P R A I S E (Magcon Fanfic)

s e v e n

I paced the backstage of the Magcon event, my nerves on edge. Anxiety set in as questions ravaged my brain. Only one was recurring. What if they don't like me? It was always a possibility since most people don't even like new Magcon. Why the hell would they like me?

I tried to force myself to relax like Carter taught me to yesterday, but it was scarcely successful. The technique did nothing to help me. What made me relax is knowing that Carter will be on stage with me.

The comments on Twitter and other social medias was blowing up, talking about Carter and I. The first set of pictures got controversy, numerous questions about me and Carter's relationship status. The second set of pictures started the 'Cartia' hashtag. I was horrified by this, but Carter was slightly amused when he saw me scrolling through the surprisingly cute video edits on Instagram and Twitter. I've wondered if he did this so his fans could freak out the way they are. I was a little too nervous to ask him, a little too afraid that his reply might be yes.

And I was a little too nervous knowing that he was good at reading people like I was.

But he gave me no chance to ask. After the show, Carter confronted me on his own, with no provoking.

"You're worried that I'm using you, aren't you?" He asked as I prepared for the meet and greets. I looked up, meeting his brown eyes. Sidetracking, I wondered how he could put up with being here after so many people shamed him. People we thought were his closest friends. My eyes fell too soon, confirming my guilt, but I lied anyway.

"Using me? How?" I asked nonchalantly, turning most of my attention back to what I was doing beforehand.

Carter laughed, successfully gaining my undivided attention. "India, you're a great actor, but I know when you're acting."

"Impossible, I'm acting great right now." I murmured back, taking my black matte nails and running my hands through my hair. Carter laughed again and I realized my mistake. I rolled my eyes and said, "damn you," defeated.

He leaned against the wall, not directly in front of me, but a little bit out of the way.

"I would never use you, India." Carter said, and for some reason, my shoulders released tension in relief. "So you should stop worrying about unnecessary stuff." And he left me with that.

Yeah. Unnecessary. Why was I worried? I don't have feelings for Carter. Isn't it too early to tell?

After the meet and greets, I was exhausted, but I was relieved at the same time. Seeing the looks on their faces was amazing. Cameron's words were an understatement. Most of the people who met me were happy to see me, I got great fan mail, and one girl told me how my suicide message saved her life. Being emotional myself, I damn near cried, knowing that I actually could help someone and make them happy. Making them happy was like making me happy.

I was about to crash as soon as we got to the hotel, but I decided to sleep in the car. I wanted to make a video when we got there, talking about my first day at Magcon. My eyes fell heavy and I drifted off. When we got to the hotel, it was Hayes who woke me up.

"Your lover demanded that I woke you from your slumber, milady." He joked as he shook me.

"Ugh, Hayes, get off." I said. Somehow, in this tiny vehicle, he was sitting on me.

"Ugh, India, get up." Hayes mocked, stretching the words.

"Fine, fine, I'm... I'm up..." I said, but my words slurred as my head tilted forward and I dozed off again. A gentle rocking woke me up the second time. I then realized that I was being carried bridal style by Hayes into the hotel room.