AMY'S POV:
"I won't ask you to wait if you don't ask me to stay"
"You ready?" Brady's voice cut through my nerves as we pulled up to the venue. I glanced out of the window, greeted by a sea of flashing lights and shouting photographers. My stomach churned uncomfortably, and I felt a wave of panic rising within me.
"No, not really, Brady. I think this was a bad idea. We should go," I muttered, my voice trembling with uncertainty.
"Hey, hey, it's alright," Brady reassured me, reaching for my hand. "You're just getting cold feet. Here, hold my hand. Let's do this together, yeah?"
"Yeah," I nodded, grateful for his support. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself for what was to come. "Okay, fingers crossed," I whispered as I stepped out of the car, Brady's hand firmly clasped in mine.
As soon as we stepped onto the red carpet, the noise hit me like a tidal wave. The photographers were shouting and screaming, their flashing cameras blinding me with their intensity. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt a surge of anxiety wash over me.
"Amy! Look this way!" they yelled, their voices echoing in my ears. I tried to muster up a smile, but it felt forced and awkward on my lips. I couldn't shake off the feeling of discomfort as the flashes continued to assault my senses.
Beside me, Brady squeezed my hand reassuringly, offering me a small smile of encouragement. His presence was a comfort in the chaos, but I couldn't shake off the overwhelming feeling of being trapped in the spotlight.
Brady must have sensed my anxiety because he squeezed my hand tighter and leaned in closer to me.
"Hey, it's alright, I'm right here," he said softly, his voice barely audible over the noise of the cameras.
"Yeah, thanks Brady," I replied, grateful for his presence amidst the chaos.
The photographers were relentless, shouting for single shots as Brady gently let go of my hand and stepped back.
"Wait where are you going? Please don't go," I pleaded, feeling a sudden rush of panic.
"It's alright, I'll be right here where you can see me," Brady reassured me with a smile. "You look stunning, Ames. You can do this."
I nodded, trying to muster up some courage as I posed for the pictures alone.
As much as I wanted to avoid talking to any interviewers, it was the Oscars, and my publicist insisted that I speak to at least one. So when an interviewer from ET signaled for me to come over, I took a deep breath and reluctantly made my way toward them.
Interviewer: "Amy, you look absolutely stunning tonight! How are you feeling about being here at the Oscars?"
Amy: "Thank you so much! It's definitely surreal. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, but mostly just grateful for the opportunity to be here."
Interviewer: "You've had quite the journey to get here. What's been the most memorable part of your experience so far?"
Amy: "Oh, definitely working on 'Good Boys 2'. It was such an incredible experience to be a part of that film and work alongside such talented people. The cast and crew really became like family to me."
Interviewer: "And speaking of 'Good Boys 2', your chemistry with Brady Noon on screen is undeniable. Can you tell us a bit about your relationship with him off-screen?"
Amy: "Brady is amazing to work with. He's so talented and dedicated to his craft, and he's become one of my closest friends. We have a great dynamic both on and off-screen, and I think that really shines through in our performances," I said, trying to keep my focus on the interview.
But then, amidst the loud cheering from the crowd, I couldn't help but get distracted. My eyes widened as I caught a glimpse of someone familiar. "Oh my gosh, is that Drew Starkey?" I whispered to myself, barely able to contain my excitement.
The interviewer noticed my sudden distraction and followed my gaze. "Looks like you're a fan," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, I'm a huge fan. Oh my god, he's coming this way!" I replied, my heart racing with excitement.
Just then, Drew glanced in our direction, and our eyes met for a brief moment. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, but I couldn't tear my gaze away.
"Sorry, where were we?" I asked, trying to refocus on the interview, though my mind was still buzzing with excitement.
Interviewer: "No, its alright! Amy, before we wrap up, I have to ask – you've faced some pretty intense scrutiny and criticism over the past few months. How are you holding up amidst all of that?"
Amy: "Yeah, it hasn't been easy. There have definitely been some tough moments, but I think every challenge we face in life helps us grow stronger. It's been a learning experience, for sure, and I'm just trying to focus on the positives and keep moving forward."
