#apsa

CLOUDMASTER DC6 G-APSA

i chose 50 >:)

50: I’m scared but won’t admit it, so you take my hand

Catra was trying very, very hard not to throw up.

Keeping her face neutral was a skill she’d honed after years in the public eye — and, anyway, being an actress required excellent facial control — but this was something different.

This was the Oscars, after all.

Catra found out she was nominated for Best Actress (or, in Adora’s words, The Big One) only a few months prior, when she and Adora had been on their way home from spending the holidays in Canada.

That time, she had thrown up.

Adora rubbed her back and kept her hair out of her face. She’d given Catra a massive, grounding hug (once she changed into a new shirt, that is) and had told her over and over how proud she was.

Months of stylist meetings and press interviews had brought them here.

Catra hated the idea of her and Adora matching, but she had to admit her stylist had done a good job.

The deep, dark red of Adora’s suit was a perfect match to the trim of Catra’s dress, and the ripple of the velvet caught the light in the most alluring way possible.

The red carpet had been easy.

It wasn’t Adora’s first. She and Catra had been dating since college, and had been to their first one — and every one since — together.

Among the flashing lights and shouts for her attention, Catra felt warm lips press against her temple.

“You look gorgeous,” Adora murmured, giving her a warm smile. “If you make it through this, I’ll get Meryl Streep to invite us to the afterparty.”

Catra smiled — genuinely smiled — for the first time that day. “You think I don’t already have the invite?”

Adora laughed against her, sliding a hand around her waist, and tilted her chin up to give her a soft kiss. She was careful not to smudge any of Catra’s lipstick, only barely registering the awwws and ooohs from the cameras.

“If we end up on TMZ for this, I’m gonna kill you.”

Adora grinned, turning again to pose for the cameras. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

The tight ball of nerves in Catra’s stomach started to clench as soon as she stepped into the auditorium.

It was always bigger than she’d expected. TV never did it justice. As everyone began to filter in, she led Adora to a seat in the middle section.

This was Catra’s fourth — fifth? she couldn’t remember — time at the Academy Awards, but it was her first nomination.

The champagne she’d had in the green room helped settle her stomach, but not by much. She didn’t even realize her jaw was clenched until the orchestra began to play.

“Hey,” Adora said, leaning over. She put a hand on Catra’s knee. “Take a deep breath. You’re all tense.”

“I’m fine,” Catra snapped. As Adora raised her eyebrows in surprise, she let out a sigh. “Sorry. I’m just—”

“No, I know.” Adora gave her a smile, reaching over to hold her hand. “I’m here all night, okay?”

Catra nodded, trying hard to push the nerves down. “Okay.” She looked down at their joint hands. “Thanks.”

“I have a flask, too,” Adora said, pulling her jacket open for Catra to see. “If you want a little liquid courage.”

“Hand it over.”

Adora did, chuckling. “Just make sure you’re not drunk during your acceptance speech.”

Catra swallowed a mouthful of whiskey, squinting at the burn in her throat. “You think I’m gonna win?”

“Of course you are,” Adora said without hesitating. “No question about it.”

The people in front of them turned to give them a look as the host took the stage, and Adora quieted beside her. She squeezed Catra’s hand, giving her a smile as the opening monologue started.

Adora was proven right three hours later.

She loved being right, and pulled Catra in for a celebratory kiss and another massive hug before she went onstage.

Adora thought the evening couldn’t hold any more surprises after that.

Reading List for APSA 2019 Conference

The 115th American Political Science Association Annual Meeting’s conference theme is “Populism and Privilege”. It will highlight the self-identified populist movements around the globe, whose main unifying trait is their claim to champion the people against entrenched “elites.” The meeting will feature writers from around the world, whom collectively or individually speak on pressing issues surrounding this topic. 

If you are attending this year’s meeting, drop by the OUP booth (#500) to visit and to see our newest books -- including leading work in the field and ISA award winning titles. We’ve compiled a brief reading list highlighting books that focus on the conference theme.