20 | beautiful

BEAUTIFUL

🪩

Diana sank onto her bed, phone propped up in front of her, the familiar chirp of Aspen's incoming FaceTime making her smile despite the whirlwind of the day. She tapped to answer, her screen lighting up with Aspen's cheerful grin.

"Hey D!" Aspen smiled as she adjusted her phone against her desk.

Diana smiled, "Hey Asp! Working on homework?"

Aspen groaned with a nod, "Introduction to Philosophy is kicking my ass! I don't even understand why I have to take the class!"

Diana laughed, "Well, you're gonna want to put your pencil down. I got something to tell you!"

"Uh oh," Aspen said, raising an eyebrow. "Should I be worried?"

"Grayson's going to a movie premiere tomorrow night, and he wants me to be his plus-one."

"WHAT?!" Aspen practically jumped in her seat, her eyes wide behind the screen. "Grayson invited you to a premiere? That's amazing! You have to tell me everything."

Diana smiled, but she felt a small twinge of nerves. She didn't tell Aspen about the tension, the fights, or the awkward moments from the rehearsals. She didn't want to burden Aspen's excitement. "It's... exciting, yeah. But also kind of stressful because I have no idea what to wear."

Aspen's grin returned, instantly infectious. "Ooh, wardrobe crisis! Okay, this is where I come in. Give me a tour of your closet!"

Diana got up, dragging her phone with her as she walked to the closet. She began pulling dresses from the racks, holding them up to the camera one by one while Aspen commented, offering ideas, gasping at certain ones, and playfully scolding others.

"This one is too... I don't know... Cinderella on a budget?" Aspen said, pointing at a pale blue gown with frills. Diana laughed, twirling it on the hanger.

"Too much?" Diana asked, giggling.

"Way too much. You need something that's elegant, classic, and—of course—hot, but not over-the-top," Aspen replied.

They went through a dozen dresses—reds, blacks, metallics, some sparkling too much, some too simple. Diana held each up, modeling in front of the phone while Aspen gave her expert critiques. Finally, she pulled out a long cream strapless dress. The fabric hugged her frame perfectly, falling to the floor in a soft cascade.

"Diana..." Aspen breathed, practically swooning. "That. That's the one. It's perfect. Grayson is going to be speechless when he sees you."

Diana blushed, twirling slowly in the mirror. "Do you really think so?"

Aspen's grin widened, her eyes sparkling through the screen. "Absolutely. You're going to stun him. He won't even know what hit him."

Diana rolled her eyes playfully, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

Aspen teased, leaning closer to the camera. "So what does Mr. Barton think about this?"

Diana laughed, a soft, airy sound. "Aspen, you're being ridiculous again." It was quiet for a moment before she added quietly, almost as an afterthought, "I haven't told him."

Aspen smirked knowingly but didn't comment further, letting the thought hang in the air.

"Okay, now hair," Aspen said, clapping her hands together dramatically. "If you're wearing that dress, you need something elegant and classic. Definitely not hair down, that'll distract from the dress."

Diana nodded, reaching for a hair tie. "I was thinking... a bun? Little messy with some curls."

"Perfect," Aspen agreed immediately. "Slightly messy bun, maybe a few soft strands framing your face. It'll look gorgeous and won't get in the way if you have to move around at the premiere."

"And don't forget," Aspen said, her tone teasing again, "you're Diana Sinclair. You're owning this night. First movie premiere ever. People are going to be watching, but you're going to shine. Promise me you're not freaking out too much."

Diana smiled softly, tucking the phone closer. "I'll try not to."

"Good," Aspen said, grinning. "Now, go practice your red carpet walk. You know, pose like a queen, smile like a star, and make Grayson wish he'd asked you sooner."

Diana laughed, feeling a genuine lightness wash over her. "I'll do my best."

"You will," Aspen said confidently. "Just... promise me you'll have fun. Forget everything else for a few hours and enjoy it. You deserve it."

Diana nodded, letting the advice sink in. She glanced back at her closet, at the dress hanging there, and felt a mixture of nerves and excitement. Tomorrow night would be a whirlwind, but for now, she had Aspen cheering her on, a plan for her outfit, and a little thrill that made her heart race.

"Thanks, Aspen," Diana said quietly.

"Anytime," Aspen said warmly, waving before ending the call.

Diana stayed for a moment longer in front of her closet, looking at the dress one more time. She smoothed the fabric down and took a deep breath. She was ready.

