Fresh Start, New Beginnings

Chapter 3

A few hours had past and Abigail and Ryan had been talking continuously throughout the awards ceremony.

"I still can't believe you are scared of flying, all the tours you have done and you...oh my god" Abigail laughed.

"Yeah well my fear of flying usually follows a bad experience" Ryan smiled "It's not just a phobia"

"I know what you mean about bad experiences, have to ever flown into Atlanta during a hurricane?" Abigail managed to stop herself from laughing.

"Shit yes" Ryan took a sip of his beer and quickly swallowed it to answer Abigail "The turbulence is insane"

"Yeah I remember this one time I was on the plane and we were circling waiting to land, this woman beside me had been mumbling something for almost an hour. Then when all the oxygen masks started falling down she grabbed my hand and offered me her bible"

"No way" Ryan chuckled as he took another drink of beer "How can you even get on a plane after that?"

"A bottle of vodka and a hand full of tranquilisers" Abigail joked, before being interupted by her name being announced.

"This next award is one which celebrates selflessness and commitment to others. In the last 12 years she has opened and ran a School of Dance and Drama, which not only teaches children to dance and act, but also gives children from less privileged backgrounds the chance, by offering full scholarships for talented young people with ambition. You have probably guessed this next award is for the incredibly talented Abigail Jenson-Carter"

Abigail cringed as the person giving the awards failed to drop the Carter, even though it had been discussed previously. All the camera's were now on Abigail as she stood up, Ryan and the rest of the seated guests on her table stood up and congratulated her, Ryan moved forwards and kissed her cheek gently. His stubble brushed against her skin and made her heart flutter yet again. Abigail quickly gathered herself before turning and walking towards the stage.

It was a very nerve wracking walk, as she got closer to the stage she saw a lot of familiar faces, she smiled widely when she spotted Johnny Depp, he was stood near the red carpeted aisle. Abigail had just finished shooting a movie with him a few months previously and had made a strong connection with him, he told her she reminded him of his little sister. Abigail was so nervous at this point, she felt her heart pounding in her chest as she walked closer to Johnny and the stage, Johnny moved forwards and hugged her tightly "You have worked hard for this, you deserve this" he whispered in her ear "Enjoy it" he added before pulling away quickly. Those words were what Abigail needed to hear, she pulled her shoulders back and lifted her head before taking a deep breath and walking up the steps to the stage.

Abigail had finally take the award off Tom Hanks and turned to face the audience, as she looked around her whole body froze as she had a flashback to her stalker ordeal. Her anxiety soon passed when she saw Ryan in the audience he smiled and nodded gently at her.

"First of all I want to say a massive thank you for this award" Abigail spoke effortlessly "Even though it is an incredible tribute, I feel that I am awarded not just by this but everyday..." Abigail looks around and makes eye contact with a few other people in the audience "Everyday I am both honoured and privaligldged to work with such amazing and talented young people, who have not only been able to live their dream, but some of them have gone on to perform in Broadway or one young lady has just finished filming her first blockbuster hit. I don't see this award as recognition for myself, but for the school and all its amazing staff...because let's face it if it wasn't for them then I wouldn't be able to stand here today and claim this award, thank you"

Everyone claps and cheers and the cameras around the stage start to click and flash uncontrobaly after Abigail accepts the award and is taken back stage by a camera crew member and Tom Hanks "I have to admit until I found out I was presenting you with an award, I didn't realise you did work like this"

"I have been work with charities since I was 18" Abigail smiled politely "After everything the fans have done for me I feel I should give something back, the school is my way of doing that"

"I'd like to make a proposal" Tom stopped near his dressing room and looked at Abigail "I would like to make a contribution, here is my number" he quickly squiggle his cell phone number on some paper and gave it to Abigail "Call me and we will talk figures"

"Oh wow thank you, this means so much to me" Abigail was stunned, she smiled and thanked Tom again, before walking back to her dressing room.

As she got closer she was surprised to see Ryan waiting for her outside her door "Hello" she smiled "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to give you this" Ryan handed Abigail a piece of paper, before looking into her eyes "I have a plane to catch, so I won't be able to make the after party, but I would like to meet up with you sometime for coffee or whatever"

"Yeah ok" Abigail smiled "I'll call you when I am free"

Ryan moved forwards and kissed Abigail gently on the cheek "Thank you for tonight it's been amazing" Abigail whispered as her heart fluttered at Ryan's skin on hers.

"You're more than welcome, it's been my pleasure" Ryan smiled "And don't forget to call me"