Page 56 of A Certain Step
It made the shot look and feel more timeless.
Because that’s exactly what this moment in their lives was—a timeless memory bound to stay with them. And what a gift for Sahar to witness it, standing beside Willa, playing her sister of all characters.
The majority of Sahar’s Instagram account was photos she took of other people. It’s why she kept the app anyway. She valued centering those she cared for.
She captioned it: “This beauty had her Elizabeth Bennet debut today, and I’m in AWE—obsessed beyond words, stunned, screaming, crying, etcetera. So wildly proud of you,@willadavidian!”
Most of them were pretty active on social media, but Sahar and Sam were the ones who spent more time online. She couldn’t help it. And frankly, most of the time, the reactions to shows were great. Between Ethan and Declan’s popularity as actors known in TV and film along with theatre, their fandom was a riveting, albeit wild place.
Sahar also knew Willa would likely be in her head about the performance for a while, so she wanted to find positive reinforcements to send her.
She opened the show’s Subreddit first.Jesus Christ, the internet is something,she thought.
One user wrote:“OMMMMGGG! Willa Davidian had her debut as Elizabeth today, and I’m pretty sure I’ve ascended!”
Sahar let out an audible laugh at the following comment:“Okay, I hate real-life shipping, but you can’t be friends with chemistry like that. I’ve never seen anything like that? I know they are super close, but does anyone think there’s something more?”
This person wasn’t exactly wrong. Youcouldn’thave chemistry like that and simply remain friends. Ethan and Willa were electric together. Ethereal, in more ways than one, and everyone could see it, extraterrestrials included, she was sure.
Most of the comments were thrillingly positive, and not a single person was being vile or unkind about Willa’s performance. Good, because Sahar would’ve had to fight them otherwise.
“THE WAY HE GRAZED HER THIGH. I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA PASS OUT,”someone wrote in all caps. Sahar laughed out loud.
“I lost it when she sang, “It wasn’t supposed to be this way—”The whimper in her voice was so raw. I’m obsessed. Need to see them again immediately!”Sahar also lost her shit. Willa had such natural talent, and the world needed to hear her sing more.
Userethaneverettobsessed02wrote:“OMG! I was bummed to see that Naomi Driver was going to be absent from this show, but Willa Davidian?! Hello?! I’m ready to pledge my loyalty!!! Marry me? like I can’t believe what my eyes witnessed! I came here to scream during intermission because my friend and I were just dying!! And we were so close, too! Third row orchestra right at the center. Best purchase of my life.”
Her favorite comment came from usermaponbroadway23:“Can Ethan Everett fight? Because if he doesn’t marry Willa, I will.”
Sahar could definitely send some of these to Willa in due time, particularly the few about her performance. She continued reading until Willa and Ethan stood over her.
“Ready to go?” Willa asked.
Sahar nodded. “Are you guys signing?”
“A bit,” Willa responded. Ethan concurred with a nod.
“Let’s do this then,” she said, standing up and gesturing her hands forward to nudge them to go before her.
Zayn, one of the primary security guards, opened the door. Sahar watched Ethan and Willa walk out together, bodies effortlessly leaning toward one another. As though itching to touch, their hands swung closely beside one another in a synchronized dance. They were more reserved today; typically, she’d bemuchcloser to his frame, and he’d maybe have his hand hovering over the small of her back. Funnily, they probably didn’t realize all the ways they gravitated toward one another, but she spent enough time with both ofthem to see how different they were around each other.
They were cautious tonight, undoubtedly unsure of how to move forward, which made sense considering what they’d all witnessed today was so much more than a mere performance.
The roar of merriment overlapped every other sound nearby. Sahar’s eyes darted toward Ethan, his eyes fixed on the crowd as though he were scoping out the perimeter. There were three guards nearby, but Ethan was still so cautious of Willa, so keenly aware of her moves.
Sahar kept watch on them covertly while she signed, thrilled to hear so many people compliment Willa’s performance. She deserved to hear all the praiseworthy feedback.
But it was Ethan’s smile at every sincere word that stood out when Sahar caught it.
Sahar knew Ethan loved Willa; he was far more obvious about it than her flatmate was—far more aware of his feelings, but it was still refreshing to see his visible pride when she took the spotlight. Ethan wasn’t in this industry for tireless praise; he was in it because he loved acting. He also had no issues with a woman’s success, which ultimately made Sahar realize that her boyfriend, Martin, would have had the opposite reaction if they were in Ethan and Willa’s shoes. He wouldn’t be as proud of her. He wouldn’t be an equal partner the way Ethan was Willa’s.
She tried to bypass that realization as she kept smiling and signing for the fans. “You’re so great as Jane—can I please get a photo?” the person in front of her asked.
“Of course,” Sahar answered, drawing closer to the phone, which was turned toward them. She smiled for the camera. “Thank you so much for coming!” Sahar added.
Apart from the few questionable fans that Ethan had a few years ago while he was onDetective Vice, most of the people they met at the stage door were delightful. It made their nights brighter when they shared the joy with people who appreciated theatre as much as they did.
Sahar continued making her way down the queue, signing for one fan after another and taking as many pictures as possible. She overheard someone say, “I’ve seen the show twice now, but this was the first time I cried during ‘All For You’! You guys were so amazing during the show. I’m speechless!” to both Ethan and Willa.
