A Fan Girl's Dream

Chapter One

I couldn't believe this. This was really happening. Everyday since my book became a best seller I've been practically pinching myself. It had to be a dream, this couldn't be real.

But everyday I woke up, thousands of retweets and DMs and comments reminded me. This is really happening.

We announced the sequel last week. My fans, which I never imagined myself actually saying, had been asking for it since the first went viral. I had a vague idea where I wanted it to go but the words really just flew out of me. Thanks to my amazing editor, we had the book done in a year. Today I was going to be interviewed. On live television. I've never had a live interview before and I've been equally excited for and dreading it. I like writing because I have time to contemplate my words. Interviews, that's not a thing. I started to feel myself get worked up and panicky.

With her perfect timing, every time, my agent called. I answered the phone with a quiet, "hello?"

"Don't bother getting dressed, we have an outfit and people here for makeup. Just get caffeinated and keep yourself calm. I'll meet you at the studio." And she hung up. I took her words to heart, leaving my PJs on as I made a pot of coffee and got my to go cup ready. I scrolled on Twitter as I waited.

I don't think I would ever accept the amount of comments I would have every morning. I scrolled through, trying to like all of them. I know how much it means to them when people interact with their fans. I tried to do that as much as possible. I could spend HOURS trying to comment back to everyone. But the more I commented, the more people would comment. My latest announcement had a LOT of people reacting to it, mostly positively.

My coffee pot beeped signaling me that it was done and I locked my phone. I got my cup ready and I was out the door. The studio was a 45 minute drive from my house, so I was prepared with a relaxing playlist to keep my mind off the anxiety coming.

It didn't work.

I pulled into the parking lot and my nerves were shot. I was so convinced I didn't deserve this, this was a prank, an elaborate ruse and the live interview was going to be someone pulling the rug out from under me. I took a deep breath when I saw my agent walking towards my door. I shut the car off, making sure to finish the last of my coffee as I left the cup in the holder. I got out and Elena was immediately going on about the interview.

"We're going to be getting you dressed first. Cute pajamas." She shot me a smile. "We picked out this gorgeous light pink dress I know you'll hate. But something about the idea of a cute innocent looking girl writing a dirty story, audiences love. So, you'll deal." I rolled my eyes and she continued. "Hair up or down? You have a preference?"

"I don't know. Either one is fine with me."

She nodded. "Good. They like having control back there." She opened the back door for me and smiled while quickly typing something on her phone. "You got this, babe. We've been preparing for this. They love you. You could write diary entries and it would sell right now."

"It just still feels fake to me." I admitted, looking around the behind the scenes of the studio. They portray this to look crazy busy in movies. But maybe because I was the only one being interviewed, there were three people waiting and talking.

"This is real life, hun. Let's go meet your best friends for the day." Elena smiled before walking forward. "This is Luke, he's got your dress today and will do any alterations if needed but I gave him your measurements so you should be good. Emily here will take care of your hair. And then last but not least, Bonnie's got your makeup. I leave her in your hands." Elena kissed my cheek.

I reached for her arm. "Wait, El. You told them to talk minimally about David and Sam, right?"

"Of course, love. I got your back." Elena smiled at me and left. I sighed with relief before turning to the three in front of me.

I held out my arms. "I'm ready. Tell me what to do."

They laughed and Luke walked towards me first. "Let's go, dear." He linked his arm around mine and led me to the changing room. "Your dress is in there. It's simple, zippers in the back. If you need help let me know. There's some stockings in there as well, I recommend those first. Shoes are out here, I have options."

I nodded at the information and stepped into the room and shut the door. I quickly pulled my shirt and pants off, leaving my underwear. "God I hate stockings." I mumbled as I pulled them out and rolled them up so I could slide my feet in. Once both feet were in I slide it up my legs, trying to avoid it bunching up anywhere. I pulled it right over my hips and was slightly thankful for the slimming waist feature of them. Once those were on, I reached for the dress. El was right, everything I hate. The pink was too light, the skirt of it flared out a lot more than I would like, and it was lace at the top, so I would be itchy the whole time. I bit my tongue and put it on. It ended an inch above my knees and sure enough, I couldn't reach the zipper.

I stepped out and Luke didn't even wait for me to ask for help. He spun his finger around, gesturing for me to twirl and when I did, he zipped me up and took a step back to look. "Perfect. Absolutely perfect." He smiled.

"Thank you." I smiled back. He was sweet, and I loved how easy it was to be around him as well. He gestured in the direction of a chair so I walked and sat down. Luke walked up with three shoes. Each different.

"We have flats, heels, or wedges. Preference?"

"Wedges." I answered. "I'm too likely to fall in heels but I feel like flats don't go with this dress." I smiled nervously. Luke only nodded and went to get the matching shoe. When he returned with the pair he held his hand out for my foot. I placed it in his hand as he put it on my feet, tightening the strap and then doing the same with the other. 

"You're perfect. Emily is waiting for you." Luke held his hand out to help me up and walked me over to another chair where Emily was waiting with hair supplies.

I sat in that chair as Emily touched my hair. "Elena said you don't have a preference?" I shook my head no. "Great, I think I'll do half up, with some loose curls. Sound good?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Nervous, dear?" Emily commented as she sectioned my hair.

I gave a small smile. "Very. This is my first live interview. I'm so worried I'll be a mess, honestly."

"You'll do great, just ignore the audience. Talk to Phil one on one." She patted my arm and then went right back to styling my hair. I thanked her for the advice and we sat quietly as she finished my hair. "Aaaaand, done. What do you think?" She handed me a mirror.

"Wow! It looks great. Thank you." I flashed her a huge smile as I looked at my reflection.

Just then Bonnie walked up to us. "My turn!" She pulled out makeup and makeup brushes and started on my face. I did my absolute best to stay as still as possible as she did her work, which only left more time for my mind to wander. What if I stuttered? Or if I forgot to keep my legs closed? Or I fart? It's live. There's no editing.

"Done!" Bonnie tapped my nose with a brush and handed me the mirror again. I looked at my reflection, the subtle cat eye liner that I could never do myself, the pink lips and matching blush.

"Wow..." I said, amazed. "Thank you. Thank you all, really."

"Knock 'em dead, doll." Luke air kissed my cheek before I stood, walking to the door labeled STAGE.