the age of youth // t.c.

deux

.timothée.

~.~.~

"And lastly, a big thanks to my mama who's watching at home. Mom I love you, thank you for everything, and because she texted me about this twenty minutes ago backstage, I LEFT THE APPLE TV REMOTE UNDERNEATH THE TV FOR SOME REASON, AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT." The audience laughs and I smile out at the sea of people before finishing my speech. "Peace and love, thank you." I make a peace sign with my hand then gather my papers and walk offstage with Armie. We walk backstage, our arms draped across each other's shoulders.

"That was great, kid," Armie laughs. 

"Thanks," I laugh out. It still blows my mind that Call Me By Your Name is gaining so much fame, and is racking up so many awards. I have interviews and press conferences multiple times a week. Sometimes, I have to write multiple acceptance speeches in advance because I won't have time during the week. I'm not complaining, it's just a lot to take in.

~.~.~

After the Palms Spring International Film Festival, I drove with my co-star, Armie, my director, Luca, and a few others who helped with the film to a nice restaurant tucked away in a quiet part on the outskirts of the busy California city. I'm now sitting at a table with everyone, twirling my straw around in my cup of lemon water. Armie is telling a story about one of his kids, and his wife, Elizabeth, who arrived a few minutes ago, keeps interjecting and correcting Armie's storytelling. I smile along with everyone and try to follow along, but because Armie and Elizabeth clearly have two sides to the same story, I'm struggling to follow along.

"Armie, just let her tell it, she seems to remember it better than you," I finally pipe up, and a few people at the table chuckle. Armie glares and points his finger at me, then licks his lips as he's about to make some smart ass comeback, but his wife interrupts him before he can get a word out. I smile and he mouths "This isn't over" across the table at me. I shake my head and take a sip of my water, and just then the waitress returns, this time with our meals. The restaurant isn't busy, being as late as it is, but the service has been incredibly slow. A silence falls over the table as everyone tucks into their meals. It's been a long day with barely any breaks to get food in our systems, so we're probably all starving.

"I would like to make a toast!" Luca calls in the middle of the silence. I wipe my mouth on the white cloth napkin before laying it across my lap. Luca stands up, holding his wine glass by the stem. "I want to thank everyone, the cast, crew, producers, even the fans who aren't here for making Call Me By Your Name such a hit. I've gotten the amazing opportunity to work with Armie and Timothée, both very talented actors." Luca glances at me and I smile at him before he continues. "I just wanted to thank everyone for working with me on this project, I appreciate everyone's hard work and dedication." He raises his glass before sitting down, and everyone claps and cheers. The table is no longer silent and everyone talks between bites. I look around the table at the group of people I've come to call my friends.

Armie's wife, Elizabeth, catches my attention and she smiles at me. I return the expression and she turns back to whatever conversation her and Armie were immersed in with a crew member. I sip my water and take this moment in, because I know days like these never last.

~.~.~

Armie and Elizabeth gave me a ride back to my hotel. Since Elizabeth had to drive to dinner she already had her car and Armie just rode with her instead of getting an Uber.

I step out of the shower and wrap my towel around my shoulders, shivering in the cold bathroom air. I reach out and wipe the condensation from the mirror and peer at myself through the streaks my fingers made. My curly hair is damp and loose, and I shake my head to watch them bounce, which makes me laugh. I towel myself dry then slip on a t-shirt and a pair of boxers before turning off the bathroom light and walking out into the room. I unplug my phone from where it was charging on the nightstand then sit on the edge of my bed. I have a notification from George. He tells me that I have a photoshoot coming up, and I need to be packed and ready to leave for it in two days. I sigh and fall back against the soft mattress, then close my eyes.

I don't realize I've fallen asleep until the bright morning light through the window wakes me up the next morning.

~.~.~

so, on sunday, i found out this book was ranked 19 under the hashtag 'cmbyn', and i'm honestly so blown away. i've never gotten any rankings on any of my books, and i only have one chapter up, so i can only thank you guys. yeah, i only have a little over thirty reads, but i somehow have that ranking and it's all bc of y'all!! thank you so so much for the support, you guys are some of my closest friends and i consider you all family! if you ever need ANYTHING, please just message me, and i'll be more than happy to help. peace and love always bros. <3

~Ann