I scrolled through all the comments under the multiple screen recorded videos, frowning at all the wrong assumptions and negative repercussions. It was the trending video under the tag 'Tiktok' and was a featured top post on Tiktokroom. Other influencers commented and reposted the video on their stories, adding their own comments and stories to it. It was honestly sickening to me and I hated that Noen and I were dehumanized, as if we didn't have feelings as well.
"Will you stop reading those?" Sterling clicked off TV, crossing her arms and raising her eyebrow at me. I was so thankful for her. She deserved so much more than this, than being involved in some stupid publicity stunt that would get her name tied up in negativity.
"Sorry." I set my phone on the night stand next to me and laid my head on her shoulder, her fingers going through my hair. It was comforting to know she had my back through everything, and especially how she stood up to everyone standing behind Noen yesterday.
The more I thought about it, the more I got upset at Noen and felt less guilty. He said some really hurtful things to me based on what he saw, not what actually happened. Yes, Jaden had my hand in his but that doesn't mean that automatically we are dating or that in general we had anything going on. Jaden was telling me his feelings that he had held back because of Noen, he even told me that it didn't have to effect anything between me and Noen. He knew I loved Noen, he knew and he didn't care, he still cared about me and didn't care that Noen was who I wanted, he would stay.
"Sterling." I looked up at her face, studying her features. "Noen hurt my feelings today." I looked back down at my fingers as they tangled with each other, a habit when I was anxious. "I don't know how its going to go down tomorrow."
"Yeah neither do I. I don't accept what he said to you. It was rude and uncalled for. You of all people didn't deserve to be targeted when nothing even happened, and I was a first hand witness to that." She shifted to be looking at me, her eyes searching for mine, securing that I wasn't letting tears fall over him.
"Yeah, I love you." I gave a small, innocent smile towards her.
"I love you more." She gave me a sheepish smile, moving a piece of hair from my eyes. "Now get some sleep, girly." She clicked off the TV and snuggled under the covers. I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind of my anger and embarrassment. And with those final thought, I slowly drifted off to sleep.
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It was the final stop of Phase 3, Dallas Texas. I looked myself over in the mirror one last time. When choosing my outfit this morning I made sure to find something that didn't draw to much attention, but was also fashionable for the fans pictures. It was a pair of black ripped jeans with a white belt, a grey 'Love' t shirt tucked in, and one of Chases black silk jackets over. I didn't want my skin showing today, I didn't want to own those names I wore in school not long ago because of a misunderstanding that fans probably drew out. I didn't want to be here, I didn't want to be around these people, I didn't want to be involved anymore.
"Ready to go?" I looked up to see Chases reflection to the left of mine in the mirror. He wore a half buttoned up, white decorated, black shirt tucked into his black ripped jeans. I put on a smile and nodded, grabbing my bag and placing my round rose gold sunglasses on my head.
On the lobby floor, everyone was already dressed and ready to hop on the bus, in acception of a couple people who were behind us. I met eyes with Noen, a tired, broken look stained his vision and I bite my lip looking away and joining Milo next to the sliding doors.
"Morning." He looked up, running his hand through his silk like hair, greeting me with a warm smile and a hug. "Ill be with you the entire time." He said, seeing my anxious and held back look. "I promise." I smiled for real this time, my spine letting circulation run to my legs again.
