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“I got this.” She nods, only half believing her self-affirmation.
“And if you don’t, there’s alcohol, right?”
She giggles at my attempt to lighten the mood and sighs, just a fragment of her shoulders relaxing. “I still can’t believe we get to see Rhylan Matthews tonight. And Bella Raven!”
“Hmm.”
“I heard they’re dating,” she states matter-of-factly. “God, they look so good together.”
Ihmmagain, acknowledging her intel on celebrity news while I mull over her gossip. Bella Raven is as sexy as a woman can be. Legs that go on for miles and a seductive smile that makes me question my own heterosexuality. Pair her with Rhylan Matthews, and you can’t help but wonder what their kids would look like. I don’t fully acknowledge it, but the baby butterflies that have suddenly appeared in my stomach are a small indication that I’m just as excited to see them as she is.
Our car pulls to a gradual slowdown. The crowd of people and flashing lights indicate that we have arrived at our destination, as if the monotone voice on the automated GPS system isn’t enough. When our practically matching black stilettos hit the red carpet, I can’t help but feel the rush of Hollywood’s biggest party of the night rattle through me. Glitz and glamor surround us, and I’m engrossed by it all. I look over at Claire and smile. She feels it too.
“So, I guess you owe me a milkshake?” she says to me, her voice barely able to be heard through the noise. She extracts two lanyards crammed into her clutch, both attached to a laminated miniature version of the movie poster along with a bold VIP across the center. “Here, wear this.”
I comply, ducking my head to hang the lanyard around my neck. “I feel so very important.”
“You should,” she says with a flirty wink. “You’re with me.”
I nudge my shoulder into hers before we move our right feet further onto the red carpet, our steps moving in synchrony. We move in deliberate and calculated strides as our eyes scan everything in our periphery, taking in every bit of the flair that has been flawlessly placed around us. From the red carpet backdrop to the searchlights swiveling in every direction and everyone dressed so chic and stylish, it’s all so glamorous.
Claire suddenly gasps, her hands firmly grabbing hold of my arm to stop me as our steps lead us towards the entrance of the theater. “Oh my God! It’s Rhylan Matthews! And Bella Raven.” Her eyes twinkle as if in a daze, the sudden presence of Hollywood royalty making her speechless. I trail her eyes, landing on the stars of the night as they wave towards the throng of fans reaching out for them as they hastily sign autographs and pose for pictures.
With their backs turned to us, we’re only able to observe and admire them from afar. Our necks are strained, and our feet are balanced on our tiptoes so we can get a better look.
For a moment, we shamelessly stare. We watch as Bella Raven brings her hand up Rhylan Matthews’s arm and leans against him. Her hand glides into his, looking innate and comfortable in her movements. He releases her hand and tenderly moves his hand to her back, holding her close while his eyes stay on the crowd. Bella continues to look at him, and he finally turns to smile at her, outlining his profile as she leans her head on his arm. The action is affectionate, something a couple would do but not overly intimate.
Having watched the entire exchange, Claire nudges me. “Oh, they’re definitely having sex,” she says, quite loudly. I giggle and nudge my elbow into Claire’s side when a passerby looks at us, having overheard our conversation.
“Claire! You made it!” Both of our heads turn to the voice coming from an older gentleman dressed in a stark white suit over a silk purple dress shirt. His hair is slicked back, exposing the narrowing point of his widow’s peak. While on anyone else, the entire look may have looked clumsy and distasteful, he looks elegant and charming.
“Hugo! We just barely got here.” Claire places her hands on his arms, hovering over him by a couple inches, and kisses both his cheeks. So Hollywood of her. “This is Ellie. She’s my date for the night.”
“No boyfriend?”
“He’s indisposed.” Her small frown shows her disappointment.
“Well, looks like you have a very stunning plus one by your side tonight.” He smiles at me, extending his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
The three of us are interrupted when a very relaxed and slightly intoxicated man brushes his arm up against Hugo, his smile infectious. Hugo turns to face the man, their noses inches away from each other.
“You came to say hi to the commoners?” They laugh, clutching onto each other, making it obvious that they’re close. “Claire, this is Michael Perry.”
Claire’s eyes widened. “Yes, of course! It’s such an honor to meet you, Mr. Perry. We’re so excited to see the movie tonight.”
He smiles, waving his hand towards her. “Michael, please.”
“Claire’s the intern I was telling you about.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you! This man talks nonstop about you. You’ve made quite an impression on him.”
The way Michael’s hand grazes down Hugo’s arm, finally settling into his hand, doesn’t go unnoticed. And when Hugo cups Michael’s face only to pinch it affectionately, it confirms that the two are more than just acquaintances. As the three interact, dipping into topics related to the movie and Claire’s work, I sidle to the side lines, trying not to take away from Claire’s spotlight. I hadn’t realized how important tonight was. Yes, it’s an opportunity to see some very famous faces, but it’s more than that for Claire. These are opportunities for her to network and build her already growing reputation.
It makes me envious. Not in a way that I wouldn’t wish this sort of success on Claire. I’m overjoyed for her. She worked hard to get to where she’s at, and this interaction shows it. But seeing her hard work pay off only brings to light how little I’ve worked for my own future. We’re both slated to graduate this spring, yet I feel so ill-prepared while Claire looks ready to take on the world.
Claire looks over at me as the conversation thins now that introductions are over.
Hugo reaches for Claire’s hand, fondness twinkling in his eyes. “We’ll see you inside.”
