When The Lights Go Out

Chapter 1: O-V-E-R

Sitting here my mind is filled with thoughts and memories. There are so many happy memories and then there are those that I only wish that I could forget. Some of those memories were made in just the last 12 hours. I was in awe of how quickly one's life could change and seemingly fall apart. Today is supposed to be my wedding day. Right now I am supposed to be in a suite at a fabulous Hollywood hotel with all my best girlfriends. I'm not doing that doing any of that and in my current predicament I don't see myself anywhere near that right now.

My phone rang for the millionth time. I simply ignored it and starred out of my window at the canyon in front of me. It was amazing the beauty that was in front of me. Even as I sit with a broken heart I am in awe of the magnificence around me. The sky was filled with purple as an orange glow struggled to break through. It was amazing to me what the world is like when the Hollywood lights go out and the sun rises.

I wondered about what signs I could have looked for and what I could have done, but in the end I know it was never meant to be. I thought I was with someone who loved me, but in the end there wasn't any love there at least coming from the other end. I knew that eventually I was going to have to face everyone. I wasn't prepared for any of this. At the end of today I assumed that I would go from being Alex June to Mrs. Joshua Banks.

Again my phone rang, but this time I actually looked at it to see it was my mom calling. If I were going to talk to anyone at the moment it would be her. I picked up the phone off the passenger seat of my car.

"Mom." I answered weakly.

"Oh Alex I'm so glad you're okay. I have been calling you all night." She said frantically.

"Along with the rest of the world." I answered.

"Where are you?" she asked.

"Don't worry I will be coming home. Meet me at my house." I said.

"Okay I will go there now." She said. I hung up the phone and tossed it back onto the passenger seat. I took one more look out at the canyon, which was now being lit with the orange glow. I took a deep breath and started my car.

-

I should have expected this. The moment I pulled onto my end of the street my car was being attacked by men with cameras. I tried to hold my head high and to not look phased from recent events. I didn't want my face on the cover of every magazine covered in tears. I wanted the face of a strong and resilient woman. I inched slowly and opened my garage. Waiting inside were a couple cameramen and then I saw the door that lead of the house open and my mom emerged. The paparazzi that met me in the street stopped at the entrance of my garage knowing they would have their pants sued off if they entered my property. I broke when I met my mom's eyes and I started to bawl. As soon as I was safely in the garage my mom closed the door and the shouts of the paparazzi nearly disappeared.

I turned off the car and opened my door. My mom grabbed me into her arms and held me close as I cried. I had so many emotions pulsing through my body that I wasn't sure which one to feel. At the moment I then remembered the cameramen. I didn't want this recorded at all. I knew I had a contract and I knew they were to record my every move, but I feel like as my engagement was over my contract was over.

"I want them gone." I said through my tears. "All the cameras I want gone!"
I then screamed in their direction.

"You heard her. Get out." My mom said as she continued to hold me. I watched as they started to scurry out of the garage. I knew all I wanted to do was sleep it all away and hope that I was dreaming.