DAMN IT!

I hate this guy.

Vanessa Hudgens, star of "High School Musical", was supposed to be my girlfriend, and now it's been confirmed that she's dating this douche bag (who according to the article I just read, doesn't even consider the two to be "exclusive"... so while she's insanely gorgeous and totally "in" to him, he still thinks he can do better and is looking to play the field... this has all the makings of a Mario Lopez/Ali Landry style break-up).

Two months ago, Vanessa Hudgens walked into our production bungalow at "21 Laps", anxious and excited to audition for a role in our upcoming Fox film, "The Rocker." Only a few days earlier, I had exchanged pleasantries and sat across from JoJo, who was kind of cute in a girl-next-door sort of sense, but she certainly didn't blow you away. Even Christina Applegate, who was amazingly hot in "Anchorman", sat on our couch and I could hardly even tell it was her. But, Vanessa Hudgens... OH MY GOD!

I was in Shawn's office, going over some stuff with him when Hudgens gingerly planted herself on the loveseat in the front room of our building. At the time, Shawn was in "full prep" mode on "The Way Back" and so he didn't have much time for a meet-and-greet with Hudgens, but he did want to say a brief "hello" before heading up to a meeting with the President of Fox Searchlight (and before Hudgens stepped in for her audition with our other producer). So Shawn and I exit his office (he's in the lead, I'm following a few feet behind), and Hudgens, who had been absent-mindedly leafing through a magazine, immediately perks up. She's ready to schmooze and Shawn is armed with a few kind words of his own. He explains that he has three daughters at home and so Vanessa is actually already a big star in his household. Hudgens is gracious and tells him that she'll sign some posters and send them over to our bungalow right away. After a beat, Hudgens looks over to me (the mystery man in Shawn's wake, who - from all she can surmise - might be an influential producer). She extends her hand and smiles, "I'm Vanessa." The sparks are palpable as I complete the handshake and coolly respond, "I'm Rand... it's nice to meet you." And then Shawn gives me the cue; he needs to get up to see Peter Rice, and I'm the one holding the keys to the golf kart. I flash a quick smile and I'm out the door.

As soon as we're no longer within earshot, Shawn enthusiastically proclaims, "She's f#cking HOT! When did that happen?" I laugh and nod in agreement, "I know she looks unbelievable, right?" Shawn ponders something for a split second and then advises me, "You should date her." I'm temporarily dumbstruck by this suggestion... I've never seen a girl this stunning and the notion of dating her seems beyond unattainable. "Well yeah obviously, but I'm going to need some help man," I tell Shawn, half in jest. "Okay," he assures me, "we're still looking to cast the role of Steph in 'The Way Back' (sidenote: the role of Steph calls for an extremely hot girl to walk around in a bikini for the majority of her time on screen). Give Casting a call and tell them to have Vanessa audition for that part as well. That way you could have her around all summer."

Two seconds later I'm on the phone, talking with one of our casting associates, "...Hudgens. Yeah, the girl from 'High School Musical.' Shawn said he wanted her to read for the role of Steph at the next session. Awesome. Thanks." I drop Shawn off, breath a sigh of excitement, and then take a moment to daydream about what life might be like if this spontaneously crafted plan were to actually work out in my favor.

The next day Vanessa returned to audition for the role of Steph. Unfortunately, my dreamgirl's first read didn't stack up to the readings by some of the more seasoned actresses... plus, she had a music tour slated for Latin America this summer and it would have been hard to make her schedule fit in to ours... but for one day, I was free to imagine that our paths might join up. And who knows, they still might. Like I said, her boyfriend's attitude seems strikingly similar to that of a complete moron who would cheat on one of the most beautiful girls in the world (I'm referring to you Slater). My guess is, if I were to ask her, "Where you gonna be in five years?"... I could confidently answer my own question, "Not with him!"