~*Authors Note!*~
You'll like this one. It's like...what...31 pages? ~*^.^*~
3 months until Alvin and the Chipmunks 4! Yaaas!
To my lovely reviewers:
a.r.h.f.20- And it's getting longer each time you read it ! XD I'd like to thank you for being so devoted . Yeah, fame has really done a number on her personality, she's so mean . I am soooo sorry, I don't like to be one of those ppl who never update! Or update every 6 months :(. They're convos are really cute, I love em xD SO glad you liked it xD
Jade - Awee, thank you really! I'm so excited you loved it! That really makes me happy! I started writing the second I saw your review! I hope you continue to read, this is my first time writing a story ever!
SimonxJeanette- That diva side is...woo. Lemme tell you, its not easy. Brittany's behavior is the exact opposite of what I'd do in those predicaments, I'm MUCH nicer. This whole Queen Brittany thing is a bit new for me. Thank you soo much for continuing to read, it means more than you'll ever know!
Holy Queen- Nooo problem xD
Disclaimer: Warning thoo! You MAY recognize certain songs, movies, products, places, websites, etc or whatever that you MAY recognize, I don't own em. Or them munks.
NOW READ! Its good for you!
~*Glamorous*~
Chapter 5
Price of Fame
*^,^*
Reaching over toward the crystal thin cylinder, I casually opened the top and reapplied my lip gloss onto my lips. I could still hear all those loud noises outside my room. Gosh, these people couldn't stop worrying about me if their little lives depended on it. Everything is fine geez!
I put the lip gloss down and rubbed my lips together in the vanity to make them shine more and smiled at my reflection.
Another job well done.
"Now I just can't wait to freaking go home.", I said to myself looking in the mirror. Leaning over, I looked at my bedazzled phone and tapped the screen. I saw that it was 6:09pm.
I let out a deep breath and leaned back in my chair. How long was it gonna take until I could leave?! Plus I still haven't ate since this morning and I was dying to get some food!
Hopefully we have SOMETHING at the house. This food thing was enough to drive me nuts. Either I ate too much one day trying to get all my energy together, or I didn't eat enough and my attitude got worse by the second leaving me irritable for the rest of the day. In this case, it was the starvation choice of not eating lunch, much to my dismay.
The chattering outside my dressing room kept getting louder and louder. People were power-walking back and forth making loud, heavy steps. The people were all trying to make everything produced today happen by midnight. I had already done my job and made the magic now it was their turn to make sure my spell was on everyone's screens by morning.
Because this princess's fairytale was never gonna end.
Still, I wondered what all the fuss was about?
Pausing, I sat still and shivered at the chill in the air from my halter-top dress and begun to make out a few noises. Every time I caught a few words someone else would talk loudly and interrupt. I bit my lip slightly and tried again.
"-gonna be there on time?!"
"I said NOW!"
"...By TONIGHT! How many times do we have to tell you guys?!"
"Are you kidding me?! Brittany can't wear two Chanel gowns in the same month! Call Christian Dior Inc , we haven't had a word from them in a while."
I giggled at that last one. " I actually didn't mind being able to wear two Chanel gowns in the same month", I stated aloud and rocked from side to side hearing the chair squeak in response.
But it's Hollywood, you know the rules.
Yeah, I knew em' alright. Two years will teach you everything you need to know. As long as you're willing to learn. If not, the rules will be force-fed to you in the heat of the limelight.
Shifting, I turned my chair around to my vanity and stared at the vase full of red roses on the left and then at my reflection. My make-up still looked on point to my satisfaction. Hopefully, I'll remember to take it off before I go to sleep. When I have really pretty makeup on, I never wanna take it off. Not even at night. But, I had to realize what leaving it on could do to your face when you do that.
Do I really want to look old this young and want to have sags and wrinkles this early?! No, not ever! I had really good self confidence so it really didn't matter whether I had makeup on or not. That's probably why so many girls looked up to me so fondly. Confidence is sexy and when they like me, they're parents are gonna like me. That means more fans for me. That's why my concerts ranged from all age groups and genders.
Still, I didn't want wrinkles so I was definitely going to take it off tonight.
I shook away the scary thought and gently touched my face and marveled at my reflection, pondering at my glossy lips and airbrushed features. Feeling a rush of happiness a joy burst through my chest, I fondly remembered the next record I had broken today.
They we're gonna show my hair commercial worldwide.
It seems like only yesterday I was in the studio recording some of my first hits when the producer called me and told me my first 3 songs I wrote were at number 1 on the Billboard Charts earning me instant Grammy nominations, two of which I won.
I sighed at the memory. It was a slap in the face to all who didn't think I could actually do it alone. And best of all, all the song credit went to me. Only me. Everybody knew I wrote my own songs too.
It was so refreshing to know that I didn't have to share that credit with anyone. Not like when I was in a group with my sisters. Designers we're calling me along with magazine headquarters to sign me up and show my face to the world in style and finally own my own. I smiled to myself, I no longer had to worry about sharing the spotlight either that's for sure.
