A/N ; long ass chapter for yall- i'm sorry.

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I looked at myself in the mirror. Stunned by the face staring back at me. My silver necklace hanging around my neck. Shining as it reflected the gleam of the vanity lights. My eyes sparkled as I moved my face around, the glitter flashing back.

I looked down at my dress then back into the mirror. I was standing on a podium where multiple people were attaining to my makeup and dress. Putting some last minutes add ins.

"Oh Ami...you look beautiful." I slowly turned around to meet Jo's gaze. Her eyes were tearing up as she wiped them carefully. Her eye makeup going unruined.

I smiled back at her, "Thank you Auntie Jo." I touched my necklace, the one Willie had gotten me. I had to beg my dressers to let me wear it, we had to go back and forth since they wanted me to wear more classier jewelry that would match the vibe of tonight. I won the argument.

"Where's everyone else?" I asked her. The sudden noise from the hallway caught our attention as the door opened. Before Jo can answer, Mrs. Partridge, Mrs. Miller, Siena, Issie and Millie all poured in. They all were laughing at something, but stopped abruptly when they spotted me.

"Holy shit."

"Ami you're stunning."

"Louis is going to jizz his pants."

"Millie! How inappropriate."

"Siena! Language!"

They all spoke. The feedback overwhelmed me. I smiled at them as they crowded me admiring my dress.

My dress I had on was specifically made for me. I had spoken to Frankie (Timmy's designer) who got in touch with a filipino designer and together they made this dress for me. For tonight.

I was wearing a traditional Maria Clara filipino dress. It was the best dress to represent my culture. It was beautiful. I teared up just looking at the sketches of it.

The Dress ;
MISS NADINE CAN SLAUGHTER ME AND ID THANK HER. SHES SO BEAUTIFUL I CRY.

I want this dress for my debut pls 😀

"Are the boys coming?" I asked them, mainly the adults. They shook their heads, "Alex said they'll meet us there. So the paparazzi can capture the shock on the boys faces. None of them has seen your dress you know." Jo informed me.

Crap, Louis.

My thoughts filled my head as my hands became crammy. This was my real first red carpet. And I was alone. I knew the attention will be mainly on me and the boys, since it was our movie. I began to breathe really heavily as I stepped down the podium.

"Erm can I have some water?" I asked Siena, she handed me a bottle. I managed to finish it in 6 big gulps.

"Let's take some pictures!" Mrs. Miller cried, as both Auntie Jo and Mrs. Partridge pulled their phones out.

After the moms and Auntie Jo had taken their pictures for what I assume was facebook, we all decided to bunch up for one big picture.

"Hello?" A knock on the door caught our attention. We all looked at each other confused.

"Come in." I told them.

Then the door opened and a girl with dark shiny hair and bright blue eyes walked in. Her dress complimenting her pale skin and made her eyes shine even brighter. Before any of us can ask who she was, Auntie Jo greeted her with a hug.

"Eva! You made it!" She said as she pulled the girl in for a hug.

"Hey Aunt Jo, I kind of lost on my way here, hope I wasn't too late." She said, I noticed her pulling down at her dress.

"No, no you're fine, come meet everyone." Auntie Jo pulled the girl towards the group, she shyly shook our hands.

"You look amazing." She told to me. I smiled at her, "Thank you, so do you, I love your dress."

"Ami I hope you don't mind that I asked Alex to add someone else to the list. This is my niece, Eva, she's staying in L.A. for a few months." We all nodded our heads at her.

"We're glad you're here, the more the merrier. I'm Ami." I introduced myself.

She gave me a cheeky smile, "Nice to meet you, I'm excited to see your movie, Aunt Jo said you're quite an actress."

I was flattered at her comment, though before I could respond, Frankie walked in.

"Oh my beautiful Ami, just stunning, just absolutely beautiful." He clapped his hands, greeting me with a soft kiss at each cheek.

"Thank you Frankie, seriously, you don't know how much this dress means to me." I told him, he fanned his eyes as they began to tear up.

"Ugh don't get the water works started Ami." He wiped them and smiled at everyone. "Get into the limo. It's showtime." The girls squealed as we all made our way towards the door.

