Chapter Text
It’s almost 11:30 when I get to the after party but it doesn’t seem to be dialing back any time soon. I can’t help the smile that forces its way onto my face when I see all the familiar faces I thought unattainable from anywhere besides on a screen. Yet, here I am known from my performance known for outshining every last one of the fuckers socializing in this room.
I put on a faux smile when a costar approaches me, his hand sliding onto my arm, gripping a squeeze too hard for comfort, he gives me that smile. It’s pathetic, this old ass man thinks he has a chance, let alone with me. My smile feels genuine from how hard I have to hold myself from laughing at his audacity.
I’m nearly as tall as him in the heels I wear so I meet his gaze, his voice is deep, scratchy sounding. “Congrats on the award, best newcomer? It’s a hard one to be nominated for,” I tilt my head and force my eyes to soften. He’s old, has at least 40 years on me, he leans close to my ear, I can feel his breath on the shell of my ear. It takes everything in me not to make a face. “You deserve it, you were astonishing, one of the best talents i’ve ever worked with. Not to mention how breathtaking you are. No surprise you are where you are.”
I let out a small laugh, following it with a smile, rolling my eyes internally. “Well, thank you Frank, I loved working with you as well. It was an honour, honest.” I flutter my lashes when he pulls back to look at me. “I loved your movies when I was little.” He doesn’t even seemed fazed, how odd.
“I’m happy to hear that…” He gives me a long once over, I pretend not to notice. “But listen, if you ever need anything, want to go over lines, need help navigating this industry don’t hesitate to reach out. You have my number. Even if you just need a friend.” He gives my arm a final squeeze and gives me a wink before he’s whisked off my his management. I scoff, a friend? Yeah a young one you can shove your shriveled dick into, as if.
My head’s pounding from how tight my slick back is, I can feel glitter from my shadow in my eye, I blink it out.
I hold my glass tightly, my drink is this fruity slush, I can’t taste the alcohol but I can feel the pleasant buzz in my head. I glance around the party, spotting the woman of the hour, she’s in every tabloid, on the cover of every magazine.
Skye fuckin Riley.
I’d made her acquaintance before, on a red carpet a month or so ago, I don’t know. Something about her energy is addictive.
She’s in this long sheath dress, a black velvet that drags against the floor. The low neckline adorned with gems. It looks custom, it fits her too well to be off rack, not that I think she’d be seen in something off rack, I won’t be disrespectful. She nurses a drink looking bored as another familiar face speaks to her with a blank gaze. Someone I could be lucky enough to work with, or the other way around. I can be cocky, I didn’t get to this point by being humble.
It’s Paul Hudson, Oscar award winning Paul Hudson, biggest male actor on the scene right now Paul Hudson.
I zero back in on Skye, staring them down until Paul walks away leaving her alone. I take my chance, shuffling over to her. My dress is tight, adorned with hand sewn on sequin. It’s tight but I look good, who cares if I’m uncomfortable.
I approach with a bashful smile on my face.
As I approach, I catch her eye and she gives a slight smile of recognition as she takes a sip from her glass. "Well, well, if it isn't the woman everyone's been talking about," I acknowledge. "Congrats on your win. Song of the year for the second year in a row.” I sip my drink.
Skye tilts her head, sizing me up. "Thank you...” she says my name. Best Newcomer. Not too shabby yourself."
I feel a spark of excitement at her remembering my name, but I don’t let it show. "I'm surprised you even remember me. We met briefly-"
"At the Vanity Fair party last month," she finishes, nodding. "Hard to forget someone who outshined half the A-listers in the room."
I laugh. “Oh please, as if I could outshine you. I’m obsessed with ‘Grieved You’ by the way, and the music video? Oh my god, Perfection.”
Her eyes light up at the mention of her song. “Yeah?”
“Absolutely.”
Okay, maybe I lied, this was far from the second time we’d seen each other let alone been around one another, but there’s cameras anywhere and I don’t want to set off the press, not yet.
“I’m feeling a little faint, help me to the washroom?”
Skye nods, a knowing glint in her eye. "Of course," she says, setting her glass down on a nearby table. "Wouldn't want you passing out on your big night."
We weave through the crowd, my hand on her arm for "support." The touch sends electricity through my skin, but I maintain my composure. As we near the restroom, I spot a secluded aspot and pull her in.
"Feeling better already?" Skye teases, her voice heavy.
I drop the act, my eyes meeting hers intensely. "You know I am."
She leans in close, her breath warm on my ear. "Your little game out there was cute, but we both know the truth."
"And what's that? That i’m a beautifully talented actress?" I challenge.
Skye's lips curve into a smirk. "That, and you're utterly terrible at hiding how you feel about me."
My heart pounds, but I keep my cool. "Oh? And how do I feel about you, Ms. Riley?"
She trails a finger along my jawline, sending shivers down my spine. "Like you want to kiss me right now."
I swallow hard, struggling to hold on to my resolve. “Oh? Do I now.” Her face is dusted with glitter, her long dark waves holding up better than you’d think after a day and a night of non stop activity.
"You don’t?” she tilts her head, making a faux move to pull away from me but I clasp my hands around her waist.
For a moment, I hesitate. The rational part of my brain screams about paparazzi, about career implications, about the mess this could create. But when I stare at her, dark eyed, made up—who am I to deny her this simple night of pleasure. (I know who I am, Best Newcomer; thats who.)
I close the distance between us, pressing my lips to hers. The kiss is electric, passionate, everything I've been dreaming about for months. Her hands tangle around my neck and she pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. The world around us fades away, the pulsing music and chatter of the crowd becoming a distant hum. All I can focus on is the softness of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against mine. The only person in this industry that even compares to me, is even above me.
When we finally break apart, both breathless, Skye's eyes are sparkling with desire. "Well, well," she murmurs, her voice heavy. "I guess the Best Newcomer award isn't the only thing you've won tonight."
I can't help but laugh, the tension between us dissolving into a moment of shared joy. "You're terrible," I tell her, but I'm smiling too.
"You love it," she counters, and I can't deny it.
Suddenly, a voice calls out nearby. "Skye? Are you in here?"
Reality crashes back in.
“Shit.” she whispers as we untangle, I turn to the mirror fixing my lipstick, Skye pushes stray hairs from her face. “It’s Paul.” She gives me a longing look before popping out of ladies room.
I’m seething, he doesn’t deserve that, her. They’re sick together, I can see it in her pupils, the coke she’s on, probably pills too. What singer isn’t on the shit these days? But no, not her. He makes it worse, she doesn’t even touch him anymore I’m everything she needs!
I turn to watch myself in the mirror once again.
I am perfect.
I’ll have her, don’t even worry about it.