Hopefully, I can ask someone if any upcoming movie productions would suit me because I couldn't wait to do another movie again either. I had already played an entertainer, a spy, a villain, and not to mention myself. Not in some bio, in a cameo. I grimaced at the thought and remembered how much I didn't want to play a villain at first , but Universal Studios argued that it would beef up my image and I in no way was gonna pass up that.
Well, I wasn't actually the source of all the evil in the movie, I just aided the actual bad guy.
The best part about it was that I had Tony and the rest of directors helping me out so everything went as planned. Plus, Tony had played quite a few villains as well as mafia bosses in his career so he was a magnificent help.
And...when you're a hot villain, it helps get you a little more attention from the cameras.
They also said they wanted me to try voice-over acting. Well... I wasn't that interested in it because it didn't sound like real acting to me.
According to Disney this is where all the money is, and if Disney wanted me to do it then fine by me. Plus, they said it seals you in their database for future movies because they didn't just pick anybody. This is what my career was all about and I just couldn't wait to do more.
Plus, I'm still winning awards each time I attend an award ceremony.
A lot of my fans are constantly putting out tallies online because it was my 8th award show last night that I had won an award for and I haven't broken my record yet. Of course, there are still haters that wanna see me fall indicating that I should ''give somebody else a turn!"
Ugh, screw them.
When you see someone even put in half the amount of effort as I put out in order to get to where I am today, then we'll talk. But until then, I'm going to need them to zip it.
They really think I don't see that crap they post online! Half of them probably couldn't even hit half of the notes I can putting stuff online about how I "can't sing" or "can't act" and crap.
But I have to remember what my manager said.
Negativity doesn't deserve a response.
It sure didn't! That always makes me feel better.
Laughing lightly to myself, I rested my arm on top of the vanity table and rested my head in my hand and sighed. My nails were freshly done and flaunting a rich and heavenly french manicure while the bright lights lit up my face and torso making me look and feel like the star that I am.
Within the mirror, I looked in and took in my surroundings behind me.
The whole room was a cream colored hue that was almost gold, but not quite just to give it that Hollywood atmosphere. Complete with high elegant ceilings, it was very fancy and there was an assortment of go-to outfits to fit any occasion for me to my left, but most outfits; however, were usually brought to me along with shoes and jewelry.
My name was spelled out in giant glittery letters above me in cursive. There were all kind of picture frames on the wall of old Hollywood glamour with a few small high-end tables and chairs around. Only two other people had enough money to purchase a room to own only for them to get ready in this area of Hollywood, or so I've heard.
There were large light bubbles plastered on the top and the edges of my mirror and a white colored mannequin stood tall nearby with an elegant strapless very light pink gown complete with shimmery sparkles, a pearl necklace, a slit on one side, and long white gloves with a diamond ring. It was supposed to be there for inspiration, but I couldn't help but wonder if it was supposed to be worn someplace special.
The glass floors were polished crystal clear with a sandy exquisite marble flooring and the room was quite spacious because of all the helpers and "guests" I needed. Or wanted. There was no difference.
I sighed deeply again. Even though this day was full of hard work and bitter strenuous labor, it was all worth it.
Because I still made it to the top.
My smile was instantly turned into a frown as I felt a gurgling, rumbling sound from my stomach. I looked down and pressed on it hearing it release the same grumbling noise.
Where the heck was Jeanette so we could go home?! Or Destiny or my manager or Nina or heck ANYBODY?!
I'm ready to leave!
"UGHH!", I shouted not caring who heard me and threw my hands over my face. I still CANNOT believe I'm not eligible to apply for a license yet EVEN with being emancipated.
According to the law in Cali, they were still against my situation and was unsure if 15 was just tooo young to have a license.
Not for long, I was eventually going to have somebody pull some strings.
I'm tired of not being able to leave when I get good and ready!
A vibration knocked me out of my thoughts and rattled the table ringing out a harmonic melody from my phone. I paused. Who could it be now? If it's anyone from my team about my plans for tomorrow, I did not want to hear it. Not after my full day!
Picking my phone up, I didn't recognize the number. It had the LA area code. But that could be anyone. Companies, insurance agents, reporters, interviewers, bums anybody!
But, that's why my number was really kept secret. If people wanted to talk to me, they didn't because they would only be given my manager or my go-girl's number...or SOMEBODY just not mine.
Who the heck could be calling?...
I paused again and thought about who it could be.
Panic started to set in. It couldn't be...was it? I gasped. What if it was Alvin?
Fear rushed across my face. I felt like the room was spinning and I couldn't breathe. I darted my eyes back and forth and from the phone to my reflection and saw an immediate red tint rise and cover my cheeks.
What was I going to say? Was he trying to invite me over? What if he wanted to go out somewhere?
Ugh, but I can't now! I'm not in the mood to go anywhere! This wasn't going to work.
I whimpered. I couldn't hang out with him tonight!
Was he even-?
I gasped and covered my hand over my mouth. How could I forget?!
The restaurant's release party!
I gulped bringing my hand down shakily and thought about it trying to calm myself down. He did say he was going, but why did he all of a sudden think I was gonna find the energy to go out when I was completely pooped?!