I noticed Eva lagging behind so I came to her side and interlocked her arms with mine. "Come on now, this is gonna be the best night of our lives." I gave her a sincere smile which she returned. And we made our way towards the limo, which will take us to the venue.

It was the night of the premiere.

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"Issie is this the right color for my lips?"

"Mom please pass me some gum."

"You can't chew gum on the red carpet Iss."

"Siena get off your phone."

"Alex said he's there and the boys are waiting!"

Chatter filled the car and nerves filled my body.

I couldn't help, but let them take over. No one was there to comfort me. No one knew what to do when I get like this.

I watched everyone, trying to focus on one thing to get rid of the thoughts in my head, but everything was moving so fast. Sitting in the middle of the group, I just watched everyone around me as I go in my own world.

The car, everyone's hands, their mouths, them talking. I just felt like I was like I was in slow-motion and everyone else was moving 150 miles per second.

The next thing I know, I heard the driver say we're here. I looked out to see a backs of people and cameras flashing. They were bright.

"Let everyone get out first, Ami you'll be last. The big surprise." Jo informed me, as the Millers climbed out, then the Partridges, then lastly Eva and Auntie Jo.

"Ami, your turn." I heard Issie cry out from outside. I saw tons of flashes go off from behind the window, making my head hurt. I gripped the edge of my seat as I took a deep breath. Okay Ami, you got this. You're okay. He'll be there. Then I got out of the car.

The first few seconds, all I could see was the bright lights, covering and adjusting my eyes to the brightness, I felt people touching my dress behind me. I turned around to see Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Partridge adjust the train of it so it can trail behind me as I walk.

"There they are!" Millie pointed towards a group of guys dressed up in tux looking at the view in front of them, their backs turned to us, at the edge of the carpet.

I slowly walked over, my breath getting caught with each step.

I looked up to see Alex already staring at us. A big grin on his face, "You look amazing kid, seriously." He hugged me tight.

I let go of him so he can hug everyone else, turning to the other men in the group, I noticed three of them had their backs turned. They were looking down the red carpet, they haven't noticed us yet.

And then it happened. It felt like slow motion. Kuya was the first to turn around, Willie taking notice, following after. I couldn't hear what they said, but I think Kuya said "oh shit." Willie on the other hand, just had wide eyes, his mouth hanging open.

"How many interviews do you think we have to do?" I heard Louis say, slapping Willie's chest, but noticed the two guys at his side weren't paying attention. Then he turned around.

His eyes widen, noticing my dress first. Looking from the train at the end then his eyes moved upwards until he noticed my shy smile. His face was stuck in a dazed kind of look.

The corners of his mouth turning up as Willie and Kuya walked over to me, their arms opened wide. But the only thing I can focus on was the admiration written all over Louis's eyes. He stood in awe as he watched me hug the boys. Then when I had let go of them, he decided to walk over.

His eyes never left mine even when we stood inches apart. With the heels I wore tonight, I was able to gain a couple of inches in height, finally being tall enough where Louis doesn't have to lower his neck anymore.

He caressed my cheek before speaking, his mouth open trying to find the right words. "You...you look mesmerizing." I felt my knees go weak as he whispered into my ear, only for me to hear.

When he backed away, a smirk upon his lips, I gave him a once-over in him in his suit. He was wearing a dark blue suit with a button up underneath. His hair slightly ruffled but not too much to the point where it looked like he had barely gotten out of bed. I spotted his silver chain tucked under his shirt, making me grin.

Louis's Suit ;

I met his eyes that still bore into mine. I grinned at him, "You don't look too bad yourself Lou." I patted his chest when he returned a smile back.

"Hey lovebirds! Come over here!" Lou's and I heads turned towards the voice which belonged to Alex.

We made our way over to him as I realized both of faces were slightly pink. I looked around to notice the Miller and Partridge family stood in groups, as Alex, Jo, Eva, Willie, Louis and I were together in the middle. A petite lady with a headphone set was busy talking to Jo.

"Okay guys!" Jo yelled out over the flashing of the cameras and the screams from the paparazzi.

