I walked into the SXY Back building only to see total chaos. People everywhere were rolling on the ground in tears, laughing.
"What are you all laughing at?" I demanded, for some reason I felt embarrassed.
Jessica Stanley- tall, beautiful Jessica Stanley- walked over to me. She too was laughing at me.
She grasped my shoulder with the up most confidence, which was strange because she was supposed to fear me. Cower underneath my power.
"You Isabella! We're laughing at you!" she howled with laughter. She pointed at a computer screen. It was a video of me when I was sixteen.
It was in high school when I decided to start SXY Back. It was a comedy show, where I would make little skits and interview people. But it was nowhere near as amazing as it was now. In fact I was a little dorky.
"No!" I screeched. "I deleted those videos when I left Forks!"
In tears, I ran over to the laptop and slammed it shut. But people continued to laugh.
"Stop!" I screamed at them, tears streaming down my face. "Stop laughing at me!"
I woke up in a cold sweat.
"It was just a dream." I told myself but I couldn't help the tears pouring down my face.
I looked out the window to see that a thin layer of snow had littered all over Forks.
I laid back against my pillow trying to calm myself down.
Calm down Bella. I scolded myself in my head. You're eighteen not twenty-eight. SXY Back is still just a comedy show on a website. It isn't a TV show.
I sighed and threw my legs over my bed and stretched.
After wiping the irrational tears from my face, I put on my glasses, and walked over to my computer.
I logged into my website and checked the comments. I don't know why I would. All the comments are usually flames. In fact, I think that's what gave me the nightmare.
Haw-T says: Omfg. Obviously you have way too much time on your hands. Kill the show…better yet kill yourself.
Hot-Topic says: You're an embarrassment!
Hot tears escaped my eyes as I read insult after insult.
I was about to read more when I received a couple instant messages. I almost didn't open the messages until I saw who it was.
The first message was from my cousin Alice Brandon.
Alice says: You're looking at the comments again aren't you? Bella! I told you not to cry over those stupid bitches insulting you!
I smiled and laughed through the tears. Alice knew me a little too well.
Bella says: How did you know?
Alice says: Your web cam is on. Everyone viewing your website can see you crying. They're just jealous sluts Bell.
I looked up at my camera to see that the red light was, in fact, on.
"Ugh." I groaned and covered the camera with my hand. I clicked the little box at the bottom of my computer, making the light go off.
I went to the next message and smiled widely. It was from Glitter-Boy. I know, it was a really lame username, but according to GB that was a nickname from his childhood.
Glitter-Boy says: It's heartbreaking when you cry.
I giggled, but then he sent another IM.
Glitter-Boy says: And your giggle sounds adorable. Your mic is on btw.
My eyes widened and then I turned off the mic.
Bella says: What are you doing up?
Glitter-Boy says: Getting ready for school. Graduation is today. I'm looking forward to your speech.
Yeah. Glitter-Boy goes to my school. But I have no clue who he is. Oh yeah, and I'm graduating to day. I let out a loud groan.
Bella says: Ugh. Don't remind me. But I got to get dressed so I'll see you at school…or you'll see me.
Glitter-Boy says: oh you'll definitely see me. You just wont know it's me…any chance that you can turn on your camera while you change?
Even though I knew he was just playing I blushed a deep red. GB was constantly making flirty quips like that. I didn't answer him though. Instead I walked to my closet and picked out the blue dress that I had chosen to wear for this special occasion.
0o0o0o0o0
After mumbling some cheesy nonsense in my speech (and a lot of people snickering) I said the words Alice and I had practiced.
"Oh, and after celebrating graduating, don't forget to check out my newest video on my website. It will be up at 6 o clock and it will definitely be…a treat." with an ominous wink I exited the stage leaving a bunch of people whispering.
Hours later, I was with Alice at the airport. Our parents were letting us spend awhile in Paris, and then we would be off to college.
"Come on Bella! Upload the video already!" she bounced in her seat almost knocking the laptop out of my lap.
"Jeez Alice, calm down. One second…" I pressed the button making it official. It was online. "Now let's watch."
