The Masked Truth

Chapter Seven

Next chapter :) Back doing my practical side of my course, so updates might be all over the place again. Sorry!

Chapter Seven

The prospect of doing an interview still sends me rattling nervous and my stomach will start contracting into tiny knots. It's a thrill I've become to love, sort of like enjoying a scary roller coaster ride. It's nice feeling like you're the most important person in the room, but there's still a looming fear of what'll happen if you stuff up on a live shoot in front of a curious audience would could make your mistake viral in a matter of seconds.

I've only really just managed to get myself accustomed to the whole gig of being famous. In fact, I'm still trying to find my feet in some areas, but interviews aren't too bad anymore. People have moved away from asking about the mask, and rather focused their attention on my music career and where it's heading to next, which is amazing.

The interview Ava arranged for me is today, it's supposed to help promote my in-the-works album along with boosting my presence for the music awards coming up soon. I haven't looked, but I hear whispers that I'm smashing through my categories, and Ava holds this to the fact I'm being active in promoting good work.

I had to wake up early this morning so I could get to the show. We tend to do a few car swaps to get people confused before I'm able to change into clothing to arrive on set, only to then change into something appealing for the interview. By the time I get somewhere, it feels like I've worn half my wardrobe.

Over the years, Ava has loosened her grip on managing my wardrobe when she realised my lack of fashion sense has sort of grown from her knowledgeable teachings. However, she still insists on hiring undiscovered fashion designers to use their latest work in my wardrobe rather than endorsing bigger brands. I still love my designer brands though.

The concept of waiting hasn't changed. When I arrive at an interview, I still have to wait before I'm able to come out for my section. Which, in respect, it's sort of like being in the audience, you have to wait until things get rolling. But this time around, they have given me a comfortable couch and free Wi-Fi to fill my amusement.

My phone buzzes in my hand, so I flick out of my game and open the message app. My heart begins to quickly contract at the sight of Nathan's name.

'What's up?' – Nathan.

'Waiting for my live interview to start!' – Riley

'Coffee after?' – Nathan.

I quickly lock the phone screen before I can contemplate it any further. Do I really want to hang out with Nathan later? Yes. But should I? No. After the declaration he made last time, the normal thing would be to give us space so we don't weird out and things go bad. But as always, when do I ever follow the right thing to do?

'Ava has me doing promo work today, sorry :(' – Riley.

A swirl of emotions flush through my system. I don't get a chance to touch on them individually because theses a knock at the door and someone pokes their head inside.

"You're wanted," the stage manager explains.

"Okay." I slowly nod my head.

Sluggishly, I stand up and walk towards the door. The stage manager opens it wider, and I slip out and follow him down the corridor and towards the stage where the magic happens. I only have to wait in the side wings for a couple of minutes until the host is calling out my name, and the stage manager is waving his clipboard to get me walking.