Willie nudged Louis and I, "Hey guys this is Eva, Eva you met Ami, Louis, Eva, Eva, Louis." The two shared nods before Auntie Jo started to talk once more.

"Louis, Will and Ami will go down the carpet first, solo pictures, then us families will follow. Make sure to keep big smiles on your faces. The lady will cue you to move down. Also keep in mind, there are stickers on the floors. Follow those!" And then a lady grabbed Louis, Willie and I's arms and pushed us towards the entrance of the carpet.

The plan was for Willie to go first, Louis following after and then me. It was all solo until the cameramen requested group pictures.

"Okay group huddle." Willie turned to us, pulling our shoulders together. "This is it. I'm not usually sappy, but I will this one time. I love you both. You're both of my best friends and I'm so honored and proud to call you that. I love working with you and I'll remember this for the rest of my life." Willie pulled Louis into a hug, then pulling me in for one as well, kissing my cheek. Before I could tell him anything, he was pulled onto the carpet.

"Oh shit." I mumbled as I watched his eyes dart around the cameras, smiling and waving at every one.

"You'll be okay, I'm here this time." I heard someone whispered. It was Louis. Our shoulders were touching as we watched our best friend work his magic. Louis was holding my hand and doing the thing he does that calms me most, slowing my heart rate back to normal, making me feel less nervous and distracting me from the fact that we're about to watch our own faces on screen.

"You! Go!" And then he was gone. He was on the carpet. Smiling and sometimes smoldering at cameras. He always had an attractive serious face. Not many people can pull that off.

I looked around me to realize I was alone. Kuya was nowhere to be found. Louis and Willie were on the carpet. And I was alone. I felt my heart begin to race again with the sounds of the cameras fluttering. Shouts from the men behind them.

"You're turn babe, go ahead." The lady pushed me onto the carpet. All the cameras moving towards me. I plastered a smile onto my face as I moved down the stickers, fake it till you make it, I kept telling myself. I knew the carpet was going to be longer than I realize, but I tried to convince myself one more picture then I was done, I could escape the suffocating feeling of everyones attention.

"Miss Azami! Over here!"

"Smile big!"

"Look over here!"

"You look amazing!"

"Move down to the next sticker!"

Was all I heard for eternity until one shouted out for family pictures, the rest of the camera crew joining in.

I felt people brush by behind me, soon realizing it was the Partridge and Miller family, joining their sons at their side. Smiles so real on their faces. They were proud of them. They were happy.

I didn't have to look around to know people were coming to my side. My family wasn't here. That's when I couldn't fake the smile on my face anymore.

"Miss Azami! Where's your family?" I heard someone shout behind the flashing. I started to panic. I couldn't tell them the truth. The truth that my family wasn't here. They weren't here to support me or to be proud of me. I couldn't say that, it'd ruin my image.

Before I can answer, I felt someone put their hands on my back and bodies joining me, arms linking.

"Sorry we were a little late, Tim here got delayed by some fans." I heard them whisper. I turn around to see Alex, Jo, Kuya and Eva. All grins on their faces.

"We're your family today and forever kid." Alex told me, holding my face in his hands. Kuya, Jo and Alex all welcomed me into a warm hug. I looked over to see Eva awkwardly to the side watching us. I opened my arms out for her, "I know we just met. But you're part of my family today too." She grinned at me as she laid her arms around us.

"Hope you have room for more!" I let go to face the strangely familiar voice.

I looked at them and gasped, Holy shit.

I ran to them, pulling them forcefully into a hug, as laughs escape our lips. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked them.

They looked up behind and smiled, "I made some calls and arrange some things." I felt Jo whisper behind me.

"We couldn't miss your movie premiere of course!" Mrs. Williams exclaimed. I hugged them again, feeling tears starting to form.

"Okay family pictures!" A yell interrupted.

We all laughed before turning towards the camera. I glanced around at the people crowding me. They were here. They were all proud of me and they supported me no matter what. They were my family.

