Dancing With Our Hands Tied

5. The Manuscript (Aru's POV)

"Looking backwards might be the only way to move forward..."

Aru took her seat, shaking after her panic attack. She'd always struggled with anxiety, which went along with her career, but she hadn't had a panic attack that bad since Logan went on the Ellen Show and lied about their relationship, causing everyone to hate her.

She watched Aiden come out of the bathroom and take his seat after five minutes of waiting in the bathroom so nobody suspected anything. She was so distracted that she didn't even notice who she was sitting next to.

Taylor Swift. On her right sat Sabrina Carpenter, in front of her was Harry Styles, and behind her was Aiden.

Taylor tapped her on the shoulder. "I just wanted to tell you that you did so good! We all thought that you and Olivia absolutely killed it!"

I think I'm shortcircuiting, Aru thought.

Say something you idiot! Taylor Swift just complimented you! Are you dead or something?, she mind yelled at herself.

"Oh my god, thank you so much! I'm literally obsessed with your music so that's a huge compliment!" Aru finally decided on saying.

"Of course, thank you! I'm such a huge fan too, your new album's absolutely amazing." Taylor replied.

I'm dead. Officially dead. RIP me., Aru thought to herself, accepting her fate.

Sabrina piped up. "I really love your first album too!"

I really should get my will in order if this is gonna keep happening, Aru speculated before saying, "Th-thank you so much!"

"Yeah of course! What are you nominated for tonight?"

"Song of the year, artist of the year, best new artist, and best pop!" Aru responded.

"Good luck!" Taylor exclaimed. "Thanks! Ooh, it's starting!" Aru said. Her heart thumped in her chest.

*time skip because i have writers block*

"And the artist of the year award goes to..."

"Taylor Swift!" Taylor jumped up, excited and hugged Jack Antonoff, who was seated next to her.

Called it, Aru thought and clapped loudly, cheering. She knew she wasn't gonna win artist of the year up against Taylor.

"I would like to thank..."

*time skip again because why not*

"The song of the year award goes to..."

"Aru Shah!"

She jumped up in shock. "Excuse me!" She squeezed past Sabrina to the stage, happiness overtaking her.

"Thank you so much!" she exclaimed into the mic, breathless. Who knew running to a stage in heels was so hard? She looked at all the A list celebrities watching her on the stage patiently and she studdenly felt a sense of pride.

"This is my first VMA so this means so much, especially the fact that this is a fan voted award! I remember writing this being in the most horrendous place and making and performing it was like my therapy. I'd like to thank my producer Carsen Katz for supporting me throughout the making of once upon a time and staying up with me. I'd also like to thank my family; my mom and dad and sister Kara for being so loving and understanding when I was going to record labels, practically begging to be signed. I'd also like to thank my friends for flying out just to be there for me today: Mini, Brynne, Nikita, Sheela, I love you guys so much! I'd like to thank my publicist Kylie for never making me do what I'm not comfortable with and for being the greatest publicist turned friend I could ask for. I'd like to thank the people who hated me for my passion when I was nothing for making me want to do this even more. And lastly, as if I would ever forget, I want to thank the fans, the people who voted for me, the people who have unwaveringly loved and supported my music. You guys are the reason I get to live my dream which is now a reality. Thank you, thank you so much!" Aru walked off the stage, a single tear of joy rolling down her cheek.

*time skip because idk what else to write*

"Your best new artist is..."

"Aiden Acharya!" She watched as Aiden stood up, a soft smile on his face, seemingly calm, but she saw a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"Thank you so much! I'd like to thank my mom for supporting me no matter what," He gulped and then continued. "-and my dad too. I'm so grateful to them." He continued his speech and Aru watched, confused as she was the only one who seemed to notice how uncomfortable he was on stage.

*time skip because i'm tired af*

"And the award for best pop goes to..."

"Olivia Rodrigo!"

Aru cheered for her friend. She totally deserved it. When Olivia finished her speech, she looked behind her and made eye contact with Logan. Her expression turned stone cold. She quickly looked forward again before the cameras could catch her.

"Hey," Aiden tapped her shoulder. "It's fine. You'll be fine. You're not with him anymore. You're away. He's gone." Aiden comforted.

"But is he?" she whispered.

"Only if you let him be."

"And at last, she knew what the agony had been for..."

-The Manuscript by Taylor Swift

(a/n): I AM SO SORRY THIS CHAPTER IS SO SHORT AND LATE I'VE BEEN SO STRESSED WITH SCHOOL LATELY SO I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY GRADES UP

but did we like this chapter?

as a clarification, aru's fame rn in this book is like olivia's fame with sour. so she's a pretty new artist but she's crazy famous. lol i remember when drivers license was released i told my sister when she got her license (she got it really late) that she should've played drivers license as her first song in her car and her bein like, "sammi thats a SAD song" and me being like "i knooooow but i like olivia rodrigo!"

 ik olivia winning best pop against taylor isnt realistic OR what happened but i was really rooting for her at the VMAS last year:(

i was lookin for the right song for this chapter (it was originally enchanted) but aiden wasn't really the main point of this chapter so i last minute put in the manuscript lol

BUT ANYWAYSSSSSSS

MWAH MWAH
-samhita❤️❤️❤️