Melancholy (𝗔𝗚 𝘅 𝗦𝗚)

11

Selena was finally finished with filming for her appearance in the Taki Taki music video. She, as well as DJ Snake and Cardi B, teased the upcoming collaboration all over on social media. Selena posted photos, videos, and a snippet of her recording her verse in the studio. She was sick that day, but had a lot of fun and was glad her part turned out.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

The Sweetener Sessions finally came to London. She looked beautiful, absolutely stunning up on stage. She sang along to Blazed, Why Try, Better Off, Everytime, Successful, Get Well Soon, Bang Bang, and No Tears Left To Cry. As the mini concert came to an end, and she said her goodbyes, her eyes found hers in the crowd off to the side. She was surrounded by security and trying to stay incognito.

A smile reached both of their faces as they recognized each other.

Selena was led backstage after the show. She felt a rush of excitement as this was the first time they have seen each other in a long time.

Ariana looked gorgeous as she held her arms open, accompanied with a big smile, as she greeted Selena backstage. The two girls squeezed in a tight embrace.

"You look beautiful," Selena beamed as she smiled down at a blushing Ariana.

"Thank you. I just ordered pad thai. Do you want some?" Ariana grabbed Selena's hand and led her around backstage before she could answer. Soon they were both alone in a much more quiet room.

They sat down at a table where styrofoam bowls and plates held steaming food. Selena was hesitant, but Ariana didn't take no for an answer as she served her some of the mouthwatering food.

"And I have the Sweetener Spotify Exhibit coming out at the end of the month. You should stop by if you can. Each room is themed specifically for each song. We all had so much fun designing it," Ariana seemed in much better spirits than Selena thought considering what happened just days ago.

"Ariana... how are you? I mean-" Selena looked concerned, "I know, you're singing and trying to move on... y'know. But, what happened, was not okay. A lot of people blamed you, which is absolutely ridiculous, and... I just want you to be okay. You haven't spoke about it."

Selena hoped she didn't overstep during their little meetup. It was a sensitive topic and an event more sensitive subject. The fact that Ariana was publicly sexually harrassed on live television by a Bishop during Aretha Franklin's funeral was horrendous. And the fact that idiotic people blamed the length of her dress as an invitation for the unwanted touches made her feel nauseous.

Selena remembered reading the bishop's apology online the next day: "It would never be my intention to touch any woman's breast. Maybe I crossed the border, maybe I was too friendly or familiar. But again, I apologise. I hug all the female artists and the male artists. Everybody that was up, I shook their hands and hugged them. That's what we are all about in the church. We are all about love. The last thing I want to do is to be a distraction to this day. This is all about Aretha Franklin."

"I don't know... it's obviously never okay for that to happen to anyone ever. But I know if I speak up on it..." Ariana looked down at her food in thought as she shrugged, "People are gonna find a way to blame me for everything."

"I know the feeling," Selena bit her lip, "Just- you'd tell me if you're not okay, right? You know, you can talk to me about anything. Even if you need to vent. I'm here."

Ariana smiled, "I know and I'm grateful for that. I do need to vent about something. You haven't met Pete yet, but he did an interview recently that upset me. We got into a huge fight. It was his interview with Howard Stern. I was so angry when I read it. I don't know if he thought he was being funny, but it wasn't funny."

Ariana remembers reading the headlines and articles: Pete Davdison Says "He Was Touched" By Bishop Ellis' Awkward Embrace of Grande & "Never Been Prouder" When Former President Bill Clinton Seemed To Be Ogling Grande At Aretha Franklin Funeral.

He went on to say, "It's not cool and I feel really bad. We both don't think that was intentional. He's a really tall guy, she's very little. He was trying to be funny. He did a stupid joke, he's a pastor. He did a shitty joke, broadcast it on TV. Shitty situation... I feel bad for that guy."

"Jesus." Selena commented, "What are you going to do?"

"I told him when I get back from London, I think it would be best if he just stayed with friends or family for a little while. I just can't catch a break. It was all supposed to be about the new music and it's suddenly not. It's drama. All drama."

The two girls dished on gossip, drama, and their lives for a few hours before they both left to catch their flights back home. Selena was heading back to LA while Ariana was going to NY.