The phone had stopped it's ringing and I sat quietly with my finger in my mouth pondering if I was making the right decision. His schedule was full, I already knew that. Trying to plan a day with him seemed impossible! Plus, our schedules are always done ahead of time so if we plan a..'date'...we might as well not schedule it at all because I'll be desperate for it to get here, then more events will pop up on the day we choose and we have to cancel it altogether.
...Like we always do.
Making arrangements with him was like trying to make arrangements to meet the president. Meaning it usually never happened. The worst part about it was before last night...I really don't remember the last time we had been able to be that close with each other.
...Did I really want to go though? He was going to be there. But what if he tried to pull some stunt in public and I ended up getting embarrassed and having to leave? It was like having to deal with the record company fiasco all over again!
Does that make me a bad person? Going to the restaurant release party only to see Alvin, not to really congratulate Theodore and Eleanor on all their hard work?
Not only that. I bit my lip and thought for a second...this will be the first time me and Eleanor will be face to face along with the public in over a year.
I felt my heart leap inside my chest out of fear. Alvin and Eleanor?! I don't need this kind of drama in my life!
Though...I am kinda happy for Eleanor and Theo for finally getting that restaurant she wanted so badly started. So young too. But, I refuse to go in public with her acting like a witch with a capital 'B' to me! I refuse to go and be disrespected and I would hate to do what I had to do with today to Eleanor and be left looking like the bad guy.
I sat quietly and didn't move for a while. The noise behind me still hadn't calmed down yet and I still couldn't wait to go home. If I go to this event tonight who knows when I'll get home?! And I don't even know what my day was going to be looking like tomorrow yet!
This is all Jeanette's fault. If she didn't bother me about Eleanor's party today I wouldn't even be dealing with yet another event in the same day. This is what...the fifth important thing I'll be doing today? That is, if I go!
I frowned and rubbed my forehead feeling a slight headache coming on and wondered if this is how my life was always gonna be. Making ridiculous decisions about whether I should do something for myself or somebody else?!
"Ugh! This is too much, I'm just going to go home! Where is my ride?!", I yelled to nobody in particular. Obviously it was just TOO loud outside for anyone to hear my voice. Guess I just DON'T MATTER to anyone.
Funny how they want me go Ellie's lil function knowing that I'm tired as hell from my day, and still expect me to go.
Nobody ever cares about MY needs!
"Ughh…I really need some water right now", I frowned and threw my head in my hands and dragged them down and groaned careful to not to mess up my make up. Even though I'm not going to go, I still didnt wanna take my makeup off so I sat for a seconds longer and waited. A few minutes passed before I heard a familiar noise coming from my phone again.
My heart stopped and throbbed uncomfortably. I shut my eyes tightly and clenched my teeth before opening them again. That number just wouldn't go away!
I bit my lip and wondered what to do? Should I just let him down nicely? The number flashed again and made the same vibrating noise. Pouting, I picked it up and stared at the screen. Well, here goes nothing.
I took a deep breath and swiped the green button across the screen and brought the phone to my ear.
"Augh, what do you want Al-vin?!", I sneered into the phone.
"No, actually.", a young familiar voice clarified," Its Eleanor, Brittany."
I sucked in my breath. My eyes got really wide and my mouth went dry. I gulped and tried to register my thoughts. What did she want? And who was so careless enough to give her my phone number without my permission? Family or not, it was rude.
"How did you even get my number?!", I shot immediately, "I don't remember giving it to you! "
"Who else?!", she told me with the same venom in her voice I can still hear from 2 years ago, "Like we don't both have the same sister!"
I ignored her and didn't respond.
"Its okay.", she remarked in a careless voice, " You don't even have to say anything. I heard that Jean already told you about the thing we had going on tonight anyway."
I swallowed and pulled my stuff together. Who did she think I was? I'm not going to be intimidated by her. She could pull this crap with somebody else but it's not going to be me. Does she know who I am now?
"Yeah, and?", I repositioned my phone to my other ear then furrowed my brows together, "Since I can't even get one simple call and I have to rely on late notices."
She laughed like it didn't matter. Ooh if I could just climb through this phone! Not today. No, it just seemed like everyone wanted my bad side today.
"All these years and you still haven't changed. You can't always expect people to go out of their way for you.", she bitterly stated. Like I haven't heard the same thing from her before.
I was fuming. "You know what? Maybe I should just end this right now!". Clearly she was mistaken if she thought I wasn't gonna retaliate on her B.S.
"Look. Just stop, okay? I didn't call you to argue!", she yelled fiercely, " I only called you to say that the dinner will be at 8pm, but you need to be there at 7:50pm if your gonna come."
"And what made you think I was going to come if I had no idea until this morning?!", I argued. Talk about cheap planning. Jeanette is so responsible for this too. Keeping it from me like that. She knew she found out early and chose to keep it from me. Whether I was gonna go or not they know how busy I am! Did they think I was just gonna figure it out on my own?
I couldn't believe her! Who the heck has a dinner party that late at night anyway?!
She raised her voice, "How should I know, Brittany? Why would I put you on the list if you probably had all kinds of plans today in the first place?"
