And I've grown familiar with villains that live in my head

They beg me to write them So I'll never die when I'm dead

-Halsey, Control

January 12, 2016: 9:13 a.m.

I watched with a glazed expression as Scottie threw down multiple magazines onto the conference table McKenna and I were seated at. Kiara and Cooper stood behind him as reinforcements. Kiara was glowering at us while Cooper watched me dolefully. It was a look I had gotten quite used to.

"Seven," Scottie started, "You're on the cover of SEVEN different magazines!"

"Weren't expecting that huh," I raised my eyebrows.

Scottie gave me a pointed look and I shut up. Scottie may not be my manager but he was in charge at this point and he didn't look very happy. I was smart enough to know when my words were welcomed and when they needed to be restricted.

"This isn't good. You needed to make a united appearance, not show everyone you're out for each other's blood! Who gets in food fights in this era anyways," Scottie waved his hands hysterically.

"Reece started it," McKenna proclaimed. I scowled at her as she shrugged looking for a way out.

"Liar," I said not planning on taking the fall for this.

"Shut up, both of you," Scottie interrupted, "We need to fix this."

"How?" McKenna asked crossing her arms.

I picked up the top magazine and laughed at the title, "Reece turning new found artist, McKenna Ellis, into a Synner?"

"Isn't that the name of his fan group?" McKenna asked picking up another magazine.

I glanced at the others seeing what they had to say. There were only a few magazines that stated it was a date gone wrong which wasn't too bad in my opinion. It wasn't like we were called out for being fake.

"Yes," Scottie exasperated, "It's a play on a play of words. Very clever. Can we get back to what's important?"

I didn't like the name they came up for my fan base at first. The "Synners" made my whole aura seem corrupted and bad, but after a while it grew on me. I fit the image and the fans loved it so I couldn't complain.

I made a point of putting the magazines down and gestured for Scottie to continue.

"We need to put you two in a situation where you're portrayed as angels practically in love," Scottie said clasping his hands together, "No fights, no sarcastic remarks, no screw ups." He made it a point to look over at me.

"I resent that look," I pointed at him.

"I resent the fact that you don't listen to my orders," Scottie shot back.

"You are neither a dictator nor ordering off a menu."

"Reece," Cooper warned.

"I'm just saying," I raised my hands up in surrender "He doesn't have to call them orders."

I was supposed to change my attitude towards the press. No more witty replies, only friendly gestures and angelic smiles. Oh how I loathed the shit I had to do for my career.

"This isn't going to work," McKenna advised.

"We can't even sit through dinner together and you want to put us in front of cameras? We should just call it quits before we mess up," I agreed hoping Scottie would see the lost causes we were.

"You two need to get your heads out of your asses," Kiara spoke breaking her scary warrior statue pose. "If either of you want to last in this world you need to learn to work with each other. I've said it before; you're going to have to do things you don't want to but that's how things get done. Are we clear?"

"Yes," McKenna said reluctantly. I grumbled in agreement looking over at Cooper. He remained quiet for the most part. I knew Cooper wasn't a big fan of this, but he has always been looking out for me. If he was going along with this, I was willing to believe this was for my own good.

"Good," Scottie smiled satisfied, "Now I've got tickets to the Hollywood Premiere of Deadlake. You'll need to leave by two to make it there on time. You'll have a few moments to interact with the reporters and fans. Not enough time to overwhelm you. You'll say a few words as a couple and make your way in to watch the movie."

I nodded. I've been to a few movie premiers usually to boost my own stardom and sometimes to show my support to an actor I had befriended.

Kiara smirked at McKenna, "Scottie wanted to get tickets about some movie about a wave. I convinced him for your sake."

McKenna chuckled, "Thanks."

I remained quiet knowing exactly what movie they were talking about. The book was actually good; I wouldn't have complained if he got tickets to that premier.

"It was a Sci-fi thriller and was speculated to gain 8 stars," Scottie argued evidently insulted.

You go bro, defend that shit.

"No, just stop," Kiara shook her head raising her eyebrows at the two of us, "Get back on the right track." She made her exit with grace. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for McKenna. Kiara seemed scary.

