-this must be a dream. i feel like a princess-

All the lights and the glamor was something out of a storybook. She was surrounded by so many different people she had looked up to since she was young and people she had based the characters of her stories off of.

The Selection was her favorite series  and it didn't surprise her when they made it into a movie. Everyone was dressed so regal and the carpet looked enchanted as she walked down it. There were white trees with twinkle lights and white roses embedded. It was as if the creators had imagined the stereotypical fairy tale of every little girls dreams and made it into a red carpet event.

Paisley felt as if she didn't fit in, yet with the white satin on draped on her body, she did. Her little introvert self would never show up to an event like this. The amount of people was overwhelming but with Luke's arm wrapped around her waist it was strangely okay. It was as if she wasn't being surrounded by cameras and being forced to look their way. She felt calm in his arms and that was rarely a feeling she felt in public.

Of course the fans were just eating up that she was going as Luke's "date" to the movie premiere. He had invited her as soon as he found out that he'd be attending the movie premiere of a movie based off her favorite book. She had originally been convinced that he would take Valentina and she couldn't help but drop her jaw when Luke asked her right in front of Valentina.

Her hand shook as Luke lead her past the cameras and towards the interviewers.

"You look beautiful. Take a deep breath and it'll be okay," Luke whispered into her ear as they approached the first camera.

Paisley enlaced her trembling fingers together and Luke kept his hand firmly on her waist.

"Luke Hemmings! What a surprise to see you! I didn't think I'd see you here," the first interviewer said, shoving a microphone, with the label Buzzfeed wrapped around the base, in their faces. Mainly Luke's face.

"I was invited and I was originally going to decline but I remembered that The Selection was Paisley's favorite series. I knew that I had to take her or else she'd never forgive me for giving up the chance to be one of the first people to see it," Luke explained.

"This is my best friend in the whole wide world Paisley, by the way," Luke then added, introducing the two.

"Hi Paisley! It's a pleasure to meet you. How does it feel being here? I don't think I've ever seen you at a major event like this," the interviewer asked, moving the microphone and the camera towards her.

It wasn't exactly a dig, what the interviewer had said, because it was true. Paisley just felt as if there was an underlying message that she didn't belong.

"This is literally a fairy tale. Whoever decorated the carpet did a really great job. They made the red carpet look exactly like Illéa and I feel like I just stepped into the book," Paisley said, smiling widely as she described it. She was still shaking but Luke's grip on her tightened as she spoke as a reassurance that she was doing great.

"That's great! I'm so glad that you're having a great time! I'm just surprised that you're here is all. I expected Valentina to come with you, Luke, not going to lie," the interviewer said turning back to the boy that still had his arm around her.

And there it was, the feeling she had got was real. She didn't belong to Hollywood's standards but she wasn't going to let that get her down. Her hair and makeup was done to nicely for her to be upset. Luke had her in the salon from ten that morning until four that afternoon. There practically wasn't a part on her body that wasn't worked on. He was honestly the greatest friend she could ever have.

Luke noticed that the smile turned into a grimace so he moved onto the next interviewer but it all seemed to be the same.

Where was Valentina? Who even was Paisley? How did he feel about the movie? Why did he bring Paisley?

The worst was when one interviewer had the audacity to ask if Paisley was a PR stunt. After that, the small brunette was so close to turning and bolting towards the theater's doors just so that she could go and find her seat and watch the movie in peace.

She was close to doing so but her six inch heels would've impeded her.

"Let's go," Luke whispered softly into her ear after the sixth and final interviewer. He seemed about as done as she was.

He kept his hand on her waist as he lead her through the doors of the TCL Chinese Theater. Paisley felt a breath escape her lips as she walked inside the theater for the first time in her life. It was smaller than what she had expected but that didn't mean that it didn't exceed perfection.

Paisley felt as if she had stepped into another world going in through the doors and she was sure that she could live in the homey theater for the rest of her life if it was socially acceptable.

The two walked past Natalya Rudakova and Ansel Elgort- who were playing the leads America and Maxon. Paisley let a shriek escape her lips when Ansel made eye contact with her and she quickly buried her face in the crook of Luke's shoulder. It wasn't her fault that she had a soft spot for dirty blondes.

She couldn't help but look around as Luke led her to their seats. It was further back, away from all the frantic actors and directors and producers, but it was a perfect area for viewing. The brunette felt as if they were in their own little world as they talked, waiting for the movie to start. They had about an hour left but that seemed to pass quickly when she was with Luke.

"You look so happy," Luke commented.

The pair had shifted in their seats so that they were facing each other and it helped create the atmosphere that they were completely alone even though there was probably one hundred people already in the room.

"I am. This is honestly a dream come true. Thank you, Luke. I don't think I could ever repay you," Paisley admitted.

"Don't worry about it. Just consider it as an 'I'm sorry' for the numerous times I've messed up in the last year or so," Luke said, his lips quirking into a sheepish smile. He had ignored his best friend sometimes because of his girlfriend and he knew he had treated her horribly occasionally because of it.

Paisley was the kindest girl he had ever met and he ignored her occasionally just because of his girlfriend. He didn't deserve the greatness of her friendship. He could not talk to her for a few days at a time, not by choice, and she'd be quick to respond as if they hadn't had a three day break from talking. They could pick up right where they left off.

The brunette's heart was beating rapidly in her chest as she watched the boy that she loved. She knew he wasn't hers but she still strongly appreciated him as a friend.

"You didn't have to do this to make it up to me. You're my best friend and I completely understand. You don't have control always with your girlfriend," Paisley murmured. She hoped Luke wouldn't completely hear what she had said but he did.

Their conversation ended quickly after that and the two stayed silent until the movie started. It wasn't that they were angry. It was just a bit uncomfortable until about halfway through the movie when Luke's hands slipped in hers and have a reassuring squeeze once again.

***

LOVES I UPDATED
And okay I know that I was basically dead on here but I'm done with my hiatus which means more updates!! I'm so excited to be updating again!! It's been too long.
Also I know The Selected isn't a movie but it's my favorite series in the whole wide world (read it if you haven't) and I didn't know what else to write so yeah.
And also the dress in the media is what Paisley wears. Okay that's all. Love you all!!

-El