"And the award for best actress goes to {Y/N} {Y/L/N}! Her performance in Dreaming of Secrets shocked audiences all over the world, gaining over one billion ticket sales in under a week!" The presenter spoke loudly and excitedly to an applauding audience as I made my way up to the stage to collect my award. I'd been dreaming of this moment since I was a little girl and finally, my work had paid off.
"Thank you everyone!" I began as the audience settled down. "I'd first of all like to dedicate this award to my mum and dad. They've been my biggest fans since day one and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them! I'd also better thank my manager and my outstanding team who help me on a daily basis, but I'd mostly like to thank my one and only. My one true love: Ben! You've been by my side for so long now and I wouldn't have been capable of such achievement if it weren't for you. Sorry you couldn't be here tonight baby, I love you always!"
Suddenly the tables and chairs began falling from in front of my eyes. The people were vanishing too! I was left alone on stage; my dress, nice hair and award drifting away from me. Before long, I was returned safely to reality and it was six am again...
"Morning..." I grumbled to my roommate Cleo as I joined her in the kitchen. She slid a plate of toast over to me and tried to start a conversation with me.
"How'd you sleep?" She smiled.
"Alright..." I said, disheartened that my dream wasn't real.
"Another dream?" She knew me so well.
"Yeah! It was the same again, I thank everyone and then it all ends... When am I going to book a job C?"
"You're only young! You've not even finished drama school yet, one more year and you'll be fully qualified! I'm sure you'll have to decline jobs you'll get that many offers." Cleo reassured me.
"Thanks C! We'd better get ready, school starts in an hour!"
"Welcome back class to advanced acting! Today we have a new student who's progressed very quickly to this level; everyone this is Ben!" Miss Rose spoke, gesturing towards a blonde boy next to her. He smiled brightly and caught my eye causing me to blush slightly.
"Guys can you pair up and go through the scripts I emailed you last week!"
"Sorry Y/N! I'm pairing with Matt." Cleo declared as I made my way over to her. I looked around the classroom at all of the pairings and my limited options. I could either choose Ryan who couldn't act to save his life or there was Ben, the new boy with an intriguing quality about him which made me instantly interested in him.
"Hey Ben, have you got a partner?"
Payton Greene. The HBIC. I knew that as soon as she saw the cute new guy, she'd have her claws in after a few seconds.
"That was a lovely performance darlings!" Miss Rose gushed after Payton and Ben's performance. "Next up is... Y/N and Ryan. Give it your best shot..."
"Today I'll be portraying Romeo and Ryan will be Benvolio..." I commented before entering character.
(Italics- Ryan, Normal- Y/N)
"You're in love?"
"Out-"
"Of love?"
"I love someone. She doesn't love me"
"It's sad. Love looks like a nice thing, but is actually very tough when you experience it."
We finished our performance with a bow, a wave of applause rushing round the room. I looked up and made direct eye contact with Ben, who was sat in the back corner. I quickly realised the tears falling from my eyes when I was given a sympathetic glance from the kind blonde boy. Swiping the water from my cheeks, I made my way over to Miss Rose to collect my grade and I finally got the A I'd been dreaming of all year.
"Everything alright Y/N?" Ben asked as he made his way over to the centre of the studio where I was smiling widely.
"Oh yeah! I just got my grade back and I got an A!!!" I squealed, jumping up and down on the spot.
"Well done darling!" He congratulated, pulling me into a hug. "Your performance was the best I've seen in a long time!" He whispered through my hair, causing me to smile subtly as a warm heat rose to my cheeks.
"Benny! Aren't you coming for coffee?" Payton's shrill voice cut through our hug like a sword and yet again, I was stranded in my own classroom.
"Sorry..." Ben mouthed to me as he was dragged away by Payton, her hair swishing so hard it hit him multiple times in his face, causing me to let out a few stifled giggles.
"Hey babes!" Cleo came up behind me and clapped me on the back, startling me slightly.
"Didn't see you there, sorry!" I said, getting my breath back again.
"It's alright! Who's that cutie?" She said, referring to Ben.
"You mean Ben? He's just a friend..." I replied, holding back a bit.
