Hard Times

Chapter 1

I had only recently reached a million followers when I had gotten a DM from the official HypeHouse tiktok account. I had been offered a while ago. I dropped my phone in shock and drove to the shore of Lake Washington. I watched a giant cloud slowly cover the light of the sun. Maybe it was time to see the sun more often. I had been so depressed here, I was majorly unhappy with my stupid barista job. Being able to entertain people on tiktok was my only real solace. Night fell by the time I tore myself away from the beautiful shimmering waters of the lake and the shape of Seattle in the distance...
  By the time I responded they had offered to help me with moving and travel expenses.  I really couldn't say no at this point anyway so of course I dm'ed back a big YES.
  I had gotten on a jet a week later with my things being shipped down to California to follow me. I watched the dreary Washington clouds give way to the slightly clearer Oregon air before the beautiful state of California shined on me. The flight attendant announced our arrival to Los Angeles and I gawked at the long expanse of homes and tall buildings including a really big white one on a giant hill or something like a cult building. Well anyway my breath was taken out of me as we landed at LAX, my nerves finally getting the better of me. The young boy who sat beside me while I tried to watch Selena the whole time gave me a reassuring smile. Was I that nervous?
I steeled myself before leaving the plane when it was my turn and finding the man in a black suit holding a sign with my name on it. Nicolette J'amine. He lead me to a small limousine. I had seen these but never had I ever thought someone would be opening one for me to get into. I obliged, thanking the chauffeur. He drove me out of the insane lax traffic. Some people gasped at me and others acted as though it was just normal. I heard someone whisper before the door shut "should I have gotten her autograph or like her number or something?"
I blushed as we got on the highway. The driver asked "do you need the air conditioner on, ma'am?"
I pursed and bit my lip and shook my head.
"No thanks I'm just a little overwhelmed, LA is so big."
He only nodded in response.
The lines of palm trees planted almost neatly in rows framed the Hollywood sign in the distance. My ultimate goal. But for now the HypeHouse was my destiny. Oh yeah! My followers! I took out my phone and started doing a tiktok of all I was seeing with Hard Times playing over it.
I was scrolling through my comments when we pulled into the gated driveway of the HypeHouse. There were a few of the others waiting for me outside. The driver opened the door and I gulped and hoped nobody heard me. I slipped out and was greeted by Charli Damelio.
"Welcome, Nico! Can I call you that??"
I didn't know what to say, she was so pretty in person!
"Oh uh yeah ha that's fine." She pulled me into a quick yet tight hug.
"I'm gonna show you around ok? You don't get to really answer that lets go!" And she pulled me into the house, I gulped down my anxiety.
To be continued