Interviewer: "That's such a great attitude to have. How do you stay grounded amidst all of the noise and negativity?"
Amy: "I have an incredible support system – my family, my friends, and my fans have been there for me every step of the way. Their love and encouragement mean the world to me, and they're the ones who keep me grounded and remind me of what truly matters."
Interviewer: "Well, you're handling it all with such grace and resilience, Amy. We're so proud of you and can't wait to see what the future holds for you."
Amy: "Thank you so much. I really appreciate that."
As the interview concluded, I glanced around the red carpet, searching for Brady amidst the chaos. Suddenly, I spotted someone I never expected to see—Taylor Swift.
"T-Taylor?" I stammered, my heart racing with excitement.
Taylor turned towards me, her smile warm and welcoming. "Hey, Amy! So glad we could finally meet in person," she said, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm.
"Yeah, me too! Thank you so much for reaching out to me," I replied, feeling grateful for her support.
"Of course, Amy. I meant what I said in my message—I'm here for you," Taylor said, her expression sincere. "And remember, don't let the haters get you down. You're stronger than you think."
I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude wash over me. "Thank you, Taylor. That means a lot."
"Anytime, Amy. Now go out there and shine. You've got this, It was so nice meeting you Amy" Taylor said, offering me an encouraging smile..
"Thanks, Taylor, you have no idea how much that means to me," I said, my voice filled with gratitude.
Taylor smiled warmly before reaching into her purse and pulling out a small ring. "Oh, also, by the way, a little friend of mine told me that you write songs?" she asked, holding out the ring towards me.
I gasped, recognizing the ring instantly. "Is that...?" I trailed off, my heart pounding with excitement.
Taylor nodded. "Yep, I wore this while I wrote my album, Red. And I don't know, maybe it'll bring you some good luck," she said, offering me the ring.
I reached out, taking the ring in my trembling hand. "I don't know what to say, thank you so much, Taylor," I said, my eyes shining with emotion.
"Anytime, Amy. Now go out there and show 'em how it's done, I'm rooting for you!" Taylor said with a supportive smile, her words echoing in my mind as I watched her disappear into the crowd.
As I watched her disappear into the crowd, I couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of confidence. With Taylor's words of encouragement echoing in my mind as I took a deep breath.
"Hey Ames, what's going on?" Brady asked as I approached him, a curious look on his face.
"Taylor just gave me this ring," I exclaimed, holding up the ring for him to see.
"Taylor Swift?" Brady's eyes widened in surprise.
"No, Taylor Lautner," I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "Of course, Taylor Swift," I clarified with a laugh.
"Whoa, that's so cool," Brady exclaimed, his excitement mirroring mine.
"Anyways, the show's about to start, let's go," I said, slipping my hand into his as we made our way towards the entrance of the venue, ready to face the rest of the evening together.
As the Oscars unfolded, I watched in awe as my favorite actors and actresses graced the stage. The excitement in the air was palpable, but beneath it all, a sense of unease gnawed at my stomach. I scanned the room anxiously, half expecting to see Hector's familiar face among the crowd.
So far, there was no sign of him, which was a relief. But I couldn't shake this gut feeling that something terrible would happen tonight.
"Hey, I'm gonna go get some drinks, you want something?" Brady asked, his voice gentle and caring.
"Yeah, I'll just have a soda," I replied, feeling a wave of nerves wash over me.
"Alright, wait right here, I'll be right back," he said, leaning in to give me a quick peck on the lips before heading off.
As I waited, trying to calm my nerves, I heard a familiar voice behind me. My heart sank as I turned to see Hector standing there.
"Where did you spawn out of?" I asked, my tone laced with disgust.
"You look good," Hector commented, ignoring my disdain.
"Please leave, I don't want to deal with you again," I said firmly, hoping he would take the hint and walk away.
"I'm sorry about the other night," Hector persisted, his tone pleading.