"Only a friend you say? Y/N, throughout your whole performance you were staring straight at him! You cried at your own words and you're saying that he's only a friend? Don't lie to yourself babe... Just think about it yeah? See you back at home!"
The weeks went by and slowly I grew closer to Ben. He and I would occasionally go out for drinks or stay at each others apartments. It was nice to get to know a guy who wasn't desperate to sleep with me. I think Cleo was right... I might like Ben.
"Hey Y/N!" Ben called as he entered the classroom.
"You alright?" I asked shyly, my mind wandering elsewhere.
"Yeah, are you? You seem so far away! Is there something wrong?" He said, guiding by the small of my back to the side of the classroom.
"I'm fine, honestly I am!" I tried.
"Darling, I've known you for too long to not know when you're lying! Now tell me..." He laughed, poking lightly at my arm.
"Okay, I'll tell you!" I giggled. "I like someone and I don't know if they're going to feel the same. And don't tell me just to tell them because I don't need to be shot down today..."
"Y/N, I'd never force you to do anything but I think we're good friends so I'd love to know who the lucky guy is?" A surge of confidence flew through my veins and I felt compelled to be honest with the caring blonde sat adjacent from me.
"you"
I didn't even get a chance to think before two lips attached onto mine, kissing lightly. Slowly I inhaled, my eyes falling closed as I appreciated the moment while I was there.
"Ben--" I began, my forehead resting against Ben's.
"Don't say anything..." He whispered, moving slightly so the tip of his nose met mine. "I love you Y/N..." Ben confessed seconds before kissing me again, this time fireworks exploding between us as the kiss deepened.
"I love you too!" I smiled into the kiss, giggling subtly.
"Now ladies and gentlemen, this is love! These young people are truly showing the essence of our acting exploration. Y/N and Ben, you two are our Romeo and Juliet!" Miss Rose exclaimed jovially, clapping her hands while smiling widely at the group of other students gathered around her. Cleo was stood proudly at the front of the huddle, gleefully smiling at Ben and I who were blushing wildly and laughing nervously as we were made an example of.
"I guess a low key relationship is off the cards then?"
*One year later*
"Hey babe! You alright? Your text sounded urgent..." Ben called as he walked into my apartment after work. He was the first in our class to get an audition and an on screen part. I was proud of him, of course I was! He's my boyfriend after all. But, if I search deep inside, I'm hurt. I've worked my whole life for this moment and now I'm sat at home all alone waiting for Ben to come over, with the only thing keeping me going is scouring the internet for even the smallest parts. I've got a degree in drama for goodness sake, finding work shouldn't be this hard!
"Yeah I'm alright baby, just missed you that's all..." I replied glumly as Ben flopped down beside me, pulling me close to his chest. "How was your first day on set?"
"I loved it! Everything is just as I imagined!" Ben exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with joy. I loved seeing him like this, it was special, I just wanted to feel the same...
"I'm so proud of you Benny!" I tried as hard as I could to smile as I sat up to look him in the eye.
"Right, Y/N! I know something's not right, please tell me!"
"I don't like it when you call me by my name!" I giggled, "It doesn't sound right anymore!"
"You're deflecting!!!" Ben protested, sitting up straighter.
"Okay, okay! I'm feeling down to be honest. I feel all alone waiting for your career to take off, it's exhausting trying to smile while inside I'm dying slowly. Ben, I'm so proud of you but I expected us to be in the same boat, going out into the world together. Starting our lives together..." I blurted out, tears streaming down my face as I poured my heart out.
"I need a minute..." He began, a dumbfounded expression plastered across his face. "So what you're telling me is that you hate that I'm doing better than you. I expected better than that from you Y/N! I thought you were different, I thought you were supportive of those around you! I'll be back in a bit..." He groaned as he stalked out of the apartment once again, the door slam echoing through my bones.
The echo still rang fresh in my mind three days later when Ben finally came back. I was sat in the living room catching up with Cleo and he just stormed his way in unapologetically.
"You've no place here!" Cleo practically hit the ceiling as she shot up to confront Ben.
"C! It's okay babes, let's hear him out!" I said calmly, guiding her back to her seat next to me.
