days are gone
“Morning, sunshine,” Michael greets Beatrice, sipping his coffee.
“Is there more of that?” she asks.
“Of course,” Michael says. “There’s always some for you. We’ve been living together for three years, Bea. I always make coffee.”
“Oh, yeah.”
Michael chuckles.
“What?”
“Ava returns and suddenly you don’t know shit,” he shakes his head. “It’s like you’re just living in a trance these past years. And now suddenly the sun that you orbit on returns.”
“Shut up,” Beatrice says as she pours herself coffee.
“Last night was fun, no?”
“Yeah,” Beatrice smiles.
“You held on that DVD for dear life on the way home,” Michael teases her.
“It’s the best gift I have received,” Beatrice tells him.
“Ouch, I’m hurt,” Michael puts his hand on his chest. “No one can really measure up to Ava.”
“I told you, shut up.”
“You are still trending by the way,” Michael says.
“On Twitter? How did you know? You haven’t got one,” Beatrice inquires. “Wait, have you been using my phone again?”
“I have a burner account,” Michael reveals. “Just to keep myself on the loop,” he shrugs.
“What are the people saying?”
“Most of them are delighted,” Michael tells her. “Gaytrices and Avatrices are having a field day.”
Beatrice chuckles.
“You really do enjoy making them go crazy,” he laughs. “You’re so bad.”
Beatrice opens her phone and logs onto Twitter. She chose a great picture from last night and captions it, “favorite people besides my cats”. Her and Ava were very close together in the picture. She smirks to herself.
“What did you do?” Michael asks, curious.
“I’ll be offended if you don’t follow me on your burner account,” Beatrice shrugs.
Michael browses his phone. “Oh my god, you’re going to make them faint.”
Beatrice shrugs again and finishes her coffee. When she’s done, she stood up and makes her way to her room to get ready for the day.
“Beatrice Rebecca Young! I told you to put your mug in the sink when you finish!” Michael yells. “Three years and you still haven’t learned.”
Beatrice just snickers to herself.
COUTURE MAGAZINE
OUR FAVORITE BESTFRIENDS ARE BACK!
You have been living under a rock if you aren’t aware of #avatrice. Ava Silva and Beatrice Young met on the set of Young’s music video, “Undefeated” which is the soundtrack of the first film of The Love Games trilogy, “Ready For It” on 2011 which Ava Silva was the lead. Ever since then, they were inseparable.
They attended events, watched basketball games, attended concerts. They basically did everything together. Young even went as Silva’s date for the premiere of Bounce Back (2015) after Silva and Griffin Thomas, his co-star on The Love Games Trilogy broke up.
It was also in Young’s music video for “The Story of Us” on 2016 that Silva met JC la Torre who then became her on-and-off relationship until they got married late 2019. It was reported that Silva filed for divorce after 3 years of marriage and a few weeks ago, it was finalized. Silva has now moved back to Los Angeles from New York.
We don’t know what happened in the last three years but reliable sources said that Silva and Young had a falling out. Some sources said that Young didn’t really like La Torre for her best friend.
Since then, Young entered a relationship with Oscar-nominated actor Michael Salvius. They were childhood friends that lost contact of each other when Salvius moved to London. They saw each other again on 2016 when Salvius moved to Los Angeles to make more mainstream films.
Now, after 3 years, it seems like the best friends are back together and happily hanged out. Beatrice Young just posted this photo on her Twitter this morning.
What are your thoughts?
silvasilvasilva: look how close ava and Beatrice are i’m having a fucking stroke
silvastan: WE ARE GETTING FED SO GOOD! MOTHERS!
avasilvaswife: look how happy our baby ava is
youngsterz: Nah, she’s toxic. Them getting back together feels wrong. Get a job stay away from Bea.
avatricenation: Delete your comment. Every tongue that rises against her best friend shall fall!
notmichael: *laughs in I know something y’all don’t*
Ava wraps her head in a scarf and wore a pair of shades. She looks in the mirror to see if she is recognizable. Instead of her signature overalls and loud colors that she is known for, she wore a pair of black trousers and a simple blouse. This time, she does not want the paparazzi to recognize her. When she was satisfied, she rides her newly delivered car, something the paps won’t recognize too.
It worked because the paparazzi jumps the minute she pulled in the parking lot but lost interest when she got out of the car. She grins as she walks inside the studio.
