I’ve never seen anything like this. Hundreds of humans walk down a red carpet—dressed in the most colorful and intricate dresses and suits I’ve ever seen—toward the open doors of a movie theater. Cameras flash as people pose in front of a large sign with that ridiculous Shoreline dolphin and “Shoreline Film Showcase” plastered all over it. Two huge lights shoot their beams into the sky, waving back and forth, dancing around the quarter-full moon.

“This is a lot.”

“Yeah, they really go overboard and try to play up the Hollywood glam at this thing,” Sean says. He’s in his own tux, and he keeps fidgeting with his bow tie, the gold matching the color of my sequined jumpsuit.

“Don’t be nervous,” I say. “You’re going to be great.”

I lean forward and kiss him, but he’s so worked up he doesn’t really kiss back. He’s been this way the past couple days. He’s been distant and in his phone, and he barely gave me any clue about which outfit he liked best when we went shopping for today’s big event yesterday.

“Sorry,” Sean mumbles. “I’m just in my head.”

He glances around from left to right, scanning the crowd. The furrows in his forehead get deeper the longer he looks.

“Looking for someone?” I ask.

Sean chews his cheek and nods. “Just my film teacher. I want to withdraw my submission from the showcase. She’s been out yesterday and today preparing for tonight, and she told me I was ridiculous when I emailed her about it, but I really need to get rid of it.”

“What? You can’t be serious.”

“I just—” He takes a deep breath, his stomach pushing out as he exhales. “I don’t want you to see this. I mean, anyone. I don’t want anyone to see this. It sucks. You’re going to hate it.”

He shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot. I guess he wasn’t kidding when he said he doesn’t like the spotlight.

“Don’t worry. We’re all going to love it,” I say.

Sean looks like he might puke.

The crowd makes their way inside, filling up an entire screening room. This place is packed, and right in the center is a reserved section for the film students and their families. As we make our way down the aisle, Sean’s mom and her boyfriend are already there, his mom cheering, “We’re so proud of you, honey!” which sends Sean’s cheeks blazing and gets a few good-natured laughs from the audience. It’s soon overtaken by excited chatter as we take our seats and a short, plump feminine-presenting person with pink hair walks in front of the screen.