"Yeah, well, go tell your apologies somewhere else. I don't want to hear it," I replied, frustration bubbling up inside me.
"But if you just—" Hector began, but his words were cut off by the sound of Brady's voice.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Brady's voice was firm and commanding as he approached us, holding two drinks in his hand.
He positioned himself protectively in front of me, his body language sending a clear message to Hector.
"None of your business," Hector retorted, his tone defensive.
"Listen, man, I would punch you in the face right now, but I don't want Amy to go through the shit she went through the past few months because of you again. So I'm asking you nicely, leave," Brady said, his voice low but filled with an underlying threat.
"What if I don't?" Hector challenged, his tone defiant.
I felt Brady tense beside me, ready to take action, but I tightened my grip on his arm, holding him back. "He's not worth it, Brady. Let's just go," I whispered urgently, hoping to defuse the situation.
Brady looked down at me, his expression softening as he realized I was right. With a nod, we both turned and walked away, leaving Hector behind us.
"Hey, Amy, when you get tired of him, feel free to call me. I'm always available for a night," Hector's voice taunted from behind us.
"What did you just say?" Brady's tone was deadly as he turned around, his eyes blazing with anger.
Before I could process what was happening, I heard screams, punches, and blood, lots and lots of blood.
"BRADY PLEASE STOP" I begged with tears in my eyes but it was of no use.
Brady and Hector exchanged blow after blow, their faces full of rage and pain. Each punch landed with a sickening thud, the sound echoing in the chaos of the room. Security guards rushed in, attempting to separate the two, but they struggled.
Eventually, with great effort, the guards managed to pull them apart, but not before both were left bloodied and bruised.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw Brady's bruised and battered face, but Hector looked far worse. As Brady leaned on me for support, I wrapped my arm around him, feeling the weight of his pain and anger. We left the chaos of the Oscars behind us, the flashing camera lights a cruel reminder of the nightmare we were living. I didn't even want to begin to imagine the news headlines tomorrow morning.
As I carefully cleaned Brady's wounds back in our hotel room, my heart felt heavy with the weight of the events that had just happened. Brady winced occasionally as I tended to his injuries, but he remained the same, his gaze fixed on me with a mixture of concern and affection.
"You shouldn't have hit Hector so hard," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "Things could have gotten even worse."
Brady's brows furrowed in frustration. "What was I supposed to do, Amy? Stand by and watch him disrespect you like that?"
"That's not the point, Brady," I countered, my tone tinged with frustration. "You could have seriously hurt him. This isn't some high school fight."
"And what was I supposed to do, huh?" Brady shot back, his voice rising with anger. "Just let him walk all over you? I can't do that, Amy. I won't."
"I'm not asking you to," I replied, my own frustration mounting. "But there's a difference between standing up for me and starting a brawl at the Oscars."
Brady's jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "I don't regret what I did, Amy. And if you can't understand that, then maybe we do need to reevaluate things."
The words hung heavy in the air between us, a painful reminder of the rift that had formed between us in the wake of our confrontation with Hector. I felt a lump form in my throat, the weight of our argument pressing down on me like a suffocating blanket.
"Maybe you're right," I said softly, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart. "Maybe we do."
Brady's expression softened, his eyes betraying a hint of sadness as he realized the gravity of our situation. "Amy, I didn't mean..."
But I cut him off with a shake of my head, unable to bear the weight of his words any longer. "No you're right, I just think that its best if we stay friends, all of this is just too messy for me to deal with right now" I said, my voice trembling with emotion.
Brady's brows furrowed in confusion, his lips parting as if he wanted to say something. But before he could respond, I turned away, unable to bear the intensity of his gaze any longer.
"I need some time alone," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "To figure things out."
I felt Brady's hand brush against my arm, a silent plea for me to stay. But I couldn't bring myself to face him, not when my heart was in turmoil.
As I left the room, a heavy silence descended, there was only the sound of my own footsteps echoing in the hallway.
Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I struggled to come to terms with the rift that had formed between us. But deep down, I knew that it was for the best. At least for now.