Accepting You

Chapter 30 - Just Us

When they were finally ready to leave, they took the elevator all the way down. They stuck to each other, Lizzie's head rested on Lily's shoulder as they held hands.

They could hear loud murmurs of conversation before the doors swing open. It doesn't even register in Lily's mind until the doors swing open and they can see a bunch of people with cameras waiting outside.

Her hands immediately drop from Lizzie's and she separates from her before even thinking. It puts a frown on Lizzie's face.

"Paparazzi," Lizzie sighs. This was the last thing she wanted to deal with to end the night.

"Alright, we act cool," Lily says, more to herself than to Lizzie, as they step out of the elevator. The paparazzi hasn't noticed them just yet. "Don't answer questions and keep walking."

In an instant, Lily's demeanor completely changes. She stands up straight, her posture tense and relenting. Her face goes stoic and expressionless. This is the side of Lily Rowan that the world often sees, Lizzie realizes.

Lily turns to Lizzie and though she looks as unapproachable as a grizzly bear, her eyes are filled with concern. "Are you ready?"

Lizzie offers her a smile. She's dealt with paparazzi much longer than Lily and though she can't say she handles them the best, she knows how to steel herself when it comes to them.

"Just keep walking," Lizzie confirms.

"Stay close," Lily tells her, allowing herself to squeeze Lizzie's shoulder encouragingly before dropping her hand again. She hands Lizzie her sunglasses as Lizzie didn't bring any and she puts them on gratefully. Lily always carried one around even at night. She has an extra pair in the car but it doesn't help her now.

"I'm ready," Lizzie tells her and Lily nods in response.

Taking a deep breath, Lily pushes the door open and walks out onto the sidewalk where more than a dozen men with cameras waited.

The second they recognized the two actresses, their cameras flew up and flashes of light erupt from them. They burst out into question and catcalling.

"Lily! Look over here!"

"Lily, who are you with?"

"Are you two together?"

"Is that Elizabeth Olsen? Lizzie, over here!"

"How's the competition with Dawn Casey?"

"Elizabeth, sign this!"

"Lily smile!"

The two of them brush past them. Lily makes an easy and clear path being taller than the average person, even taller than some of the men with cameras. Her scowl is enough to deter them to taking a step back.

They don't answer any of their questions or stop to sign anything. With poker faces and tight lips, they walk briskly straight to the car and get in together. Lily starts the car and starts to pull out of the pace, having to lay on the horn to get the paparazzi to get out of the way, before pulling out and speeding down the street.

The car ride is silent, both women holding their breaths until they finally pull up to Lizzie's house.

"Are you okay?" is the first thing Lily asks.

"I'm good," Lizzie tells her. "You?"

"Wasn't the worst thing in the world," Lily states. "But there's going to be questions."

"There always is," Lizzie says simply.

Nodding in agreement, Lily taps the steering wheel in thought. Was this the start of all the hardship? They just got together officially; she didn't want it to end so quickly. Their happiness is short-lived is an understatement.