Let's Be Alone Together

Chapter One: The Premiere

Chapter One: The Premiere

 

*Flash* *Flash* *Flash*

Camera lenses blinded me from every angle as I stood on the red carpet, hand on my hip. The smile I wore was as real as the 14 karat diamonds that hung around my neck. I stared out into all the lights and drank it all in. Acting was my one and only love, and I had been doing it ever since I had been born. The air of confidence that I felt at that moment was something that came with the territory of being in the spotlight.

My wildest dreams could never have amounted to what my life had become at that precise moment. Somehow, I had managed to climb my way to the top and I had no intention of letting go of that.

I turned so that the photographers could take pictures of the open back of my sweeping black dress. My handler fixed my train, so that it fanned out beautifully. My hand returned to my hip and I looked back over my shoulder, a pose that I knew made me look good. It was one that I had grown up practicing in the mirror.

This wasn’t my first movie premiere, however it was my biggest to date. It seemed that no one could get enough of me. I had always thought of myself as special, but I never thought that millions of people worldwide would agree. They saw something in me, and I couldn’t have been happier to be the person that so many people looked up to.

I turned to face the photographers once more, running a hand over my long dark hair, which currently had vibrant cherry red highlights throughout it. It had become my signature hair color, one that I was absolutely in love with.

The next thing I knew, I was being ushered along towards a line of interviewers, all with video cameras aimed at me. My costars were on various parts of the red carpet, some giving interviews, others posing for photos. I smiled and waved whenever I saw any of them, staying true to one of the nicknames the media had given me: Hollywood’s Newest Sweetheart. Interviewer after interviewer asked me questions about my new movie, all of which was a blur.

Then someone from E! News asked me a question that I had been dreading.

“So since their tour has just ended, is Fall Out Boy going to be here to support you tonight?”

I stayed composed, trying not let on that anything was wrong. I flashed a quick smile and said, “No, they actually couldn’t make it tonight.”

“Aw man, we were hoping for some more adorable pictures of you and your best friend!” the interviewer laughed. I smiled in return. She was of course referring to Patrick and I.

“Well I’m sorry to disappoint you,” I replied, trying my best to sound lighthearted.

“Have you seen him since he’s been back from touring yet?” she asked, moving the microphone in front of my face.

“No, as a matter of fact, I haven’t,” I answered. “I’ve been rather busy with various promotional things for this movie, so I really haven’t had a lot of free time, unfortunately.”

“Well I’m sure the fans will be looking forward to when you two finally reunite!” she exclaimed. “Thank you for taking the time for talking to us.”

I smiled again. “No, thank you!”

I walked past the rest of the row of interviewers, trying to get into the theatre as fast as I could. I couldn’t bear to talk to anyone else. I heard my name being called, by photographers and the press, as I rushed inside. I excused myself to the ladies’ room under the pretense of wanting to freshen up, but what I really needed was a moment to myself. There was no one else in the ladies’ room when I entered. I walked over to the mirror and looked at myself. Looking back at me was a beautiful young woman, with smoky eye makeup, winged eyeliner, and red lipstick that was a shade that went perfectly with her hair. Her hair fell in long curls that looked very old Hollywood. Her diamond necklace and earring combination was stunning, as was her black dress, with all of its little black sparkling embellishments that could only be seen when the the light caught them in just the right light. She looked absolutely stunning, but I almost didn’t recognize the girl in the mirror.

My vision blurred, as my eyes filled with tears. This was the life that I had always wanted: the glitz, the glamour. I had grown up experimenting with makeup and playing dress-up. This was what I had always dreamed of. I followed my dreams and was lucky enough to make it in Hollywood. But I wasn’t happy. I had ruined my chances at that with one decision.

I wished that Patrick could be by my side right now. He always knew how to make me smile, no matter what.

But my chances of him ever wanting to see me again were quite slim.

Not only had I blown my chance with the man I had fallen for, but I had lost my best friend.

I exhaled, trying to push the thoughts from my mind. If there was anything that I didn’t need to do right now, it was to relive my rollercoaster ride of a life ever since I had met Patrick Stump and his fellow bandmates. To say that they had made my life interesting would be an understatement.

I pulled a bobby pin out of my hair to fix a stray hair. I slid it back in, and looked at my reflection once more. Perfect as ever.

Stepping out of the ladies’ room, I bumped into my costar Chris, who played my love interest in the movie.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he said, taking my hand, and spinning me around.

“Hi there,” I replied, as he let go of my hand.

“How’s my leading lady on this fine evening,” he asked, smiling at me.

“I’m…” I paused, pondering how to respond. “…okay,” I finally answered truthfully.

“Just okay?” he replied, giving me a questioning look.

“Just okay,” I answered. “And how are you?”

“Fantastic.”

“Fantastic?” I asked.

“The crowd loves me,” he replied with a wink, and struck a pose with his hands on his hips. I had to laugh.

“You are so weird,” I told him.

“Why thank you,” he said, bowing slightly.

I rolled my eyes. “Not a compliment.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Hey, there’s Ash!” He pointed to another one of our costars and dragged me over to her.

The rest of the evening went by in a complete blur. After the movie premiere, the cast and I went out to celebrate together at a bar.

By the time I got back to my apartment, it was very late and I was exhausted.

I unlocked my door, walked in, and turned on the light. I eased my feet out of my high heels, leaving them by the door, and hoisted my dress up. Without my shoes, the bottom of my dress was far too long for my petite 5’2” frame. I yawned and walked into my living room, expecting to see my two kittens curled up on the couch.

My brain took a second to process what I saw before me, and I stopped short, just staring. My heart leaped in my chest.

There he was, sitting on my couch, with both my kittens on his lap like nothing in the world was any different now than it had been a few months ago.

We both just gazed at each other for a moment.

“You look stunning,” he said, finally breaking the long silence. That voice.

That voice was enough to make me fall for him all over again.