A Celebrity and a Hero

Chapter 3

Jaces POV
Crystal is in the bathroom and Harlow is taking a call. "Crystal really loves you. She really talked you up, and I can see why. You seem cool" Carter said. I shrugged. "I'm a nerd. I listen to science podcasts" I shrugged. She laughed. "What do you do professionally?" She asked. "I'm still in college but I'm a photographer" I said. She nodded. "That's nice" she said. "So... you're out?" I asked. She looked at Harlow. "Yeah." She smiled. She looked back at me. "Look, coming out as a celebrity is much harder then as a normal person. I was smashed by the critics when I came out and I still am. Granted, I wasnt exactly in the closet. Someone just asked me in an interview one day and I just said yeah. Crystal is... scared... to say the least. I've talked about it with her, and she wouldn't tell you, but she's petrified" she said. "Why?" I asked. "Because people can be cruel. I've been verbally assaulted and I've had several cases of almost being physically assaulted" she said. "But I can protect her from things like that" I said. She shook her head. "No, because she's a celebrity. If she wasnt then you might get away with it, but since she is, you'll be seen as a violent person even if you're only protecting her" she said. "Oh" I looked down. "I mean, look at Harlow. She protects me from everything, and look what its done to her. She wasn't like that when I met her. Don't get me wrong, I love her all the same, but she used to be such an optimistic person. She still is behind a closed door, but with people, she's always so stern and serious. She has to make sure I'm ok" she shrugged. I looked at Harlow. She glanced at Carter and then went back to her business. I kept my head down. "I'm not saying she shouldn't come out. Frankly she'll have to at some point, for your sake, but until she's ready, you have to give her some slack ok?" She said. I nodded. "I've been giving her slack for years Carter. It was easier when I was far away. Now that I'm here... it feels like I'm being shoved back into the closet." I said. "Then don't let it happen. Having gay friends doesn't make you gay. Don't let Crystals reputation break your confidence" she said. I smiled. "Thanks" I said.

Crystals POV
I'm at work. I got one of the lead roles in a new movie. I honestly think this movie is shit. Its called Undercover Demons. Its about two human girl police officers who go undercover as demons to sniff out some demon gang. Turns out one of them is an actual demon and didn't tell the other one so that's the whole conflict thing. I'm playing the human. Demons are actually a real species even though they're rare to find. I actually get to work with four real demons on set. The others are just other species with fake demon horns. "Crystal" I heard. I looked over. "Hmm?" I asked. Its my manager. "You have an interview at seven tonight." He sais. "Ok" I nodded. I've learned to just roll with whatever he tells me. I only say no if it involves him setting me up with a date. I cant tell you how many celebrity's are the biggest assholes ever. Plus, they're all like twenty seven and I'm only twenty. The least my manager could do is set me up with someone my age.

The hair and makeup team is making me look fake right now. "We're live in two minutes" someone said. I took a deep breath. "You ready ma'am?" One of the makeup artists asked. "Yes, thank you" I said. The announcer started talking once they started rolling. "I'm glad to welcome tonight's special guest, Crystal Anderson" he said. I walked out and waved to the selected audience as I sat down. "Good evening Crystal. How's your day been?" The man asked. "Good, thank you for asking Valentino. How have you been?" I asked. "Good, thanks. So tonight, we have a special question for you" he said. "Ask away Val" I said. "Well, some photographers have caught you walking around with this woman." He showed a photo of me and Jace. "Everyone's wondering who this mystery woman is. Anyone special?" He asked. My manager looked at me confused from behind the curtain. I waved him off with my pinky finger. "Not special how you're thinking Val. She's my bestfriend actually. We've known each other since high school" I said. "Really? So can you tell us some things about her?" He asked. I laughed a little. "Sorry Val, but I don't feel comfortable revealing my friends stuff like that. After all, she's not famous. She doesn't have to share everything so I wont out her" I said. "Well, Id say you're a good friend then" he said. I smiled. "Thanks" I said.

I came home exhausted. Plastering on that smile for hours at a time cannot be healthy but yet I get paid to do it. I walked into my room and fell face first on my bed. "Thanks for not revealing me" I heard. I looked up at Jace and smiled. Even after a long day, she can still manage to make me feel great. "You're welcome" I said. I changed out of my dress and into my pajamas, which is really just an oversized shirt. I got in bed and crawled onto Jace. "You're so hot. Every time I see you change, its always like that first time" she said. I looked up at her. "I think you've just been deprived from sex for too long" I yawned. "I mean... you could change that" she said. I laughed. "Not tonight baby" I said. She smiled and brushed her hand up and down my back. "I know. Goodnight babe" she said. "Goodnight" I smiled.