Chapter 40 Sydney - Movie Night
Chapter 40
Sydney - Movie Night
A fter two years of waiting, we finally got to go to the premiere for “our” movie. It certainly felt like ours after all this time.
This would be my first time walking the red carpet, which made me equally elated and terrified. I’d doubted this movie would ever come to fruition. When Venus told us that we needed to represent our song over Memorial Day weekend, I almost lost my lunch. Right now, I’m anonymous, and I prefer it that way. Samson and I can go to the beach and not concern ourselves with paparazzi pointing their telescopic lenses at my cellulite. I can browse a bookstore uninterrupted and eat a meal anywhere I choose without attracting stares and requests for selfies. My desire to live life in the spotlight is nonexistent. Would walking the red carpet once, for a song, change all that? It seemed silly to think it would… but it could .
Venus told me that you can’t prepare for walking the red carpet. Rather, it’s something that happens to you. She had two pieces of advice: attempt to keep your wits about you, and don’t trip on your fancy gown. I wanted to wear a pantsuit, but Venus insisted on a dress. She made calls to top designers who were already dressing Crissy Metz, Lizzo, Rebel Wilson, and Melissa McCarthy. I nearly passed out, thinking about that. Me, in a designer gown on the red carpet. Insane .
We narrowed it down to Balmain, Valentino, and Versace, and she scheduled consultations for me with each one. I didn’t know what I wanted to wear. I thumbed through hundreds of dresses from past awards shows on my tablet and got more confused.
After receiving sample sketches, I went with Versace. The simple and elegant design took my breath away. The Cerulean blue bodice had tiny crystals covering it. The sweetheart neckline framed my ample cleavage. A garland of ribbon rosebuds circled the base of the bodice, and the layered tulle skirt fell at tea length between my knees and ankles. A row of faux satin buttons down the center of the back masked the zipper underneath it.
Austin joked about renting a $99.99 tux like he had for prom. He tagged along with me for my first appointment—and got sense knocked into him. They sketched out a cowboy-inspired design for him, without sequins, rhinestones, or fringe anywhere. He signed up for his own custom tuxedo on the spot.
Then he marched into an upscale Western wear store and bought a new black Stetson to accessorize his “monkey suit,” as he called it. He couldn’t fool me by goofing it up—Austin was excited to get gussied up.
At my third and final fitting, a week before the premiere, I couldn’t help but twist back and forth on the podium, making my skirt twirl around me. It seemed surreal, this extravagant purchase to wear for a few hours. In the real world, I couldn’t justify a dress this expensive, except for a wedding gown. I had the seamstress take a photo of me so I could share it with Abby and Brooke. I hoped they approved of my selection. If Versace doesn’t make the grade, then I might as well wear a burlap potato sack. Seriously.
No worries though: double thumbs up from both sisters.
The morning of the premiere was all about grooming. I got a fresh mani/pedi yesterday, and I kept admiring my sparkly nails and pretty toenails. My hair stylist set up camp in the living room. She fussed with my unruly curls, and a makeup artist painted my face to complement my ensemble. It was a surreal experience. My own taste of stardom.
Then, the crown jewels: I insisted on wearing my diamond stud earrings, but I had an expensive loaner necklace from Cartier to frame my face and highlight my dress. Stand back, world, Sydney Campbell is stepping out!
Austin peeked from his room a few times to watch the spectacle. After a few minutes of observation, he spoke up. “I’m glad I’m a dude. I couldn’t sit still for that long. ”
I gave him side eye. What would he think if he knew I’d been getting a little caught up in it? “This is a lot of spit and polish for only a few hours. I’d rather sit at home and watch Netflix in my pajamas with Samson. You know I don’t enjoy being in the spotlight.”
He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “Yes, I vaguely remember. Tonight is different. We won’t get much attention, if any. The paparazzi want to get the A-List stars. We’ll walk right in without stopping once. We’re nobodies.”
I considered his words. “That seems plausible. There’s one thing I haven’t mentioned about tonight. Marcus is going to meet us here and ride over with us.”
Austin shrugged. “Okay. I’m sure we have enough room in the limo for him.”
“Yes, but that’s not why I’m mentioning it. I wanted to tell you but it never seemed like a suitable time.”
He raised one eyebrow. “A good time for what?”
“To tell you that Marcus and I are dating. I wanted you to hear it from me. It won’t change our working relationship at all.” I searched his face for a reaction.
His face didn’t betray any emotion. “I wondered where you’ve been going without telling me the past few months. Now it all makes sense.”
“I like him. He’s a genuine gentleman and we’ve been enjoying each other’s company.”
Austin remained neutral. “I’m glad you two are happy. That’s what’s important. I won’t tell anyone at the office.”
“I don’t think you need to concern yourself with that. The cat will be out of the bag tonight, right?”
“That’s true. Excuse me, I need to go shave.” He disappeared down the stairs to his room.
I sat there, lost in my own thoughts. He was so… flat about it. Was he annoyed or something? I thought I was sparing Austin’s feelings by telling him myself, now, instead of him finding out from someone else. That plan seems to have backfired in my face.
Why was he bothered? Jealousy? We were friends. He turned me down when he had a chance. Did he expect I’d never find somebody after he passed?