. "You did it."

Alicia, my oldest sister, wasted no time pulling me into another hug. "Our little sister, a real movie star now," she teased, her voice full of affection as she kissed my cheek. "When you're famous, don't forget us, okay?"

"Forget you?" I laughed, pulling Sofia and Marisol into the mix as they crowded around, all of us in one big, warm embrace. "You're all coming with me on the red carpet. Every single one of you."

Sofia, ever the sarcastic one, gave me a mock serious look. "Oh, sure, because I totally need to be famous by association. But hey, a little fame couldn't hurt."

I laughed, basking in the warmth of my sisters' love. For a moment, the joy was almost overwhelming, the realization that I'd finally accomplished something that would make them proud.

We moved into the dining room, where Maya was already chatting animatedly with Marisol, and everyone began to gather around the table.

Dishes of food covered every inch of the table, each one a familiar favorite, lovingly prepared by my mother.

She'd spent hours cooking, and the table looked like a feast worthy of a royal celebration. I felt the urge to hug her all over again, just to let her know how much this meant to me.

The evening took on a dreamy quality, each laugh, each smile making me feel wrapped in love and support. My family's pride was palpable, and for once, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.

We sat down, and Maya raised her glass of sparkling water, grinning mischievously as she looked at me.

"A toast!" she announced, raising her glass higher. "To Layla, our future Hollywood princess. May she bring honor to her family and wear a tiara with as much dignity as possible."

Everyone laughed, clinking their glasses together, the sound ringing out in joyful harmony. As the laughter died down, I felt my mom's hand on my shoulder, grounding me, reminding me of where I came from.

"¡Salud!" she said softly, her voice filled with pride. "You've always been my little star, Layla. Now the whole world will see it too."

The evening was filled with laughter and the clinking of forks against plates as we dug into the food, each bite familiar and comforting.

The paella was rich and flavorful, just the way my mom made it every time something needed celebrating.

The albondigas were tender, seasoned perfectly, and I couldn't help but close my eyes for a moment, savoring the taste. It was a meal made with love, each dish carrying memories of birthdays, holidays, and every other little moment we'd spent together.

After a while, Maya nudged me, a playful glint in her eye. "So, working with Zaya, huh? That's a big deal."

I rolled my eyes, laughing as I leaned back in my chair. "Oh, yes, the ice queen herself. Can you believe it? She's the one I'll be sharing the screen with."

"The ice queen?" Marisol piped up, raising an eyebrow as she smirked at me. "Are we talking actual ice or just chilly vibes?"

"Both, probably," I said, shaking my head as everyone laughed. "She's got this vibe, like she's untouchable. And she's beautiful, sure, but intimidating as anything."

Sofia grinned, nudging me. "Well, that sounds exciting! Maybe you'll thaw her out a bit, make her realize there's more to life than being 'untouchable.'"

"Or maybe she'll just give Layla a glare and make her freeze in her tracks," Alicia joked, making everyone laugh again. The joy and laughter were contagious, filling every corner of the room.

As the night wore on, I felt lighter and more loved than I had in a long time.

My sisters kept teasing me, my mother kept showering me with proud glances, and even Maya, who had been through this journey with me, looked at me with newfound admiration. It was like a dream, and I never wanted it to end.

When the last plate was cleared, and the final toast made, I slipped upstairs to unwind. My muscles felt pleasantly tired, my heart full. After all the excitement, a hot shower sounded perfect.

The water cascaded over me, washing away the fatigue of the day but leaving behind the warmth of my family's love. I felt renewed, ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead.

As I stepped out of the shower and slipped into my pajamas, I found myself smiling, my thoughts drifting to the future.

Climbing into bed, I pulled the blanket up around me, snuggling into the familiar comfort of my room, and reached for my phone.

I opened my messages, scrolling through a flood of congratulatory texts from friends and acquaintances, but my mind kept drifting back to my family, their laughter and pride still echoing in my mind. Laying my phone aside, I closed my eyes, feeling a sense of contentment settle over me.

This was it, the moment I'd been working toward, and now, with my family behind me, I felt unstoppable. As sleep began to claim me, I murmured to myself, "I hope everything will go right."