Right Here, Right Now

Chapter One

Ella's POV

"I'm freaking out!" I anxiously scream at my phone.

"Calm down Ella, you're going to be fine. This is what you've been waiting for your whole life," My best friend Rowan says over FaceTime in an attempt to calm me down.

"You're all done," My makeup artist smiles as she finishes one last brush stroke. I look at the mirror in front of me and let out of a nervous sigh. My brown hair cascaded in beautiful waves down my shoulders and my lips were stained with the perfect cherry red lipstick. A silk red dress clung tightly to my skin. I looked powerful, but felt the furthest from it.

"What if no one likes it? What if they like it but don't like me? What if I fall on my way on stage to give my speech?" I fiddle with my fingers.

"Okay one, there's no way it will be bad, it's directed by Kenny Ortega. Two, just be yourself there's no way they won't love you. Three, if you fall, just hope there isn't a cute boy in the audience," Rowan chuckles. She always knows how to cheer me up.

"Yeah, you're right. Okay I'll see you there, love youuu" I blow a kiss to the camera and then hang up the FaceTime call. Tonight is the night that my brand new Netflix show, Birdie In The Big City, premiers all over the world. The past year has been spent filming in New York City with the most amazing cast and of course director, Kenny Ortega. We're having a huge premiere party in LA with everyone from Netflix and I could almost throw up I'm so nervous.

"Knock knock, you ready to go?" My roommate and fellow costar, Josh says as he walks into my room.

"Wow, aren't you fancy," I wink at him as I gesture to the navy blue suit he has on. I get up from my makeup chair and walk to my bed to grab by purse. When I turn around I see josh staring at me with his mouth wide open.

"You're going to catch flies," I laugh as I walk by and shut his mouth with my hand.
   Our driver arrives to pick us up and we make it to the premier in downtown LA. As we pull up there are cameras and lights everywhere. I feel my hands start to shake as the driver opens my door for me to get out.
You got this I say to myself and take a deep breath. I walk out of the car and wave to everyone as I make my way inside, except no one is really waving at me, they're all waving at Josh. Lines and lines of teenage girls screaming his name as we enter. This is my first real gig as an actor so no one even knows who I am yet, and I guess that all changes tonight. Josh is well known from his hit tv show on Disney +, Highschool Musical the Musical the Series.
   As soon as I got inside I was met by the one and only, Kenny Ortega.
"Kenny!!!" I screamed as I gave him a huge hug. I hadn't seen him since we wrapped filming. "I missed you so much!"

"Not as much as I missed you. You ready for tonight?" Kenny smiled at me and I felt more at peace. Even though I nodded at him enthusiastically, he could see right through my facade. "Don't worry about it Elouise, you're amazing," Kenny said as he grabbed both my hands.
  I glanced around the room at all of the people. Everyone dressed to impress. There were hundreds of people gathered around tables of food, talking and laughing. My social anxiety kicked in quick and I had the sudden urge to hide in the bathroom, until I saw Rowan headed towards me.

"Ahhhhh! You're hot!" She twirled me around in a circle and we laughed. "I can't believe Kenny agreed to let me come to this. Everyone here is so important. I just saw Noah Centineo eating shrimp!" She said excitedly.

"I wasn't going to be here without you, we're a package deal" I said linking our arms together. Rowan and I have been best friends since elementary school. She's supported this dream of mine for years and now it's finally coming true. She flew all the way from Florida to come to the premier.
  The sound of a microphone being tapped alerted everyone to stop talking. I looked towards the stage and saw Kenny standing there holding the mic in front of a projector screen that had the cover photo of Birdie In The Big City on it.

"First of all I would like to thank all of you for coming here tonight. I am so excited to share this show with you. This cast has worked exceptionally hard to create such a magical experience for you all. When I first had the idea of creating a show following a young girl running away to New York to be on Broadway, I had no clue who I was going to cast. All I knew was she had to be real, and she had to be talented." A few people in the audience laughed as Kenny continued.
"From the second I saw her walk into the audition room, I knew she was the one. The passion and the light this young lady brings on set is unmatched. World, tonight I'd like to introduce you to our Birdie, the beautiful Ella James" The room erupted in applause as I made my way to the stage. My cheeks burned red from the attention and I did everything I could to not trip as I walked up the step. Kenny hugged me and  handed me the mic. I smiled into the crowd of faces and waved.

"Hi," I giggled awkwardly. "Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. Before I speak I-" I stopped as my eyes met those of a brown haired boy in the crowd. An electric current shot through my body as he continued to stare at me. "I uh, wanted to show you guys a short video," I stuttered, breaking eye contact. I smiled and gestured my hand towards the projector screen.

Wow I thought to myself while nonchalantly watching his smile in my peripheral.