The city buzzed with its usual Saturday night energy, but tonight felt different to Diana. The streets outside the theater were lined with velvet ropes and flashing lights, the low hum of chatter blending with the occasional shriek of a fan spotting someone famous. She stood just off to the side of the red carpet, smoothing the fabric of her dress nervously.

She wasn't used to this—the glamour, the paparazzi, the eyes. Dancing on a stage was one thing. This? This was exposure.

"Hey," Grayson's voice cut through her thoughts. He appeared at her side, dressed in a sleek black suit that fit him perfectly. His hair was styled just so, his grin practiced yet infectious. For a moment, she almost forgot the tension that had been brewing between them. He looked every bit the rising Disney star, and standing next to him, Diana felt like she'd been pulled into a different world.

"You look great," he said, letting his eyes trail down her dress before settling on hers again.

"Thanks," she murmured, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

He offered his arm with a flourish. "Ready, plus-one?"

Her lips quirked into a nervous smile. "Ready as I'll ever be."

As soon as she placed her hand on his arm, his grin widened. Together, they stepped onto the carpet. The wave of camera flashes that hit them was blinding. Diana blinked rapidly, trying not to stumble as photographers shouted Grayson's name.

"Grayson! Over here! Big smile!"

"Who's your date?"

"Grayson, look this way!"

Grayson guided her expertly, pausing when needed, shifting his stance so they both faced the cameras. His hand, firm on her waist. Every few seconds, he leaned down to whisper something like, "Smile bigger," or "Relax your shoulders." The words weren't unkind, but they carried an authority that made Diana hyperaware of her posture, her expression, her very presence.

She tried to follow his lead, but the constant adjustment left her feeling less like herself and more like... a prop.

"Diana!" one of the photographers shouted suddenly. Her head jerked toward the voice, startled. "Over here, Diana!"

She wasn't sure how they even knew her name. But then she realized: of course. People had been watching Dancing with the Stars. They'd seen her with Grayson. They'd seen the chemistry.

Grayson leaned down again, his smile unwavering. "See? They know you," he murmured, but there was an edge of something else in his tone. Pride? Possession? She couldn't tell.

They finished the carpet, slipping into the theater lobby, where the buzz was calmer but still charged. Stars mingled, laughed, posed for selfies. Grayson seemed in his element, greeting people with easy charm, cracking jokes, tossing compliments. He introduced Diana to a few friends, always with, "This is Diana, my dance partner. She's great."

It should have warmed her. And it did, in a way. But every time he introduced her, his hand lingered on her back, guiding her just slightly—where to stand, when to move, when to smile. It wasn't harsh. It wasn't mean. But it was constant.

At one point, Diana excused herself to grab a drink from the bar. She needed a moment to breathe.

When she returned, Grayson was chatting animatedly with a group, his laugh loud and easy. As soon as he spotted her, though, his attention shifted. His hand reached out automatically, curling around her wrist to pull her gently but firmly into the circle. "There she is," he said brightly. "Was wondering where you disappeared to."

The group smiled and welcomed her in, but Diana felt her face flush. She hadn't been gone that long.

Throughout the night, the subtle moments stacked up.

When she laughed at a joke someone else made, Grayson's hand pressed a little tighter on her waist.

When her phone buzzed in her clutch, his eyes flicked down, sharp and brief, before he looked away with another smile.

When someone complimented her dress, he chimed in with, "Right? Doesn't she look good? I told her this color was perfect."

It wasn't controlling in the obvious sense. It wasn't cruel. But it was enough for Diana to feel the walls closing in—like she was being carefully shaped, managed, presented.

By the time they sat in the theater seats, Diana let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The movie hadn't even started, but her mind was already buzzing.

Grayson leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers. "Told you it'd be fun," he whispered, grinning.

Diana forced a smile and nodded. On the surface, it was fun. The glitz, the lights, the cameras. The company.

But beneath the surface, something unsettled twisted inside her.

And for the first time, she wondered if maybe she wasn't imagining it—the feeling that things with Grayson were shifting. That little by little, he was tightening his grip, even when the world around them saw nothing but charm.

dianasinclair just posted!

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liked by freyaskye and 520,146 more

dianasinclair my first red carpet 🤍

tagged: graysonholt

user the way they look at each other 🥹

graysonholt 😍 dianasinclair 🫶🏻 user HELLO??!! user oh they are so together

graysonholt honored to be your first user why is this like lowkey shady??? user RIGHT!!

daniellakaragach my babies all grown up 🥹 diana sinclair love you dani 😘

ezra.sosa oh she's a celebrity now 🤩 dianasinclair no autographs please ✋🏻

user #teamgrayson user #teammalachi user #thisisridiculous

user my winners

malachibarton that smile is criminal user not him commenting on her post          with grayson user bro basically said she's mine

user i am obsessed with that dress

Diana finally unlocked the door to her apartment, her heels clicking softly against the hardwood floor as she stepped inside. The silence of the space felt foreign after the flashing cameras, shouting fans, and the hum of the premiere. She let out a long breath, dropping her purse onto the console table, and felt the weight of the evening settle onto her shoulders.

