Heart on Fire (Chandler Riggs)

chapter 8 - bliss

(i was gonna wait to post this for tomorrow but i guess you guys want me to update)

The dress was a sleek, black, and long with a cut off on one side, which would reveal the lower half of my thigh and my leg. It was accompanied by gold jewelery: bangles, necklaces, and a black clutch. Alexander and Britney were sitting in the limo, too. I took a glance back at them with my eyebrows raised, wondering if they were seeing the same stylish dress I was. They had caniving smirks on their face.

"I'm wearing...this?" I broke the silence, gaping in awe. This dress would fit the perfectly curvy bodies, and not my scrawny figure. I took my fingers and slid them down my torso.

"You'll look fabulous!" Alexander assured me, his wide smile never leaving his face.

I squeezed my eyes shut, deciding to take his word for it. I led my fingers to the hanger before walking into the limo's third row with the dress. I undressed quickly, sliding on the silky dress, which surprisingly fit to a tee. I partnered it with the jewelery before noticing a pair of beautiful black stiletto heels. I studied them up and down. They would be super uncomfortable and very flashy, which was not me at all. I was acting as if I had a choice, as I glanced up and down at the high top converse I had worn out of the house.

Now these shoes represented who I was. They were a bit old and ragged, with beaten up sides, but they were still a gem. I retied the laces, keeping them on. Some things never change.

Walking out of the third row using the curtain, I was met by Alexander and Britney's curious eyes. Their orbs then lit up as they saw me. They frowned, looking at my shoes, but their lips returned to smiles.

"You look fantastic!" Britney tells me, clapping her hands together excitedly.

"Thanks," I say, flattening out my dress.

"We'll be there in five minutes," I hear Randall's voice call out.

Five minutes go by fast as the limo comes to a stopping point. Before I know it, Randall is opening the door for me and I see camera flashes, hear fans cheering, and smell the fresh, crisp air. I step out of the car, as the cheers went even louder and I glued my eyes to the red carpet I was about to walk.

Holy shit, I thought as I turned around to see the limo already gone and Alexander, Britney, and Randall had disappeared. No one was here to back me up; it was just me. I looked ahead and slowly walked towards the carpet, feeling frowned upon with my high tops on my feet. The paparazzi camera flashes followed my every step, as I finally reached the carpet. I took a deep breath and prepared to step on the red carpet, but then I felt an arm slither around my back. I knew it was Chandler before I even turned around. I couldn't even begin to describe the newfound warmth I felt and how all my worries slipped away. Butterflies flooded into the pit of my stomach and a rosy blush rose to my cheeks. It was more than reassuring to know that Chandler was right beside me, watching over me. All the cheers and screams reached a high as he took the first step with me. We stopped in the middle of the carpet beside Norman Reedus and Andrew Lincoln and his wife. (Chandler filled me in on all The Walking Dead lingo.)

We posed for pictures and since I was a bit new, all I did was keep my arm secured around Chandler's waist for guidance and it became easier, especially with him there. Chandler and I's silence was comforting and relaxing. It also made me smile to see all the fans behind the gate smiling, waving, and taking pictures. I even waved back to a few of them. Although, some seemed sort of angry..

Enough pictures were taken and unfortunately, Chandler had to disconnect with me for a few interviews. I walked over to the fan section, surprised by my boldness, talking to a few fans that were really sweet and even capturing photos with them.

"So, how did you and Chandler meet?" a fan asked.

Veronica had went over with me all of the things to say when asked questions like these. It was pretty basic and generic so it was easy to remember.

"We met through friends," I lied.

I answered a few more questions before being pulled into a venue for the premiere party. I was met with Chandler's stinging blue eyes, and my face instantly lit up.

"Hey," I said, out of breath.

"Hey, Hadley. You look gorgeous," he complimented, causing me to bite my lip. "Love the shoes."

I glanced down at my Converse, giggling. "Thanks. You look really nice, too. And okay, I don't mean to ruin this mood we got going on here but where is the food? I am starving," I said honestly, with no intention to make him laugh but I did anyways. I was glad I didn't have to put up this act around Chandler, I could.. be me.

He grabbed my hand without a response and led me to the other side of the place filled with fancy looking people. We reached the buffet with so many delicious foods I didn't know which ones to choose. I immediately grabbed a plate. It makes me cringe just thinking of what I had ate: hot wings, spaghetti, chips and salsa, cupcakes, and a few other things I probably shouldn't have.

I plopped down on a couch beside Chandler. I wouldn't be surprised if the zipper on my dress let out any time now. We were both giddy and acting dumb.

I rubbed my stomach in good fun. "Do you people always eat like this? How are you not fat?"

He laughed again, with his eyes crinkling at the sides which made me melt. "You can't just eat all of it like that," he explained.

"I just broke that rule." I chuckled. "I'm not that skinny, anyways."

"You're beautiful," Chandler said effortlessly, flashing me a toothless smile.

I just smiled back, enjoying the bliss I was feeling at the statement. Trying to be nonchalant, I slid my hand in Chandler's and he reacted quickly by locking his fingers in mine. He looked over at me and smirked.

"Hey," I defended. "I am your girlfriend, right?"

"Psh," he teased. "You just want me."

I decided not to deny nor respond, but to just smile at the ceiling. I closed my eyes slowly, about to knock out beside Chandler on that mushy couch.

"Chandler?" A voice called, causing me to snap my eyes open. I looked at the face, her dirty blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Her turquoise blue eyes met mine but she swiftly broke the contact.

"Hana?" Chandler asked, squeezing my hand tighter.

btw guys don't think you'll never hear from danielle again bc i brought her into the story for a reason...she's gonna be a key point in the story and super important later on so yea stay tuned xx but anyways i think i like this chapter hahaha its okay but i hope you do too. vote comment add to your library add to your reading list and follow muahhh :) love you