List?
Did she just say 'list'?
Did she even hear herself?! Regardless of how our relationship has been these last years, I am still family. I could march myself in there and get a front row seat and a free meal if I really wanted to.
"I don't know, why did you? Well maybe had you told me from the get-go, we wouldn't be even dealing with this!", I started to tremble a bit from my rising anger.
"That isn't any of my fault so you have no right to be mad at me!", I continued harshly.
"Well whatever, Brittany! I didn't want to have to come between you and your career that you care oh so deeply about.", she said simply, " I'm only calling because Jeanette asked me to."
I took a deep breath before responding, "Well I -"
"Okay just..just-", she interrupted frantically before sighing loudly. What more did she want? I know she wasn't getting mad at me. Was she really just gonna call me on the phone with a straight face and get mad at me for being upset with her late notice? I bet complete strangers were notified sooner than me.
"Whatever Eleanor. You can fool whoever you want, you probably just missed me anyway.", I taunted turning away from my mirror. I crossed my leg over the other with my phone in one hand and brought my other one towards me to fawn over my lavish new nails.
She sucked in her breath, "Bri-What?!".
That's right. I got you right where I wanted you.
"You know Brittany!...Sometimes, you act just..-," she paused like she was trying to muster up every ounce of bitterness just to bring me down tonight, "like... Alvin. And you don't even realize it. ", she finished in a huff.
"Wait a minute..WHAT?!", I shrieked.
"You know what? If your gonna go just leave there with Jeanette! If you don't wanna come then fine!", she continued. My hand was clenching the phone tightly by now. How long did I have to wait before she hung up? I could just see myself pressing that red button any second now.
I licked my lips before trying again. She was not gonna get away with that last comment about him, "Y-you...I-I...", I paused again and huffed trying to continue again but she responded before I could say anything.
"Just be there on time IF you're coming.", she finished and hung up.
My face grew bright red. I nearly slammed my phone down. Is this how it was going to be there if I even were to attend? This whole "family" thing was sometimes more trouble than what it was worth.
"OHMYGOSH!", I roared, "She is such a-"
Knock knock knock
A voice cleared itself before speaking, "Um...Brittany babe? Are you in there? You okay, hun?!", a flirty, young female voice came through my doors.
Who could that be? I hope they didn't hear me...that would be embarrassing.
I coughed once before answering, "Uhh...", I cleared my throat and pulled myself together, "Y-yeah I am". I smoothed out my dress and took steady breaths. Nobody could know the issues I had with this whole "sister" thing.
I heard whispers and hushed chattering outside the door like there was more than one person outside my dressing room.
"Well...is it okay if we...", they all began at the same time with uncertainty. I didn't blame them for being scared. I had let them in as well as others the few times they asked and they knew it was company policy to not let workers in after we had finished with productions. It's easy to see how pushing a few rules to the side easily lets order become so lax.
"Sure. Come in.", I sighed and took a deep breath looking in the mirror to see the red fade into a pinkish tint on my face. Maybe they'll help me take my mind off things. I touched were the tint was and took another deep breath to calm the verbal terror that went on during the unfortunate altercation.
I still can't believe she compared me to him.
Seeing myself frown with my brows furrowed together, I quickly fixed my face. People have been telling me that I need to stop walking around like that for fear of people thinking I'm naturally rude.
I tried not to roll my eyes at the thought.
The girls that were working on my photos and waiting for Jeanette earlier were making their way inside my room and immediately started making themselves acquainted with their surroundings. Normally I wouldn't allow people to come in just making themselves comfortable like that. Especially when I was about to leave. But, I guess that could change...for now.
I turned my chair around to face them all. They each began sitting and putting their legs up on the tables or pulling out their phones and chattering. I watched them all silently almost waiting for them to say something about my phone call, but they didn't. Maybe they hadn't heard. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.
One girl with jet black long hair to the middle of her back, plump lips, and rocker pink make-up on eyed me with a smile and came over and started running her hands playfully through my hair taking the pin out and fluffing out my auburn curls. I smirked to myself.
I leaned my head back and smiled up at her giggling as she maneuvered her hands through each curl and fluffed them out making them fall down the back of the chair. This girl sure was bold..coming up to me like this and touching my hair at the same time?! Yeah, this was unheard of. But, being pampered was something I always was in the mood for,
"Sooo?", one of the chicks said from a suede cream colored seat. She had short curly brown hair and bright firecracker red lips, "You know everybody can't stop talking about it, right?" She grinned over at me excitedly.
The sensation that came from the girl behind me running her hands through my scalp and my soft curls was almost too intense. She was smiling down at me and giggled slightly knowing that I was enjoying every second.
I leaned back in my chair and redirected my attention to the question. My eyes rose up slightly in anticipation. "Huh? Umm...no. About what? Talking about what?", I tried to put together my words and focus on the lovely scalp massage I was getting.
I moaned in ecstasy and the rocker chick smirked down at me. She was enjoying it too.
Another girl spoke up while fixing my mannequin pulling and tugging on the silk attire gently, "About what happened out there! Everybody keeps talking about it!"
