The Truths Behind the Life of Maeve Sun Lively

52

KLARISE'S ALBUM SOLD WELL, AND I mean very well. All over, people were listening to her new songs, her biggest song in the whole album and also my favorite being Calendars and Dates. I called to congratulate her, and she told me what had been going on, how smooth things seemed to be going, and how much she wished to see me. I told her the same.

I wasn't so surprised when she was nominated for a Grammy after just a few months, and when she did, when she went to the awards, right before going in she called me. Deep inside, I wanted to be there next to her, hold her hand. But it was her night, and I wanted her to have it, so pushing all of those greedy thoughts aside, I stayed positive, not wanting an unwanted argument.

I canceled all my schedules for that day, even an important shooting date, and stayed home with the live TV turned on, ready to see her on the screen.

"I'm actually so nervous," she said to me over on the phone, while I pulled the blankets on the sofa up my shoulders. "I think they're going to give it to Tom Jeffrey or Claire Caulifield."

I scoffed at her ridiculous comment on one of the people she mentioned. "Like hell they are going to give it to Tom Jeffrey than sooner or later throw it out a window. Did you even hear his music? I'm sorry, I may not be no music expert, but trust me he is only nominated this year because they felt bad that he didn't get nominated for his only good song three years ago."

"That isn't very nice," she said, and I wonder if she was saying that to be sarcastic. "Okay, what about Claire then? She's been dominating the music industry since I was in like high school, how can I be better than her?"

"Honey, Claire won last year and the year before that, they'll be trying to give it out to someone else. Plus," I laughed, "Asian representation, remember?"

A grim laugh escaped her, and I wish I could be there to reassure her.

"Don't worry, you're going to do just fine. And if you're not winning this year, trust me, you'll definitely win next year. If you don't, well it can be safe to confirm that everyone on this planet is deaf and I'll chase after every single one of them for you."

"I would kill to see you do that for me." Her laugh came a little easier, and I smiled just to hear that. "I love you so much, but I have to go now. It's starting."

"Okay," I felt myself getting more nervous. "I wish you all the luck."

I tried to find a comfortable position on the sofa, but none seemed comfortable. As the host and announcer started talking, calling up each nominees, I strained to keep myself together.

The small talk seemed to stretch on, and at one point the camera came upon her face in her neat soft baby pink lace cocktail dress I had sent her. She was wearing it, and my heart blushed to see her in it. She looked better in it than I ever would have. Draping the soft quilts of blankets closer to me, I squeezed it in excitement and nervousness.

"The nominees for Album of the Year, first for the performers, are Carlson Simon, Billie Eilish, Jacklyn Rostand-Lebrun, Claire Caulifield, Tom Jeffrey, Zack Elmore, and Klarise Kong."

I squeezed my blanket even tighter, heart thumping in my adrenaline like a drum.

"'It has been an honor to get to work with Carlson Simon', stated songwriter Kit Rinehart, who unfortunately couldn't make it tonight..."

As he started to do a small back talk for each nominee, I checked my phone to see if there was anything. A text message from Mason.

Me and Cameron are watching the live Grammy Awards right now, are you? What a dumb question, of course you'd be. Well, Cameron won't stop talking about how if they give it to Tom he'll go smash the stage himself. Ask me, and I'll tell you he don't have the guts to do it. But hey, I'd do it for him. Anything for our Klarise. Anyways, text me when you see this.