“None of that,” I shake my head. “We’re going to have a great time today.” That’s been my mantra for the last few days. That today is going to be fun, that today is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m not going to squander it by being sad. I won’t let anyone take this from me. After so much has been ripped from me, I’m going to dig in on this and not let it go.
Even though I won’t be in future films for the franchise, I’m here today, and I’m going to let that be enough. This is already beyond my wildest dreams.
I toss my hair into a ponytail as we walk, tightening it and fidgeting with my stack of silver earrings.
“Have you seen Roman yet?” I ask cautiously. I haven’t really heard from him since that horrible day of the photoshoot. Each day I’ve woken up to a fresh bouquet at the door to Jill’s condo, but flowers aren’t an apology. Changed behavior is, and there’s nothing he can do to undo this mess.
“No one has yet,” Arnold says.
I can’t see Roman not showing up to this, and the prospect of being face to face with him again has my stomach tying itself into impossibly tight knots.
Waiting in the holding room backstage feels like torture. Roman still hasn’t shown up, and we’re slated to hit the stage in two minutes. What makes it worse is that Deacon is in the room. I don’t know why he bothers to be here when it seems like he enjoys it about as much as chewing glass. His presence sets me on edge, even more than I already am.
“Darkness Risingteam, are you ready?” One of the event organizers pops her head into the room.
Arnold looks around the room and shrugs. “I guess so.” The rest of the cast nod their heads in agreement, and we follow the organizer to the area behind the stage where the panel will take place.
“Alright folks! The moment you’ve been waiting for... let’s bring out the cast and director for the upcoming film adaptation ofDarkness Rising!” shouts the panel moderator.
The audience roars so loudly I can feel the sound vibratingthrough my chest. It drowns out the nerves, and a sense of calm washes over me.
I’m an incredible actress, and I know I fucking knocked it out of the park with this movie. If they don’t want to cast me in future films, that’s their loss.
Head held high, I step out onto the stage behind Arnold and turn to wave at the massive crowd as they cheer us on.
The sea of fans claps and shouts, waving at us as we trickle onto the stage and find our seats behind the table.
Roman’s seat with his nametag remains empty as our last cast member arrives onstage. There are a couple of seconds, and then the crowd loses their minds.
Whipping my head to the stage entrance, it’s easy to see why.
Roman jogs up the steps, turning to give the audience a mischievous smile before running over to his seat.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says as he leans into the mic on the table.
Every nerve in my body turns into a live wire with him beside me.
His eyes meet mine, and he shoots me a small smile. I bite my lip to stop it from giving him one back automatically. He doesn’t deserve it.
“Alright, San Diego! What do you say? Is it time forDarknessto rise?” Arnold says into his mic.
The audience loses their shit even more.
“This is an exclusive world premiere of theDarkness Risingteaser trailer. Let’s go!” The host shouts. The lights go down, and a preternatural silence takes hold in the audience.
Deep bass sounds, and action springs onto the screen. Explosions, clips from the rooftop stunt, and the moment before we kiss the first time are some shots that make it into the montage. The last note of the trailer plays, deep and ominous as the title card for the movie floats onto the screen, asilver that lightens over the last few seconds before it all winks out.
It’s silent for a fraction of a second before the crowd erupts into applause and cheers.
When I look over at Arnold, he finally takes a deep breath for the first time since we got on stage. His expression softens. He might actually enjoy himself now that he sees how the audience has reacted to their first glimpse at what he’s been working so hard on.
Noticing my gaze, he shoots me a small, subdued smile, no doubt wanting not to seem too excited when this is my last film for the franchise.First and last. It’s so fucking unfair.
My nose gets that all too familiar burning sensation, and I wiggle it around, desperately willing myself not to cry. I won’t do that today. Not here, not like this. I am going to soak in this moment and enjoy it, because who knows if I’ll ever get to experience something like this again.
Flashing Arnold a little smile to let him know that I’ll be okay, I clap along with the audience, acknowledging the work of my fellow cast members and the crew that brought this project together.
As the applause dies out, the panel discussion begins.