I opened my eyes slightly and yawned, "Oh yeah I know right? That hair commercial is such a big deal to England, but now people all over the world are going to see it." I reached back with one hand and massaged the tense feeling I had in my left shoulder. Ugh, I am due for a massage.
They all started giggling and shaking their heads at me laughing. Another chick had her mouth dropped smiling as she straightened out my outfits.
She spoke up, "Noo girl! About how you fired that redheaded chick and didn't even feel sorry about it!"
I looked at her and raised my eyebrows in realization, "Ohhh!", I began laughing and covered my mouth with both of my hands.
"I totally forgot all about it! Why? Did she leave the room crying?" , I wondered carelessly stretching my legs and arms out. I reached up and ran a hand through the rocker girl's jet black hair lazily.
The girl stopped touching my hair leaned forward and gave me a hug from behind resting her head next to mine and I returned the favor loving the warmth.
"See?", I exclaimed , " I like some people!", I reminded them and waited for them to respond.
"Yeah", the brunette with the curly hair sitting down recalled collectively, "people who could do stuff for you."
I scoffed, "Whatever, you guys should know I take no useless prisoners-", they all looked at me with wide eyes and started cracking up, "Oops! I mean useless WORKERS!"
We all started laughing even louder until the girl that was playing in my hair previously spoke up, "Daaang, why don't you just call us your minions for pete's sake!", she spoke in cute raspy tomboy kind of voice.
"Hmmph. Don't tell me what to do.", I spat playfully. She squeezed me tighter and we all looked toward the door upon hearing it open. I was about to yell upon seeing someone dare walk in without knocking or needing anything, but I looked and saw Jeanette walking in while talking to someone outdoors still.
"Well ladies, as much as you might not believe it, I am trying oh so desperately to become a better person. ", I finished simply. The rocker chick smirked at me again removing her hands from me slowly and leaning up still keeping her arms locked around my neck.
They all started giggling muttering "Ohmygooosh!" and "Wow, Brittany."
I shrugged and reached over to my phone swiping until I found an app to play on.
Still, I could see Jeanette in my peripheral vision talking to somebody while being half in and half out the door.
"I will I will!", she spoke frantically, "Okay!...Yes...Alright bye!", she closed the door and turned around to face us and took a deep breath.
"Hi everyone.", she said took a seat up close next to me. Upon seeing Jeanette come over, the chick behind me went to go sit down near the brunette and soon made herself comfortable. Well, that was good. Maybe so more people wouldn't think it was alright to touch me whenever they felt like it...even if I did enjoy it.
"Hey Jean!", everyone responded excitedly waving at her. She waved back turned her chair towards me while I was on my phone.
She cleared her voice before speaking, "Um..well I guess everyone is still talking about it..."
"About what?", I replied casually not taking my phone off my game. Just one more pancake to go. I was going to beat this PancakeMania game if it killed me.
Since, of course, there isn't any other food around here.
A rough grumbling noise from my stomach confirmed my issue at hand. Frowning, I tried to ignore it and went back to my game.
"About you firing that girl an hour ago. You really hurt her feelings, Brittany.", Jeanette told me genuinely.
"Auuugghhh", I growled seeing that the customer on my game didn't give me enough money to unlock the next level. Now I have to do it all over again.
Not even in the videogames could I cook anything correctly!
"Did you hear me, Brit?", Jeanette spoke again.
"Huhwhat?", I clicked on the same level and begun taking customer's orders, "Uh no Jean, I didn't flirt with no girl an hour ago, you know I don't roll that way."
Girls do love me though, that's a fact.
Jeanette sighed but still managed to crack a small smile over the laughter she had begun to hear behind her upon my last comment. She groaned and began again, "Noo Brittany. The girl you fired, her remember?"
Realization suddenly hit me not as fast as it should have. I didn't have time for this. I scowled upon me messing up another pancake and spoke up, "Jeanette really? Why was everyone so concerned about her anyway, it's not like she was of any relevance to us at the label. Just another commoner, we can get another."
"Aha, right?", one of the girls agreed from afar earning nods of approval and agreements all around.
"See?!", I gloated throwing one hand up not taking my eyes off of my screen, "Even they agree so let's just…", my voice trailed off from either being irritated with this game or from people bothering me about the stupid girl.
"Let's just stop, okay?", my headache and hunger were beginning to take its toll on me and I didn't wanna talk about this anymore, I just wanted to go home.
Jeanette let out a sigh and rubbed her temples, "Do you always have to be so difficult, Brittany? You really hurt her feelings", she stated for the second time, "Think of what it could do to the company."
My face was unmoved by her nonsense, "I'm not being difficult, I just wanna go home.", I spoke with such a bored tone I barely recognized it as my voice.
She sighed again and finally gave up on me.
"So…", she continued again. I felt the heat rising in my chest. If she mentions her one more time…
"Eleanor told me an hour ago that she was gonna try and call you today.", she finished leaning her body toward my vanity resting her head in her hand looking at me through the mirror.
I inclined my head and raised a concerned brow. Is that who she was on the phone with?
