Love Of My Life

72

Aria

As I step out of my car, flashes of lights from cameras nearly blind me. I wish I had Ben's arm to hold and to guide me, but sadly I'm solo right now. He chose to not walk the red carpet so he could be with Joe and Gwil. 

"Right this way," a man says. He has tan skin and a bald head. I follow him as he leads me through the initial crowd of people. "You'll continue down this way and then hang a right,"

"Thank you very much," I tell him with a smile. I then set off down the red carpet. 

I stop to say hello to almost everyone I see. Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Mehershala Ali, John Krasinski. There's so many people that I admire so much and its strange to see them all in one spot. And it's equally as strange that they're coming up to me and saying how they're fans of mine. How can they be fans of mine after I haven't really down anything? If anything I'm fans of theirs. 

"Aria Mercury it is such a pleasure to meet you," Melissa McCarthy tells me. I smile brightly as the woman. 

"The pleasure is all mine," I tell her. "You're a brilliant actress. I love all your movies," 

"Oh stop," she blushes. 

"It's true! Bridesmaids was brilliant. So was Spy. And Can You Ever Forgive Me was phenomenal," 

"You're too kind," she says. I like her. She's extremely down to Earth. "You know I've been dying to meet you for ages. When I heard you were getting involved in the movie industry I got so excited," 

"I've been working in it for a little while here or there but this is my first really big project. It's incredible to actually be here and nominated," I tell her.

"You deserve it. Bohemian Rhapsody was spectacular. I watched it three times myself. Doug, my husband - where did he go off to? - anyways, he saw it at least five times," 

I grin. "We'll I'm glad it was a hit," 

"Oh it definitely was,"

The two of us talk for a little while before we part ways. I know we're on a slight time limit. I can't help but get sucked into conversations with all these celebrities. It's absolutely crazy to me. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying every minute of it. 

I'm mid conversation with Glenn Close when I spot him. 

Looking for Brian is like playing Where's Waldo, except instead of a striped sweater it's huge curly, grey hair. 

"I'm sorry, I got distracted," I apologize to the woman when I realize I hasn't heard a word she said. 

"Oh don't be silly dear. It's a big night," she assures me with a warm smile. 

"It's crazy," I half whisper to her with a laugh. 

Glenn leans in closer to me. "I've been doing this for many years and I get overwhelmed every single time,"

I smile. "It's a lot. But I'm enjoying every minute of it," 

"That's the spirit," she tells me. "Listen I'm going to let you go since I have a feel we'll get pulled apart soon," Glenn laughs. "But we should get coffee or tea sometime. I'd love to talk with you some more,"

"Yes definitely!" I agree. We promise to meet up again afterwards at the after party to exchange numbers. 

I leave her with smile on my face, walking to where Brian is. However I don't make it to him because Ryan Seacrest pulls me into an interview. 

"Aria Mercury, how are you?" He asks me with a smile. I can't tell if it's a fake or genuine smile, but I return it nonetheless. 

"I'm pretty great. How are you?" I respond. 

"I'm well," he says. "So Aria. Bohemian Rhapsody was such a great film, congratulations," I thank him. "How did you contribute to this film? We know you directed and produced, but I also heard you edited and even choreographed some?"

I smile. "I did direct the majority of it, as well as produce it alongside Graham King and Jim Beach. I also had the job of editing the movie. I had a vision for it while directed and I wanted to see it through all the way to the editing room until it was everything I had hoped for," I explain, getting nostalgic. "I did choreograph a little bit. I spent a lot of time with Rami Malek, and guided him to be nearly a spitting image of my father. I spent so many hours teaching him every hand movement, eye flicker. Things that wouldn't matter to anyone else but that's all the magic behind it. That's also why I believe Rami was nominated it. Because he mastered it so well and beautifully," 

"Rami was extraordinary, I agree. Did he find it hard to portray your father? I mean it also must have been a lot of pressure," Ryan laughs. 

I nod. "It definitely was - is - a lot of pressure. But Rami grew a lot of confidence and this was something he was so passionate about. I think all the things I guided him on were a little tedious and probably frustrating at times, but he handled it all so much better than I could have hoped for," 

"He's definitely extremely talented," Ryan agrees with me. "How did you find working on set and telling the story of your father?"

I take a breath. "It was an amazing experience. I met some of the greatest people I have ever met. And telling dad's story was hard at times, but from the bottom of my heart I believe he would have loved it," 

"I believe he would have as well. I think you've made him very proud," Ryan tells me.

"Thank you," I say softly. I hope I did. 

Ryan and I talk for a little while longer before I depart. I'm grateful that he didn't press for information regarding Bryan Singer. I had told the whole cast and crew, as well as Brian and Roger, to avoid the topic as much as they could. I would rather address the whole Bryan issue after awards season. I just want to focus on the movie instead of any drama surrounding it. I know very well the drama will overshadow the film and we certainly don't need or want that. 

"There you are," Brian says when I reach him finally. He stands with Roger, Sarina, Rami, Lucy and Jim. 

"I spotted you back there but I literally couldn't make it to you," I explain. 

The lot of us line up for a quick photo. Camera's take our picture from all angles, and then we take a could of individual shots before we proceed to make our way towards the entrance. 

"It's a mad house," Lucy says. I notice her and Rami holding hands and my heart warms that they're starting to go more public with their relationship. 

"It's definitely crazy," I agree. 

As we reach the entrance of the ballroom, Lucy stops me and gives me a hug. I almost forgot she has to go to the other room. I frown slightly. 

"Good luck," she whispers in my ear. She pulls away. "I'll be rooting for you,"

"The movie wouldn't be anything without you, Ms. Mary Austin," I tell her. "Root for yourself. And root for your boyfriend. He looks pale and nervous,"

Lucy giggles. "His hands are a sweaty wreck," 

"I'll keep an eye out on him for you," 

"And I'll keep an eye out on Ben for you,"

This sucks. I make a promise to myself that if they want to split us up again, I won't go down without a fight. They were just as important to the movie, if not more important, so the lads and Luce should be there right besides me. I would happily give my place up for them, but unfortunately I cannot do that. 

I give Lucy one more hug before the lot of us enter the ballroom, and get ready for the ceremony to start.