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"Okay first off, I just want to say thank you to every single one of you who came out tonight to watch this movie." Claps erupted from the audience as Mrs. Johnson stood on the stage talking. "This movie really means a lot to not only me, but many other people. This movie represents a beautiful culture and also breaks stereotypes within that culture. I'm also so proud of the kids of this cast. They have done an amazing job, and mind you these are first time actors and actresses and they've done one hell of a job." I smiled as Mrs. Johnson pointed to Louis, Will and I who were sitting in the first row.

"I think this movie not only pinpoints a certain culture, but it also shows the relationship between a teenager and their kids in this generation. In this society. And that relationship doesn't have a cultural boundary. I'm so proud to have worked and directed this amazing film. One of my proudest works...okay I think that is all. Let's all watch it now shall we?" Mrs. Johnson got down from the stage as everyone cheered. The lights fading dim as the movie began to play.

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"...and yeah, thank you all." Willie had just finished his speech right next to me. Everyone clapping as he waved at the crowd.

Right when the movie and the credits started to roll, I felt multiple arms go around me. Voices speaking quietly into my ear, droplets of water dripping on my arms.

"That was amazing Ami."

"I can't believe you did that."

"I'm literally crying. Wow."

"That was a hell of a performance Ami."

"We love you so so so much."

I heard them whisper to me. Jo, Alex, Tim, Mr. and Mrs. Williams. All of them took their turns giving me a hug. Telling me what they thought and how much they were proud of me.

I looked around at everyone else in the audience. They were all crying.

I felt like a robot, going around the crowd, accepting their compliments, how much they loved the movie, how much they loved my performance.

"Thank you, I'm so glad."

"I'm honored."

"That means so much, thank you."

Over and over. Until Mrs. Johnson called Louis, William and I on stage. I wasn't able to hug the boys after the movie, but we shared one on stage, in front of everyone. They clapped even harder.

"Ami? Anything to say?" I snapped out of my thoughts as Willie handed me the microphone. I looked out to the crowd, not really seeing any faces due to the bright lights shining on us.

I cleared my throat, "Um like Willie and Louis had said before me, I'm so thankful for all your feedback and so glad you all loved this movie. This was a big journey for us that I wish would never end. But I'm so proud of our work and being able to share this beautiful story. Erm I actually have one to share as well." I took a deep breath, catching a glimpse of Louis staring at me a few feet away. His eyes gleamed with pride as he smiled at me.

"Um during that last scene of the movie- you know where I have that breakdown or panic attack. I- I didn't talk to Mrs. Johnson about this actually, so I was surprised she had put it in. But I'd like to think that the reason why that whole scene was quiet, you can clearly see me yelling and crying, but you can't- you can't hear me. So like during this scene, I was crying out for freedom you know, and acceptance. From my parents. Freedom to be able to choose my own path for my future. Acceptance for choosing a career path that they didn't choose for me. Acceptance for being able to be content and happy with my life. But you know they ignored me. They ignored my wishes, for what I asked and begged for. They ignored me no matter how many times I asked, hence why you can't hear me in that scene. You can't hear me because my parents never did."

I took a breath to put together my thoughts for what I was going to say next. The whole theatre was quiet, the only sound was the thumping of my rapid beating heart.

"And- and then you see me cleaning myself up, the blood dripping down my nose and all that. And then you see me sit down at the dinner table. I looked refresh and happy, like what happened moments before, never happened. You see my family preparing for dinner. Passing food around the table and such and you see me at the head of the table all zoned out. And before it pans out, Visions of Gideon starts...which I hope some of you have heard from my Kuya's movie, Call Me By Your Name...And both of the scenes when this song plays kind of correlate with one another. Elio and I both just our hearts broken, not by the same people obviously, but by people we love. And we can't help but have a moment to let go of all the feelings we had bottled up. We lash out, we cry in pain. But then when we return back to reality, we act like nothing happened. I think my dinner table scene, a lot of kids my age will probably relate to the most. It shows how we hide our feelings, bottling them up inside, choosing to ignore the pain and...we just go on with life. We don't acknowledge that burning feeling we feel our body. We just...leave it be." I breathed out. Closing my eyes as I finished my sentence.