Her eyes glanced down at her dress, still shimmering with that perfect creamy hue. She felt like a princess.

She made her way to her room, letting her body fall back onto her bed, letting herself collapse into the soft sheets. The fabric of the gown rustled around her as she sank into the mattress, her legs stretched out, one heel still dangling awkwardly from her foot.

Her mind spun with flashes of the night: the flashes of cameras, the way Grayson had smiled when she walked beside him, the way she had felt the air of the theater buzzing with excitement. The applause, the red carpet, the whispers from other attendees. And yet... she couldn't shake the subtle tension that had been threading through it all. The moments Graysons hand would tighten, the way he would move her around, kind of like a doll being played with.  To anyone watching, it looked like he was guiding her. Helping her feel comfortable at her first premiere. Diana probably would have felt the same way if they hadn't been having those push and pull moments.

Maybe she was overthinking it, but her gut was telling her that she wasn't.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, cutting through the swirl of thoughts. She picked it up automatically, squinting at the bright screen. A message from Malachi. Her lips curved into a small smile as she unlocked it.

Diana exhaled softly, her heart lightening a little at his message. She typed back quickly, her fingers hovering for just a moment before hitting send.

today 1:47 AM

how was your first premiere?

it was amazing! the energy was insaneI still can't believe I was actually there

I can imagine!bet you made everyone's jaws drop

haha, maybebut there was so much going on, I barely had a chance to think

knowing you, you somehow made it look effortlesseven when you were probably panicking inside

I don't know about thatI definitely felt a little overwhelmed when the cameras started flashing

overwhelmed, maybebut you didn't show itbesidesit's normally to feel that wayi've done many red carpetsand i still get nervous

thanks Malthat actually makes me feel a lot better

anytimeyou deserve itso... tell me everythingwho did you run into? did you do any interviews?

oh yes, plenty! one reporter nearly tripped over himself and there was this one photographer who was trying to get a photo, and I think he was more interested in my shoes than my face

that's... very important informationshoe paparazzigot it

exactly. it was quite the adventureand the gowns—people were sparkling everywhereit was like the red carpet had exploded in glitter

sounds chaotic... in the best way wish I could've been there  to witness it with you

yeah... it would've been fun to have you therebut it was still exciting going as Grayson's plus one

ah yes. how was he?he show you the ropes?

he didhe guided me through it alli just hope i didn't embarrass him

you didn't not at allyou handled it beautifullyliterally and figuratively

haha, thanks Malachithat really means a lotand it means a lot thatyou texted me it made my night even better

well I mean ityou looked beautiful

She paused, staring at the texts and feeling a flutter in her chest. She couldn't stop thinking about the difference between what Grayson had said and what Malachi had said. She had been excited, thrilled even, about the premiere. But the compliment that stuck, that lingered in her mind, wasn't the practical "great" from Grayson—it was the simple, thoughtful, teasing, warm message from Malachi: beautiful.

Diana sighed softly, lying back against the pillows. She reread the messages once more, letting the warmth sink in. It had been a big night, exhausting and thrilling, but now, in the quiet of her apartment, she felt a small, steady happiness.

Her mind drifted back to the premiere, the bright lights, the cheers, and the way she had felt. And now, Malachi's words lingered with her, soft and insistent, like a reminder that someone really saw her for who she was—not just the glitz, the dancing, or the scores—but her.

As she set her phone down on the nightstand, she couldn't help but smile to herself, the word beautiful echoing gently in her mind. She shook her head softly, closing her eyes. Tomorrow would come soon enough, with rehearsals, performances, and the world moving at a million miles per hour—but for tonight, she had this little pocket of warmth, of validation, and of quiet happiness to carry her through.

And as she drifted off to sleep, the last thing she thought about was Malachi's teasing, charming tone, and the way it had made her heart flutter more than any applause or red carpet ever could.

🪩

so she hasn't fully realized it yet, but she's definitely starting to see malachi as more than a friend

and of course grayson had to basically ruin her first red carpet premiereBUT it's okaybc there may or may not be another premiere in the future and she may or may not be someone else's plus one😊