Harry Collet - Actor

The invitation hadn’t even been hers.

Her friend had spent an entire week convincing her to come to the premiere of an independent film, promising dinner afterward if she agreed. While everyone crowded around the cast outside, she slipped into the quieter hallway in search of the restrooms.

Just as she rounded the corner, she noticed a young man in a black hoodie walking toward the women’s restroom.

“I think you’ve got the wrong one.”

He stopped mid-step.

“…You’re kidding.”

His gaze lifted to the sign above the door, and an embarrassed laugh escaped him.

“I’ve been awake since four this morning.”

“It happens.”

He smiled, relieved.

“Thanks. You probably just saved me from becoming tomorrow’s headline.”

She gave a small shrug.

“Happy to help.”

He nodded gratefully and turned toward the correct restroom.

“And Harry?”

He looked back over his shoulder, surprised she’d recognized him.

She nodded toward him.

“Your zipper.”

For a heartbeat, he simply blinked.

Then his eyes dropped.

“…Oh.”

A quiet groan escaped him as he quickly fixed it.

“Thanks…”

But she’d already continued down the hallway, disappearing around the corner as though it had been the most ordinary interaction in the world.

A moment later, after stepping into the now-empty corridor outside the men’s restroom, Harry let out a quiet chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Brilliant…”

He shook his head with a sheepish smile.

“Two embarrassments in under a minute.”

Still smiling to himself, he disappeared inside.

Harry remembers her because she treated him like an ordinary person and because of their awkwardly funny first meeting.