fake [s.m]

chapter one

chapter one
fake
anya rose steinburg
-
pulling down my dusked blush skirt, i rush up the vast and extensive corridors of an office in central new york. printers squeak, running low on ink, and receptionists speak, high pitched and irritating.

"456, 455, 454, ah 453." i mumble to myself, sweeping my brown hair behind my neck, and prepping myself.

i inhale a breath of air, raising my hand up to the door. sighing, i tap my knuckles onto the oak door, the clink of my rings echoing in the surprisingly quiet, enclosed glass dormitory of offices.

"miss steinburg, nice to finally meet the girl acting as my greatest works girlfriend, please sit." andrew guides me in, pointing to a bright yellow, leather covered, definitely not ergonomic chair.

"thanks, and it's anya, please never address me like that again." i say, nervously chuckling.

"okay, great, so just to go over the basics, how old are you?"

"18." i answer. "19 on august 23rd next year." andrew nods, going over my files.

"and your grades?"

"straight A's and a GPA of 4.3." i state, taking out amy bright green folder of achievements, opening it up to the section of high school achievements.

"any past work experience to do with acting?" andrew starts to go through my folder, raising his eyebrows, and looking impressed.

"i have been in the school play every year since third grade." andrew smiles at me, handing me a white folder back.

"this folder holds all the details for the next year. plane tickets are in the pink plastic wallet, and you should be packed and ready to leave by 6pm today to go to london. i have already prearranged your transport to the airport. everything clear? oh and make sure you wear the lanyard to all shows you attend." he hands me a navy blue lanyard, with a shawn mendes crew member laminate on it.

"okay, 6pm sharp." i say, gathering all my things, and slinging my longchamp bag over my shoulder.

"oh and anya?" andrew finally interrogates, as my hand comes into grasp with the door handle.

"yeah?" i say, turning around, removing my hand from the sleek metal handle.

"shawns a little, what's the word? weird when it comes to these things. he doesn't like the idea, but it will really help him. please just try to be friends with him?" andrew begs.

"of course i will, don't worry." i assure. "i will see you at the airport." andrew nods, sending me out back into the business of an office environment. i clutch the white folder to my chest, walking out of the building and getting a taxi back to my hotel.
***
"shawn! have a great time in london!"

"shawn can i get a hug?"

"i love you shawn!"

screams, cries and chatter is heard all around me. it envelopes the eerie space of the courtyard opposite the entrance to the airport.

"sorry guys, i gotta get going, but i will see you all soon! i love you!" shawn and i get pushed together, as a paparazzi snaps a shot of him holding my waist. i nervously smile, dragging my black suitcase behind me, entering the massive airport.

"okay shawn, meet anya, anya, meet shawn." andrew introduces us, as shawn shakes my hand, once we are out of plain sight.

"i don't like this andrew." shawn mumbles, thinking i won't hear.

"this will help you i promise. island want you to have a girlfriend." andrew says to him, as he sighs, picking up his guitar case.

"whatever, let's just go." he begins to follow a few more boys, and a girl, who i recognise as chris, who formerly smiled at me earlier today.

"he'll warm up to you soon, don't gloat too much." andrew tries to comfort me, but i shrug, walking ahead of the group.

we check in very quickly; the lines being cheetahs, fast moving and accurate. i decide to go off, buying water for the flight and a pack of gum.

a cold hand pulls me into the shadows of people, and places itself on my waist. i feel his heavy, hot breath near my ear, raspy and uneven. "look, you're my on screen girlfriend, not my real life one," he shallowly whispers, stepping back, leaving me parched and needing air.

"in real life, we are strangers. and everything is fake. are we clear?" i nod my head viciously, trying to hide how intimidated i feel.

"when we get out of the airport, there will be fans. you will be my girlfriend from there, and i will introduce you as mine. the fans will go crazy, but if they take pictures of you, don't react and snap at them or pose for them. only pose for me, and make sure to give me pda. it's okay, we will practice on the flight. i made sure andrew got me a seat next to you." shawn explains, as people crowd round us, spinning the room.

"i know it's gonna be hard, but we are strangers when no one is watching, i don't need you in my life." my heart pangs with hurt. i understand though, it must be horrible to know that your management are making you date someone you don't want to date.

"okay i will see you on the plane." shawn walks away, taking his bag and guitar case with him, his grey vans hoodie covering his muscular torso.

walking away from the scene, i look back at him laughing with his band members.

how am i supposed to fit in?

-

lol this is gonna be crap bare with me i like the idea