“Hey y’all! We’re here at the red carpet of the 2025 Oscars! We’re so excited to interview all the celebrities.” Ava giggled, “Okay, maybe NOT everyone, but we’ll try our best.”
The cameras cut, “I hope we get some good ones to interview.” Ava murmured to Mary, her camera woman. Since Ava’s is one of the few online creators, she’s really fighting for a spot with the interviews.
“You wouldn’t be here if they didn’t believe in you, you know.”
“I know, but we’re against Variety, Elle, E!.”
“Hey, don’t do that. You’re good at this.” Mary noticed the commotion and assumed her place again, “Look sharp, Silva.”
Celebrities started walking the red carpet, from Emma Stone, Lupita Nyong’o, Michelle Yeoh, amongst many others. Ava was surprised when Lilith, not as big as the stars mentioned but are in two Disney live actions and a Netflix show came to her.
“Here’s our first one! Lilith from the live action The Little Mermaid.” Ava said before turning to face Lilith.
“Hi Lilith, my name’s Ava from OCS. How are you feeling?”
“Hey Ava, I’m feeling good.” Lilith smiled.
“That’s good. We all remember your fabulous dress from last year’s red carpet, what’s it like to be back?”
“It’s amazing, could be an unpopular opinion but I love these events. As actors, we’re busy filming, sometimes in different places than our home base. So, we don’t often see our friends, so this is really like a big reunion for us too.” Lilith laughed.
“I can imagine, weren’t you just in London for the filming of Cinderella?”
“Yes!”
“So, any tidbits you can share with us about your time filming Cinderella?”
“Ah, let’s just say it was a fun set. Other than that, my lips are sealed.” Lilith playfully zipped her mouth and threw the key away.
“I respect that. Well, anyone you are excited to see tonight?”
“Yes! I’m looking forward to seeing Camila. We’ve been texting the entire way here.”
“You two worked together on a Spanish show right?”
“Yes, wow, not a lot of people know that!”
“I do my research!” But before Ava could continue, Lilith was told that she needed to wrap up the interview. “Okay, we’ll let you go! Have fun tonight, Lilith!”
She was really nervours at first, but that interview with Lilith gave Ava a rush of dopamine, she was now starting to have fun. The weight of today, being her first big red carpet event was gone. You would barely notice that she isn’t an interviewer for one of the big media companies. She took a sip of water and continued interviewing more celebrities. She was on fire and the guests were having so much fun that other celebrities paused their own interviews to look. After an onslaught of guests, Ava was on automatic mode. That was true until someone waltz into her space. It was her eyes. Soft and warm, eyes so rich it feels like being bathed in the sun's gentle embrace. For the first time that night, she was taken aback. She momentarily forgot what she was supposed to do.
“Oh my god, am I starstrucked?” Ava thought to herself, “Oh wait shit, I can’t just stare at her, I have to say something.”
Off to the side, Mary snickered. Ava noticed and leered at Mary before she spoke again.
“Hi, my name is Ava and I’m from…”
“OCS. I’m Beatrice, you might know me from ‘We Live in Time’.”
“Oh… uh…” Ava stuttered, “I mean who wouldn’t know you?”
“You flatter, Ava.”
“Just telling the truth, ma’am.” Ava tipped her imaginary cowboy hat towards Beatrice. The ma’am slipped out and she didn’t really realized it. But then, a few seconds later, she realized what she just did, a blush crept up her face. Ava tried to soldier forwad and a professional, “So, Beatrice, how is it to be nominated for your first Oscars?”
“It’s really amazing, I mean I sometimes don’t feel like I deserve it. Especially because it feels like I just started acting.” Beatrice paused and looked at Ava, “And don’t worry, I like the ma’am.”
Beatrice winked at Ava, which made Ava blush harder. To relieve the tension, Ava slightly shouldered Beatrice, as if she wanted to say “Come on, stop it.”
“You might not know this but my channel is about reviewing tv shows and movies, which means I have seen a lot. Like a LOT. And your performance in this movie, and your other projects honestly, have moved me.”
“Thank you, Ava.”
“And that’s genuine, like I’m not even trying to flatter you. I really do think it’s a testament to your talents and efforts that you’re being recognized this early on in your career.” Ava continued, “I mean, the sob I sobbed when I watched your movie! It was everything!”
“That’s really sweet of you, thank you so much.” Beatrice paused because her manager is trying to sign to her that she needs to wrap up soon, “It really was crazy to act alongside Florence. She’s such a good scene partner. Such a sweetheart. And yes, that’s the number one thing people tell me after they watch the movie. I wish I could give you tissues.” Beatrice joked, “To dry your tears.”
“Best believe, I was prepared and brought tissues with me.” Ava responded, clearly Beatrice’s comments went over Ava’s head.
“That’s good!” Beatrice smiled.
“Beatrice, we heard from Lilith that her favorite part is to see all her friends, almost like a reunion. Anyone you’re excited to see?”
“You.” Beatrice said without batting an eye.
“You are a hoot!” Ava and Beatrice laughed, Beatrice lightly touching Ava’s hand.
“Ahh. Unfortunately, Ava, my manager is telling me I have to move on. This has been fun, let’s do it again sometime, yeah?” Beatrice shook Ava’s hand before continuing, “Maybe without the cameras next time?”
“Uh sure, yes, of course.” Ava stuttered again, “Have great rest of your night, Beatrice!”
“You as well, Ava. See you around.” Bea winked before walking away.
“I hope you win!”
When Beatrice was out of sight and they finally had some time to rest a little, Mary came closer to Ava.
“Girl! She was mad flirting with you!”
“What? No, she wasn’t! She was just being nice!” Ava sheepishly said.
“She said she wanted to dry your tears.”
“No, she didn’t.”
“She winked at you like 2 times within the span of four minutes.”
“No, she didn’t.” Ava said again.
“Are you really arguing with the person who has the footage?”
“Uh…”
“Yeah, precisely. I have the evidence.” Mary paused, “And girl, the last thing she said?”
“What about it?”
“Are you serious? What planet are you on right now?”
“Uh Earth?”
“Then how did you miss that she wants a date?!”
“A what now???”
“Date, Ava. You know when two people meet each other, talk, maybe eat some food. You kiss them at the end. That?”
“Shut up, I know what a date is.”
Mary continued chatting Ava up about Beatrice but at some point Ava tuned her out and started replaying the interview in her head. She realized that Mary was right.
“Oh.”
And throughout that night, all she could think about was those damn eyes that started it all.