Paparazzi Boy

3. The Shakes

Everyone staring at her were clinging onto her words, as if each word would be the last one she would ever say. With so many eyes on her, Belle couldn't help but stutter every once in a while and annoyingly continue to pull her dress down. She was self-conscious; her tongue was thick in her mouth. Her fingers mingled together on her lap as John asked her his next question.

"Why did Max say what he did, Belle? Is this all for publicity? I mean, these are pretty heavy subjects-"

"He's a fucking idiot," Belle interrupted, not caring that she was on national television and cursing. She couldn't let people believe the things that Max had said. It didn't matter how much of it was true.

She breathed in and shut her eyes, a flashing image of Max shaking her awake desperately flashed almost like a photograph being taken. She could almost feel herself trembling again. Golden, brown eyes.

The shakes. The trembling. Could people see it now?

Belle cleared her throat, "I thought Max was someone I could confide in. I trusted him. I even went as far as promoting him. He has a career now because of me - a fanbase. Max took advantage of me and my platform, and there is no other way around that."

John didn't even blink an eye. "So you're saying he lied? What for?"

For some quick cash and fifteen minutes of fame. That was all Belle could really offer, apparently.

She gulped and gritted her teeth lightly. "Max has lied to everyone since the day I met him. He lied when he told me he was a fan of my music. He lied when he said he had always dreamt of taking me on dates and long walks by the beach. He lied when he told me I could trust him and he especially fucking lied when he told me he loved me."

People in the room shifted uncomfortably but focused entirely on her.

The shakes. The trembling. This time from something else - pain. Her eyes watered but she blinked them back. Her fingers lined at the hem of her red dress. So red.

"But I didn't lie." Belle shook her head and looked at the camera, wondering if Max was watching this live. Could he see the shakes the way he had months ago? Could he still read her like an open book or had she finally closed herself up? "I didn't lie when I told him I loved him. And I think that's what I'll never forgive. Not the rumors or the foolishness, but the lies and the distrust he instilled in me."

"Belle," John whispered, while extending his hand over hers, "I'm so sorry. Tell us what happened. We are here for you."

She cleared her throat again and pulled her dress down, wishing she was at home doing something completely different, something that would stop the shakes and the trembling.

"After the audition, we started hanging out. He made me laugh, smile, forget everything. So I did what anyone else would naturally do, I fell in love with him."

John was quick to ask another question, "When did this begin to happen?"

She thought back, "A couple of days before tour."

* * *

Belle could feel the extensions stretching at her hair, but the look was perfect and she felt ready to crash the party her manager had thrown for everyone before going on tour. Everyone was invited - including family as a goodbye. Belle's leg kept thumping up and down in excitement.

Rain came over to her side to finish her hair as Belle scrolled down her Instagram feed. Max's last post came up. Her heart skipped slightly. He was standing in front of a bridge, holding his guitar with the largest smile on his face. Belle squealed and was quick to show it to Rain.