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The day of the film's premiere arrived, and Los Angeles buzzed with the usual hum of excitement and chaos that came with red carpets, flashing cameras, and eager fans. It felt surreal standing in front of the mirror in my suite, dressed in a custom navy blue gown that shimmered like the scales of a mermaid under the light. My stylist was busy fussing over the train while the hair and makeup artists perfected the final touches.
"You're glowing tonight," one of them commented, brushing a bit of highlighter along my cheekbones.
"Am I?" I asked, trying to suppress the nervous fluttering in my stomach.
"You are," she confirmed, her smile genuine. "It's a good look on you."
I wasn't sure if it was the dress, the makeup, or the fact that I'd finally allowed myself to embrace the unknown, but I felt lighterâfreerâthan I had in a long time.
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The car ride to the premiere was a blur of nerves and anticipation. Outside the theater, fans lined the barricades, their cheers echoing through the air as the limo pulled up. I took a deep breath before stepping out, the flash of cameras blinding as I smiled and waved.
Walker was already there, looking impossibly dapper in a tailored black suit. When our eyes met across the carpet, his expression softened, and he gave me a small, reassuring nod. I felt the tension in my shoulders ease slightly.
As we posed for photos, reporters shouted questions. Most were about the filmâour roles, the experience of working togetherâbut a few delved into personal territory.
"Over here, Ava!" one called. "What's next for you after this film?"
I paused, thinking carefully before answering. "I'm not sure yet," I admitted, keeping my smile warm but honest. "This film was a transformative experience for me, and I think I need some time to figure out what comes next."
Walker chimed in smoothly, deflecting the conversation back to the movie. "Let's not forget what we're here for tonight," he said, his grin charming. "This project is something we're incredibly proud of, and we can't wait for you all to see it."
The crowd loved him for it, and I was grateful for his support as we continued down the carpet.
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Sitting in the packed theater, the energy was electric. I gripped the armrests of my seat, my heart pounding as the opening credits rolled. Walker sat beside me, his presence steadying as the lights dimmed and the story unfolded on the massive screen.
Watching myself on screen was always a strange, almost out-of-body experience. But this time, it felt different. The raw vulnerability I'd poured into my character was there, shining through every scene. For the first time, I didn't see a carefully curated version of myselfâI saw someone real, someone imperfect yet authentic.
When the credits rolled, the audience erupted into applause. I felt Walker's hand brush against mine, a quiet but reassuring gesture.
"You were incredible," he whispered as the lights came up.
I smiled, my chest tight with emotion. "So were you."
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The afterparty was held at a sleek rooftop venue overlooking the city. The night sky sparkled with stars, and the air buzzed with celebratory energy. Cast and crew mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the space as drinks flowed freely.
I stood by the edge of the rooftop, looking out at the city below. It felt surreal to think about how much had changed over the past few months.
Walker found me there, holding two glasses of soda. He handed one to me, his smile easy and familiar.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked.
I took a sip of the soda, "I was just thinking about how far we've come. This whole experienceâit's been a lot."
He nodded, leaning against the railing beside me. "Yeah, it has. But I think we've both grown a lot, too."
I glanced at him, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you for being there for me, Walker. I don't think I could've done this without you."
He looked at me, his gaze steady and warm. "You could've, Ava. But I'm glad I was there to help."
The conversation drifted into comfortable silence, the kind that didn't need to be filled.
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