Who They Really Are

seven

Who knew that winning an award could be so overwhelming?
Kat certainly didn't.

After she gave her acceptance speech someone who worked for the show ushered her backstage where she was practically ambushed by people wanting to get a quick interview with her.

Since the show was almost over Kat knew there was no point in returning to her seat, so she texted Ciara and told her she'd meet her at the after party.

Kat answered a few questions then called Vicci. He met her backstage after the show finished, and did some touch ups on her hair after she put on the after-show dress they'd picked out for if she won her award. When you win, there is another red carpet you get to walk down where you have tons more pictures taken, this time with your brand new award.

Kat kissed Vicci on the cheek when they were done then headed back out to the carpet, this time in a tight black, strapless dress with gold sparkles on it.

Countless photographers yelled her name as Kat walked down the carpet with her huge surfboard award, and she kept having to get help from someone who was working there because of its size.

At the end of the carpet there were some big news stations wanting to do interviews, and it took nearly an hour to get through the whole process. Once she was finished she gave her surfboard back, (they all gave them back so they could be engraved then mailed back to them), and finally headed to the after party.

There were several after parties taking place that night, but Kat and her friends had decided to go to one that was taking place at a club that was being hosted by Jake Singer, who was a big actor that had one a few surfboards himself that night.

Kat took a taxi down to the club then texted Elissa, telling her to meet her at the front entrance.

She got past the bouncer with no trouble, and found Elissa and Ciara waiting for her just inside.

"We've been waiting forever!" Ciara complained.

"I know, I'm sorry. I didn't know I was going to have to do all that press stuff afterwards," Kat answered.

Ciara huffed, obviously not pleased with that answer, but she was probably just jealous because Kat had won her award and Ciara hadn't. Kat realized this and felt a small sense of victory, even though she immediately felt bad for feeling that way.

"Oh just c'mon. Let's go listen to the band," Kat said, grabbing Ciara's hand and pulling her along. They stopped at the bar and grabbed drinks before heading to the big crowd that was formed at the stage.

A band Kat recognized as the openers from the Awards stepped on stage, greeted by screams from the crowd.

"Hey everyone, we're Blank Cassette and we are more than ready to rock," the lead singer said, erupting the crowd in more claps and screams.

They started to play their first song, and the girls downed their drinks so they could set them down somewhere and dance.

The song was a mix between pop, punk, and rock, and Kat found herself enjoying it and wondering how she'd never heard of them before tonight.

The girls danced along with the crowd, mixing between different people they knew. Kat saw Adam in the crowd at one point, and he waved and made his way towards her. They danced for a couple minutes, then Adam was dragged away by a couple of his friends. He shrugged at Kat and she smiled, making her way back towards her friends.

The band played for well over an hour, and when they finally stopped Kat was breathless. The girls grabbed some new drinks then started mingling again, talking to people about the show and introducing each other to people they didn't know.

While Ciara and Elissa talked to an old friend they both knew, Kat made her way to the bar to get a water. All the alcohol and dancing was starting to get to her, and she needed a quick break.

"Just a water, please," she said to the bartender. He handed her a glass, and she sat down at the bar.

"Hey there," a voice behind her said.

Kat looked up to see Adam sitting down beside her. She smiles at him and says hello.

"You feeling okay?" He asks.

"Oh yeah, I'm totally fine. I'm just tired so I figured I'd sit for a couple minutes then go back out with all the people."

Adam looked skeptical, and he put his hand on her arm. "I know a quiet place that's in the building. C'mon."

Kat's about to object when she realizes some quiet might be good for a few minutes. And Adam's a nice guy so what's the harm?

"That sounds great," she says, taking his arm.
Adam leads Kat back around behind the stage, then into a small room where there were some guitars and bags thrown on a few couches.

Must be where the band that's playing keeps their stuff, Kat thinks to herself.

Adam moves some bags off a gray couch, then sits down. Kat sits down beside him and sighs.
"So much more peaceful in here," she says.
Adam nods.

"I had so much fun at the awards but really I was not expecting-" Kat starts to say but is interrupted as Adam leans over and put his lips onto hers.

Kat pushes him away. "Um, what do you think you're doing?"

"I just thought we could go ahead and finish what we started last time," Adam answers, a hungry look in his eyes as he starts to lean towards Kat again.

Kat backs away saying, "What do you mean 'last time'."

"Oh come on babe, you remember what happened at the club in New York."

"Actually I don't. I was drunk and don't remember a thing. Care to inform me what you think happened?"

Adam laughs, but there's no sound of joy in it. "You know you remember, Kat. You were all over me. You wanted to leave with me but your stupid friend Elissa forced you to go with her when she left."

Kat blinks, trying to recall any of that happening. But she can't, the night is still too big of a blur.

"Adam I don't remember anything from that night. So please just stop." Kat starts to stand to make her way back to the party, but Adam doesn't let her. He tugs on her wrist, forcing her to sit back down.

"Just because you don't remember doesn't mean it didn't happen. You really were all over me. You wanted me. I bet you still do," Adam says, inching closer to Kat until their faces were almost touching.

"Actually, I want nothing to do with you," Kat says shoving him backwards. She stands up and starts to walk away, when Adam says, "If you leave me right now you're really gonna regret it."

Kat rolls her eyes at him and makes her way out of the room into the hallway. To the right, the party is still going in full force but suddenly Kat wishes she was anywhere but here. So instead of going back to her friends, she goes left and makes her way to the big red exit sign at the end of the hall.