IT STARTED WITH A WHISPER, Elizabeth Olsen

Golden statues

"It's a shame that we're all sitting at different tables, though" Kate, who had been nominated for her role in the adaptation of my book, said as we walked into the room, which was already filled with actors, actresses, directors, producers...

"Well, both you and Mike are nominated in different categories and I'm just here for moral support, so it does make sense" I forced a smile although I didn't like the idea of sitting alone in the back of the room for several hours.

"Still, it's a shame" she insisted, giving my arm a gentle squeeze before disappearing into the crowd and heading towards her table. I sighed, straightening my posture before heading towards my own seat in the opposite direction. It really was tricky to navigate through the crowd of famous overdressed people. Most of them were gathered in small groups, lost in deep conversations. I focused on placing on foot in front of the other without stepping on any gown or knocking down any overfilled cups.

"Oh, my- Sorry" I apologized as I bumped into someone. I looked up from my feet and met those familiar emerald, green eyes. Her makeup was heavier than back in the days making her the colour of her eyes even more noticeable. Her hair was up in a want-to-be messy bun, strands falling around her face framing it perfectly. She had bangs which she was always too scared to try before. "Hi" I said, sounding like a complete idiot.

"Hi" she responded with the same shyness she had the very first time we met. "I didn't know you'd- I mean, I heard about your show but I..."

"Didn't think I'd show up to support the very same people who supported my work?" I finished her sentence, earning a slightly embarrassed nod making the strands around her face bounce up and down as her head moved. "Congratulations on your nomination" I added to ease the tension building up in the air.

"Thank you" she replied politely. Politely. She obviously didn't want to be talking to me. I excused myself with the same polite tone and rushed to my seat. Out of all the scenarios I had imagined, literally physically bumping into her was not on my list. I knew we wouldn't have a lot to say to each other but I thought we would be able to hold a normal conversation for more than a minute and a half... But it felt like we didn't know how to talk to each other, almost as if we were barely speaking the same language. She obviously wasn't looking forward to seeing me, I thought to myself. Then, it hit me. Maybe she had no idea I would even be there.

Thankfully, the ceremony started and I was able to focus on something other than her for a while, until they called out her name. She was nominated, and won, for best supporting actress in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. A few people stood up to cheer as she walked to the stage, I sat still but applauded just as loudly. She made a short speech thanking the directors, producers, her cast-mates, ... but she didn't get personal. She didn't mention any friends or a significant other which was something most people in her position usually did. I tried not to pay too much attention to her or the way her voice still had the same hint of shyness as before as she talked to the crowd, despite the fact that she was trying to hide it.

The ceremony went on. Kate and Mike both won in the categories they'd been nominated in. Each time their names were called out, I stood up and cheered as loudly as my lungs and hands allowed me to. Both of them thanked me in their speech which made me feel an overwhelming sense of pride. Once the official ceremony was over and all the cameras were turned off, the mood in the room switched to something more casual, friendly almost. I quickly made my way through the crowd to meet up with Kate, Mike and the few other members of the cast who'd been invited. We shared a few rounds of drinks and got involved in mostly meaningless conversations with other actors and directors. I didn't really like these gatherings, the whole hypocrisy of it was just something I couldn't wrap my mind around.

"Everything's alright?" Kate asked, handing me a freshly poured glass of champagne.

"Yeah, yes. Everything is fine. I just can't wait to get out of here" I whispered the last part, making the woman chuckle quietly as she shared a look of agreement with me. Before she could say anything, I felt a hand lightly tapping on my shoulder. Needless to say, I was surprised when I turned around and faced Elizabeth who had a soft, warm smile on her face.

"Could I borrow her for a minute?" she asked Kate, her hand still on my shoulder. Kate nodded politely before walking back to Mike, leaving me alone with Lizzie. "I'm sorry about earlier, could we start the conversation all over again?" she asked with an apologetic look. In that moment, I could have told her no, that I didn't want to give her yet another chance. But I didn't. Instead, I agreed and watched as she turned around, took a step and turned back to face me. "Y/n, hi. It's been a while" she greeted me as if we'd just bumped into each other.

"Hi Lizzie, congratulations, you deserved it" I nodded towards the little statue she was tightly holding onto. "How have you been?" I asked, playing my part in her little act. At the time, I couldn't tell if I did it because it amused me or because I hadn't stood so close to her in years and it was driving me insane. I had missed her like you miss your own bed when you go on a trip far from home, like you miss your favourite hoodie when it's hanging outside and taking forever to dry, like you miss the warmth of your home after a long day outside... I had missed her more than I was willing to acknowledge and admit.

"This is the moment where I'm supposed to say I've been fine, isn't it?" she tilted her head slightly, pressing her lips together in a thin line. "It's been rough, life I mean, but I'm doing my best" she answered honestly, which I didn't expect coming from her. "How about you?"

"Workwise, it couldn't be any better. As far as the rest goes... Well, I guess I'm just doing my best too" I matched her honesty. I thought about Scarlett's joke all those years ago, third time's a charm and maybe, just maybe, those words held a hint of truth. Still, it was a lot of ifs and maybes...

"I wanted to reach out when I heard about Loki but... I figured your life was complicated enough and the last thing you needed at that time was me" she scrunched her nose in her signature adorable way as soon as the words came out, like she didn't know why she was bringing it up, like it was just the first thing she thought of to keep the conversation going. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, I don't— I don't know why I said that" she chuckled shyly, her cheeks flushing as she looked down, balancing her weight from one feet to the other.

"It's fine, don't worry" I reassured her, a gentle smile curling my lips. "Should we— do you want to grab a drink?" I asked, nodding towards the bar. She looked up, following my gaze and considering my question for a few seconds before nodding her head slowly but surely.

"I would love that" she smiled. It was a soft, genuine smile that spread all the way to her eyes as we walked over to the bar and ordered drinks, catching up on the small and not so small things we had missed in each other's lives. It turns out, we both had our names written in capital letters on every street's posters but neither of us was happy. Of course, we both felt proud of how far we'd come professionally speaking but our personal lives lacked something very specific.

"We should grab coffee sometimes or go to puppy yoga or some bougie stupid activity that we can finally afford" she suggested, her voice tainted with an unmistakable hint of hopefulness. In that moment, it was exactly how I felt, hopeful. Looking at her and seeing the steadiness in her gaze... she knew who she was and what she wanted.

"Puppy yoga?" I chuckled, shaking my head lightly before meeting her gaze. "I would love that."