Life Before Fame Preview

Piercingmay

Hi everyone! My name is Marley, known as Piercingmay on Wattpad. I have decided to give you a sneak peak of one of my upcoming books that I plan on releasing in March. Don't forget to check out the giveaways for a chance to win a dedication to one of my books and for me to critique the first THREE chapters of your book! Also, a big thank you to @KellyAnneBlount for letting me be a part of this amazing event!

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Life Before Fame

"Thank you all for coming out! I love you so much and don't forget to stop by Freddy's Big Belly Burgers for the after party!" I yelled in the microphone, breathing heavily as the stadium rumbled with screaming and chanting. I bowed and waved to as many people as I could.

I took my hair out of the ponytail and shook it, wincing as I pulled on my scalp. "Oh. My. God! You did amazing up there! But you couldn't have done it without my help." My manager gloated and I smiled slightly at her. She patted my head, "As of tonight, you are the biggest pop start in North America!" She squealed and hugged me. "Party time!" She yelled and I sighed, following her.

Ever since I could remember, this has been my dream. I prayed every night that one day I could make it big in this world. Singing's been a passion of mine since I was eight. I would never be here without my family and friends.

Well, old friends.

"Hey babe." Austin said, kissing me on the cheek.

"Hey." I replied and started wiping my make up off. He grabbed my hand, frowning at me.

"Why are you taking that off? We have a party to attend to and I can't have you looking like a homeless wreck." He picked at my hair and I slapped down the wash cloth, putting my hands on my hips to face him.

"A homeless wreck? I wouldn't be talking if I were you, Austin, because if I can remember correctly you were the homeless wreck. I'd suggest you let me do what I want because I made you and I can ruin you." He glared at me and I glared back, daring him to make a wrong move.

"You have twenty minutes." He mumbled and left. I let out a breath I was holding and fell down in the chair, putting my hand on my head.

Luckily he didn't catch my bluff, yes I could easily destroy him but I'm not that cold and heartless, even though that's what my reputation is. The go-lucky diva that gets everything she wants. None of the things I got were what I want; I didn't want to be a snobby, rich brat that repulses everyone even if I'm the biggest pop star. I wanted to go to charity events, raise money for kids at home and my family, but my management was heartless enough to make my family feel low and leave me by myself. I wish I could rewind to five years ago, when I was seventeen and still innocent, just playing with an unknown band that me and my friends created.

Ariel, my designer, stepped in the room and held up a black sparkling outfit. The top reached above my belly button and the skirt reached up to it to make it look like a dress. "Amanda wants you to wear this. She says she has a special guest for you and Austin." I mentally gagged at the sound of his name.

"Alright, I'll be out in a few. Tell Amanda to get the car ready." I waved at her and she gave me a worried glance, probably afraid I'll explode on her.

"Actually, she wanted you to take the limo, it gives you more exposure." I just nodded and locked the door behind her.

"Of course I need more 'exposure' because being the biggest pop star isn't enough." I mumbled to myself as I put on the clothes and black heels. I pulled my hair to the side and started making expressions in the mirror.

"I'm Amanda Pollini and I'm the most stuck up person ever." I said in a high pitched voice.

I laughed to myself as I grabbed my purse and threw some glitter on my face. I cringed slightly and swatted at the air as I walked out of the room. Ariel was waiting there impatiently for me and smiled worriedly, "The limos out front. There's a special guest in it and I'm not sure how you'll react."

I cocked an eyebrow and took Austin's hand as he offered it out. "You're going to be wearing makeup, right? Amanda will freak if she sees your face bare." Ariel stated and I nodded.

"I'll put it on in the limo." I answered simply and walked out of the doors, being blinded from the flashing lights. Austin put his hand on my waist and led me through, pushing the paparazzi away when they got to close.

"Chloe, is it true that Austin Weller is planning on purposing to you?" I sure hope not.

"Chloe, when will your next album be released?"