The beginning clip showed me and Alice. Alice was laying on the floor with me and Alice's boyfriend's voice could be heard.
"Hey ladies!" Jasper chuckled. "Do you two have anything to say before we show everyone the video?"
Alice paused something on the TV and we both sat up. "Well we worked on this video really hard and I hope most of you guys enjoy this."
Jasper moved the camera with his nodding. "Very nice. Bella? Anything you want to add?"
I smiled. "Of course. Tanya, Lauren, Jessica, I just want you guys to know that you made my life hell, but I don't care. I don't you or your brand new Benz. Or your boozy friends!"
Jasper laughed. "Alright, then let's get on with the video!"
The screen went dark. And then the song began. Alice was singing.
I don't need you or your brand new Benz
Or your boozy friends.
I don't need love, looking like diamonds
Looking like diamonds
Alice and I appeared then. It was very strobe-neon-party like. It also looked like a drunken haze.
Alice looked hot, as usual. She was wearing dark skinny jeans that were ripped in various places. She was also wearing a dark purple halter top and a leather jacket. Her eyes were bright and covered with mascara and eye liner making her look dark, and mysterious.
I, on the other hand, was wearing a pair of denim short shorts, a midnight blue sleeveless top, and a pair of black boots that went to my knees. My eyes also had that dark and mysterious look that Alice had. For the first time in…ever I looked hot.
Alice and I walked over to the tables and sat down with drinks in our hands and watched the people dance. Alice continued to sing.
I don't need you or your brand new Benz
Or your boozy friends
And I don't need love, looking like diamonds
Looking like diamonds
I don't need you or your brand new Benz
Or your boozy friends
And I don't need love, looking like diamonds
Looking like diamonds
Soon enough two guys walked over to us and offered to dance. For Alice it was Jasper, for me it was one of my good friends (and completely professional) Jacob Black. We grinded, naturally. But I rolled my eyes and pushed the guy away. Than I began to sing…or rap…or both.
You can't imagine the immensity of the fuck I'm not giving
About your money and man servant and the mansion you live in
And I don't wanna go places where all my ladies can't get in
Just grab a bottle, some boys and let's take it back to my basement
And get Sleazy
Sick of all your lines, so cheesy!
Sorry daddy, but I'm not that easy!
At the second to last line, I walked away from the guy/Jacob and back to my table. When the last line passed up the song changed suddenly and guys suddenly began to crowd me.
Music's up
Listen hot stuff
I'm in loveWith this song
So just hush
Baby shut up
Heard enough
Stop talking that
Blah blah blah
Think you'll be getting this
Nah nah nah
Not in the back of my
Car-ar-ar
If you keep talking that
Blah blah blah blah blah
Smoke suddenly overtook the screen and I stopped singing. The music completely changed and the camera wheeled around until it landed on me, Alice, Jasper, Jacob, and a few background dancers all on the dance floor with smoke wrapping around our feet. While singing we all bust out dancing in a very clean choreographed routine.
DJ, you build me up
You break me down
My heart, it pounds
Yeah, you got me
With my hands up
You got me now
You got that sound
Yeah, you got me
DJ, you build me up
You break me down
My heart, it pounds
Yeah, you got me
With my hands up
Put your hands up
Put your hands up
Now, the party don't start 'til I walk in
Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight'
Til we see the sunlight
Tick tock on the clock
But the party don't stop, no
Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tick tock on the clock
But the party don't stop, no
On the last note, Me and Alice jumped up and landed on the ground with a loud bam and all the guys dropped to the floor-acting dead. Alice and I laughed madly as the screen went dark.
Alice and I grinned at each other.
"Do you think anyone has seen it yet?" she asked and I scrolled down.
My jaw dropped. "It already has 467 views! How did that happen? I posted the video like five minutes ago!"
Alice laughed. "Who cares? Let's check out the comments!"
I pushed the mouse over to the View Comments button but I hesitated.
"What if they're nothing but flames?" I asked biting my lip.
"Bella." Alice shook her head. "If everyone was afraid of what people would say where would we be? If your mom and dad listened to what everyone said about them never going to make it, do you think you would be here? If Martin Luther King Jr. had listened to all those racists, do you think everyone would have equal rights? You said it yourself, Bella, you don't care about Tanya, Lauren, or Jessica, even though they brought you down daily! Never let anyone get in the way of your dreams!"
