n

ifted ever since I let them take over everything; my heels, my clothes, my makeup, hell even my hair. I looked at my feet wearing a glittery 5-inch and thought, what if I could smud

mental of my song is echoing in this big dome but it suddenly stopped. My eyes are now focused on the same dance instru

y I am ju

f orders make me feel like I am in the military. I sighed and was ready to restart but then he told us to take a 10-minute break. I sighed once again as I exited the stage left with my backup dancers. Stepping down the small

Kade, his face’s alarmingly close that I first saw his hazel blue eyes. He is using his handkerchief to wi

appened?” H

ked down. “Nothi

een my chin, having no choice but to stare at his eyes. “I know yo

g things wrong in front of my fans since I have to sing bo

He clasped his hands on mine. “You need to stay strong and confident.

g a bottle of water on the stage. “Can you guys try th

told you I am not pr

r fans will be more excited!” Before I scrunch my face, Kade held my cheeks with his two hands and put his forehead on

ance practice, recording for the bonuses, and another practice after the 30-minute break. I was then told to relax because they will lift me in a few minutes. I nod at the staff and look back to where Kade is. He gave a big thumbs up, signing that I can do it. Then I can feel the ropes pulling me up slowly. I watched as my feet left the stage. “You can do it, Anya!” I heard Ka

ke a bigger eagle with these gigantic wings and use it to take a huge leap--no, huge flight--of faith to take me to the place I want to be.

y being lowered slowly. I was given a few good jobs, Anya

g what I want because they are what lead me to where I am. I just kept all the weight to myself and forced them out on the stage, but they are all masked as well. It’s like I am on the Yellow Brick Road but with the Emerald C

out my mom wants to add fire hoops behind me and a huge one in the center where I could be inside it. I have no idea why mom thinks of these things when it doesn’t make sense with what I plan for the album. It’s supposed to be the dark

he album, and what I write--as long as it is not too “depressing” or whatever they say. I am at least lucky to

laced where my chest is and jogging pants, just chilling on the couch, which is placed right beside the door. I have a water bottle in one hand and a phone in the other. I saw a notification that I was tagged in an Instagram story so I stopped

ng the game but instead, his face popped up close to the frame, showing a very silly smile. I scoffed a smile, which made him satisfied. He then lifts his phone and I see him and me on the screen so I flash my teeth. After Kade

aby

They li

ns shipping us, yet again, and telling us to get marr

looked up from his phone and to me. “Let them en

d I will say in verbatim, "my savior, like a kind of superhero." Though I was 17 at that time with little knowled

ive months older than me and was 5’5 then but now he grew three-inch taller. I find him kind of cute then. He always spends time with me after voice lessons, dance lessons, and recording sessions. We would talk about a lot of things, play a few g

cause I believed that he has been a good friend to me. Then that night, my mom confronted me and shouted at me about how I em

lling mom all along. It hit me like a brick wall, and it hurts how I cannot see what’s on the

your stylists arrive? They need to be here by now.” I decided to say not

ter in front of the mall where I’m going to perform. The background is filled with people crowding the entrance doors. Below is a banner with Thousands Of

mera then zooms out and beside her is my mom scintillating too brightly due to too much gold that is wrapped around her. With her glittery gold gown, she looks like she could be the living female Oscars trophy. The snatchers are probably somewhere out there wit

pare my outfit for the first part of the concert. I sat in front of the mi

nd as I heard my mom being interviewed. “Mi

tz and glam~!” Number one, still with that

old out on the first day! How do you feel about

rd to achieve her hopes and dreams. I’m just here by her side to support her because I believe that she can do it. I’m so gla

. I tried to think about what my mom said. I am quite speechless because I don’t even know what to say to that. Should I be mad? Should I cry? I do

he dresser to scroll on my social media. The first things that I see are my notifications flooded with minions of my fans. I saw their posts just a few hours ago where they were in the car on the way to my concert or showing off my mer

s, pretending to be happy, pretending to be in love...This is not how I feel. I want to scream, I want to tear this dress off, I w

t I feel I can trust. Even if they did not get the SOS that was kept hidden behind the bubbly persona that is Anya Moore--ugh even I hate that name--Their smiles have helped me light up my lone forest. What if they go becaus

your hands, roll your neck, and take a deep breath. You got this.

to do. I manage to take this time to hug and thank my hairstylist and make-up artist for my sickening cute bubbly look--as Anya always is--and

or them--I will neve

sho