"Chloe, is it true that you'll be doing a duet with Lincoln Quinn?" My ears perked up at that question and I almost stopped to ask him about it but Austin continued pushing me forward until I was safely put in the limo. Austin got in after me and the doors shut.

I brushed my hair behind my ear as I sighed and leaned down. Austin squeezed my thigh tightly and I glared, sitting up straight. "Jerk." I mumbled and momentarily looked up.

His eyes landed on my face and we both froze. He cursed to himself, "When they said Chloe I didn't think you."

I broke out of my trance and glared at him, "Oh, sorry to disappoint you, your highness." I bowed and snorted.

He raised an eyebrow and shook his head, looking at me like I was just gum stuck on the bottom of his shoe, "You're still as bratty as ever, princess." He mocked, clicking his tongue.

I crossed my arms and looked out the window, "What are you doing here, Lincoln?"

I looked at him and saw his jaw clenched, "You know I don't like that name."

I tilted my head and gave him a sympathetic look, "Well that sucks, because I don't like you either, so it works out perfectly, doesn't it?" I ran my tongue across my upper teeth and shot him a winning smile.

He rolled his eyes, "I'm here because my manager sent me here. I know about as much as you do."

"Figures." I muttered under my breath and his head snapped up.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." I said and smirked when I watched him squirm.

"No, I want to know."

"It's not important."

"Chloe, tell me!" He demanded and I rolled my eyes.

"You just never were the brightest crayon in the box." I replied and he glared at me.

"If I can remember correctly, neither were you." I narrowed my eyes at him and my lips fell into a scowl.

"What would you know? You didn't even wait to see what I was like. It was all a game to you." I sneered and leaned back when Austin gave me a warning glare.

"We're here." Austin mumbled and helped me get out of the car. I ignored the flashing lights and smiled to people who had posters and were screaming my name. I waved to them and the paparazzi started to have a seizure when they saw Lincoln step out.

Oh yeah, because Lincoln is just so amazing! Like, ohemgee, I could just lick him!

"Lincoln, are you and Chloe back together?"

"Lincoln, why did you break up with Chloe?"

"Austin, how do you feel knowing Chloe's ex is going to be working with you guys?"

"Chloe, do you still have feelings for Lincoln?"

I went to slam the camera out of his hand but Austin pulled me forward into the building. How was any of that their business anyways? Oh wait, it wasn't and never will be. They can all stick their noses into a cactus for all I care, as long as it keeps them out of my business, but I know that will never happen; I knew what I was getting myself into the moment I signed the contract.

I flattened out my shirt and winced when I felt my feet starting to form a scab. "I hate this." I mumbled and Austin glared at me.

"Well you better act like this is the best night of your life or Amanda will not only have my head on a stick, but yours too." He said and I cursed. Why is it, when I can't think clearly, Austin just happens to be around to prove that he's right most of the time? I don't need to be told what's right and wrong, I already knew; it was just a matter of fact whether I wanted to stay on the 'right' side.

I took a glass of Champaign and chugged it down, smiling sheepishly at Austin. "What? I already have to pretend to like you." I voiced and smirked when his smile fell. "Not everyone is a kiss up, buddy." I poked his chest and went to converse with people I knew.

Soon enough all the food and drinks caught up to me. I held my finger up to the fans I was talking to, "I'll be right back." They nodded and I stumbled my way through the crowd towards the bathroom. I sighed and slammed my purse down on the counter, blowing the hair out of my face. I mumbled profanity's under my breath as I gripped the counter and count to ten.

I knew this night wasn't going to be fun, but I hoped I would end up enjoying it. That hasn't happened.

"It's not that bad, Chloe." I scolded myself, "They like you so stop-" I cut myself off, "They like Chloe Brewer, anyways." I instinctively put a hand on my stomach and shook my head.

Now was not the time to dwell on the past, now was certainly not the time to think about what happened, either. Anyways, who likes thinking of bad things when everything you've ever wanted is right in front of you, holding your hand as you walk?

"Did you remove it like you said you would?" I jumped and turned around to see Lincoln shutting the bathroom door and leaning against it.