Cooper sighed giving us a smile, "Enjoy the show."

11:21 a.m.

I stepped off the elevator and into my penthouse. I took off my grey hoodie and placed in on the kitchen counter not needing it anymore.

This place was a little too big for just one person but always seemed to remain warm. Across the kitchen was a transparent wall presenting a view of the skyscrapers of New York and the East River. In the middle of the wall was a marble half dome that contained a fireplace in the center. The leather couches were placed next to the fire place, facing a flat screen.

Everything was ordinary except for my mini studio set up by the back wall. There were speakers set on the wall and my laptop set up on a table next to an electric piano. The microphone was set to the side along with the few instruments I used, but now they were all collecting dust.

I made my way across the wooden floor and toward my room.

My room had one window that casted a similar view as the living area. My wall was still lined with papers filled with lines and paragraphs of things that have gone on in my head.

They weren't all lyrics, just things I had to write down. There was something about it that let me tune out the world and I did just about anything that kept me distracted.

At first it was awkward leaving them out with some being more personal then I would admit, but no one really came to my place so I did as I pleased.

Walking over to the desk in the corner of my room, I sat down, staring at the ceiling. It was eleven in the morning and I didn't feel like going back to sleep. I could hear the faint honks of the cars trying to force their way through the never ending traffic. Aside from the honking, the silence had taken over.

At first, the silence was deafening and I made it a goal to stay out of this place. But slowly, it grew on me. It was a strange comfort that a part of me was glued to.

This was weird. I was supposed to be on break. Which meant that I should be passed out drunk until the afternoon. After that the routine was pretty simple. Wake up, make music and repeat until Cooper forgets the whole break nonsense and lines up things for me to do.

Rubbing my head, I leaned forward. Putting in my earphones, I turned the volume up and grabbed my pencil and began moving my right hand allowing the images and words in my mind to take over.

I didn't stop until I heard a buzz. Blinking, I looking over the papers sprawled across my desk and floor. There were words and doodles all over the place. The room had become dark, the clouds moving in over the city. Getting up I walked to the intercom, "What's up, Frank?"

Letting go of the button, I waited for the man at the front desk to reply, "There's a McKenna Ellis here to see you, sir. Says she knows you."

"Yea, send her up," I replied rubbing my eyes. I walked out of my room and into the living area which was bright contrasting the room I had just came from. Checking my phone, I cursed out loud. I hadn't realized how much time had went by.

I turned toward the elevator as it dinged.

McKenna stepped off, her attention on her phone. She was wearing a black, full-length slit dress that narrowed at her abdomen revealing the sides of her stomach before widening as it reached the floor. She was wearing black heals and a chain necklace. Her hair fell down in curls finishing off her elegant appearance.

I couldn't help but stare at her. She had definitely cleaned up trading in her sweats and jacket from the morning that did not do her curves as much justice as the dress she was wearing now. She looked up from her phone breaking me out of my trance.

"You clean up well," I cleared my throat averting my eyes back to hers. She was wearing red lipstick and her winged eyeliner made her eyes seem that much more intimidating.

She gave me a one-sided smirk as if she knew exactly what was going through my head, "Thanks. Scottie hooked me up with a new stylist."

I nodded. Scottie knew what he was doing.

"You, on the other hand, look like shit. We leave in twenty," McKenna directed.

"You know, I thought it was the guys job to pick up the girl." I looked at my phone.

"You're always late," McKenna stated taking a seat at one of the chairs at my kitchen counter.

"Someone likes to be on time," I observed shoving my hands into my pockets.

"If people did things whenever they wanted, there would be no need to invent a clock," McKenna said. She leaned her head on her hand, the other tapping her leg rhythmically.

I smirked, "I guess that's true."

"Nineteen minutes."

I rolled my eyes, turning around, "I'm going, I'm going."

A/N: So I've finally set a schedule for updates! Monday's and Friday's will be my usual days with maybe an update somewhere in between.
I want to thank y'all for the support with this book. You guys are awesome! Stay tuned for the update :)