I pulled the headset off my head and started walking towards the camera guys.
“Wait,” Kenzie said, and then grabbed my arm. “You didn’t answer my question, Z.”
I turned so I could look at her, so I could silently show her my fears and hesitance.
“Hey.” She pulled me back, and when I faced her fully, her expression softened, and she placed her hands on my shoulders before giving them a squeeze. “I know you’re scared, Zaira, but you have a fair opportunity here, and it kills me that you’re not acting on it. After all, how many authors and graphic novelists do you think can say that they’ve worked for their muses, and have also had a chance to show their work to said muses?”
She was right; Kenzie made a fair point.
I was a self-published graphic novelist, and had spent the last year or so writing and designing my latest comic,The Ice Bearer. The book name was inspired by this fantasy book I’d read last year,A Twisted Belief, and went really well with my superhero’s powers.
Graham Landers, my comic lead, who was inspired by Gallan, controlled ice and frost, and was the leader of a small group of supernatural humans. I’d worked my ass off on the storyline, and designing every single one of the graphics present in the book had taken a lot out of me. I hadn’t given up, though, because I wanted my story to be out there in the world, and for people all around the globe to meet Graham Landers and his squad.
I’d dedicated the book to Gallan, because if it wasn’t for him and his fantastic work in movies, I wouldn’t have been motivated to create an entire story, let alone its vast range of diverse characters.
The Ice Bearerwasn’t my first comic; it was my 3rd. But the hard work I’d put into it exceeded that of the other two.
“I can’t, Ken,” I said, and then shook my head at her. “I know it was my idea to give him a copy ofThe Ice Bearer, but I just…I can’t do it. What if he thinks I’m a creep or something? What if he thinks I only got a job here so I could get close to him? The last thing I want is for him to despise me.”
My best friend looked at me like I’d just told her that I’d been impregnated by an alien. “Are you for real right now?” She seemed a little too pissed for my comfort.
I shrugged, and shielded my eyes against the glaring afternoon sun. “I’m just not strong enough to do it, Ken, that’s all.”
“You are,” she said. “You’re the strongest person I know, Z. You’ve faced challenges all your life, and you’ve always excelled over them. You made a place in this society – where some people still see Muslims as enemies – and are thriving so fucking amazingly. If you are determined enough to live your dream and to do what you love to, then giving Gallan a copy of your book – which you basically wrote for him – shouldn’t be a hard task. It should be a delicious piece of cake, babe.”
I sighed and ran a hand over my wavy brown hair. “You’re very bad for my ego.”
She chuckled. “Didn’t know you even had one.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “I’ll do it; I’ll give him the copy. But I’ll do it for you, and you only.”
“Right…” she drawled.
“Don’t be an ass. I can still change my mind,” I told her.
“You wouldn’t dare.” She then looked over my shoulder. “I mean, it’s practically too late for that anyway.”
“What?”
She grinned like Joker from Batman, and then turned me around.
I stifled a cough when my saliva got stuck in my throat, and clenched my hands when they began shaking a little.
Gallan – out of his costume – stood only a few feet away from me with his manager, Shane. His blue flannel and dark jeans looked stunning on him, and as he continued to speak animatedly with the guy who managed him, I couldn’t help but stare at him. He was a canvas of perfection, and I? Well, I was simply an admirer.
“Here.” Kenzie handed the extra copy of my comic to me, which I kept in my purse in case I grew some balls to finally approach my real-life Graham Landers. “Just go for it! I’ll be here the whole time, so don’t worry.”
“How did you get it? It’s supposed to be in my locker back at the studio.”
She clicked her tongue. “That’s where I got it from, silly.”
“But–”
“Shh.” She glared at me. “You have your copy, and Gallan is here. It’s all that matters.”
I blinked at her. “I can’t do it.” My voice was suddenly squeaky, which made me flinch.
“You can! You got this, bish!”