She sees Camila who is on her way out and points her to the direction of the dance rehearsals. Midway, she bumps into Areala Angeles, Beatrice’s publicist ever since the start of her career. She’s still sporting red hair. She smiles at her but she just gives a forced smile and didn’t bother to say anything. This confuses Ava. But then again, she was warm with her back then until she got too close to Beatrice. She didn’t like it. She just shrugs it off and goes to where Beatrice is.
Ava waves at Beatrice who is sitting cross-legged in the floor with who she assumes is the choreographer. There are others on the other side of the room who are busy discussing amongst themselves. Beatrice waves back and tells something to the woman she was sitting with.
“Hi!” she says as Beatrice approaches her.
“Hi,” Beatrice smiles. “Let’s go to the break room.”
She follows her to the room adjacent to the dance studio. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
“Oh, no,” Beatrice sits down on the couch. Ava sits across from her on a single chair. “We’re having an hour break.”
“I saw Areala on my way in,” Ava mentions. “She didn’t look very pleased to see me.”
“You know her,” Beatrice shrugs.
“What did she say about the articles?”
“The usual,” Beatrice takes the water bottle in the coffee table and takes a gulp. “Be careful Beatrice,” she imitates her high-pitched voice. Ava chuckles a little. “You have an upcoming tour, blah, blah.”
Ava nods. She doesn’t know what to say to that. Areala didn’t like the rumors regarding them back then and she lost her shit when she found them making out in the alley behind the dinner venue of Paris Fashion Week early 2016 after denying to her that they are kissing on that blurry picture from The 1989 concert the year before.
“Look what Michael texted. I told him Areala dropped by after she left,” Beatrice chuckles. “Just drop the ugly witch’s ass already.”
“But you can’t, can you? Not just like that.”
“I hate it that her and Mom go way back,” Beatrice says, leaning on the back of the couch and looking up the ceiling. “I also hate that I still owe her because she was my agent when I was still nobody.”
“I think you already paid that debt,” Ava says.
“That’s what I am thinking as well,” Beatrice agrees. “I hope that what Mom thinks but no, she will never trust me with anyone because it was her best friend Areala that was there for us when Dad dipped. She was the one who came with me to singing contests and auditions while Mom worked.”
“That’s not fair,” Ava tells her. “How come you never told me any of this back then?”
“I don’t know,” Beatrice shrugs. “You know I don’t really like talking about my past.”
“Says you who have her whole career built by songs about your past,” Ava chuckles a little. “How ironic.”
“My love life, yes, but family? No,” Beatrice rolls her eyes. “Do you want to eat?”
“Actually, I have an audition at eleven,” Ava tells her. “It’s a very interesting film under A24 too and I really want to get the part. I just dropped by to gather some inspiration,” she made sure she looks longingly into Beatrice’s eyes.
“Uh… is it a new film besides the three you are in talks with?” Beatrice inhales sharply then clears her throat. Ava tried to hide her joy that she can still get this kind of reaction from Beatrice.
“No, this is a second audition,” Ava says. “I think there are five of us who are contending for the role.”
“The horror movie?”
“No this is a retelling and re-imagining of a historic female heroine,” Ava grins. “I have never wanted a role this bad. Well, except another role in one of your music videos after Undefeated.”
“You really turned into my biggest fan after I made music for your movie,” Beatrice bits her lower lip. Ava hopes that her face isn’t tomato red. “For the record, you made the best rom-coms. They are instant classics.”
“Look at us fangirling at each other,” Ava laughs.
“Don’t worry about Areala,” Beatrice suddenly says. “What she thinks doesn’t matter. Never.”
“Okay,” Ava nods. She looks at her wristwatch. “As much as I love to stay and watch you dance, I have to get going.”
“Break a leg,” Beatrice says, standing up with her. “Let me walk you to your car.”
“There are paps outside,” Ava tells her.
“Oh, that’s why you are dressed weirdly,” Beatrice says. “Shit. I wasn’t going to say anything.”
“You don’t like my outfit?” Ava gasps.
“You look good but it’s not you,” Beatrice tilts her head a little. “You look way better on your overalls,” she laughs.
“Flirt,” Ava giggles. “Just walk me to the reception.”
“What time do you think you’ll be done?” Beatrice asks.
“If it goes well, it will probably continue into a meeting. Maybe late afternoon.”
“Text me,” Beatrice tells her. “Dinner at our place later. Michael’s cooking.”
“Okay,” Ava nods.
“Take care,” Beatrice kisses her cheek.
“Bye,” Ava is sure she’s blushing hard. “See you later.”
When Beatrice got back to the break room, she dials Michael immediately.
“What? I’m at the gym,” he says.