I opened them back up, no one made a sound. Not one peep. Until I saw a figure stand up and start to clap. Everyone else joining around with them. A standing ovation.

I smiled at them, when I turned to see Mrs. Johnson walking towards, a smile of pride on her face. I handed her the microphone as she scooped me up for a hug.

"Oh Ami, that was a beautiful way to view that scene. I never thought of it that way...I'm so glad you did. I'm extremely proud of you." She whispered to me.

"Thank you, thank you for this opportunity. You don't understand how grateful I am." I replied back as she looked at me. Before she could respond, a man with headsets interrupted.

"It's time for interviews, follow me."

Mrs. Johnson dismissed me from her grip as I saw Louis and Willie a few feet ahead of me. Assistants and crew blocking my path to them.

"Miss Azami! Miss Azami!" I turned to see a lady calling out for me.

I walked towards her shaking her hand. A camera directed towards my face and she turned to me, microphone in hand.

"We had just finished the movie Miss Navarro.I loved it, you were amazing, it had such a impactful lesson to uh- all the parents and teens out there. How are you feeling right now?" She asked, putting the microphone right at my mouth.

I blinked trying to find the right words. "Oh uh yeah I'm overwhelmed. This- this is crazy, you know, but thank you, I'm glad you liked it." I gave her a smile which she returned.

"So I know this is your first film and all, but your acting out there was phenomenal, we were convinced that you were already an actress with some movies under your belt." We had an awkward laugh at her comment.

"But you know the movie critics, they of course loved your movie, had all great responses. But, and I don't mean to freak you out. But the Oscars- the academy awards are coming up." I nodded my head in understanding as she continued. "There's some talk about some nominations for this movie."

I blanked out. I completely blanked out. The lady looked at me expecting my with a forced smile on her face and her microphone waving in front of me.

"Oh uh. Wow. That's kind of crazy actually. I never knew. That's- thank you for letting me know. I would've never found out. I don't keep up in the media." I gave her a chuckle which she laughed along with.

"Okay well that's all today." We shook hands. "Have an amazing rest of your night, and congrats hon."

I let someone pull me away from that interview and back onto the carpet, then coming face to face with Louis.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"I haven't talked to you much tonight." He scratched his neck, looking at me.

"It's okay Lou. It's a big night, overwhelming really." I told him, a smile returning on his face.

He stepped closer to me and took his hands in mine. We made eye contact, not caring for the others around us. I felt like we were the only two in the room. His eyes looked tired, but happy. His smile was turned into a smirk as he leaned towards the side of my face.

"If it weren't for all these people around right now...I'd kiss you." His breath tickled my neck as I felt my whole body going weak. I hugged against him for support.

I looked into his eyes as his bore into mine. Then looking down towards his lips which he did to me as well.

"Kiss me then. Who cares if they're there." I whispered back. I felt his breath hitched as he looked at me. His eyes studying and waiting as if I was going to back out last minute. I wasn't going to.

Then his hand caressed my cheek as we both leaned in.

"Miss Azami! Louis! Lets have a picture together!"

A/N

i hate this chapter. i hate it i hate it i hate it. this was 4k words but i'm so disappointed. and it took me 3 days to write like seriously. i hate writers block. i tried to include as much detail as i can, but my brain was failing me, i hate it here.

anyways this was the premiere. eva was introduced, mr and mrs williams surprised ami. and don't worry, addie will be in the next few chapters!

i'm sorry for the lack of chapters for lou lately, i've been resorting to writing for natsukashii since they're shorter and easier and my thumbs don't hurt as much to type. so check out the chapters for those!

anyways i hope you're all having an amazing day! don't forget to eat and drink water! i love you <33

ALSO, the books my dad ordered for me, are coming in on wednesday next week and i'm crying 🥲 i just want my books. so yeah that's all.

THANK YOU FOR 11K ON LOU BABES !!! ILY <33

- jules

questions ;

• anything you want to rant about in the comments ?
a ; i have finals next week and i have so much due by monday and i'm so stressed haha 😅

• recent song you listened to ?
a ; drivers license by my one and only olivia rodrigo- GO FUCKING STREAM IT ITS SO GOOD I CRY