The phone showed a screen with pancakes flying around in the circle with the main player juggling them indicating that the game was loading. I took it as a moment not to leave behind.
"You had her call me?", it sounded more like I made a statement instead of asked a question.
She turned at me almost offended, "Um yeah, I did! Why wouldn't I?"
My lips were pursed together in a flat, thin frown giving her a that's-not-surprising look. I narrowed my eyes at her before looking back down at my game.
She chuckled slightly at looked at me like I was about to make a joke, like I wasn't already pissed.
"I'm guessing that's a... yes?", she pestered on turning towards me smoothing her hair with one hand while motioning with the other.
My answer was so close to being full of pure sarcasm. I almost wanted to yell out, but contained myself not trying to lose my calm composure having the heated argument with her still embedded in my memory. I then gave a quick fake smile before responding with irritation.
"Yeap. She sure did call.", I rolled my eyes not able to keep up this whole "being nice" thing. I was mad as hell about that conversation and I don't want to go into it after my tough day. Music video, magazine, commercial, photoshoot, and the girl pissing me off? Yeah, once I get out of here, I am in for the night.
She looked hesitant to continue, darting her eyes back and forth from me to the ground.
"Sooo, how'd it g-", she began.
"Horrible.", I finished for her. What, did she think we were gonna go get our nails done now or something?
She looked confused and shocked at the same time. She frowned before starting, "You mean... it was that bad?"
"I honestly don't know why you'd think a conversation like that was going to go as planned.", I retorted before exiting out of my game and placing my phone on the counter of the vanity.
I looked back at her and waited for a response.
"All I told her was to tell you what time to be there if you were gonna come with me…", her voice trailed off before continuing, "She wasn't mean was she?"
Gosh, I hated throwing Jeanette in the middle of all of this crap, but in a way, she brought it upon herself by telling me about our 'sweet' sister Eleanor this morning.
"Well, if you think calling me up with an attitude about the whole event tonight nice and friendly, then yeah! We just had an absolute ball over the phone!", I huffed and crossed my arms.
Jeanette opened her mouth slightly as if to say something and closed it again. She closed her eyes tightly and let out a quick breath through her nose. She slowly tilted her head up and looked me in the eyes. Her eyes looked slightly watery.
Oh no, not this again.
She shook her head slowly as if wondering how everything escalated into this, "You really hurt her, Brit...", she spoke in a whisper not wanting to let the other girls hear.
My patience was wearing thin and I gave her a dumb look and cocked my head to the side referring to the girls behind her that were laughing and gossiping loudly clearly not caring that we could hear every word they were saying.
Wait a minute hold on, what if the door was opened?! I looked over at them with a smug expression. They're over here just blurting out which co-worker they did or didn't like as if it didn't matter to them in the least!
Hmmph, that's why I was always sneaky and discreet with my gossip, but to each its own I guess.
I brought my eyes back to Jeanette and went on, "I hurt her?", I gestured to myself and remarked in disbelief. I wanted to chuck the vase of roses across the room soo bad. If it weren't for those girls in here, I would've done it too with absolutely no shame and had someone bring me more flowers and a bigger vase in its place by my vanity tomorrow. But, I had a rep to keep.
Jeanette looked like she regretted what she just said. She gulped and tried again, "Brittney…", she took a deep breath, "she-...we needed you when Miss Miller died but-"
"But nothing!", I snapped loudly. The girls looked over startled and tried to lower their voices slightly looking at me, then looking away so I didn't get fed up enough to kick them out.
I threw my hands up in exasperation. "Jeanette. Its been 2 years, okay? Two LONG years! I've had enough, okay! She can't keep holding this grudge on me forever!"
Jeanette looked hurt and confused, "Brit, its not only that probably...maybe it could be about how you left us basically."
I paused and looked at her confused. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She stared at her hands in her lap like she didn't know what to say. I knew she had something to say so I don't know where all this shyness was coming from. Sure it was in her personality, but she wasn't shy about what she had to say, she was shy about how I was going to take it.
All these years have went by and she never really said what was on her mind, but decided now for some reason.
"Y-you…", she sighed and looked up at me, "You left the group, Brittany."
Oh…
Now this was amusing.
That's what this was all about? Because I left the group two years ago? We're still on that?
I smirked and shook my head, "Jeanette...", I laughed slightly looking down and began slowly looking up at her again, "I'm tired of explaining myself. Really, I am. To you, to the media, to everybody!..."
Her face remained unchanged like she didn't believe me.
I started again without shame," Those were the best years of my life, but...I just...I just had to start doing things on my own. You couldn't possibly think that we were gonna be in this group forever, Jeanette."
My heart rate tried to contain itself upon seeing the unreadable expression from her face knowing there wasn't much she could say back. I searched her eyes for any say on the matter but couldn't reach any conclusion.
"Did you?", I began again.
She took a breath, "Britta-"
"But, did you, though?!", I finished for her loudly motioning toward her with my hand.
I knew it was wrong to shut her down , but this charade had gone on for too long and I was done talking about it. They could continue this little fiasco to anyone else, but it wasn't going to be me.
