When Sparks Fly *discontinued*

Chapter 1: The Encounter

~for context~
This whole story is set in a COVID-free world teehee
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~Cassidy~

I could feel the goosebumps race up my body as the start of the event neared.  My clammy hands gripped the microphone in between my hands, switching it back and forth to wipe my hands on my dress. Butterflies flew in my stomach as I drew deep breaths to calm myself. I was never the type to get nervous but something about today felt different. Like there was some sort of electricity in the air. I stood in the media section, steps away from the infamous red carpet. My career in journalism suddenly exploded last year and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commentate on one of the most celebrated and notorious awards shows practically fell into my lap after what felt like years of blood, sweat and tears. All my work had finally paid off, and my experience was unmatched, but for some reason all I could feel was nerves.

"Cass, that grey cloud over your head is fogging up my lens" My cameraman Bobby laughed as he looked through the camera. "Make me look as stunning as ever Bobs" I pleaded, giving him a weary smile. "You're gonna be fine. You've been doing this for years now, who are you to impress here? They're just a bunch's of phoneys anyways", Bobby remarked with a scoff.

Bobby's always had a bone to pick with the people in Hollywood. With being in the business for 20+ years, he had some crazy stories under his sleeves. His grey hair at 37 spoke volumes about the stress he had endured with the talent in Hollywood. "You mean the phoneys that are keeping my lights on?", I retorted with a smirk and arms crossed.

"Touche", Bobby sent back with a chuckle. The loud scream of girls flooding out our conversation as an assumed new celebrity walked onto the red carpet. "Nobody can do this job like you honey, your one in a million". Bobby would tell me this when I first made the biggest leap of faith from writing behind the scenes in journalism to being the person with a mic in their hand in front of a camera. 

I gave him a warm smile. "Would it be weird to get all sentimental on you right now?" I asked. Bobby was the only trusting male figure I had in my life in the industry, heck in my life. 

"We'll put a pin in that one for later Cass" He laughed. "It's been a while since I've seen you like this before a show".

"I know...I don't know what's with me today", I say with a peal of nervous laughter looking down at the gorgeous black stilettos my stylist had pulled for me.  I was here, dressed to impress but my usual confident TV personality that I was able to switch on so easily, was growing smaller and smaller. I look back up and Camilla, my makeup artist speed walking towards me, her high pony flinging around as he swerves through crowds of journalists B-lining for me. She reaches me with swiftness pulling out different palettes and brushes for last-minute finishing touches. 

"Gorgeous", she says in her French-Italian then moving away behind Bobby out of frame. That accent has been the main topic of our company ever since she joined. I chuckle to myself thinking about the time she got transferred into our team and Bobby and I's faces turning to each other when she first introduced herself. My eyes flicker from Camilla to Bobby.

"You got this honey!", He says smiling then mouths "As always", before looking back to his camera gear. He gives me a quick nod, knowing we're almost ready to go live. I swiftly reach for a mirror from my purse off to the side and check my teeth in my reflection for any lipstick smudges for the last time. I take a couple of sharp breaths in and out as I hear Bobby begin to count down.

"We're live in 3,2,1". As he points to me I put on the biggest smile I could muster as I hold my mic up to my mouth. A rush of adrenaline poured through my veins, the type of rush I desperately needed.
"We are here on the red carpet at the 77th Golden Globes Awards, live in 160 countries. This is the official kick-off to the 2020 award season and the only show that brings the stars of TV and film together for one epic party", I say as I stare into the camera with a sultry look, trying to seem as convincingly calm, collected and confident as possible. "You've got Brad Pitt, Eddie Murphy, Jenifer Aniston, Leo DiCaprio, Margot Robbie, the level of talent is unprecedented...and we are covering it all. The stars, the stories and all the fashion in between. Because you only live...ONCE" I emphasise giving my best eye-capturing stare. "Tonight in Hollywood the biggest stars are here assembling, and you're not gonna miss a moment of it", I say smiling. "Joining me tonight is my co-host Annabelle Rohart, hey Belle", I introduce. My cameraman Bobby points at me and we are off air. I huge gasp of relief leaves my body as I drop my head towards the red carpet.