“Gym of our house,” Beatrice rolls her eyes. “So don’t pretend I’m wasting precious time of your membership.”
“What do you want, my love?” Michael teases her. It’s what she and Ava used to call each other.
“Can you cook tonight? I invited Ava over.”
“What do you want me to cook, your Highness?”
“Carbonara, please. She loves that. And your special garlic bread.”
“I see you don’t plan on making out with her anytime soon,” Michael chuckles.
“Michael, be serious.”
“We don’t have pancetta,” Michael says. “And we’re short on eggs.”
“I’ll do a grocery run later,” Beatrice says. “Thank you.”
“Anything for my favorite couple.”
“Shut up, you ass,” Beatrice laughs and hangs up.
She was too excited on the dinner she forgets a lot of the steps. After two hours, the choreographer called it a day. She sheepishly apologizes to her and tells her she’ll be better tomorrow. It’s been about four years since she toured so she’s rusty. The choreographer understood.
Before she makes her way on the grocery, she receives a text from Ava. “Hey, is it okay I bring two people to this dinner? I want you to meet them.”
“Sure. How did the audition go?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Uh, oh.”
“Don’t worry, it’s fine.”
“Okay. See you later.”
“See you. X.”
On the grocery store, she bought what Michael told her too but also bought extra pasta since Ava is coming with two more people. She also bought ingredients for Greek Salad and a bottle of wine. A fan sees her and she happily poses for a picture.
“How is Ava?” she asks.
“She’s good,” Beatrice smiles. “Don’t worry about her.”
“Look at you giving free interviews in Whole Foods,” Michael snickers as she put the grocery bags on the counter.
“Trending again?” Beatrice rolls her eyes. “It’s not even been a full hour.”
“‘Imagine being annoyed at your mom for making you go to Whole Foods when you’re binge-watching Killing Eve for the nth time but then you bump into Beatrice Young at the eggs section??? btw, i asked her about Ava and she says she's fine and we don't have to worry’ she tweeted,” Michael laughs. “You look pretty good in this picture though.”
“Send it to me,” Beatrice says. “I want to see the memes they quote it with later.”
“Okay,” Michael says. “Wait, these seems a lot for three people,” he comments when he sees the contents of the bags.
“Ava is coming with two people.”
“Who?”
“I didn’t ask,” Beatrice shrugs. “It’s probably her agent or co-star? Who cares.”
“This is our private home?” Michael gapes.
“I’m sure they aren’t people from Hollywood Scoop so calm down. It will be fine.”
“You have got to be kidding,” Michael rolls his eyes. “You have the tendency to act unhinged when Ava is around.”
“Call her. Talk to her. Make up already,” Beatrice says mockingly. “Now you suddenly think she’s bad for me.”
“You know what I mean, Beatrice Young.”
“Fine, I’ll ask her!”
“Thank you,” Michael tells her. “I’m just looking out for all of us. That includes Ava.”
Beatrice types. “Michael is wondering who our other guests will be.”
“It’s my agent Shannon and her wife Mary.”
“Okay, thanks. Drive safely. See you.”
“It’s her agent Shannon Masters and her wife Mary,” Beatrice says. “Happy?”
“Mary? Mary Gunn?” Michael gasps.
“I don’t know,” Beatrice scratches her head. “Do you think it’s her?”
“I’ll die if it’s her,” Michael fans himself with his hands.
Beatrice googles Mary Gunn. “Personal life… came out as a lesbian on 2018… Married Hollywood agent Shannon Masters in a private ceremony in Malibu on 2019. Holy shit, Michael it is her!”
“I’m going to faint, Bea,” Michael leans on the counter. “She is mother!”
“I know that!” Beatrice exclaims. “You know I love Shotgun so fucking much! If Shape of Water didn’t exist, it will be my number one.”
“Mother! Mother! Mother!” suddenly they were hand in hand jumping up and down on the kitchen.
“Okay, wait, I have to focus,” Michael composes himself. “I need to cook the perfect meal and you clean up our house!”
“Yes, sir!” Beatrice laughs. They have help but she only comes during Sunday. They made sure she signed an NDA just in case. But when she’s not around, Michael and Beatrice tidy up the place as best as they could.
Two hours later, their doorbell rings. Michael wipes his already clean hands on his best apron. Beatrice leaps from the barstool to open the door. She quickly looks at herself in the mirror to make sure she’s very presentable. She’s wearing her favorite jeans and a white cable knit sweater. She decided to put her hair up in a ponytail with a few strands of hair framing her face. She fixed the little strands before she finally went to the door.