"Jeanette, I loved the group too but-"
"Brittany.", she insisted quickly clearly not wanting me to interrupt her again. She shut her eyes tightly like pulling every word out was about to be a struggle, "we...we loved it...just like you did.", she looked up at me trying to make me fully understand what she was saying while I narrowed my eyes.
"But…", she sighed deeply, "if we wanted to go solo, we would've never brought it up in front of everybody..Especially without having had ran it by each other to begin with."
My stare was cold. I tilted my head slightly and breathed in about to speak up, but nothing came out. Surely she wasn't trying to defend Eleanor's harsh call insisting that this was all my fault she was acting like this.
She continued again, "Brittany, do you know how...embarrassing it was after you left the party and everyone was laughing at us talking about 'How could we not know?'", her eyes started to water up again.
My throat felt dry. Once again, I tried to get a word in, but nothing came out. I was choking on the truth as it hurled at me unmercifully with no one and nothing to stop it.
She went on, "They were laughing at us because they thought we knew!"
My eyes turned into a glare as she continued.
"We had no idea that you had even made arrangements, we were just as shocked as everybody else. We didn't even know you had been feeling this way!", she said with a sob.
Unfazed as I was, I couldn't even believe that.
"Hmph really? Like you guys would've even cared though! Did it really take that long for you to figure it out?", I snapped and stared daggers at her, "There was so much evidence! I was barely helping out in the studio, we had to share any award that we would win. For crying out loud Jeanette, we didn't have any individuality except for a COLOR."
"We're not mind-readers, Brittany. We didn't know what was going on until you told us...in front of everybody", she added sadly.
I still wasn't about to own up to it. No way I was gonna sit up here and be blamed because I simply told the truth.
"You just don't get it, do you?," she shook her head at me," You didn't have to sit there and listen to everyone tell you 'Oh yeah, we all know that Brittney would run circles around you guys in the industry, let her go she's too good for you guys anyway'"
The heat was rising in my chest through all the hurt and the anger I was feeling. Images flashed everywhere in my mind before I could stop them. Right and left. I blinked rapidly trying to stop them all at once, but I couldn't. The pain just kept coming right along with the guilt in heavy large blows. Before I knew it, I saw everyone's shocked expressions and the choked laughter of disbelief as I stated my plans for the future.
In my mind I then saw..Eleanor's mean and hateful expression and Jeanette's tear stained face along with the shocked expressions of all the big people at my old label. It all came back to me.
Hurtful words...
Cold-hearted stares…
Crying in the back of my limo all the way up to the hotel.
My old life falling apart as I knew it.
...But I wasn't going to sit here and feel sorry about it.
"Its in the past, Jeanette.", I stared dead at her unaffected by her words.
She looked hurt and I saw the same glossy violet eyes staring at me full of sorrow the same way they did the day I quit, but I kept going.
"It's all in the past now, and I can't change that. This is who I am now, so either you accept it or you can move on like I did.", I finished calmly. I was so done. So done. This had gone on far too long and I didn't need anymore stress in my life.
She still didn't answer and looked down into her lap and took a deep breath and sighed like she was giving up after all these years.
I was about to say something else before I heard a light knock at the door.
"Excuse me, Ms. Brittany?! May we come in pleas-"
Loud banging soon erupted.
"Open the door girl! What, is this locked? Oh nevermind!"
A twist and a rattle was heard before the door flew open and Destiny walked in with a few of my beauticians behind her. She waved and blew kisses at the other girls in the room and they giggled at her and waved back.
Destiny then resumed her walk towards me and came over and sat on my lap shamelessly throwing an arm around my neck, then scooting in to make herself more comfortable.
My beauticians and the other girls across the room laughed at Destiny's uncaring behavior, even out the corner of my eye I saw Jeanette crack a tiny smile. Or it must've been my imagination.
I looked up at Destiny with an are-you-serious look. She winked at me basically daring me to say something back to her. I shook my head and rolled my eyes smiling at her, this girl is so crazy I should have fired her too just to get a kick out of it, not like she would've went along with it anyway.
Second female today invading my personal space in the same hour? Yeah some things were going to change around here, clearly these females were forgetting their place.
"You're just too arrogant.", Destiny insisted. Was she reading my mind now? I cocked an eyebrow at her as she laughed at me.
Slowly, I turned over at my beauticians that just walked in. "Was there something you girls needed?", I asked and wrapped my arm around Destiny's waist.
They smiled sweetly at me and one of them spoke up, "Honey, we just came to tell you that we're ready to help you take your makeup off."
I stared at them in horror, "What?! Take it off?", I cried in disbelief.
Everyone in the entire room looked at me wondering what my problem was. Of course I wasn't gonna be telling them that sometimes I wore makeup to sleep and that I thought sometimes it was easier to take it off in the morning anyway, but still.
"Well,", another one spoke up, "Unless you have another place that you have to be..."
"Oh..well…", I muttered looking down, "I guess I don't really..."
I saw Jeanette sink into her seat and tried to ignore her. Destiny saw this and looked at me confused.
