Forbidden Fruit (Travis Kelce)

A Shattered Illusion

Arianna

My reflection in the mirror was a stark reminder of the nightmare that had become my reality. My tear-streaked face stared back at me, haunted by the scandal that had exploded around me. The headlines were everywhere: Leaked Video Scandal: Arianna Jade Exposed. My phone buzzed incessantly with messages and calls, but I couldn't bring myself to look at them.

I sat on the edge of my bed, feeling as though the ground had been pulled out from under me. The betrayal stung deep, taking me back to that night with Zach LaVine. We had been tangled in the sheets, lost in the heat of the moment. I could still see the way he looked at me, his eyes filled with desire and something deeper.

"Can I record this?" he had asked, his voice breathless.

I remembered hesitating, feeling a twinge of uncertainty. "Are you sure, Zach?"

He had nodded, his expression earnest and convincing. "I swear, it's only for my eyes. No one will ever see it."

Trusting him, I had agreed. Over the past year, Zach and I had been on and off, hooking up whenever we could find the time. It was passionate, intense, and complicated. But now, the video was everywhere, and I felt utterly betrayed. How could he have let this happen?

My phone buzzed again, jolting me back to the present. It was my manager. I knew I had to face this sooner or later, so I picked up the call, my hands trembling.

"Arianna, we need to get ahead of this," my manager's voice was tense. "The media is going crazy, and we need a statement."

"I can't," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I can't face them. Not right now."

"Okay, listen. Why don't you go to your parents' house? Take some time to figure things out. We'll handle the media for now."

I nodded, even though my manager couldn't see me. "Alright. I'll go there."

Within minutes, my security team was taking me to my parents' house. My heart was heavy with shame and fear. I hoped that my parents' home would offer some semblance of comfort. But as I walked through the door, I was met with my father's stern gaze and my mother's worried eyes.

"Sweetheart," my mom said, rushing to embrace me. "We saw the news. Are you okay?"

I melted into her arms, seeking the comfort I so desperately needed. "I don't know, Mom. I don't know how to handle this."

My dad crossed his arms and sighed deeply. "Arianna, you need to understand the consequences of your actions. This could have been prevented if you had been more careful."

I pulled away from my mom, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Dad, I can't do this right now. I need support, not a lecture."

My mom stepped in, sensing the rising tension. "James, please, she needs our support right now. Arianna, it's okay. We're here for you."

Feeling suffocated, I made a decision. "I think I'm going to go to Brittany's. I need to get out of LA for a while."

My mom nodded, understanding. "Alright, sweetheart. If that's what you need."

As I was about to leave, my phone buzzed again. It was Zach. My heart pounded in my chest as I debated whether to answer. I finally picked up, my voice shaky. "Hello?"

"Ari, please, let me explain," Zach's voice was desperate. "I didn't mean for this to happen. My phone got hacked. I was supposed to delete the video, but I... I just forgot."

"Forgot?" I echoed, disbelief and anger bubbling up. "Zach, you promised me no one would ever see it. How could you be so careless?"

"I know, I know," he pleaded. "I messed up. I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you."

His apologies felt hollow, but I couldn't deal with it right now. "I need time, Zach. I can't talk about this right now."

"I understand," he said quietly. "But please, believe me. I never wanted this to happen."

I hung up, my emotions in turmoil. I glanced at the TV and saw yet another news segment about the scandal. They were painting me as a reckless, promiscuous woman while Zach was still being praised as a golden boy, the unfortunate victim of a hacking incident. It was so unfair. The double standard made my blood boil.

"Why am I the one being dragged through the mud?" I muttered to myself, the injustice of it all burning inside me.

The video that everyone saw was intimate and raw, showing me completely naked on top of Zach. The camera angle captured everything—my back arched in pleasure, the look of ecstasy on my face, and Zach's hands gripping my hips. It was meant to be a private moment, a snapshot of our passion, but now it was public property, dissected and judged by millions.

My parents tried to comfort me, but I needed space to clear my head. Within hours, I was on a plane to Kansas City. I needed the comfort of my sister, Brittany, and my brother-in-law, Patrick Mahomes. As the plane soared through the night sky, I took out my notebook and began to write. I needed an outlet, a way to process the betrayal and pain.

Under pressure
Questions all around, but there's no answers
Try to keep my pace, they want it faster
Records all around they give me shelter, shelter

No need to hurry, no need to rush
I tell them my story, it's never enough
It's never enough

I'm hiding from my shadows, running inside my dreams
I know that you are watching, you're right there watching me
I need a taste of freedom, I need some room to breathe
But I know that you are watching, you're right there watching me

So give me a little, give me a little, a little more space
Just give me a little, give me a little

Satisfaction
All we ever want, but I can't have it
Scribbles on the page, they call it magic
Makes me wanna be what you imagine, imagine

No need to hurry, no need to rush
I tell them my story, it's never enough
It's never enough

I'm hiding from my shadows, running inside my dreams
I know that you are watching, you're right there watching me
I need a taste of freedom, I need some room to breathe
But I know that you are watching, you're right there watching me

When their eyes are all around
Give me, give me, give me space
Keep it low, don't make a sound
Give me, give me, give me space
When their eyes are all around
Give me, give me, give me space
Keep it low, don't make a sound
Give me, give me, give me space (space)

I'm hiding from my shadows, running inside my dreams
I know that you are watching, you're right there watching me
I need a taste of freedom, I need some room to breathe
(Give me some room to breathe)
But I know that you are watching, you're right there watching me

When their eyes are all around
(I'm hiding from my shadows)
Give me, give me, give me space
Keep it low, don't make a sound
(I know that you are watching)
Give me, give me, give me space
(I need a taste of freedom)
When their eyes are all around
(Give me some room to breathe)
Give me, give me, give me space
Keep it low, don't make a sound
(I know that you are watching, watching me)
Give me, give me, give me space

Just give me a little, give me a little, a little more space
(Just give me some space)
Just give me a little, give me a little, a little more space
(Just give me some space)
Just give me a little, give me a little, a little more space
(A little more)
Just give me a little, give me a little
Just give me some space baby

Space by Sabrina Carpenter

author's note

thoughts on the first chapter?