“Hi!” she greeted them with a big smile as she opened the door. “Come on in.”
“It smells so good,” Ava inhales. “It’s my favorite, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Beatrice says after Ava kisses her on the cheek. “Michael’s cooking. Come.”
“Hi Michael!” Ava greets him but he’s looking behind her gaping. “Oh,” Ava chuckles.
“Michael, Bea, meet my agent Shannon and her wife Mary,” Ava steps back to stand between the two and put her hands on their backs to gently push them forward. “Shannon, Mary, meet Bea and Michael.”
“We are huge fans,” Beatrice shakes hand with the two while Michael just stares. “That guy over there in particular. Michael, your pasta!”
“Shit!” Michael snaps out of it and shuts off the stove. He approaches them and shakes their hands as well. “I am not washing this hand ever again,” he says after shaking Mary’s hand.
“That’s gross,” Beatrice comments. Mary is even more beautiful in person. Her dark skin shines. Her eyes are very expressive. No wonder she already has three Oscars. Her smile is striking and charming. She’s got her hair in braids and is rocking jeans, a graphic t-shirt and a tattered army jacket.
Meanwhile, she didn’t expect Shannon to be very pretty as well. She looks more like a model rather than an agent. She is wearing her brown hair in a ponytail. She was also wearing jeans and a graphic t-shirt but is wearing a navy pinstriped blazer. She has very British features.
“Dinner’s almost ready,” Michael claps his hands. “Why don’t you all sit and Bea, make them your killer Martinis.”
“Yes, please!” Ava pumps her fists. “It’s so good, guys,” she tells Mary and Shannon as they sat on the dining area.
“Nice place, Beatrice and Michael,” Shannon comments, letting her eyes roam. “I wanted to get a house in this neighborhood but Shannon here doesn’t like the vibe.”
“No offense, but it’s too quiet,” Mary says.
“The very reason we chose it,” Beatrice says as she mixed the drink.
“I just prefer more life, I guess” Mary shrugs. “I’m just extremely extroverted.”
“That you are,” Shannon chuckles.
Beatrice serves the drinks and everyone takes a sip.
“Excuse my French but holy shit,” Mary says. “This is some good shit.”
“I told you,” Ava grins.
“You have got to teach me how to make this,” Shannon tells her.
“Sure,” Beatrice sips hers as well.
Michael comes out with the Greek salad. He ditched his apron and is now proudly showing his most expensive dress shirt that’s baby pink that he paired with his gray jeans.
“Looks good,” Shannon comments.
They all dig in while Michael comes back to the kitchen.
“I feel bad having an Oscar-nominated actor act as a chef and server for us,” Mary admits.
“Don’t worry, he loves doing this,” Beatrice assures her. “Especially for you,” she chuckles.
“Should I be concerned?” Shannon jokes.
She just met these people but Beatrice immediately felt comfortable with them. And Ava seems okay so she assumes the audition went well.
“Bea, a little help?” Michael calls.
“Oh, I should help too,” Ava stands up and follows.
The three of them brought out the pasta.
“Before we dig in, I forgot to say,” Mary starts. “Michael Salvius, I am also a fan. And I think you should have won instead of Brad Pitt for Best Supporting Actor.”
“Hot take!” Ava exclaims. They all laugh.
“No, I’m serious! I cried when you delivered that last line, man!” Mary tells them.
“It’s true,” Shannon raises her glass. “I was there, I held her while she wept. And I agree.”
“You are the one I put in the ballot.”
“I want you to know that getting your praise is more fulfilling than getting that Academy Award,” Michael put his hands in his chest. “But I’m still getting that damn golden statue.”
“That’s the spirit!” Mary grins. “And your food is amazing. I haven’t got a bite of this carbonara, but I already know it’s delicious by the smell.”
“It’s heavenly,” Ava says while chewing. “Sorry, I am so hungry.”
Everyone laughs. Everyone dug in.
“Ava, how was the audition?” Beatrice asks. She badly wants to know how it went.
Ava glances at Shannon and they share a smile. “I got it! I got casted as Joan of Arc!”
“Oh my god! Congratulations!” Beatrice stands up and makes her way to where Ava is sitting to hug her then kiss her on the head. Then she realizes what she has done in front of people who probably doesn’t know. “Uh, yeah, congratulations,” she stutters a little and goes back to her seat.
“They know, Bea,” Ava says. “I told Shannon everything.”
“You’re safe to be yourselves with us,” Mary gives them a reassuring smile. “I kind of went through the same thing.”