"What about the restaurant release party?", Destiny proclaimed.
My eyes immediately got big and I wanted to tackle Destiny right then and there. I saw Jeanette sit up a little straighter looking at me closely. Now I know I saw that clearly.
I covered Destiny's mouth with both of my hands, "No! No no no no NO!", I protested as she struggled trying to pry them away laughing.
Everyone looked up in realization.
"Ohhh!", the girl that was over by the mannequin looked up in realization, " Oh I heard about the release today! It was on 'Inside Hollywood' today!"
The rocker chick was filing her nails and nodded in agreement without looking at her.
The girl straightening my outfits was making her way to a seat by the rocker chick and spoke up, "Yessss, and I saw a couple of the special entrees that were gonna be featured on the Food Channel too!"
Everybody agreed and groaned over not being able to attend.
The brunette with the red lips looked over at me concerned, "You're not going, Brit?"
Every eye in the room was immediately on me, including Jeanette's.
I sucked in my breath and looked at them all preparing what I was about to say.
I licked my lips and began, "Listen guys..." I really wasn't in the mood for this, " I'm only gonna say this once. I had a really long day today and I'm not in the mood for anything else."
They all looked disappointed and I saw Jeanette turn away sadly and take out her phone.
Someone started to speak up, "But...that's your sister."
I shook my head, "No. Stop," I said putting my hand up," I'm not in the mood to argue. So let's just...call it quits, okay?"
Destiny started to bring her hand down to rub my back slowly and I welcomed it. She always understood me.
"If this was about a sister-thing, I shouldn't have found out this morning.", I retorted and stared at Jeanette daring her to look back. Instead, she took another deep breath and sighed.
Nobody knew what to say. Upon seeing the way I looked at Jeanette, the tension grew extremely thick, and soon, quiet.
Destiny slowly stopped rubbing my back and left her hand there.
"You know...", she spoke up, "If you think about it. Like...the thing that sucks is that it'll be really bad for your image if you don't go."
The blood drained from my face and I realized she was right. If I didn't go, the public will throw a huge fit about it and I'll be bombarded with questions for the next following months. Then they'll start rumors about our estranged relationship...that they still know nothing about.
I was running out of time...Jeanette's limo could be here in any minute knowing how much of an earlybird she felt like she had to be. Plus, my beauticians had to either stay here and help me undress or help me get ready for yet another event. Plus, the company would have to pay them overtime.
I gritted my teeth and my face felt hot. This was all just too much and I don't know if I can take all of this pressure. My mind was full of different kinds of crazy emotions and they kept coming back to haunt me every couple of seconds. This can't possibly all happen in one whole night.
My thoughts ran to Eleanor and how we haven't seen each other in what feels like a millennium and only just recently spoke to each other minutes ago. It was a celebration for her and Theodore's hard work finally paying off. It did seem right for me to go and share that once in a lifetime moment with her. She probably won't forgive me ever again if I decided not to go too.
Then there's the media who was in charge of glorifying or destroying my image to the public. When word gets out that I chose not to attend Eleanor's release party, they'll never let me live it down. There will be all kinds of breaking news reports on Hollywood channels as well as social media criticizing my decision and the public will finally know how me and Eleanor have truly felt about each other over the years.
Then there's Alvin.
Do I even need to think about it any further? I wanted to see him...but why did it have to be done in such a public environment? Where everyone could see us together? It's not like we're gonna be able to interact the same way we really wanted to because it won't be a real date.
Well...maybe he would act the way he wanted to act. I won't be letting him know how I..kinda feel about him. Especially not in front of everybody. Even worse, if he got under my skin enough to where I had to leave abruptly, I would be receiving backlash from the media and Eleanor altogether.
My stomach growled heavily and brought me down to an even more depressed mood as I turned away from Destiny. There was going to be food there, that's for sure. If were to go home there was a 50/50 chance Nina would be there to cook me something making me wish I had just gone to the party in the first place.
I can't handle this all at once. My head felt like it was about to burst from all of the decisions in my way keeping me from making a conscious decision for myself.
Nobody knew what to say.
But I did.
"I need some space.", I slowly started to get up motioning Destiny to do the same. I grabbed my phone off the vanity and looked over to where my beauticians were standing. They started to move aside upon seeing me walk over to them.
All eyes were on me as I strolled past them carelessly with my heels clicking loudly. When I got to the door, I turned around slightly and looked at everyone with an unreadable expression. I looked down at the floor and sighed harshly, then I looked back at them quickly, "I'll be back."
Jeanette looked at me with a worried expression, "But,..what about your bodyguards? Won't you get-"
I stomped my foot down, "Dammit, I said I'll be back", I looked at her harshly and closed the door.
~Xoxo~
Ouch.
That one almost came out the screen and socked me! Hell I FELT that one!
However, I am very happy with the way this came out. B's got a loooot of ground to cover as far because of all of these tough decisions that keep popping up right and left. Fame+anxiety+fear+conflict= complete disaster!
I'm just glad its not me xDD
Remember, if you like what you see drop me a line!
Hope you guys enjoyed it !
XoxTristinaaa!