Fading Echoes (OCxArianaGrande) [Being Re-Written]

Chapter 14 (Re-Written)

**DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hilton Checkers Hotel
Downtown Los Angeles
"Wicked Premiere"
November 9th

Ariana's POV

Yesterday was a total blur. Big Brother event. Endless press interviews. Flashbulbs, rehearsals, a thousand voices asking me about Glinda like I wasn't still catching my breath from everything else. I barely had time to eat, let alone talk to Benny. We texted a little—her reminding me she and the band would be here tonight, that they'd be on the carpet and watching from the VIP section—but even that felt like it happened in the margins.

And now it was today.

Premiere day.

I'd just finished with makeup—lashes curled, blush like powdered light, lips a soft baby pink—and I had a few precious minutes before wardrobe arrived to help with my gown. So I climbed into bed in my oversized pink robe, propped my laptop on my legs, and just... sat. For a second.

My team was still fluttering around in the background. Someone said, "Don't mess up the makeup," while I adjusted the blanket around me. Then I heard a camera click—one of them capturing the moment. I didn't mind. I probably looked like a mid-century dream: hair up, huge bow, pearls, robe slightly off my shoulder, laser-focused on my screen.

I'd barely had time to scroll through my inbox when Katie's voice came from the other side of the room—loud and breathless.

"Oh my god—Ariana. Check the link I just sent you. Right now."

My eyes darted to the notification. Grammy.com.

I clicked.

And there it was. In black and white and real.

🏆 Best Pop Vocal Album — Eternal Sunshine
🏆 Best Pop Dance Recording — "yes, and?"
🏆 Best Music Video — "we can't be friends (wait for your love)"

I blinked. Then gasped. Out loud.

"Oh my god—oh my god."

The laptop slid forward just slightly as I clutched the comforter and spun it around to face Brandon, who had come rushing over.

"You guys," I said, pointing. "I'm nominated. Three. I got three."

Screams. Literal screams from the other side of the suite.

"YESSSS, ARI!"

"You deserve all of them—oh my god!"

"You're gonna sweep!"