Unmasked ≫ J.G

III. My Story

Palm Restaurant

I had been here before plenty of times with Marie on little lunch dates, the few I managed to make. Jack had informed me that he'd be sitting at a table outside, which I agreed would be nice since it was very beautiful outside.

For it to be January and Winter, the 65 degrees and sunny weather was surprising. I was nervous, I'll admit it. I almost didn't come but of course my mother insisted that it was a "great idea to get to know him, maybe it'll boost your career better"

My heels clicked against the cement ground underneath me, I looked down as I examined my outfit quickly; light denim jeans with rips in both knees, white loose fitted v-neck with the front tucked in my jeans, a black blazer and black Christian Louboutin Mary Jane heels.

I looked up and flipped my hair behind me, seeing Jack in sight, I took a deep breath through my nose and proceeded over towards his table. Jack was well into his phone, jaw clenched slightly but visibly and eyes focused.

"Jack Gilinsky, hello" I greeted him, standing next to his chair with a friendly smile.

He looked up at me and smiled sweetly, immediately putting his phone away and standing up, "Brielle, hey!" He held opened his arms and embraced me into a hug that I wasn't exactly prepared for.

I smiled softly and hugged him back for a few seconds before we both pulled back, Jack pulled out my seat which I sat down in.

"So, how are you?" Jack inquired, sitting down in his seat across from me.

I smiled and nodded, "I'm great, how about you?"

Jack nodded, "I'm doing great as well," He replied with a soft shrug, "so I just realized I don't know much about you, personally."

I nodded slowly, "Alright, what would you like to know?" I asked.

He answered with a shrug, "Anything. What's your story?"

I sighed and nodded slowly again, pursing my lips, "Uh, well I'm eighteen, I was born and raised here in LA, California, I'm the only child, I mode-"

"No, not like that. What's your story?" He asked again, cutting me off.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean,"

"Who is Brielle White?" He rephrased, extending his fingers out on the table.

"A model, a beauty pageant winner and the daughter of Jennifer White." I said, a confused tone in my voice.

Jack chuckled, "It's obvious you haven't been asked this question before." He raised his eyebrow, leaning against the table, "Just tell me who you think you are."

I shrugged, "I-I don't know honestly," I murmured.

"Hello, I'm Mya and I'll be your waitress for the day, " A pretty brunette approached our table with a notebook and a warm smile, "Can I start you guys off with drinks?"

"I'll take a lemon water please, " I said politely.

"I'll have a coke, thank you." Jack added.

She nodded and smiled wide, "I'll be right back to take your orders." With that she walked away, leaving Jack and I back to our conversation.

"What's something you love to do in your spare time?" He asked, going straight back to the conversation.

I sighed and pursed my lips, looking down at my hands. Was it bad I didn't know because I rarely had any free time?

"Brielle?" He asked, dipping his head low to try and meet my eyes.

I looked up and cleared my throat, I opened my mouth to say something but closed it. I shook my head and stood up, 'I'm terribly sorry but I have to go." I lied, speed walking away from the table.

"Brielle! W-Wait!" He shouted, clearly following behind me.

I quickly approached my car and pressed the start button on my keys, making the cars engine rive in fury. I opened the door and hopped inside, quickly buckling up then drove off, leaving Jack by himself.

Later That Afternoon

Tons of messages and calls later, Jack finally had stopped trying to contact me. His messages consisted of questions asking me if he did something wrong, what was wrong, if I was okay, etc.

Truth was, the question really struck me. I have no life outside of my career. I didn't do anything for fun, I didn't even know what my story really was. Other than being a model and beauty pageant winner, I didn't know who I was.

As I stared at myself in the mirror, watching the makeup and hair artists work on me, I noticed even more that even with all this makeup I still couldn't hide the fact that I was unhappy.

I could fake smiles and fake happiness all I wanted but at the end of the day, it's the real me that's crying myself to sleep, it's the real me that hates having to be Miss. Perfect all the time, it's the real me that wants to get away.

"Brielle, did you hear anything I just said?" My mother's voice took me out of my thoughts, snapping her fingers in my face.

I blinked hard and looked over at her, "Um, No ma'am. What did you say again, I apologize." I asked, inhaling deeply.

She tsk'd at me, "I said that you have the first shoot for the video tomorrow at twelve. How was the date with that Jack Gilinsky boy?"

I bit the insides of my cheeks and looked straight ahead, "It was great, I think I made a good impression." I lied.

My mom smiled happily, clasping her hands together, "That's my girl."

"Brielle, it's show time." The photographer peeped through the black curtains, separating me from the rest of the shoot.

I sighed and nodded, gripping onto the sides of the chair and lifting myself off it. I spun around on my bare feet and walked out of the "dressing room" and let the director lead me out to the beach set. The site was beautiful, blue skies, the sun slowly beginning to set, it was a perfect spot to shoot.

"You know what to do." The photographer smiled, going over to his spot.

While shooting, I couldn't stop thinking of how much I wanted to change my life. I wanted to be myself and do things that I loved. Maybe I'd love modeling if I wasn't so forced to do it.

I'll never love beauty pageants as much as I did as a kid, I wanted to give that up long time ago. It was too much stress, I don't wanna do it anymore.

I need to find my voice, I need to do what I love.

I need to be the real Brielle White