More Issues Than Vogue | ✔️

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

My life was over.

At the point of agony I was swimming in, I might as well pack up and move back to San Francisco because New York has taken back its welcomed arms and shunned me from society. 

A week had passed since the EPAA Gala and I hadn't left my apartment once. What was the point? In the matter of a few days, the entire state knew who I was - my face flashed everyday on the entertainment news, through social media, and had been printed onto newspapers all over the country. Just a few hours ago I saw a professional head shot of mine done back in college, plastered on the front page of Buzzfeed, Yahoo! News, and even Twitter.

I'd kept up my vow of avoiding social media, but this morning, I made a huge mistake. I figured after a week the hype would die down and anything related to the EPAA Gala would pass by like another one of Lindsey's meltdowns. I was wrong. If anything, my disappearance had sent a new wave of hysteria. The new talk of the town was my whereabouts - where was Haley Monroe? Why was she hiding? Did she have any more secrets? 

People were relentless.

This was the EPAA Gala of the century. No one would forget this particular celebration for years and it was unfortunately, because of me. I wish it were for my writing, or my hard work, or anything BUT what happened. However, every guest that attended only knew my name because of this scandal. 

Did I know how to make an impression or what?

I ignored any calls and deleted texts from everyone at Forward, including Tony, Bessa, and Kevin. They all had come together and individually to my apartment, but after fifteen minutes of knocking and ringing the doorbell with no response, they got the hint that I was in no mood to see anyone. Sarah had tried to call and e-mail me, asking about my mental and emotional state but whatever energy I had to respond was instead spent crying into an entire tray of brownies. I assumed she had taken over my articles considering the issue was due for print next week and I hadn't done any work. 

There's also the fact that I was banned from even stepping foot in Chester Publications. 

I thought I had endured the worst, but I was wrong. Nothing compared to the call I received from my parents. They were outraged that this was happening from across the country and could do nothing but sit back and let the rest of the nation trash talk their only child. I broke down and told them the truth.

"You were sleeping with him for money?!" My mom shrieked on the other end of the phone.

It pierced my ears but I was so numb from pain, I didn't even flinch. "No mom, I wasn't sleeping with him for money. We went on a few dates, that's it."

"Hon, maybe you should take it easy-"

"Don't tell me to take it easy, did you see what they said about her on Insider last night?" Mom wildly snapped at dad. I could only picture the irritated expression he was giving her. 

"Mom, please don't believe anything you hear or see. I'm telling you right now that nothing happened. It's all a misunderstanding," I replied calmly.

"Then what were those pictures about?"

"I told you, we went on a few dates. I didn't think anyone was following me," I defended myself.

"He's born into one of the richest families in New York! Of course there are people following him! They're everywhere!" She started yelling again. I could tell she was acting out only because she was not capable of physically comforting me.

"I'm sorry mom," I answered regretfully.

They were disappointed to say the least. Once they (mainly mom) had calmed down, they agreed that they were more worried about my well-being than anything. Luckily, any talk about suing were avoided (trust me, my mom would have taken it that far). By the time I out two hour conversation was over, I had been more exhausted than the night I came home from the Gala.