I scowled at him and grabbed my bag, trying to scoot past him, "Yes, I did." I went to open the door and push him away but he grabbed my wrist and lifted up my shirt to see my stomach. The stomach that carried a giant scar. I slapped his hand away, "That is entirely inappropriate." I stated and he grabbed my arm, looking at me with a frown.

"Why didn't you get it removed like you said you would? I thought you didn't want any reminders." He swallowed and I looked at the ground. Why did he care anyways? He was the reason everything happened in the first place!

"Believe it or not, Link, something's I just didn't want to forget. Now please move because there's nothing left to talk about."

"Bull, you know perfectly well that there's plenty to talk about." He said and I narrowed my eyes, pulling my arm out of his grasp.

"Perhaps, but it doesn't necessarily mean that I would like to talk to you about them. Anyone else would be just fine, but I really don't feel like braiding each other's hair and tell each other our deepest, darkest secrets."

He gave me a dark look, "You know everything about me, so don't pretend that we are strangers."

I pushed him away, my anger bubbling inside the thin balloon, just waiting for the needle to stab it and pop it, "That's the thing you don't get, Lincoln!" I screamed and held my head, "We are just strangers! I haven't seen you in four years and things have changed, majorly! You don't know anything about me because I'm Chloe Brewer, not Mia Tucker, the naïve teenager who had big dreams that she wanted to follow and share with the man she loved. A man that obviously didn't reciprocate the feelings she had for him. So, I'm not pretending, because this is reality and not the stupid story I wished had happened."

His eyes casted down as he clenched his hands together, "I know you know that I loved you."

I shook my head and put my hands down, tired of arguing with him. "You loved Mia, but I'm not her anymore."

I opened the door and just as I walked out I heard him say, "You shouldn't have let go of Mia, she was better than this version of you."

I bit my lip and nodded, "I know." I whispered and left him, smiling widely at everyone who greeted me. Everyone was shushed when someone walked on the stage, holding a trophy. Everyone cheered as he waved and smiled.

"As you know, it's around the time that all you artists take a break to work on new music and I'm here to present the Artist of the Year award for 2016." Everyone screamed and cheered as Amanda winked at me. I gave her a false smile and tapped my foot on the floor, impatient to know who won.

Getting this award has been a goal of mine ever since I started singing. I worked so hard on all the music I wrote and practiced eight hours a day in the studio, making sure everything was perfect.

"And the winner for this year's award is," he waited as everyone stomped on the ground, creating a drum sound, "Chloe Brewer!" I let out a breath as everyone chanted and screamed at me as I walked up to the stadium.

I shook his hand and stood in front of the stadium, "Oh my god," I gushed and cringed inwardly at my stupidity, "I can't believe I won this, actually, I can." The people around the audience giggled and Amanda gave me a thumb up. I spotted Lincoln and saw him looking at me with a blank expression. I bit the inside of my cheek but continued on smiling as I held the award up, "I want to thank everyone who voted for me because without you and your loyalty, I would not be standing here, in this stadium, with the trophy of my dreams. I wouldn't be where I am today without your guys love and support, which means more to me than you could ever imagine. So, thank you and I love you all so, so much! Enjoy the party!" I yelled and everyone yelled in glee while the music started again with my most popular song, the song I hated the most out of the album.

I walked down the stage and handed Amanda the award, "I knew you could do it! I don't know where you would be without my help, honestly. Anyways, be in the studio at seven, we have work to do for your new album."

"Yay!" I said sarcastically and Amanda, being the densest person ever, didn't catch on it and smiled with me.

"Go have fun, just don't get too hammered please, I need you at your best for tomorrow. Next year's tour is going to be much bigger and better than this year, I promise you!" She held up her phone and started calling all the equipment men and everyone who helped me make the album, including the songs.

I looked at the award in her hands and sighed. This was what I always wanted, but why do I feel like I'm still missing something in my life? Why do I feel like this wasn't my goal to begin with?

Why do I feel empty?

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