“Oh,” Beatrice exhales.
“Tell us all about this role!” Michael brings the high energy back.
“I think I already told Bea but yeah, it’s a re-imagining of the story of Joan of Arc. Autumn de Wilde will be directing it.”
“Shhh,” Shannon puts her index finger to her lips gesturing for Michael to keep it a secret.
“And…” Ava trails off, a very excited expression in her face.
“What?” Beatrice asks, sipping some water.
“Mary is co-leading it!” Ava exclaims.
Michael suddenly screams and Beatrice spits her drink.
Shannon and Mary laugh.
“No way!” Michael says. “Please tell me there’s an open slot left. I’d happily be a sword or something. Please I beg you.”
“Are you available in April to June? Maybe we can arrange a cameo,” Shannon shrugs. “We’ll be shooting in the UK though.”
“Shit, I’ll be in Australia shooting this film with David Fincher,” Michael said sadly. “We’ll be shooting it there in April then in South Africa in May to June.”
“Shame, but hey, you’ll probably going to win that golden statue finally,” Mary says.
“How do you know?”
“I read the script. It’s really good and you as Khalil, you’re going to crush it,” Mary tells him.
“Expectations are high,” Beatrice taps Michael in the shoulder. “Wait, what is Mary’s role?”
“Jean d’Aulon,” Ava says. “Joan’s personal bodyguard and in charge of her military household. But in this film, they turned him into a woman.”
“Wait, it’s going to be a gay period film?” Michael gasps. “Please tell me it won’t end like Portrait of a Lady on Fire.”
“I mean we all know what happened to Joan of Arc,” Mary says. “But let me tell you, you won’t be sad when it ends.”
“I agree,” Ava says. “That’s why I love it so much.”
“Michael, I think we’ll all be seeing each other in the Academy Awards Ceremony two years from now,” Mary says.
“Ava and Mary had incredible chemistry in the screen test earlier,” Shannon says. “I got a little bit jealous,” she chuckles.
“Just like me now,” Beatrice thought to herself.
They talked about it more as they ate but Beatrice mostly zoned out of it.
“I’m really thankful we got more people we can be honest with,” Michael says after their meal. “It’s hard being what we are in this industry especially for women. I admire your braveness, Mary and Shannon.”
“Cheers.”
“You know for some reason, after Ava going through her divorce, I have been thinking of coming out. Beatrice and I have talked about this. I think I just got to the point where I know I have proved myself with or without that statue. I just want to be myself.”
“It will be hard at first but it’s an incredible feeling,” Mary tells him. “Don’t do it so impulsive though.”
“How about you, Ava?” Beatrice suddenly asks.
“I’m taking one step at a time,” Ava tells her. “I have told in interviews before that I don’t want to box myself, right? This film is going to be one of those steps. And you?”
“I mean, you’re blind if you didn’t see how gay my latest music videos are,” Beatrice chuckles. Ava does as well.
“Areala is so mad at her,” Michael says. “But she can’t be super mad because fans still like it.”
“Time will come that we shouldn’t have to hide or come out,” Shannon tells them. “When it shouldn’t be a matter of concern what you are and who you love.”
“Cheers! Hear, hear!”
Shannon and Mary had to leave early but Ava stayed. Michael excused himself and went to his room to read a new script his agent sent him.
“You were jealous, weren’t you?” Ava lightly elbows Beatrice as they sat on the couch and watch a re-run of FRIENDS playing on the TV.
“That’s absurd,” Beatrice dismisses it.
“It’s okay to admit it,” Ava tells her. “I was jealous of Michael cutting your steak yesterday.”
“You were?”
Ava just nods and looks at the TV.
“Why?”
“You know why.”
“Ava-”
“We don’t have to say anything other than that,” Ava glances at her. “I’m cool with baby steps.”
“Okay. I was.”
“You don’t have anything to worry about,” Ava assures her. “She’s married and she’s not my type.”
“What’s your type?”
“I like musicians,” Ava wiggled her eyebrows at Beatrice.
“Flirt,” Beatrice lightly elbows her.
It’s ten o’clock when Beatrice yawns. Ava tells her it’s time for her to go. Beatrice walked her to her car.
“Are you doing anything tomorrow?” Beatrice asks her.
“Nothing,” Ava shakes her head while biting her lip a little.
“If you want to see me dance, we’ll be rehearsing all day tomorrow,” Beatrice was rocking her feet.
“I’ll be there,” Ava smiles. “I have got nothing better to do.”