Hometown

Oscar

There wasn't much else she could do. She could either face the inevitable or just sit in here and drive away. But Jess would kill her if she went with the latter. So she took as deep of a breath one can get in a corseted gown and opened the door.

The flashing lights makes it barely able to see what's it front of her. She set her foot down climbing out as gracefully as she can. Putting on a practiced smile—she worked on in a vanity mirror for 10 years—she starts to make her way towards the carpet. The screams get louder and the flashes get more persistent. But she smiles. And waves at people she can't see past the cameras. Always making sure her posture doesn't sag, her hair stays in place. Looking as happy as she does rich.

"ADINA!"

"ADINA!! Look over here!"

"Look over here!"

"Give us a smile!"

There wasn't much else to do than their requests. More like demands. Making her way down the carpet, following the instructions of the managers there. Always making sure to say "Thank you" and "Have a lovely night".

After surviving the initial chaos she gets tugged over to a platform to stand upon with a man with a platinum suit and bedazzled shoes.

"Hello Hello, Madam beauty!" He says in an exaggerated voice.

"Why hello Mister Handsome! I must've won some sort of lottery to get you as my interviewer tonight!" She says in her practiced American accent.

"Oh stop! you flatter me too much!" he chuckles. Turning to the screen, "Tonight I am here with the wonderful Academy Award Nominee, Adina Gonzalez!!" He squeals. Oh god. "You were fantastic in Home Again! It is such a beautiful film. I was sobbing in the theater. How was it to create such an emotional film?" He turns the mic over to catch her response.

"It was an emotional rollercoaster. But it truly was completely worth it. I am honored to be able to tell the story of thousands of families that have been affected by the deportation crisis. Being able to not only learn from their stories, but help tell them has been such a blessing. I am still in absolute awe of their strength and resilience." The only genuine thing she has said so far.

"Truly beautiful! And you are here now because of an Academy Award!!! AHHHH!" And we're back with the squealing. Fun.
"You are Nominated for Best Lead Actress!! If you win tonight you will be the first Afro-Latina, Indian woman to win this category! Do you feel a sense of responsibility? How is that knowledge affecting you?" He actually has good questions tonight. Better than last year.

"I'm yeah, I'm feeling a little bit of pressure. But honestly I'm so proud to be here for all the South Asian girls. 50 years ago I wouldn't even have been considered for a nomination, and so to now have a bunch of people root for me to win, shows the amazing progress these award shows have made." She say smiling. Hopefully this show goes by quick, she just wants to go home and get some In and Out.

"Beautiful!" He stares for a hot minute "Alright! Thank you so much Adina! I'm rooting for you!!Now back to Sasha in the studio!" The record light flicks off and he drops the mic, his shoulders dropping from exhaustion. How long has he been standing here; evidently much longer than she has.

"Lovely meeting you!" She calls being tugged away. He barely gives a glance just staring at his phone waiting for the next star celebrity to gush over. She doubts he actually saw the film.

Finally trudging gracefully through the hoards of people and another five interviews she is able to recluse inside. Away from the cameras, away from the fans. She loves them, truly. But there's no personal connection anymore, not like it was in the beginning. She knew them better when there were only 5 people stopping her once a year, now with 5,000, she can't even see all of them, much less get to know them.

Once getting in her seat she rests her eyes. She is so sleep deprived and burnt out she barely stays awake through the introduction. Struggling to keep her eyes open and look excited any time the cameras turn her way, she lets out a breath of relief she finally sees her category show up on the screens. One of the worst things about being Nominated for the best actress in a leading role is that it's the very last category.
By this time her stomach is howling and her eyes are already fading out. She hears the announcer talk about the achievements of women in film. Why can't she just open the card and read aloud the goddamn name!! Everyone here is tired, let's just get these people home!!

"Adina Gonzalez!!!" Wait-what. So caught up in her thoughts Adina just barely catches the announcer call her name. Oh shit. She won!! She has to go up there. Oh shit.
Feeling a hand on her shoulder pushing her up she tentatively gets up and walks down the aisle. Maybe someone will glance back at the card and see they've read out the wrong name? Maybe it's all just a joke? But who would joke about this?

Approaching the microphone she graciously accepts the Award. The Oscar being heavier in her hands than she expected she struggles to find the right grip. "Hey, sorry" she chuckles into the mic. "Wow this thing is heavy. I didn't know, I should have been lifting weights for this." The audience chuckles.

"Thank you so much for this award. It's been so amazing making this film. Being able to meet these people and tell their story has been incredible and I am so happy that it touched so many people.

"I would like to thank... my uh, my f-family..... and most especially the incredible crew and cast. Without you guys I wouldn't have been able to do this." Taking in a shaky breath Adina walks off stage with a smile. After exiting the view of the cameras she drops her smile. Taking a large exhale she beelines for the exit.

"Wait!!! Wait Ms Gonzalez!!!" A young man with a headset chases after. "You have to do the press conference!" Ignoring him she pushes open the exit door climbing into a large black car.

"Get me outta here Jess." She says not glancing at the driver.

"You weren't supposed to be out for another hour?" He says through the rear-view mirror. "What happened? You ok?"

"I'm fine, now please can you get me home?" The engine starts up, Jess remains silent all the way back to her house.

——

Once getting home Adina places the award on her dining room table walks into the bedroom without a second glance. Not waiting another second she unzips the back on her way down the hall.

Once in a pair of sweats and jumper, she gets a beer from the fridge, cracks it open and plops herself down on the couch.

She turns the telly on the channel showing her Oscar's interview. Her 'American' voice rings through the home. Shutting the tv off she turns her focus to the award with an unreadable emotion on her face. Taking a swig of her beer she sighs.

"I need a pet. This is sad." Her Northern English accent falling through, contrasting drastically from the American star once in the tv. She downs the beer and sets it on the coffee table.

She turns into the bedroom leaving the award standing on the table without a second thought.

She takes off her jumper and tucks herself into the giant king bed. All alone.