The Hidden Life of Amanda Harp

"Just expose yourself all together. Get it over with."

I have never been much of a morning person. I am not dealing with the wig falling off in the correct way.

I went home and took a bath that lasted three hours. The guys were in my room and I was so upset. I'm terrified of nobody liking me. I'm terrified of walking out of the house as Amanda and getting bombarded by paparazzi.

Anyways, in the bath I cried a little bit and washed, and then I got comfortable and fell asleep.

The next thing I knew, Conner, Mike, and Colter were banging on my door telling me I had three minutes to get out before they got my Mom.

I listened to them and I was only in a towel when I came out and they bombarded me in hugs.

My towel almost fell and then I went in my closet and threw on pajamas and then I went to my bed and fell asleep with my head on Conner's chest before they even started the movie. Then Saturday came and I spent the day in bed watching Netflix with the guys. The maids brought us food. Obviously they know that I'm Addi.

Sunday was spent the same way.

Now it's Monday and I'm walking into school. The guys told me they're picking me up from school whether I like it or not.

I just don't care anymore.

I walk into first period after avoiding my locker and taking a different route.

Right when I walk in, everyone stares at me.

They know.

I sit down and everyone turns in their seat.

"Well?" Maggy Dawn demands.

"What?" I ask stupidly.

"You spent a whole day with the guys from Falling Stars!" Maggy says. "How was it? Did you kiss them?"

I wrinkle my nose on reflex. They're like my brothers. I don't think that'll happen, even though all five families tease Conner and I. They're convinced we're going to fall in love.

It's bullshit.

"You don't like them!" another girl gasps. "You spent the entire day with those guys! It should have been me!"

****

By lunch, I was sent right back to seventh grade when I was being bullied.

That's what started the disguise.

Even Abby and Jared are mad at me.

"I can't believe you wrinkled your nose at the thought of kissing them." She mutters.

"It's complicated." I snap.

"How? You just met them yesterday!" Jared yells, standing up.

Everyone starts yelling at me.

"Shut up!" I scream, and they listen. "It's more complicated that you fuckers will understand, but you guys are going to be apologizing. You fucking watch."

"We'll never apologize when you don't like bae." One guy says.

"Bae?" I repeat.

"Yes. Addison. She's bae."

"This isn't even about her!" I say.

"But she's one of them." He snaps.

Rolling my eyes, I storm out of the cafeteria, and just like that, tears are sliding down my cheeks.

I walk out of the school and pull out my phone.

I dial and listen to the ringing.

"Aren't you supposed to be learning?" Mike asks.

I sniffle. "Come get me."

"I'll be there in two." He hangs up. I sit down on the curb and wait.

Three minutes later, a black limo pulls into the parking lot. It pulls right up next to me and Conner gets out.

"What happened?" he demands, pulling me inside.

"A limo? Seriously?" I mutter.

"Yes." Mike grins. "What happened?"

When the driver shuts the door, I start talking.

"It's just like seventh grade." I mumble. "Everyone hates me now."

"What?" Colter asks. "That doesn't make any sense."

"Well according to them, I hate you guys."

"What made them think that?" Conner asks.

"This girl asks me if I kissed one of you." I mutter. "I wrinkled my nose."

"Ouch." Conner puts his hand over his heart. "I'm hurt, Mandy."

I smack his thigh. "I only did it because you guys are like brothers! Now everyone hates me! Even Abby and Jared are mad at me."

"it'll get better." Conner says.

We pull up to my house and the driver opens the door.

"It won't." I snap. "It's not going to get better until I rip that damn wig off." I snap.

Right when we walk in the house, my parents and brothers are there, watching the news.

"What?" I demand.

"-This girl spent the day with the guys from Falling Stars and sources tell us that she hates them. Now America hates her. Good going, Amanda Harp.

Dad clicks the TV off.

Mom deals with the media most of the time.

"What do I do?" I demand.

She sighs.

"Well obviously putting you in the media will ring bells."

"She's already in the media." Conner points out.

She sighs.

"You lost your two best friends today. The whole school is bullying you. I think...tomorrow you go to school. Be strong. Then stop by the bathroom on your way to lunch, transform into Addison. The guys will join you and you guys walk into the lunch room. Either expose yourself to everyone, or get your friends, drive them here, take them upstairs to your bedroom, go into the closet, and come out as Amanda."

Silence.

"So I'm exposing myself to someone that isn't family either way?"

"Just expose yourself all together. Get it over with." Dad says.

"They're right." Conner says. "I mean, everything is falling to pieces for Amanda. The world still loves Addison-"

"But what if I become Amanda and then everyone hates me even though they'll know I'm Addison?"

"We'll schedule you an interview for Ellen right after. You explin that you don't hate them but the idea of kissing them, who are like your brothers, is gross."

"It's a pretty solid plain." Andrew says. "It can't hurt."

"It's a big relief." Mike adds.

I sigh. "Fine. I'll do it."