"Thanks Y/N..." Ben replied quietly, fidgeting nervously. His eyes were dark and sunken like he'd been crying, I couldn't help but hear him out.
"C'mon Ben, let's go for a walk and we can get some privacy!" I proposed, staring wide-eyed at Cleo jokingly.
"Thanks for agreeing to hear me out Y/N... What I did was terrible and I don't deserve your kindness, honestly! I knew there was a reason I'm in love with you..." He mumbled the last part, hoping I wouldn't hear but each word dripped off his lips causing a bright smile to tease my mouth. After everything he'd ever said and done, I couldn't help but forget each angry word and lace my fingers with his, squeezing lovingly. Slowly, he looked down at our hands and I looked up at him with my eyes full of love. Finally I was with the boy I really needed and the love we shared was pure.
We continued walking through the park hand in hand, chatting away about the past few days of being apart. It was like nothing had ever happened between us as it didn't take me long before I was cry laughing at the jokes Ben kept cracking.
"Have you got a tissue?!" I managed to wheeze out through laughs. He nodded and rifled through his coat pocket, pulling out a crumpled tissue along with a small, velvet ring box which fell to the floor. I didn't notice it at first, I was concentrating on my mascara which was currently in black streaks across my face. I did see however, a frantic Ben rush down to grab it, fumbling massively.
"What's that?" I inquired, holding gently onto his forearm to slow him down. His fingers still clasped tenderly onto the box, caressing the fabric with his thumb. He wearily made eye contact with me, opening the box and revealing the delicate, silver engagement ring on the inside.
"What are you saying Ben?" I asked, my eyes brimming with tears of happiness.
"What I'm saying is... Y/N, will you do me the absolute honour of being my wife? I know we've only just made up but over these past few days I've had a lot of time to think and I'm certain you are what I want- no need- in my life. You're my everything baby, I love you so much... So what do you say?" He confessed, dropping to one knee and reopening the box, revealing the ring properly.
"Yes!" I managed to choke out through the steady stream of tears running down my face. Hastily, I dragged Ben from his kneeling position by his coat collar and kissed him roughly, with as much passion and true love as I could possibly muster.
*6 months later*
"Benny!" I squealed to my husband after coming off the phone with my agent. "I've been nominated for an Oscar!"
The short film I'd been working on for the past few months had just been released and I'd just been given the news I was up for three awards: Best Short Film, Best Up and Coming Actress and the Newcomer award! The thought of finally accepting a prize for my years of dedication to my craft excited me beyond measure, and sharing it with the love of my life was the icing on the cake.
"No way!" He gasped in reply. "I'm so proud of you baby!" He lifted me up in his arms and spun me around while I basked in the joy for a little longer.
Our wedding was small and intimate, a few friends and mainly family. We decided to tie the knot quickly after he proposed. The truth is, neither of us could wait to plan a giant ceremony when we were certain of the love we shared.
*Oscar Night*
"Are you sure I look okay Ben?" I asked, tugging at my deep red dress for the thousandth time.
"Babe," He said, pulling my hands away from my clothes and lacing his fingers with mine. "I love you so much and you look perfect. You're going to win tonight, I just know it okay? Now let's get you on that red carpet, shall we?" He finished, making me smile as he held his arm out for me to take.
Cameras flashed and reporters yelled as actors and actresses swept down the infamous carpet, each one more famous than me. I was called for a few photos but not one reporter knew my name. Maybe I wasn't destined for the big leagues?
"Y/N?" An unfamiliar voice yelled over the noise. A woman with a microphone on her hand beckoned for me to walk over to her. "So? Y/N. You're up for three awards tonight! How are you feeling about your first Oscars night?"
"To tell you the truth, I've dreamt of this moment over and over again. It just feels right you know? Like I belong here..."
"And the award for best short film goes to.... Y/N!"
"And the award for Best up and coming actress goes to... Y/N!"
"The award for best newcomer goes to... Y/N!"
All three awards. Each and every one glimmered in a different way as I placed them on a shelf above my desk. To think that I was able to wow audience all over the globe with a short film I wrote, directed and starred in, the thought was unreal. I made the crowd laugh with my speeches, I made my husband proud and most of all, I fulfilled my lifelong ambition.
And to think, it all started with a dream...