Playing the part

*Ivy*

I look at myself in the big mirror. My dark wavy hair has been pinned away from my face and is falling in what look like ocean kissed curls down my back. “Seriously, is this what I am supposed to wear? I am more naked than dressed.”

“Of course it is.” My stylist Tawny says. “You look exactly like a real mermaid, just without the tail, having just ascended from the ocean. Everyone will love it.”

The dress is an off the shoulder assembly of see-through fabric, shimmering stones, glitter and small patches of stone in turquoise. The sleeves are slid open and hang all the way down to form a train. On my feet are a pair of silver louboutin sandals that probably cost the same as all the shoes I own. “Everyone will stare at me.”

“Well, honey, that is kind of the whole idea. You will dazzle them. Tomorrow Ivy Walker will be on everyone’s lips.” Tawny says, smiling at me in the mirror.

I hear a squeak behind me and turn to see my kid sister Sadie clapping her hands. “Oh, Ivy, you look so beautiful. Why can’t I wear a dress like that?”

“Because you are sixteen years old and need to dress according to your age.” I tell her. She is in a strapless dress that has a shimmering gold top with a sweetheart neckline, and a long skirt in flowing blush chiffon, paired with gold sandals with a small heel. “You look gorgeous, by the way.”

She giggles and twirls in front of me, her hair falling in soft curls around her face. She is only wearing a tiny bit of makeup, while I have the whole shebang with smokey eyes matching my dress. She bounces slightly on her feet. “Uh, I am so excited. Do you think there will be a lot of famous people?”

“I am sure there will be quite a bit, as we are in LA and a lot of them live here.” I say, smiling at her excitement. She is definitely more into this than I am. “So happy that I brought you as my date?”

Nodding her head vigorously, she says. “By the way, have I told you that you are the very best big sister anyone could ask for?”

“Only about ten times, I think.” I say, taking the small clutch Tawny hands me. This is my first premiere too. I had actually never wanted this, the fame, the expensive, almost non-existent dresses. I had been happy being a kindergarten teacher in Toronto, when I was one day spotted playing with the kids and begged to audition for a small part in the new, which lead to an even bigger role in the new otherworld movie, otherworld is a very popular series about a supernatural world.

“Your limo is here.” Tawny announces, and I take a deep breath, thanking her for making me look much better than I would ever manage myself, before walking to the car, my sister skipping happily beside me.

All the way there my sweet sister is talking about all the people she hopes to see there and I just listen to her smiling. Wondering if I would have been like that had I been 16 years old.

“Ready?” I ask her as the limo pulls up outside. The noise and light outside are both scary and overwhelming. But I bite it down. This is a part of my new job, so I might as well get used to it.

Sadie nods excitedly and gets out first when the door is opened. I follow her, trying to remember to smile. Looking around. Wow, this is both really amazing and overwhelming at the same time.

Ben, who plays the king, spots me, and waves, coming over. My sister is grabbing my arm. “Uh Ivy, King Bruce... I mean Ben Nafflick is coming over.”

“I know, sis, now don’t embarrass me.” I say winking at her. She knows she never could, but still I prefer her not having too many fangirl moments in public.

He gives me a light hug and sends me a smile. “So, how is your first premiere, Ivy? You do look beautiful, by the way.”

“Thanks Ben. It is a bit weird, but well I am still here, so I think I’ll manage. This is my kid sister Sadie, by the way.” I introduce them.

He gives her a light hug, too. “Well, a pleasure to meet you, Sadie. Have a wonderful evening girls, I am being called upon.” And with another smile, he leaves.

“Did you see that? Ben Nafflick hugged me ... I mean, he is a bit too old to really be hot, but still he hugged me.” She says her eyes are shining happily.

“Yeah, I saw it”. I smile to myself as we make our way down the carpet, taking in all the sights and all the people. There isn’t a second where my sister isn’t telling me about someone she just spotted.

Suddenly I am grabbed from behind and lifted by huge, strong arms. “There you are Makamae, you look like a true queen.”

“Thank you Clayson. Now please set me down and meet my sister, Sadie.” I say, laughing at the big man behind me.

I am let down and turn to smile at my on screen husband. He might look all rough and scary, but he really is a big teddy bear. “Are you all on your own? Linda isn’t with you?”

“No, she is home with the kids. The babysitter got sick”. He answers. Linda is his beautiful wife, whom I have met several times. He turns to Sadie, smiling. “You must be Sadie, a pleasure meeting you, ipo”.

As my sister is squashed into his massive chest, she manages to mumble. “Uh, very nice meeting you too, Clayson. My sister has told a lot about you”.

“Only bad things, I hope?” He says, grinning as he lets her go, winking at me. “So Sadie, what do you think about being at a premiere? Have you met anyone cool yet?”

She lights up, clearly excited that he is talking with her. “It is so cool. We met Ben Nafflick, and I saw Amira Adams before.”

“It’s good to hear you are enjoying it.” He turns toward me. “And you, my dear, better get used to it. You are going to be a star.”

“I am not Clayson. I am not even sure I am going to do anything else than this. I mean my family needs me”. I tell him. It’s the truth. I mostly did it for the money to help my family. I do like it actually, but I also know it will take me away more than I want to be.

We are interrupted by my sister, pulling at my arm, her voice high pitched as her eye goes huge. “OhMyGod OhMyGod OhMyGod”. Yeah, it really comes out as one long sound. “Ivy, it’s Roan Wade, it is really him”.

“Breathe Sadie, breathe.” I tell her, turning to see the man I know she admires deeply. She has shown me some pictures. He wasn’t really my type honestly, too handsome. I always preferred more edgy guys. When I was younger, Clayson would probably have been my type. These last couple of years I have mostly dated a... well ordinary guys, none of them fit that.

Sadie, of course, hadn’t shut up about Roan being the new hottest man in Hollywood. I don’t know much about him, aside from what my sister has told me and then having heard a bit after starting in the business. Everything I heard was positive. Apparently he is like a super sweet guy … he has gone from sitcom actor to A-list. He is a philanthropist and a billionaire, who runs a couple of companies and has his own brand. I had to admit when hearing he was cast as the great adventure hero Nathan Pike, my first thought had been that he needed to bulk up and damn, it seems like he has.

Sadie is still pulling my arm and I might be staring just a bit. He is in a light beige perfectly fitted suit that clearly shows wider shoulders and a much bulkier chest than on the pictures Sadie has shown me. He is talking to a reporter, looking caught up in what he is saying, moving his hands animatedly.

“Oh, he is even more dreamy in real life.” My sister sighs and I have an urge to tell her that he could be her father, so she better relax.

“I take it she is a fan?” Clayson says, nudging me, nodding towards Roan and I roll my eyes with a small smile. He smiles, then he waves for Roan to come over. “Hey Roan, come here my man, I got someone you should meet”.

He excuses himself, walking over with a smile on his face and by God, that is a beautiful smile and a handsome face. He has an aura about him, like a glow from within, and I start to get why my sister is so fascinated by this man.