10 years later…
"And when Alice said those words to me, I knew I could to do anything." I smiled at the interviewer. She stared at me. "Did I go off on a side bar? Damn. Sorry I do that sometimes. What was the question?"
She laughed. "You're just as funny as you are on your show SXY Back. I asked who influenced you most in your life."
"Oh. Well then that would be my cousin and agent, Alice Brandon-er, Hale, I guess now. She just got married to her high school sweetheart. Very cute story there! You see Jasper and Alice had met in junior high when Alice dumped her bowl of Jell-O on his head thinking he was someone else-" I laughed but the interviewer-Deborah something cut across me.
"Sorry Bella but we only have about 30 minutes left and you've only answered about," she checked her papers "three questions out of ten."
"Oh I'm so sorry." I apologized with a small smile. "I just get distracted easily. I get it from my dad. Anyway, I'll try not to go off into Wonderland."
Deborah gave me a small-rather fake-smile. I could tell she didn't like me. That made me grind my teeth slightly.
"Okay, well obviously you care very much for your family." she said.
I nodded earnestly. "I love them. They're crazy, and they're what matters most to me."
She smiled. "Yes, I can tell." she cleared her throat "Anyway, so you are one of the most talented people alive-"
I shook my head fiercely. "Hardly. I just love what I do."
Deborah-I decided to call her Debby-just smiled fake again. "Well Bella you have been in four comedies, two mysteries, one horror and have recorded a couple of songs for a handful of movies. All the while keeping up with your show SXY Back. How do you do it?"
"I have always been a busy body. My parents use to joke that I was an octopus in a previous life." I joked laughing. Debby didn't laugh. "An octopus you know? Has 8 tentacles so it could do 8 things at the same time…"
Debby let out a fake laugh. "Okay okay. I get it. But what I'm trying to get at is-how do you find time for love?"
I stiffened. This topic was absolutely forbidden. Alice had told every interviewer that anything having to do with my aversion to love wasn't to be mentioned.
Debby smiled sinisterly at me. "You do have a rather interesting history with love. You don't have any songs about love, nor have you done any romance movies. What's up with that?"
"I-" I tried my best to come up with an excuse but my mind was blank. I suck at this type of conversation.
"I mean come on Bella. You're beautiful. You're the object of every teenage boy and grown man's fantasy. Yet you can't seem to find yourself a boyfriend. So what is it about you, Isabella Swan, that turns the men off?" Debby smirked at me.
I felt myself tense up and right when I was gonna snap and lunge at her, I felt my assistant's hand wrap around my arm.
Rosalie's voice was dangerous. "This interview is over. And if any of this makes the news then you can expect a surprise visit from Bella's agent. And considering that would be interrupting her honeymoon, you can imagine that she will not be a pleasant as I am. Let's go Bella."
I got up and walked out with Rosalie. Immediately she began ranting.
"…just unbelievable! What a bitch! She was just trying to get a rise out of you and try to make herself look good. When Alice comes back tomorrow I'm gonna tell her straight up. Let Deborah get chewed out by that fierce little fire ball." Rose said Debby's name with plenty of malice and enough acid to disintegrate a house.
I thought back to what Debby said. "You know what Rose? I could really use a man."
Rose stopped walking and stared at me with her mouth hanging open. "Are you serious?" when I nodded she smiled brightly. "That's great Bell! Alice is gonna be so pleased."
We began to talk boys but it had to come to an end when she dropped me off at my house.
I threw my jacket on the floor and walked to my room. I flopped on the bed and covered my face. Then I got the better of myself.
I dragged myself to my laptop.
I had completely deleted my website and took off everything related to my videos and website.
But I did manage to save all the videos and comments in a folder on my lap top labeled as Self Torture.
I clicked on the last video I had ever uploaded, and scrolled down the comments until I found the one I was looking for.
Glitter-Boy says: This video sucks. Doesn't even deserve to be classified as 'good'. you girls don't look very appetizing either. Especially you Bella.