Four Seasons, LA

3 hours till the Oscars.

The calm hotel lobby was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Paparazzi and fans clambered by the doors hoping to catch a glimpse of any celebrities coming out of the hotel right before the red carpet.

The elevators dinged as Vanessa, her best friend Laura New, and hair stylist Chad Wood stepped out. Vanessa was red carpet ready in her custom Moschino gown. It was a strapless ensemble with a sweetheart neckline. Half the gown was adorned with red Swarovski crystals and the other with black crystals. The dress hugged her curves and flared out in a mermaid style flare with mixed black and red tulle. Chad finished primping her hair which was pinned behind her ears but open and flowing freely down to her waist in Old Hollywood style big soft curls. Her ruby diamond studs shone brightly. She had a muted but fierce smokey eye and liner with crimson red paint on her lips.

Laura was adorned in an off the shoulder straight cut Moschino piece with gold Swarovski crystals. With a thigh high slit on the side her bedazzled red heels were showstopping. Her blond hair was swept up into an elegant bun and she had a soft winged liner accompanying her cherry lips. Her small gold hoops glistened in the light.

Finishing the last few touches Chad said his goodbyes and gave them both hugs for good luck as he rushed off to help another client for the evening.

Vanessa made sure her phone, lipstick and other essentials were safely secured in her black crystallized clutch as she looked at her best friend. "Okay, Laur do you have everything? Are you ready?"

"Of course girly! Stop fussing over me - tell me how are YOU? Feeling alright?"

"Yes! Just the normal pre-carpet jitters. Nothing too crazy."

"Love to hear it. Do you need anything else?"

"Just pizza when I get back nothing else," Vanessa grinned at her friend.

"Already on it. I've got them on speed dial. I'll give them a call just before everything winds up. Now, how are you feeling about presenting?"

"I'm feeling alright! It's definitely a bit less nerve racking than hosting the carpet. I'm glad for the change in pace this year. I love talking to all the guests and nominees but it's also super amazing getting to announce the winner!"

"Aw that's true, love! And who better to hand someone their Oscar than you!!"

"Love you girly!"

"You too!"

Just as the two girls were ready to step out in style Vanessa got a text message from her manager, Evan. She stopped in her tracks as she looked down at her phone. Evan was trying to tell her something but kept deleting his messages and editing his texts.

"Who is it?" asked Laura.

"It's Evan. He said there's been some changes to the schedule but he must be getting the info right now because he keeps deleting his messages. Huh. Not sure what's happening."

"Do you want to just meet him there or wait and see?"

Vanessa tried calling Evan but he cut the call and sent her a message saying he'll just explain what's happening.

"He's not answering. I think he's backstage right now so I won't see him for a while if we leave right now. Let's just wait?"

"Sure."

Vanessa and Laura decided to wait in the lounge area of the lobby. With their backs towards the elevators, the faint ping of the doors opening could be heard in the distance.

Zac, Dylan and Ryan walked out.

"Showtime, boys!" exclaimed Dylan tapping Ryan and Zac on the back.

Zac rubbed his hands together. "It's now or never. Let's go!"

As the boys exited the hotel, the crowd outside went wild.

Laura craned her neck to see the cause of the commotion. She briefly caught sight of three men exiting the building in tuxedos.

"Who was that?" asked Vanessa with her eyes still trained on her phone.

"Not sure. I think I heard the paparazzi scream, "It's the Brothers!" Must be the Hemsworths."

"Must be."

"Anything from Evan yet?"

"Okay, yes. Finally a coherent message. Haha. He says after we do the carpet I need to go backstage to get briefed on my new assignment."

"New assignment?"

"Yeah. So I'm no longer presenting the best original score…"

"Okay…"

"I'm presenting best actor."

"OMG! That's a huge category. You go girl. Anyone you know who's nominated?"

"Not sure, I'll have to double check." Vanessa's brows furrowed as she processed all the new information Evan was frantically texting her.

Laura smiled with a sigh. "This is going to be an interesting night, love. I can feel it."

As she scrolled through the list of men nominated for best actor Vanessa's eyes widened in realization as she stumbled across a very familiar name.

Yeah. Definitely going to be an interesting night, thought Vanessa.