Page 31 of Hollywood, Ending

“You’re fine. It’s on-brand. We gotta go.” She told the valet her last name and he pointed at one of the SUVs. As we approached, Al got out and opened the door for us.

“Hello again,” I said.

“Cobra Kai,” he said, nodding and ushering me into the car.

Al told us it would be fifteen minutes to the studio lot, so I got out my phone. I had regrammed Juniper’s picture of the plane—or Ellen had, anyway. I scrolled through the comments—lots of hearts and smiles, lots of strangers saying one or both of us were so beautiful. The best comment was, “Imagine being that plane and having Kai Laramie inside of you.”

I read it to Ellen and she laughed and said, “You know what’s funny? I wrote that. Fan­Girl­Of­Literally­3V3RYTHING is one of my burner accounts. Glad you like my work, Kai.”

Some actual friends had also commented—one of my New York roommates, Carmen, wrote, When did you become a Jenner sister? Congrats! with champagne poppers.

I texted Carmen. I am no longer in control of my Instagram. It is now the property of The Studio.

She didn’t immediately reply, so I texted Juniper. Hi.

Her: Hi. You nervous?

Me: I’m something.

She didn’t answer. I asked Ellen how many fake accounts she had. “Personally, four. But we have people who help with that stuff.”

My phone buzzed. Juniper. Sorry I feel like I’m gonna puke. Already puked at the hotel.

Me: Everyone says the movie is good.

Her: I always puke before I watch something I’m in. I hate it. Plus press is gonna be there.

Me: Shit really?

Her: Yeah and Kathryn. And maybe Matthew.

Me: Now I’M gonna puke.

Ellen looked up from her phone and said, “Apparently there’s going to be a bit of press there. They won’t have seen the movie, just there to meet-and-greet with you and Juniper and Matthew. You won’t need to talk to them except to say hello, but just in case you do accidentally end up saying more than hi to anyone, we’re gonna practice adjectives.”

“Adjectives?”

“Yes, adjectives, Kai. I assume you attended fourth grade and remember adjectives. When press asks you about the movie or the cast, you use adjectives. Juniper is dreamy, for instance.”

“Juniper isn’t dreamy. She’s—”

“It was an example.” I could feel her nerves, and that made me feel mine.

“Okay.”

“You tell me the adjectives, and I’ll tell you if they’re good adjectives. Matthew.”

“What?”

“Matthew. Adjectives.”

“Loving. Distant. Generous.”

“Distant is bad.”

“Loving. Generous. Mentor.”

“Mentor is not an adjective but it’s good. Great. Kathryn.”