October, Nine Years & Five Months Since the Release of Antler Queen
"I'm serious Charlotte don't you dare do or say anything rash." Charlotte's manager, Laura Lee says.
"I won't do anything, Laura Lee. Could you just leave me alone please? I'm trying to focus." Charlotte meditates to keep herself calm, it beats her daily dose of medicine that she still takes, but she still has to take them. It's just better to try to get a peace of mind.
"I'm not kidding Charlotte, I know how you react whenever it comes to YJR and anything that has to do with Scatorccio in particular. Just do me a favor and at least tell me if you're feeling... Off, okay?" Laura Lee says gently, indirectly but they both understood what Laura Lee meant— if it was an episode, or if it was just some rash decision that Charlotte tends to take. She nods with her eyes closed at what her manager's saying.
Laura Lee exits the room reluctantly, leaving Charlotte to open her tablet once more to look at that interview. Who knows how many times she's been rewatching it, especially being only a week since it's release.
"You really are unpredictable, Natalie." Lottie says to herself sadly, not sure if she's going to do anything for the moment.
Early May, One Year Until The Release of Antler Queen
When Natalie accepted to go on tour to learn about Mari she didn't expect that she would be learning and memorising in her hotel room.
Who said you had to get a high school diploma to get into this career?
Natalie had never been too ashamed about dropping out first year of high school but this experience truly made her feel small and just uncomfortable. And what made matters worse, little miss perfect walked through the door.
"We were supposed to enjoy the city, Nat. Drop the book for a second come on." Lottie almost pleaded, she was bored out of her mind of seeing music notes and lyrics all day.
"Get the fuck out, Lottie." Nat replied, not a single care on how that could have sounded, she just really wanted to concentrate.
Lottie sat on the desk next to where Nat had her head burried in her book. "Just get your GED, like I did. It's not that hard and I know you're not even dumb."
What a genius, huh?
"Yeah and who's gonna teach me? These old shit text books I have? My middle school diploma?"
"I'll tutor you! The faster we get this done the better. You're practically frying your brain."
"I don't need your help Lottie." It's enough that Lottie always corrected her on being pitchy every 5 seconds, she didn't need her down her throat about studies as well.
"Natalie."
"Charlotte."
They both stared at each other, Lottie not giving up, in which Nat grunted and threw her pen in defeat.
"I can do it on my own you know?" Nat retorted still. She really was never used to getting help from anyone, even if it meant missing out on this tour.
"And I know that, but we can do this way faster."
"How fast?"
"Two weeks."
Nat scoffed. "That's impossible."
"If you learn everything I have to teach you for the GED and pass, I win. If you fail, you win. Loser has to answer only one question the other asks, no matter what it is."
"That's bullshit... but I like to win, even if it meant failing I guess. You're on."
Lottie was pleased that her offer was accepted. "Then let's get this started."
