CALISTA

God, I was tired of walking in these shoes.

As the night unfolded, I felt more and more like a spectator in my own life. The flashes, the applause, the endless compliments-they all felt like they were happening to someone else. It wasn't the glamour I had once dreamed of. I had come into Hollywood with aspirations, and now? I wasn't sure if the cost had been worth it.

Kara found me on the balcony, alone with my thoughts, gazing out over the twinkling lights of the city.

"There you are," she said, holding out a champagne flute. "You made it through the night without imploding. That's a win."

I smiled weakly, taking the glass but not drinking from it. My eyes lingered on the skyline as I muttered, "It's just... surreal sometimes, you know? Besides I'm basically a walking miracle this night, you know."

Kara leaned against the railing beside me. "You're not the only one feeling it. But look at you. You're a star. You've worked your ass off to get here."

"I don't know anymore," I muttered, swirling the champagne in the glass. "Is it worth it? All of it?"

Kara's tone softened. "You've always been about more than just the fame. I know you're feeling a little lost right now, but it'll pass. You've got a team behind you who believe in you-more than just the actress on the red carpet."

I didn't respond right away, my mind still caught on the question I couldn't quite answer. I was pulled back to the present when my assistant, Sophia, approached with a polite smile, holding my phone in hand.

"Excuse me, Calista," Sophia said, "I just got an email from the film's PR team. The ratings are through the roof. They want you to do another round of interviews tomorrow morning. Are you up for it?"

My jaw tightened. Another round of interviews. Another day of faking the smile, giving the same rehearsed answers. But the pressure of the studio, the constant expectation-it was all too much sometimes.

"I'll let you know in the morning," I said, my voice steady but distant. I didn't feel like explaining myself to her. They'd all seen it before-the bursts of energy followed by quiet exhaustion.

Sophia nodded and left, and I could feel the weight of the night settling into my bones.

After a brief moment of solitude, the evening pulled me back into the chaos. I found myself surrounded once again by familiar faces-Olivia Carter, the glamorous star of an upcoming sci-fi action film, and Derrick Johnson, the powerhouse producer known for his hit romantic comedies. They greeted me warmly, their smiles just as polished as the red carpet they'd walked on.

"Calista, darling!" Olivia exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. "You look stunning as always. I was just telling Derrick that Fading Echoes is going to be the next big thing. That role? Brilliant."

"Thanks, Olivia," I replied, my smile bright but a little hollow. "I'm so glad you liked it."

Derrick, ever the conversationalist, clapped me on the back. "I have to agree with Olivia. The performance you gave was outstanding. You really showed a new side of yourself. It's about time you got the recognition you deserve."

"Recognition doesn't hurt," I said, my lips curving into a small but genuine smile. I wasn't as jaded as I might have sounded-deep down, I appreciated the praise. But it didn't stop the feeling of being trapped in a world that demanded more and more of me.

"Calista, darling!" A deep voice boomed, and I turned to see Alexei Duvall, the famed director behind multiple Oscar-winning films, striding toward me. "It's been ages. Your performance was spectacular, as always. You have that rare ability to capture vulnerability and strength all at once. Simply magnificent!"

I felt a spark of pride at his words, but it quickly dimmed. "Thank you, Alexei. It's always a pleasure to work with such an inspiring team."

As the conversation shifted to other upcoming projects, I noticed a familiar figure making his way through the crowd. Marcus Hayes, a renowned screenwriter known for his witty and sharp scripts, nodded at me. He'd always been the kind of guy who never asked too many questions, but his silence spoke volumes. He gave me a quick nod and said, "You've got that fire, Calista. Just keep it alive."

I smiled, but my attention was pulled elsewhere as I heard a distant voice.

"Calista, a quick question!" The voice sliced through the air, followed by the familiar clicking of cameras. A reporter, young and eager, pushed through the crowd with a microphone in hand.

I steeled myself. "What now?" I muttered under my breath.

"Calista, we've seen the headlines. How are you feeling after the split with Chase Rivers? Is there a possibility of reconciliation?"

My stomach twisted at the mention of his name. I froze, my polite smile faltering for just a second, then I smiled again. "Oh, here we go again. Can't wait to talk about my ex like we're besties. Let me dig out the dirt for you."

Kara stepped forward, positioning herself between me and the reporter, offering a bright, practiced smile.

"Thank you for the question," Kara said firmly. "But Calista is here to talk about her film tonight. Fading Echoes is the focus. As always, we appreciate your interest, but the personal stuff? Not today."

The reporter hesitated for a moment, clearly eager to push for more, but they recognized the firmness in Kara's tone and backed off, offering a quick nod before retreating into the crowd.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "I swear they don't know when to stop."

Kara shot me a reassuring look. "You did great. You know how this works."

I nodded, but my mind was still stuck on the question. It was a shadow that followed me wherever I went. The breakup with Chase Rivers, the Hollywood heartthrob, had been public and messy. There had been rumors, drama, and endless speculation about the cause. But no matter how many times I deflected the questions, the curiosity never went away.

Later in the evening, just when I thought the night was winding down, my phone buzzed. I checked the screen, my heart skipping a beat as I saw his name.

Chase.

I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the screen, but then I pressed answer. I couldn't avoid this forever. Not if he was calling.

"Calista?" His voice was familiar, that mix of warmth and cool detachment I'd always been able to read between the lines.

"Chase," I said, my voice flat. "What's up?"

"I... I just saw you on the red carpet," he said, his tone softer now, almost regretful. "You looked incredible, like always."

I forced a smile, though I knew he couldn't see it. "Thanks. It's just another night."

He sighed. "I know we've been through some shit, but-"

"Chase, really?" I cut him off, trying not to let the frustration rise. "This isn't the time. I can't keep going back and forth with you. We both need to move on."

"You don't get to be all 'I miss you' after everything. This isn't rom-com". He must be used to all his acting scenes.

There was a long silence on the other end, and for a moment, I wondered if he would hang up, if he'd give up. But then he spoke again, his voice laced with something I couldn't quite place.

"Okay. I get it," he said. "But just know... I'm still here. If you ever want to talk."

I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly. "Yeah, I know. But right now? I need some space."

"I understand," he replied, and there was a finality in his voice this time. "Good night, Calista."

"Good night, Chase."

The line went silent, and I stood there, holding the phone in my hand. The weight of everything-the breakup, the questions, the press-it all felt too much to carry some days. But for now, all I could do was keep moving forward, no matter how tangled the path seemed.

This was supposed to be the dream, right? Hollywood, fame, endless champagne.... or was I drunk on my own delusion?

Finally, as the evening wound down and the last of the guests trickled out, I found myself standing at the balcony again. The weight of the night seemed to settle on my shoulders, but this time, it felt different. There was a certain clarity in the stillness, in the way the lights of the city stretched out beneath me.

I wasn't sure what I was looking for. Maybe just a moment of peace in the chaos. Maybe the answer to the question that had been plaguing me for months-Is this it?

As I leaned against the railing, taking in the night air, I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't turn around, knowing it was Kara, always checking in, always taking care of me.

"You need to get some rest," Kara said softly, standing beside me.

"Yeah," I replied, my voice distant. "I think I do."

But as the night lingered on, a quiet thought passed through my mind. A break. Maybe that's exactly what I need.

~~~~

So what do you all think?

Typical cliché ex boyfriend? Yes I'm definitely doing that!

Anyways I'd like to hear your theories in the comments! What do you say?

Have a good day!

Muah!💋
~Rhoda