Page 52 of Lights, Camera, Love

Twelve months later

The car door opens, I set a glittery heel on the red carpet, and a sharp surge of high-pitched screaming overwhelms my ears.

It’s impossible not to blurt out a disbelieving laugh at the mass of Moving fans, who are three rows deep behind the strings of rope separating them from the premiere’s attendees.

‘Evie! Evieeeee!’ A chorus of young voices shrieks my name, and I turn and wave in what I hope is the right direction. I see another cluster of fans eagerly holding up notepads and pens behind the red rope barrier, and I dash over to them while the film’s publicist, Leyla, trails after me.

Austin has already walked the red carpet leading into the art deco State Theatre and disappeared behind the facade adorned with lit-up posters and banners advertising Australia’s latest hit movie.

I thank as many supporters as I can and scrawl my name below Austin’s on their notepads until Leyla gently guides me away.

‘Careful, or you’ll be here all night,’ she says, giving me a supportive smile.

‘It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?’

She nods, casting her awed gaze down the city street, which is blocked off from traffic and crammed with spectators.

This morning over breakfast, Martina reminded me how rare it is for a film to attract this much interest before its release.

Olivia Floros—the director whom my father persuaded to take over from Buzz—did an incredible job of turning Buzz’s weird, wannabe-neo-noir film into a fun, music-filled rom-com.

Not only did Olivia pull off a magic trick in somehow making the cheesy dialogue sound compelling and believable, but she also convinced the producers to send us back to the farm to film a series of high-octane, colourful dance sequences.

Those scenes lifted the film’s energy, turning it into something that wouldn’t be out of place in Baz Luhrmann or Lin-Manuel Miranda’s catalogues.

The best part is, when Olivia suggested we bring in amateur dancers to play some of the townsfolk who take lessons from Constance, I convinced Usher, Bliss, Snuggles, Avalanche, and even Mayday to come and star in their first feature film.

Now, their real names are in the credits, and tonight they’ll strut the red carpet, too.

The final touches on the film’s success have come from Kye’s creative marketing ideas, which he pitched to Village Pictures from Melbourne.

He planned out a fun treasure hunt around Australia using billboards that revealed hidden clues about the movie, and set the strategy for the teaser trailers that almost broke the internet.

Then there were the social media dance challenges, the hilarious online photo filters, the interactive website and so much more.

But the biggest hit of all was the flash mobs he arranged in surprise locations across the country.

My favourite five dance students and I turned up, along with a group of hired dancers, at county fairs, harvest festivals, bustling city malls and regional town squares.

We even went to the nation’s biggest rodeo competition.

At unexpected moments, we’d break into the dance routines from Moving , pulling in passers-by and spectators to join us while influencers live-streamed the event for social media.

Usually, I’d kick things off after pretending to be a passer-by for a while, and then Usher would jump in, followed by Bliss, Snuggles, Avalanche and Mayday, moving into a heart-shaped formation.

From there, the other dancers would rush in, too, and we’d be off.

I don’t know if it was the feel-good music, the captivating choreography, or the interesting choice of using a mix of professional and amateur dancers that made the flash mobs so successful, but they became a viral sensation—at one point, there were polls and competitions for guessing where we’d pop up next.

With all this hype, there’s even been talk of adapting Moving into a stage musical.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thanked Martina for negotiating me a percentage of the back end.

Not only will I be able to buy myself a brand-new car with the predicted box-office returns, but once the film promo frenzy settles down, I plan to start looking for a nicer apartment, closer to the DanceLab studio.

Treading carefully in three-inch heels, I follow Leyla towards the line-up of reporters, glancing back at the arriving guests as they step onto the red carpet, still seeking him out.

Where are you, Groucho?

Disappointment leaks into my chest, even though I have no reason to feel surprised that he’s not here.

From the snippets of information I’ve gleaned from Austin, I know that Kye has been doing brilliantly in his new job in Melbourne and is loving being out of the film industry.

It’s been just over a year since he and I last spoke; neither of us has reached out since that night in my dance studio.

While I wish I could say that I don’t still yearn to see him, I do.

I want to see him so much that it makes my bones throb, even though I’ve found joy in every other part of my life since he left.

