Stepping Out Read Free Page B

all the vlogs I’ve done. On everything from how to kiss a guy with facial hair to dating a toaster. And it’s not like I just sit there and talk into the camera either. I do stuff. How about that one where I demonstrated fifty uses for popcorn? And don’t forget my driving video.”
    Until today, that was my most popular video ever. I did it from my car, on ways to fake out your driving instructor. I got five hundred subscribers in two days with that one. Two weeks later I also got a nasty letter from an uptight guy at the Washington State Department of Licensing, but I didn’t care because (a) I’d gotten my license the week before and (b) you haven’t arrived until you start getting hate mail.
    “You need to learn other forms of comedy. Like improv and stand-up,” she says.
    I’ve been shortlisted for the ITCF .
    “Stand-up is dying,” I tell her . I’ve been shortlisted for the ITCF . Me. Paige Larsson. As I try to process my conflicting emotions (joy/horror/elation/panic), I do what I always do: speak my mind. “Who wants to get all dressed up and go sit in a cold, noisy club somewhere? My grandpa, that’s who. And pretty soon all those old people will die off and everybody else will be sitting at home in their pajamas, laughing at YouTube. YouTube is a community. I can interact with people. Comment on other videos. Get to know my fans. And I can make money too. YouTube is perfect.”
    “It’s perfect today ,” Carly corrects. “But what’s coming next month? Next year? You’ve got five thousand subscribers. You’ve had twenty thousand views to date. That’s not enough.”
    I know she’s right. On the other hand, I have been picking up close to six hundred subscribers a month. And that’s pretty good, considering I only upload a few times a week. It’s not like this is my full-time job. Yet.
    “We’ve been studying this in my social media class,” she continues. “People like Oakley and Marbles are getting numbers into the millions.”
    I’d love that, but it takes years of work to get those kinds of numbers. And I’ve got school to think about. My part-time job at the pool. I tune Carly out . Go to Portland? Get up onstage in front of a bunch of strangers? Could I? It’s the kind of thing I’ve always dreamed of. But in my dreams I glide out effortlessly, graceful and sure. I don’t limp across the stage with a twisted foot. Or frizzy red hair. I glance at Hunter. He’s staring at his knuckle like it holds the answer to all of life’s mysteries. Finally he looks at Carly.
    “Why don’t you quit talking,” he says, “and let her read the rest of it.”
    Hunter’s middle name is To the Point . I start reading again.
    Winners will receive $10,000 for themselves and $10,000 for their school drama or video department . Ten grand? Whoa! They will also receive a one-year contract with the Endless Field Agency and a one-month intensive with Kids Zone Comedy Troupe in New York. Oh my god. I feel like all the air has been punched out of my chest. I gasp in a breath. Endless Field represents Ellen DeGeneres and Amy Poehler. They handle social media platforming, sponsorships, agent representation. And Kids Zone Comedy is known for turning teen comic wannabes into stars.
    Winners must be available to travel to New York City at least once during the twelve months following the win. Judging for this category will be led by Raven Prest.
    Travel to New York. Raven Prest!
    It’s a good thing I’m sitting down, because I am so light-headed I swear I could pass out. I love Raven Prest. She’s up there with Sarah Silverman and Jenna Marbles. She started out on YouTube, but she has her own comedy show now. Rumor has it she’ll be hosting the Academy Awards next year. “I can’t afford to pass this up.” My voice comes out in a barely-there whisper. It’s the truth, and it’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever said.
    “Of course you can’t.” Carly rolls her eyes. “What do you think