A Risk I'm Willing to Take

Three

Over the course of the next five days I kept my new project largely a secret. I told my roommate and she freaked out, but I expected her to be supportive. I'd've been surprised if she'd told me I was crazy.

I don't know if I kept it a secret because I expected people to react poorly to it. I knew that, at least to those in the older generations, this whole concept was a joke. I knew that even a lot of people my age were skeptical of the legitimacy of the event. I also knew that it was possible people would consider my article a waste of time.

Maybe I kept it a secret because I wanted it to be a surprise when I showed up at the meet-up to interview people. I wanted a sense of secrecy so I could report on what was actually going to happen.

Truly, though, I think I kept it a secret because I was scared. I didn't want to talk about it and then it get taken from me. I didn't want to celebrate this big opportunity because I might wake up and it'll all have been a dream.

So I researched at night in my room away from curious eyes.

I slowly packed my suitcase, piece by piece.

My professors were already informed of my week-long absence by the Dean so I skirted those awkward conversations.

I published my usual weekly article in the college newspaper. This week I chose to interview students on self-confidence. I chose the hashtag #IfIWereMoreConfident as the weekly hashtag.

There was a security in my place at the newspaper. I ran a column. Every week I tweeted out a hashtag and interviewed three people for my article.

While there was the occasional crop of critics the majority of people could at least agree that I wrote strong articles that elicited conversation.

I couldn't guarantee that with my new project.

I guess that's why I chose the hashtag I did for the week before traveling across the country for my largest story to date. I wanted to see what my peers would do if they had confidence. It almost gave me a sense of I had to do this, I had to climb this mountain to prove what could be done if you believed in yourself.

-------------------------------------------------------

I looked around at the trees along my walk to the dining hall. Shades of red, orange, and yellow surrounded me. Fall was truly descending on campus.

It was about time too. All my old friends back home had been spamming me with pictures of the beautiful fall changes back in our home state since before my birthday.

It still wasn't chilly enough for a sweater but it also was still September.

I loved the heat of my new home, but nothing could replace that tranquility of sitting on the grass on a crisp fall day. Thick sweaters and ripped jeans made for a cozy look that could make any girl feel beautiful.

Lost in my thoughts I completely missed the two girls standing in front of me on the sidewalk.

"Wow space case much, Gemma?" Madison snarled as she shoved me back.

I regained my balance and looked up at Madison and Olivia.

"Don't y'all have better things to be doing than following me around?"

Olivia held out the end of her braid and smirked at me.

"We were just wondering how you ended up with a million Instagram followers when you look like this." She gestured to my body.

"Because I didn't put the focus on being some piece of meat that elicits lust. I inspire and people like me because I'm talented."

Madison yawned. "And yet you remain single."

"That's because I like guys who appreciate the fact I have a few brain cells."

Olivia's jaw dropped but no sound came out.

"Are you calling us dumb?" Madison said through her teeth.

I stepped past the girls and kept walking towards the dining hall.

I looked back over my shoulder about ten feet away from them.

"I didn't say that, you did." I waved lightly to seal in my burn.

I kept on walking knowing that at least for this battle I had won.

"We will ruin you, Gemma!" Madison shouted down the sidewalk.

About two hundred feet from the entrance to the dining hall my wrist started to vibrate. I held it up to see what was displayed on my smart watch.

"Oh no I cannot pick this up here." I hit the decline button and immediately turned to head to my dorm.

I cut across parking lots as I nearly ran back to my dorm. The whole way I silently prayed that they wouldn't call back. No one could know I was talking to them.

I fumbled with my key trying to unlock my room door. I dropped my lanyard.

"Shit." I mumbled under my breath.

I picked up my lanyard and separated my room key from the rest. With a turn my door swung in. I darted in and shut the door quickly. I stood with my back against the door for a moment trying to catch my breath.

My eyes scanned the room. No Lauren.

Truthfully if I could tell anyone about him it'd be Lauren. After all I told her about my new single and she's kept that secret.

I wish it weren't this way though. We weren't even dating. That wasn't even on the table but I knew that people would gossip.

It doesn't even make sense that we have to talk in secret. Although I may not like it sometimes, I'm a celebrity. I should be allowed to be friends with other celebrities.

If only it were that easy. If only life were fair. Madison and Olivia were annoying but presently there were only two of them. More people may be inclined to give me a hard time if I had a more public relationship with another singer.

I jumped as my phone started vibrating in my bag. I quickly opened it to search for my phone. I picked up my personal phone first. Unfortunately the screen was black. I dug a little deeper and pulled out a phone with a rhinestone case. I took one look at the face on the screen and hit accept.

"Hiya, Luke."