Stupid Dreamers

Chapter 21: After Party

I’m sitting back in the dressing room one last time, letting Parker and Carter doll me up as much as they want since how I look right now will be how I look at the official after party.  I actually feel pretty excited for the official closing, because I’ve had a really fun night and a memorable one at that.  But I feel sad to be leaving the show, since this is practically a once in a life time thing for any celebrity who gets the honor of hosting this show. 

“Stand up for me Erin,” Carter politely orders. I do so, smoothing out the black and white floral patterned dress.  The dress I’m wearing now was similar to the one I wore for the monologue, only it had a different pattern and neckline that made it different from the earlier one.  As instructed by Parker, Carter spent about ten minutes creating the perfect smoky eye-look for me and trying to pick out a lip stick that would be able to correspond with such a dark look.  I calmly tell her that I don’t need any and let her apply a smooth coating of lip gloss instead.  She said that that was a great idea and put an end to her worries of making me look perfect.  Parker twisted my hair up into a side bun and let me wear a couple pieces of jewelry to complete the look for tonight.

“How does the dress feel?” Parker asks.

“Good,” I say honestly. Not too tight, not too revealing, yet enough to show off the supposed curves I have and cut off at a good length right above my knees.  The best thing about this was that I didn’t have to wear such horrid high heels, just in case that I would be dancing at this after party and moving around a lot to socialize and mingle and such.  Powell told me right when I got in here to mind my manners and talk to anyone who’d like to speak with me.  I’m pretty sure I can handle it; maybe I can find out what happened to the Arctic Monkeys from the director or producer or someone that has to be there.

“You ready to be out on that stage one last time?” Powell asks with a slight smile.

“Yeah, I’ll try to make it last,” I tell him. This is practically one of the best parts of the show, where you’re relieved that everything (sort of, in my case) went to plan and you made history and memories all under an hour and a half. 

“Alright, go out there and make the moment last as long as you can,” Carter tells me, leading me out the door one last time.  Right as I walk out, I’m ushered by a female crew member to a door that leads straight to the stage, not the one that I entered through for the monologue, but one from the side.  She tells me to go right on ahead, everyone will be joining me a second, and heads off on her way.  I let myself walk back out on stage, putting a smile on my face as I hear applause come from the audience.  I look out at the crowd, waving slightly as I stand in my spot.  Right as I stop, the cast members gradually come out on stage, standing around me.  They all give me reassuring smiles.  I watch as the boys walk out last from the stage, walking in a line until they’re at least a foot away from me.  Luckily, it isn’t Harry who’s standing right next to me. The member next to me was the one with the light voice and could barely keep his laughter in during my “interview” with them. 

“Ten seconds everyone!” A crew member calls from backstage.  Everyone around me and behind me are lightly conversing, so I take the chance to look around a bit before I see Carter waving excitedly from the side.  I return the gesture before she flashes me a thumbs up and points next to me.  I’m a bit confused by her actions, but there’s not enough time to comprehend what she’s talking about since I see the red light flash on in front of me and force me to look into the center camera.

“Well, I have to end the show by saying a huge thank you to everyone who was involved in it and helped make it such a fun night. I’ve had the time of my life, so I put out a thousand thank you’s to everyone tonight including One Direction, especially for filling in for the Arctic Monkeys,” Everyone erupts in small cheers, allowing me to say the last night. “I hope everyone enjoyed it and…good night!” There it is.  The loud applause rings throughout the studio as the crowd stands up, still clapping.  I take a second to take it all in, standing here and feeling so very proud and loved and adored.  It truly was an extraordinary night, and I wish I could do it all over again. Now I must walk around and congratulate and hug everyone on a job well done.  Yes, another part I was looking forward to.