I’ve focused on dancing, rebuilding my complicated relationships with my parents, and supporting my friends.

It’s been just what I needed to help me figure out what I want and where my heart lies.

Forcing myself to focus on my media interviews, I respond to the journalists’ questions about Buzz’s firing with a rehearsed redirection to Olivia Floros’ imaginative vision.

Multiple questions are thrown at me about my ‘relationship’ and subsequent ‘breakup’ with Austin Reynolds, which I answer by bridging to the chemistry we share on-screen and the wonderful friendship we’ve developed.

I thank the last reporter and escape into the theatre’s ornate foyer, which has been transformed into a Moving -themed spectacle.

Guests are welcomed by giant cardboard cut-outs of Austin and me (cringe!), replica props from the movie, such as the hay bales Constance dances on and Jamie’s farming tools, themed lighting in an eye-catching gold and turquoise display inspired by the film’s branding, and an epic dance playlist served up by a DJ near the candy bar.

‘Evie!’ chimes a young voice behind me. I spin to find Marcia, who played the daughter in the movie, dashing towards me in a black scoop-neck dress and kitten heels.

‘Holy cow, you’re a giant ,’ I gasp at her towering frame. She’s had a massive growth spurt since I last saw her.

‘Don’t I know it,’ Marcia’s mum says, shaking her head with a smile. ‘Blink, and she’s dating; next week, she’ll be driving. Can you believe all this?’ she adds, waving a hand at the room.

‘I’m gobsmacked.’

A trio of squealing young girls, who must have scored invites to the premiere in some kind of competition, scamper up to Marcia and ask if she’ll sign the front of their swag bags.

It’s fun to stand back and watch this mini-star in the making—Marcia has one of the most prestigious acting agencies behind her now, and I have no doubt she’s destined for big things.

The girls bounce from Marcia to me, their braids and ponytails swinging. ‘Can you sign our books, too, Constance?’ Three neon-pink Sharpies are thrust at me.

Grinning, I crouch to their level. ‘Of course I can.’ On each bag, I write: The world is your dance floor. Keep dreaming and shining! Evie xxx

When I straighten, I feel an arm hooking around my waist. A deep voice in my ear says, ‘Hey, boo.’

I turn to beam at Rafael. His crisp black suit with satin-lined lapels and half-pulled-back hair have transformed him into a model off a Parisian catwalk. He pulls me in for two air-kisses because we’re feeling fancy tonight. I’m so glad he’s here.

‘You look stunning ,’ he says, his eyes running over my sleek white pantsuit.

‘Who, me?’ quips Austin as he comes up beside Rafa, looking every part the movie star in a tailored grey suit with a black, open-necked shirt and a fedora tucked over his curly hair.

‘You both look stunning,’ Rafael corrects himself.

I watch as Austin’s gaze slips to my best friend’s mouth for a long moment before flicking up to his eager eyes. ‘Oh gosh, get a room, you two,’ I joke under my breath.

Austin breathes a chuckle while Rafael practically cackles. Since the two of them began dating, they’ve both become so happy that it’s almost sickening. It’s definitely wonderful.

Still, I have to cut in. I step between them and link my arm through Rafael’s—a few weeks ago, over takeaway sushi at my place, they asked me if Rafael could pose as my premiere date.

It’s not my business when—or if—Austin wants to go public with his romance, and Rafael seemed to be fine with it so, of course, I agreed right away.

The three of us head to the bar, and I scan the themed cocktails on offer, deciding that the Summer Harvest sounds like a safer bet than the Tractor Fuel.

A flurry of other competition winners surrounds us, requesting photos and autographs from Austin and me. After we hang out with them for a little while, posing and signing cocktail napkins, we escape to one of the high tables in the far corner of the foyer.

Austin arches a brow at me over his lemonade. ‘Now that you’ve seen all this , honey, you sure you don’t want to join us in LA? I know you’ll feel a bit like a duck out of water there, but—’

‘ Fish out of water,’ Rafael corrects with a giggle, his doting eyes taking their fill of his boyfriend. This was my first clue that Rafa was serious about Austin—the way he finds Austin’s mixed-up metaphors endearing rather than annoying.