Authors Note: This beginning has been written over 3 times and I am still unsure of it. I will attempt to do better in future but for now here is the "prequel"
This chapter is slow but we have to start somewheres right?
**
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Normani always had a somewhat hefty schedule most days started at 5am and ended close to midnight but it all came with the job especially as a new artist a lot was expected of her and she had never been one to fail at meeting those expectations in fact up until recent she had not one scandal to her name. Why? Because she was good at keeping her private and professional life separate. Normani was careful. Up until the previous night she had not one scandal to her name and as of 10 am this current day she could rid herself of that achievement. As if waking up at dawn wasn't enough having to deal with a photoshoot and a ton of calls from her manager was all too much to deal with in one morning.
"We agreed that you would be more careful with the press. Careful isn't leaving the club at nearly twelve in the morning with an A-List Celebrity." In the midst of her shoot the news had dropped and for the past hour she was very verbal on the topic much to everyone's dismay. "Normani you are a budding artist. You as a woman, as a black woman cannot risk your career for random one night stands." Normani thanks her make-up artist and stands at the directors call. It was the last few shots of the day and she would much rather deal with this particular stress when she wasn't running on two hours of sleep.
"Look nothing happened." Lie. "We just went out and got something to eat then I dropped him back to his hotel." Another lie, and if Onyx saw through it she says nothing about it, in fact she looked almost appeased.
"We will deal with this later. " Normani nods and heads back on to the set.
**
By the time they are able to leave the shoot it was past two and Normani had been without her social media for hours too scared to check herself. Onyx hadn't made it sound too bad. Nothing a good press release wouldn't change but the thought of even speculation worried her more than it should have. Social media had a way of ripping away at her confidence.
As they step outside they are greeted by paparazzi, more than she ever had the displeasure of dealing with before. Attempting to ignore all the flashes Normani keeps her head down and makes a beeline for the car. No man was worth this much trouble. Giving the cameras one last smile she enters the car and it immediately falls. Onyx hands Normani her phone before returning to the constant tapping on hers.
"They just released a statement and you've been trending since this morning. I wish I could say it was all good." The silent 'I told you so' did not go unnoticed.
Normani couldn't bring herself to check her phone for the first few minutes. Onyx had been going on non stop about what to do, how to approach the situation in a way that would present the two as mature adults who were friends. Clearly she didn't want an actual recap. But lying in a way that could get them caught was also a problem.
When they pull up to the lunch spot Normani is left alone in the car. That gives her enough courage to check her phone if only for the offical statement. She figured they would be the first to speak up, they had more to lose. Normani eyes her manager from across the lot with a passive look . It was no big deal.
**
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
***
Totes hates how this came out but I'm sick of redoing it all so I'm moving on to the next chapter.
I don't want to come off as rude but I'm trying my best. I hope it will get better.
