The Acting Project

Unwelcome Reunions

17

Unwelcome Reunions

“Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven.” –Tyron Edwards

    The host comes out and I have to go back stage. I change into my costume. It’s a pink, lace dress. I look very 1930’s. I undo my side bun and let my long, corkscrew curls fall over my shoulders.  I have to get my mic taped to my face.

     40 minutes has gone by and the stage has gone black. They tell me to walk to my spot on stage. The week before I had rehearsals here, so I’m pumped! I didn’t want any dancers, lights or any distractions. I wanted me and my music. The stage is dark and I walk to a glowing piece of tape on the ground and I wait.

    I see a presenter walk to the other side of the stage. I think its Katy Perry; it might be Lady Gaga though. She says, “The next artist, I am a huge fan of. She is talented and radiant. Here she is singing her latest single Under the Stars. Make some noise for Lucy Malone!”

    The giant theater cheers and goes crazy. The background behind me is of a thousand stars. A single spotlight shines on me and I start my song. My song is about when I was in Paris; it was so beautiful to be under the stars. The song is over and everyone is standing and cheering. I walk off the stage absorbing it all in.

    I go to change back into my fancy dress. I walk back to my seat. I say hello to Adele and Zelia Wallat. Zelia introduces herself to me. She is so nice. She whispers in my ear, “That was awesome. And I love your shoes.” She has a rich Spanish accent.

    Adele tells me she loves my shoes and my song too. My shoes are a big hit!

I sit there and group of the year next. It’s a tough category. I heard about who some of the nominees for the night, but not any for this category. They read off the categories and I’m trying to pay attention, but Camille and Piper keep texting me. I hear the presenters yell “Nobody’s Business!”

    I look up and my stomach drops. You know that feeling when some one you don’t like shows up somewhere and you don’t know they will be there, and then you are surprised. This is the feeling, or like someone punched you in the stomach. This is the feeling. That’s how I feel. Great feeling to have when you’re already nervous about your category! I have to be careful so my jaw doesn’t drop.

    I look for Harry first, go figure. Five years and it’s still the same. They accept their award. Red says his thank you’s to everyone. Harry steps up to the mic after him.

“I want to thank all of the fans, Blah blah blah…I also want to say thank to my friend with the pink hair. You know who you are, thank you for pushing me to follow my dreams. Thank you everyone.” He smiles and waves to the crowd. The females in the room go nuts! The other guys say their thank you’s and walk off the stage. Adele leans over to me and says, “Did he say pink hair?” Crap! She heard him too.

“I think so.” I say trying to act confused.

“Well that’s odd.’’ She laughs.    

    The last thing I ever said to him was to give me a shout out at the Grammy’s. He was saying that to me. My phone vibrates and I get a text from Piper. In all caps it said,

“DID YOU HEAR THAT!!!! HE WAS TALKING TO YOU!!!”

 I can imagine her screaming that in my face. Some actor and Nicki Minaj walk out and are presenting for song of the year.

“Nominations for Song of the Year are…” the names were read aloud. I hear my name.

I leaned over to Zelia and say, “I don’t remember being nominated for this.”