A/N: A THOUSAND READS ??? y'all are fuckingggg ridiculous. thank u sm.
Eve
"Just stay close to me. Don't let anyone ask you too many questions." Wilbur intertwines his fingers with mine as our limo stops. "Just let me know if you wanna leave. Someone can take my place if needed."
I just nod, way too insanely nervous to actually speak. The door is opened for us and Wilbur climbs out, carefully pulling me out after him. I flatten out my dress as I stand up straight, Wilbur's hand moving to grip my waist. We walk down the red carpet, blinding by flashing cameras and deafened by the shouting people holding those cameras. Wilbur guides me, keeping me close and stopping us to pose for pictures when needed. I feel awkward and ridiculous in my dress, hair, and makeup. I already know I'm going to hate each and every picture taken.
I'm completely clueless of the layout of where we are, but I'm able to recognize a giant stage and an even large room in front of it, littered with tables, chairs, and balloons. We're apparently not supposed to socialize until after since nearly everyone is already sat, but to be fair, we were a bit late since one of Wilbur's interviews went way over. I kind of loved watching each one; each interviewer asked about me and each time he gushed over how much he liked me. But then I hated each interview, reminded each time how he's just saying it for the papers, and that he doesn't actually have those feelings towards me. Only towards Connie.
We're led to a table with our name tags on it and sit down, treated to some champagne and finger food.
"Just us?" I ask, noticing no other chairs at our small table.
He shrugs and places his hand on top of mine as it sits on the white cloth. "Guess so,"
I glance around the room, seeing plenty of faces I grew up watching. My anxiety is at its peak, knowing how many powerful people surround me, how many cameras are on me. Obviously, I was aware this would happen if my dream came true, but it's still strange when it's real.
"So, uh, this might be a weird time, but I actually wanted to talk to you about something."
I look at Wilbur, curious at what he has to say, but he's quickly cut off by loud music as a nearly irrelevant talk show host walks on the stage, introducing the show.
"I'll tell you later, I guess." He whispers in my ear, giving my cheek a quick kiss. Just for the cameras.
We silently watch the stage, pretending to laugh at each lame joke, and acting impressed as each award is given out. As Wilbur's award approaches, he squeezes my hand before following someone out of the room and backstage. I stare down at the table cloth, tracing circles in it with my freshly manicured nails, a bit bored and uninterested. I look up as finally, Wilbur is walking on stage, carrying an envelope and wearing a huge, adorable smile. God, he's already so handsome, but the lighting and the suit and his hair being tamed for once just makes him look even better, somehow.
"I'd kill to have one night with him."
I glance over at the table next to mine, feeling my stomach drop. I don't even know her name, but I recognize the singer, and she's insanely drop dead gorgeous. She's perfect, and everything I'm not. I'm sure if she even looks at him, he'll fall for her, but why do I care? I don't like him, and he doesn't like me. It doesn't matter at all.
My eyes stray from her as Wilbur starts talking into the microphone, his cute accent echoing in the room. He announces the winner excitedly and gives a hug to the much shorter man as he takes the award from him. After a few moe minutes, he's sitting right down next to me again.
"You close with him?"
He smirks at me. "Never met the man in my life. Everything I fucking do is for the cameras. Well, lately, not everything."
"What do you mean?" I ask, running the tip of my finger over his pronounced knuckles and long fingers.
"I don't have to pretend to be head over heels for you."
I glance up at him then back down at his hand with a laugh. "Yeah, yeah. How are we gonna do our breakup, anyway?"
"I'm serious, Eve."
I look up again, now keeping my eyes on his. "We don't have mics on us."
Wilbur gives me a small smile. "Alright, Eve."
I bite the inside of my cheek as we pay attention to the stage again, but his words twirl endlessly in my mind. I've been convincing myself that he's stuck on Connie, because he is. He has to be. Why would he even want me? Only because I resemble her. I'm annoying and unfunny. There's no reason for him to want me. I can't let myself crush on him again, knowing it'll just disappoint me.
