They Call Her Love | ✔️

36: They Call Her an Angel

"So, Love, catch us up on your life."

I take a pause after Sebastian's question to think of what to say. How can I sum up these past few months in one confessional? I want to spill my entire heart out, but that would take days.

"I'm doing well right now. It took some time, most of it spent alone, but now I'm at a good place. As you can imagine, everyday is still a step toward progress at picking up the pieces of the mess I left."

"Talk about the video."

Ah, a topic everyone wants to know about. I have certainly gotten my fair share of complaints from my fans on social media calling me out for not speaking up about the release of the original video, but I hadn't addressed any of them until now. I have been waiting for the right time to voice my feelings and I'm only going to do this once because after today, I never want to think or talk about it ever again.

"The video. Where do I even begin? I think everyone can agree with me that the Barcelona trip was already an emotional trip to begin with, and having it end with a drunken video published on YouTube didn't help. I apologized to everyone mentioned in the video and obviously, they were hurt which I don't blame them for. But just as I suspected, every word was taken completely out of context. I had no control over the video, but I did have control over my actions after. I had a clear conscience. I didn't doubt for one second that I would never say those hurtful things about my true friends. I don't wish any harm against the ones responsible for the video, in fact I also made my peace with them. My only takeaway from it is that I've learned who I can and cannot trust, and that it's in the past and it's time to move on."

"How are your friends reacting to the original video?"

"Eventually they realized that the video was a complete lie and gave me the benefit of the doubt. They were hurt and embarrassed, as they should have been. I understand why they kept quiet for awhile - I would have done the same. But, I have the best friends in the world and we were able to talk things out and I'm happy to say we're good now."

"Where have you been? Everyone's been constantly asking why you've gone MIA," Clarkson asks.

"I took a bit of time off after the release of the original video. Of course, you guys know I was arrested for a minor crime that was just a misunderstanding to begin with - again, I've made peace with what happened and the people involved and it's just another thing in the past that I want to move on from. After all that, I realized that I needed to deeply think about what I wanted in life, who I wanted in my life, and where I want to go in life. This whole experience has been a learning one, especially about myself. I know what I'm capable of, what my strengths and weaknesses are, and how to communicate better. Having the time to step away from the noise and chaos to deeply think about all that was a crucial part to me having this mentality. Thank you to all the fans who have let me deal with these issues in privacy."

"So, what happens now?"

I sigh. "Well, obviously the show will continue on. There's still about six months of filming yet to be done and I want to have fun. Though I can't promise that drama won't happen because let's face it, more money more problems, but I know that I'll be able to handle whatever comes my way. I'm excited for what the new year will bring me and I'm grateful that you'll tune in and join me for the journey."

"That's a wrap!" Sebastian announces.

"Oh!" Clarkson gasps and runs to me once the lights turn off. "That was better than I could have said myself - I'm so in love with you."

I accept his tight hug. "Thank you. I hope I didn't sound too boring."

"You were the perfect mix of mature, classy, and human," Penelope grins at me. "I'm proud of you, Love."