Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Pearl grinned. “Lead us, oh holy Dame.” She mock bowed. “We are but your humble servants.”
Ettie squeaked. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to introduce you to the world.”
Beth smiled tenderly. “Amber was right. You look great, honey.”
Then finally, Cherry smirked. “Just don’t embarrass us, all right?”
And for a split second, I understood why Amber called her sister an asshole.
Lucky for her, she was my asshole. My roommate. My bestie. I got to see a side of Cherry no one else did. She was kind and caring and would do anything for a friend. She had done so much for me, and I would never forget it.
Lifting my middle finger, I discreetly rubbed at my nose, and Cherry laughed, knowing I was throwing her the bird.
“Okay.” I straightened. “Follow me.”
I walked and The Vixens followed. I lead them down the long carpet of the Kids’ Choice Awards, stopping only to lift my pass at the security guards lining the walkway. Thousands of people screamed for the attention of the four beautiful women and I stood to the side as they split up, running toward the barriers and taking photos with fans.
One little girl called out, “Beth!” And she called it over and over again. She wore an Ultra Violet Vixens tee and it looked like she had sprayed some purple into her hair to look the part. Unfortunately, Beth was on the other side of the barriers and couldn’t hear her. The more she yelled, the more frustrated she became, and when Beth walked to move on, the little girl’s face crumpled, she looked up at her mother and burst into tears.
The mom looked devastated for her child and rubbed the little girl’s back, whispering consoling words into her ear but the little girl’s body shook with sorrow at missing a chance to meet Beth.
Oh no.
I couldn’t handle it. I just couldn’t.
Walking as fast as my heels could carry me, I rushed over to Beth and spoke into her ear. “Come with me.”
She did and I guided her back to the weeping child. Without a word and keeping my face emotionless, I held my arm out to the child and her mother, showing Beth where I wanted her, and Beth approached with a wide smile. The mother spotted Beth first and grinned excitedly before speaking animatedly to her child. The little girl spun around and when she saw Beth, she gasped.
Beth spoke to them a while, taking photos with the little girl and her mother, and when it was time for Beth to move on, the little girl handed her a pin.
My heart warmed when, without faltering, Beth took the pin and stuck it on her shirt. She hugged the little girl tightly and spoke into her ear. I don’t know what she said to that child but the little one looked overjoyed.
As Beth stepped back from her with a wave and was by my side, she leaned in, and said, “Nice one, dude.”
And I felt a little of the heaviness in my chest leave me.
This was the perfect opportunity for me to debut. Micah called to let me know Left Turn wouldn’t be able to make it as they had a show the same night, regardless of the fact that they’d been nominated for quite a few awards. So I felt at ease knowing the only people who could make me stumble tonight weren’t in attendance. If I faltered now, that was all on me, and I couldn’t let that happen.
I showed The Vixens to the photo area and when they began to pose, I did as planned and walked into the shots, leaning into them and uttering a quiet, “Oh, crap. I feel sick. Help!”
As predicted, only moments later, one photographer called out, “Miss, can you step aside please?” and we were a go.
Cherry looked over my shoulder and called out to the photographer, “Hey, buddy, I wouldn’t talk to The Violet Dame like that if I were you.”
Pearl added on a grin, “Not unless you like being bitten.”
Beth piped in, “Yeah, show some respect. You’re in the presence of royalty.”
“Take note. The Violet Dame is our queen,” Ettie announced.
I wanted to laugh. Hilarity bubbled up my throat, but I managed to quell it.
No way they were buying this.
No way, no how.
Only, they were.
Suddenly, all eyes were on me and questions were being spouted.
“Girls, tell us. Who is The Violet Dame?”
I said nothing.
Beth grinned hard. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Give us something!”
With my sunglasses on, I posed with my hand on my hip and watched the cameras flash. It was surreal. Was this seriously my life?
When one photographer got too close, Cherry stepped out in front of me protectively. “Don’t touch her. She doesn’t like to be touched.”
It felt like hours when it lasted only minutes. I didn’t realize the kerfuffle would end up being a major story on every tabloid website, and one question was posed by all.