The New Mendes

Chapter 5

"And you're done!" My make up artist said as she gave my face a final spritz of setting spray to keep my make up on throughout the night.

She spun my chair around so that I was facing the mirror. I looked at my reflection and nearly had to do a double take.

"Whoa! I didn't even recognize myself for a minute." I laughed.

"Thank you so much! You're amazing." I said as I got out of the chair to give my artist a hug.

"Time to get you into that dress. It's five o'clock. We got to get going!" Kim shouted as she grabbed my arm, nearly dragging me into the next room to change.

Kim is always freaking out about something. She is my anxiety packed manager and I love her even more because of it. Everything is always perfect and I'm never late thanks to her. And honestly, I get a lot of entertainment over watching her spazz out over every little thing.

"You look amazing." She said as she took a step back, looking me up and down.

She held a bright smile on her face, but quickly snapped back to reality.

"Now let's go!" She said as she turned and walked out the doors to the car, me following close behind.

I giggled as I tried to catch up to her speed walking in my heels.

•••

"Are you ready?" Kim asked me as we pulled up to the red carpet.

I gawked out the window at all the dimmed flashes that were going off on the other side of the tinted car window.

"I'll take that as a yes because it's time." She laughed as she opened the door and got out, holding it open and offering me a hand as I got out.

On the ride here she told me she would always be a step ahead of me and that I just need to follow her. I was extremely nervous since I had no clue how red carpets work. She reassured me that she would be with me the whole time and that I would get the hang of it quickly.

She began walking on the red carpet and I followed, flashes coming from all angles. I walked until I got to the white backdrop then I stopped, posed then walked a few more feet, stopped and posed again. Kim was there just a few feet away the whole time. She was right, I did get the hang of it pretty fast.

Then I got to the interview section of the red carpet, where the flashing of the cameras was replaced by microphones being shoved in my face.

"Hello, Jenny here with Celeb News Blog." A woman in a very elegant dress introduced.

"Elle Lively."

"Elle Lively, nice to meet you. You are a Youtuber, correct?"

"Yes!" I smiled at the camera.

"Is this your first red carpet, Miss Lively?" The questions continued.

"It is, my very first red carpet and my very first award show."

"How exciting! What do you think thus far?"

"I think it's going pretty well. I haven't tripped and fallen in front of any celebrities yet." I laughed, her joining me.

I am incredibly clumsy, so not falling is a big task of mine tonight.

"Isn't she the cutest?" She laughed to the camera.

"Well, you look amazing. You definitely know how to make a debut. Enjoy yourself tonight."

"Thank you!" I smiled and gave a wave, then I continued walking along the carpet.

"Shawn! Shawn! Shawn! Look here!" I heard the whole group of paparazzi shouting in unison.

I glanced back down to the beginning of the carpet to where the flashes were rapidly going off and saw him.

He was in a navy blue suite with a patterned blue and white button up underneath. He looked great. Well if anything has changed about him it's definitely his fashion. He isn't wearing his black t-shirts anymore that's for sure.

I felt Kim tug on my arm, breaking me from my trance. I realized I had stopped dead in my tracks in the center of the carpet.

I turned away from him, involuntarily, and stumbled over my feet causing me to almost fall. Luckily Kim was there or else I would've just embarrassed myself in front of hundreds of cameras and not to mention, Shawn.

"Woah!" The crowd all shouted as I stumbled, thinking I was going to fall.

I regained my balance and felt my face flush due to all the people staring at me.

"It's okay! I'm good, I'm good!" I awkwardly laughed, holding my hands up. I felt relieved when most of the people surrounding me laughed with me.

I glanced over my shoulder one last time at Shawn as I continued walking and was startled when I felt his eyes lock with mine.