Normal thing - Gracie Abrams

018 Aftermath

Aftermath
018

November 16, 2023

"Hey, alex, sorry for calling so early," gabriella said, sipping water as she paced around the patio.

"no worries! actually, it's perfect timing. i've got some pretty big news for you."

gabriella chuckled, "oh yeah? what kind of news?"

"are you sitting down?"

"why, should i be?"

"you're nominated for an oscar," alex said, a grin audible in her voice. "it's not public yet, but my insider confirmed it. the official announcements come out tuesday."

gabriella blinked, taking a moment to process. "wait, seriously? oscar-nominated again? i didn't win the first time, remember?"

"yeah, i remember. but this could be it," alex said, excitement bubbling through the phone. "you've got a real shot this time."

gabriella exhaled slowly, feeling a rush of emotions. "i don't even know what to say... wow."

"well, you're not done yet," alex added with a smirk in her voice. "the second big news? you got the main part in 'conversation with friends.'"

gabriella ran a hand through her hair "the lead? thats insane, i love that book."

"and you're gonna kill it," alex replied. "it's the kind of role that could really push you even further. the character's layered—vulnerable but with an edge. totally you."

"yeah, i'm excited," she said, trying to keep her tone calm.

"oh, and charlotte got the other main role," alex added casually. "you two are besties, so it'll be fun, right?"

gabriella froze for a moment, forcing herself not to react, "uh, yeah, should be... interesting," she muttered.

gabriella's stomach twisted uncomfortably. of course, it had to be charlotte. she hadn't even fully processed everything going on between them, and now they'd be together un a film, this is a mess waiting to happen. how could she do this without everything getting even more complicated? pretending on screen while keeping their personal history hidden felt like too much.

"what role is charlotte?" she managed to ask, trying to sound casual, though the dread was creeping in.

"she's playing your love interest," alex said, oblivious to gabriella's internal turmoil.

gabriella forced a smile, though her mind raced with all the possible awkward encounters ahead. great, just perfect.

"i'm gonna hang up now—gotta get some things done, but I already sent you the script for conversation with friends. 2024 is gonna be full of fun and achievements. congratulations, gaby!" alex said, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"thanks, alex. i appreciate it." gabriella forced a laugh, trying to match alex's energy.

but as soon as the call ended, her smile faded. fun and achievements? more like stress and awkward encounters, she thought, staring at her phone. it was 10:30 am. just as she was about to head inside, the door swung open, and there was gracie, her hair tousled, wearing one of gabriella's old hoodies, with a pancake in hand. she looked like she belonged there, and the sight made gabriella smiled.

"morning," gracie said with a soft smile, biting into her pancake as she approached.

"morning," gabriella replied, trying to shake the flood of emotions. "you found the kitchen."