Publicity • mgc

6. The Award Show

It was hard.

Karina and Ashton were non-stop texting, telling each other sweet things then crying about it later. The media were completely happy, making money from all of the articles and pictures. Their record labels were happy, also making money from all of the drama. The bands were making money from all of this, but it was unfair money.

Karina dragged herself onto the red (in this case, blue) carpet, her short white dress swaying side to side with her hips. She was holding hands with Dakota, while her free hand made sure her dress didn't fly up with the wind. They posed in front of the cameras, Karina wearing a false smile and the other three girls making a fool of themselves to try and make Karina laugh. Dakota whispered jokes to Karina while Luciana and Jennifer made ridiculous poses. In the end, Luciana tripped over Jennifer and sent everyone into fits of laughter. Luciana didn't care, Karina was laughing.

It didn't last long though, because the second her eyes landed on Ashton, she bit her lip and looked away, grabbing Dakota's hand again. He looked so good, and to know that she couldn't go up to him in front of everyone and just simply tell him that made her upset.

"I know, sweetie." Dakota whispered, squeezing Karina's hand.

In the distance, Michael spotted Karina. He tapped Ashton on the shoulder and pointed in her direction. Ashton sighed loudly. She looked absolutely beautiful and all he wanted to do was go pick her up and spin her in circles. He loved when she wore dresses, mostly because he loved to think it made her look like a barbie doll. Despite all her imperfections, to him she was a barbie doll.

"I know mate, she looks good." Michael commented sadly, putting a hand on his friends shoulder. Ashton turned around and glared at him, already feeling threatened. "Don't tell her." Ashton hissed.

Michael nervously laughed. "What?" He asked, genuinely confused. Why would Ashton tell him not to compliment his best friend?

Truth was, now that Karina was single, hurting, and lonely, Ashton knew she was going to turn to her friends. One of them being Michael. Michael was single, Michael was lonely, and Michael was one hell of a guy. And Ashton was now feeling threatened.

Ashton didn't respond, he just huffed and walked onto the carpet, ready to pose for pictures. He also faked a smile, but also tried to stand a fair distance from Michael.

Michael didn't understand why Ashton had seemed so pissed off at him. Ashton didn't speak to him until they got backstage, ready to open the awards ceremony. They gave each other a pat on the back, and when Michael opened his mouth to say good luck, Ashton had already darted away from him. Michael only shrugged and focused on playing well, considering he and Calum were sick.

In the audience, Reflect had taken a seat next to Hey Violet. Beside Hey Violet, 5sos had reserved seats waiting for them. Karina quietly thanked God that they weren't assigned to sit next to 5sos. Usually during award shows they would find a way to sit next to each other, now they don't have to go through the trouble.

And although their managers told them that they weren't allowed to enjoy any of each others performances, Reflect still stood and calmly sang along with Hey Violet, who were cheering loudly and singing every single lyric while dancing around. Something that the Reflect girls would be doing if this whole thing wouldn't have happened.

After coming off the stage, Karina texted Ashton.

you guys did so great!!

She pressed send and hid her phone under her leg again. Ashton didn't reply to her instantly, like he had been doing, and Karina decided to turn off her phone. Maybe when she turned it back on after the show, she would already have a text back. (a/n: am i the only one who does this when im expecting a text back from someone important as if i'll receive their message right when i turn off my phone lol)

Ashton turned off his read receipts and read Karina's text. He sighed to himself and put on his clothes for the award show, making his way to their seats. He passed by the Reflect girls, not even glancing at them, greeted Hey Violet, and sat down next to them.

Karina and her friends ignored the boys as well, then stood up and went backstage for their own performance.

"You alright?" Luke asked Ashton, nudging him in the ribs. Ashton refused to let Michael sit next to him, so he grabbed Luke's arms and made them switch positions, so now Luke was left to bother him.

Ashton shrugged. "Im fine. Why do you ask?" He knew exactly why he asked. He had actually shoved Michael away from him and yanked on Luke's arm. To the audience it seemed like a cute, bro fight, but to the boys it was odd and confusing. "Well it looks like you want to punch Michael in the face." Luke chuckled, turning back to the announcer, who was now announcing Reflect to the audience.

Ashton and Karina's favorite thing was to watch each other perform. They would stand up and clap and dance and sing like maniacs to one another's songs, but all the 5sos boys did was stay seated and sing along, while Hey Violet had the time of their lives watching Reflect perform.

Karina was so nervous about performing in front of Ashton. She was nervous about his reaction. Because she had stood up and sang along to them, but what would he do?

And while Karina was dancing and doing things that girlgroups do on stage, she spotted Ashton just nodding his head, his arms crossed over his chest and sad eyes focused on her. She smiled in his direction, not meaning for it to happen, she was just in the moment. Ashton's eyes widened, in a way that said, you cant do that, and Karina tripped a little at his reaction, but laughed it off and continued singing. She couldn't worry about it when she was on stage literally performing for so many freaking people, so she shrugged it off.

After their performance, they received two awards, then rushed off stage and back into their dresses.

And thirty minutes later, they were back in front of the cameras again and talking to the press while holding their two awards. 5sos were going to be talking to the press after Reflect, so they stood outside the press room, listening quietly to what was being asked.

"This has nothing to do with your awards," One guy with a notepad and a voice recorder stood up. "but Karina, how's the break up going?" He asked kindly. "Are you okay?" He added, making everyone in the room nod their heads in encouragement for her to answer the question.

Karina smiled, really thinking about the past few days. Michael was there for her, Lucy was there for her, Dakota and Jenny were there for her, she was lucky to have such good friends. "Um, do you know what?" She sighed. "Im good. Im doing good. I just wake up every morning and count my lucky stars that i have these three girls and some amazing friends." Karina grinned as everyone clapped and her three friends nodded their heads. "They're my rocks and with them i realize that im going to be just fine." She finally came to a conclusion. And for the rest of the press conference, she thought about that. With her best friends, including Michael, her family, and her fans, she was going to be just fine.

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if ur little mix af and spotted perries quote clap ur hands *clap clap*

~mari