Deal With It (On Hold...)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

9 Years Later­­­­­­­­­­­

I smile at the crowd, earning a few squeals from girls and sighs of affection from the males. I brought the mic closer, waiting for the crowd to become silent. I didn’t have to wait long until a hush fell on the crowd. Time for the big announcement.

“Hey guys and gals!” A large cheer went up from the crowd.

“So I guess we all know why we’re here. As you know my new album ‘Deal with it’ is coming out soon. I just have one problem. I feel I haven’t connected to my fans as much as I should so I want everyone to enter a competition, I paused watching the audience holding their breath, were you can sing with me in a studio and write the song we sing!”

A silence last for a moment before the cheering and talking started. “So yeah, details on my official website. See you guys soon!”

Walking of the stage I felt a sense of relief. I never truly enjoyed talking to large crowds except when I was singing. I sighed before getting ushered to the change rooms to change into my ‘street clothes’ as the designers call them with utter discuss.

“Penny!” 

Jamie called as I entered the room and everyone left.

“Jamie! Shh remember what happened last time you said that, I had that creepy stalker dude creeping the corridors.” I cried.

She doubled over giggling. “Um yeah I remember that.”

She giggled more as I rolled my eyes at her. I pulled off the white mask that was concealed my identity, tossing it on the side table.

“You know, the ‘Longing’ magazine called today for an interview on your new album and announcement without the mask.”

Jamie looked at me her serious workface. As well as Jamie being my all-time best friend and roommate, she was also my manager. Frowning I said

“You know the rules, Jamie, no one can know who I am because I really like not being followed by every single person and the paparazzi and people just wanna be my friend for my fame and just…. being anonymous.” I argued.

She sighed, looking five years older than her 25 years to my 24 years. Once again we were in a disagreement about my identity. A quick glance to the large mirror on the wall showed Jamie was giving me that evil look again when things weren’t going to plan. Her plan. Sighing quietly, I looked at the clothes on the chair near the lamp in the corner. My favourite jumper with some comfortable jeans. I carefully took the long straight black wig off laying it carefully next to mask. Then pulling of the hair net that keeps my brown hair hidden, it unleashed the curls which took painstaking long to keep down. The signature white gown of Daily, aka me, was gently placed on its allocated coat hanger, hanging it on the rack. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, the untamable curls had already fallen comfortably in place which was basically a mess. I pulled a few trying to make them fall nicer. Looking at Jamie in the reflection,

“It’s for my own good and I know you think it’s good for publicity but I can hardly talk to people.”

My grey eyes look pleadingly at her. Sighing she softened and spoke

“Let’s make a deal. In one year we’ll reveal who you really are and I won’t bother you about it again for the year. But I pick who wins your competition. How’s that?”

The serious work face was back. She held her hand out to shake on it.

Glaring at her, I said “promise?” “Scouts honor” Jamie replied with a smile.

Shake, bump elbows, wiggling our noses we shake on the secret handshake we have had as a kids. The deal with the devil was done. Turning around, I began wiping the makeup off my face, revealing the dark bags under my eyes and my pale skin.

“You need to sleep more you know.”Jamie said gravely.

Scratching my head, looking at my shoes, mumbling “I can’t, I have nightmares”.  Looking up at Jamie, she opened her mouth to speak but the door swung open showing it was Dylan, another good friend and also my body guard.

“You ready, Penny? The limo has gone so you’re free to go.”

I reckon Dylan is one of the nicer guys in this very small world, he’s got the best sense of humor and righteously awesome in every way and totally buff. Too bad he’s gay. Smiling, I stand and make my way to the door to give Dylan a hug which he happily returns.

“So how’s Jesse going?” I ask.

Jesse is Dylan’s partner who is one of my bigger fans; the catch is he doesn’t know it’s me. Good thing too, he loves to gossip like an old grandma.

“He’s great and is really excited about your competition. Told him last night, if you don’t mind” replied Dylan, handing me some cables at the same time giving me a guilty glance.

“Hey it’s fine, there’s no difference in finding out a day ahead of everyone else.” I said casually, nudging him as we emerge from the stadium, watching the limo which was driving ‘Daily’ away being chased by the paparazzi and some over obsessed fans. We both chuckle. “What are we laughing at?” Jamie asks as she approaches us. I point at the stampede behind the limo. She just rolls her eyes.

“People these days. Penny we gotta hurry up, remember the pedicure appointment which took ages to book? That’s today in half an hour!”

Grabbing the cables in my hands, dumping them in Dylan’s hands, she starts to pull me to her car a lovely red Porsche which she can afford due to her high payroll. Thanks to me. Jamie drags me to the car with me struggling to not trip on the uneven concrete outside the stadium. She leaves me standing at the passenger side of the car and walks as fast as she can in her high heels. Opening the door I slide in and wave a good bye to Dylan who was still standing where he was, the cable dropped in the floor as he laughed loud and hard holding his stomach. As I close the door, Jamie already speeding out of the lot, with me holding into the seat for dear life.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PARTY TIME!! First chapter is out. Wow. This is my first novel guys, so be gentle with my heart...... SOOOO comment your thoughts, I would love to know what you think of 'Deal With It' so far.

NinjarStar <3