Melancholy (𝗔𝗚 𝘅 𝗦𝗚)

6

Selena had tuned into Ariana's interview on Beats 1 Radio. After playing the final track of the album, "Get Well Soon", Ariana teared up as she discussed the Manchester bombing and the 40 seconds of silence at the end honoring the victims. The song was also 5 minutes and 22 seconds long to honor the date of the attack.

"Obviously on the news it affects you but not in the same way," Ariana explains about tragedies. "You feel bad, you tweet it, you post a picture, you send your condolences, you say something and move on. But then Christmas comes and you’re thinking about it. It's like… fuck, I'm so sorry."

Selena felt her heart break as Ariana's voice deepened as she fought back tears and cleared her throat.

"It's like people are permanently affected by this shit and it's just like, perspective. It changes everything, changes your life quite a bit. You want to be more present and follow happy impulses and figure it out later and stay in the moment," Ariana continued through the tears.

"You try not to give into fear because obviously that's the whole point of being here. That's the whole point of finishing my tour is to set an example to my fans who are fearless enough to show up to the fucking shows. Like, are you kidding? You want to set the same example and keep going. You want to not be afraid because, of course, that's what they want if you give them that then they've won."

"The truth is that it’s fucking scary going anywhere and you look at places differently and travelling. I don't like to have security come with me everywhere, I don't like to do those things, it makes me feel inhuman and weird. I don't like it. I know people are just trying to take care of me but I want to escape with my friends, run around and be free. But you think about it differently when shit like that happens. I don't want to have metal detectors at my shows and having people taking tiny ass bags into my shows but, you'd better bring a fucking tiny ass bag, you know what I mean? It's scary and this is some real shit. You don’t want to give in and be afraid but it's still there."

As the interview ends, and Sweetener is played again, Selena feels guilty for ignoring Ariana for the passed few days. She sends her a quick text to Ariana.

"Heard the interview. So sorry. Hope we can meet up when I'm back in NY. Try to take it easy, Ari."

She bites her lip as she rereads the message again and again. It seems awkward, but there's no going back. It's already sent.

[a/n: this interview was heartbreaking to listen to. sweetener is underrated and doesn't deserve the hate. get well soon deserves more love. just read the lyrics. ari said they seem corny, but she really means it.❤]