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“It’s amazing how far good looks can carry you… These days you don’t even need a real nose to succeed.”
“Be nice,” said Cela, who was sitting beside him in the hall. “This is a big day for her.”
Syden scanned the hall, which was like a fancy ballroom with a raised platform at the far end where the stage was set.
All around them were round tables dedicated to celebrities and their families, bearing fine cutlery and wine glasses on spotless white table cloths, complete with romantic floral centerpieces.
People were dressed in their finest clothes for the occasion: the men in their expensive, formal suits, and the women in extravagant dresses, tailor-made to stand out.
The same could be said about those sitting at their table, though he liked to think they were more modest than most.
The number of low necklines and near-visible bosoms was astounding. It was similar to what he had seen at the first showing they had attended some weeks prior at the Dreamscape Festival.
But it was nothing he had not seen before. They had attended many of these events throughout their young lives, whenever they were invited to come along and sit at the edges of the spotlight, basking in its glow.
Leighanna was like a swan, with her pale blond hair styled into epic waves like some ancient Queen, and done up so that part of it piled up on her head, and the rest flowed down behind her in a cascade of unbridled spirit. Silver-white was always her color, but on this day she wore a pale blue dress with a belt of silver chains, and matching jewelry.
If she was nervous, he couldn’t tell. She did a good job of exuding easy self-confidence in all her gestures and talk.
The human mosquitos had been a menace, as usual, and it really took a lot of effort to tolerate the flashes and the murmuring around them when they had attended the exclusive theatre showing. Even though the ‘non famous’ ones were not the main focus on that day, being the family of the famous ones always ensured they would get their share of unwanted attention.
There was a moment following the invitation in which he had considered not attending at all. Did she really want him there? But Cela had been singing her praises, or at least, urging him to be decent for the sake of family.
“Think of how you would feel if this was your accomplishment. Wouldn’t you want to know you’re supported, and loved?” she said to him, shortly after they had taken their seats. “The fanfare from outside is not the same as the approval that comes from within.”
“That’s true,” he admitted. Though he could never call himself one of his sister’s ‘fans’, he had to admit, her performance in the newest production was far beyond that of an amateur. In fact, the truth was, it was impressive. Enough to warrant an award, apparently.
Maybe she did have something more to sell than a pretty face, and other lucky…assets.
_
The evening wore away on the wings of speeches both sober and humorous.
Leighanna, who had stepped away during a break to mingle with her glamorous, high-society friends, was back. It wasn’t long until her name was announced as one of the recipients of the Apple Idol award, presented for standout performances and excellence in storytelling.
There was a breakout of applause like a sudden rain, except it was all very warm. Leighanna got up and paused to receive a kiss on the cheek from their father, Damien, and their mother, Delilah, who were both there that day in support of their daughter.
Then she began making her winding way to the stage in her tall heels.
She began her speech with the usual thanks to the director, and fellow actors, and set designers, and the writers. Syden listened with half awareness, while the other half of his mind was thinking about the after-party.
He was brought back to the moment when he heard her mention “family.”
“…I have to thank my father and my mother, who are the most supportive parents I could ever wish for. And I have to thank my siblings, who challenge me every day to be the best I could be, whether it’s by giving praise or honest criticism. Thank you all.”
She made her way back to their table, with trophy in hand, featuring a nude female figure holding a little apple in outstretched hands in a pose of victory, all made of crystal, and set on a silver stand.
They had attended other events of hers before, but in all this time, this was the first she had mentioned her siblings in her thank-you speech. He was a little shocked.
The rest of the table received her more than kindly. He didn’t know what to say, so he merely raised his glass of champagne as she hovered over them.
“Congratulations,” he said. “You really made it.” He paused, then added, “Hate can be a pretty powerful motivator, can’t it?”
“Yes, indeed it can,” said Leighanna, in good spirits.
“Cheers,” he said, making his glass clink with hers, the smile on her face undiminished.
“Cheers, you brat.”