Disguised

1

Haven's P.O.V.:

Remember that old Disney channel show, Hannah Montana? You know, she had the best of both worlds? That is precisely the life I'm living. I'm from Texas originally, but my parents moved my family to Huntington Beach, California about two years ago. We're only about an hour away from Los Angeles, depending on traffic. After we got settled into our place in Huntington Beach, my parents saw a great opportunity for me when it was announced that the X Factor would be holding auditions for a new season. My parents encouraged me to go out for it, but I was terrified. I loved my life in Huntington Beach. I had great friends, great family, and everything seemed to be going alright for the first time in a long time. It was then when we decided to start this double life... I auditioned for the X Factor as Tasha Stewart, not Haven Montgomery. How did we pull it off? Well, we took a lesson from Disney channel and threw a wig on my head. I ended up winning that season of the X Factor and my career took off like a rocket ship.

I packed a world tour into the span of three months over the summer so I wouldn't have to miss any school. Let me tell you... That was the most exhilarating and exhausting three months of my life. I loved performing in a different city every night, but it takes a toll on you after a while. What else can you expect, though, as a 17 year old? My crowds are usually full of teenage girls, but occasionally I'll see some younger or older faces in the crowd. I find it inspiring. Music makes people come together, and I did that for so many people. There are times where I think my fans would hate me if they knew the truth... That I've been lying to the world about who I am all this time... But then another part of me knows that they would understand.

During my time on the X Factor, I had Simon as a coach and he was really intense, but all for good cause. He wanted me to be the best I could be, and he pushed me to go out of my comfort zone a lot of the time. Looking back at it now, there were a lot of hard days, but they all led to this life that I have now. Even when I had to work with Simon or other people on the show, nobody discovered my real identity. I brought my own hair and makeup team with me, which consisted of my mother and my grandmother... I bet you can imagine how well that went over. Some people thought I was a diva for having my own glam team, but I just ignored them and reminded myself that I had to be perceived that way in order to keep Haven a secret.

My grandparents decided to move with us from Texas to California so they could help me pursue my dreams. They wanted to be there for my parents too, as this was a huge undertaking for them. My grandparents are helping raise my younger sister, Elizabeth, because a lot of my parents' time goes into me and my career. We have meetings all the time and different events that I have to be at. It's nearly impossible for my parents to be able to manage my career while still being able to raise my sister. My older brother, Dustin, is around still, but my parents didn't want to put the burden of raising my sister on him. I feel bad sometimes that I take so much of my parents' time, but this is the life we signed up for, and Elizabeth is definitely my biggest fan.

One of the hardest things about having this secret is keeping it a secret. The only people who know are my family. I haven't even told my best friend about it. I don't want him to look at me differently. The "him" I am referring to is my best friend, Wesley. He lives next door to me with his mom and his brother. I first met Wesley when my family and I were moving in. He saw me struggling to carry a heavy box from the moving truck and offered to help me. The rest is history. We act like we've known each other our whole lives, but we only met two years ago.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a bit of a crush on him, but that wouldn't make a difference because he has a girlfriend, Carly. She's blonde, thin, blue-eyed, and beautiful. Every guy's dream. I could never compete with her... And Wesley would never see me that way.

Today is the first day back to school since the summer. I've only been home a few days since returning from my world tour. I haven't seen Wesley since I've been back, and I know he's going to give me shit for being away all summer and not bothering to return any of the calls or texts he left me.