Lunar scoffs out a laugh as she tries but fails to hold it in.
Zaria looks at her as if to say,What are you laughing at?
Lunar quickly gathers herself and looks down at her hands on the table, hiding any further reaction.
“Okay, well, Tillie, you order the food and we’ll discuss meeting next week for the filming of the music video,” Oliver says.
After an hour or so, all plans regarding Zaria are settled for filming in a week, food is eaten—with an incredible amount of leftovers—and the meeting is practically over. I’m still as nervous sitting next to Zaria as I was when she first walked in. Although we haven’t said another word to each other since we were alone, and she’s still carrying on like a spoiled diva, I can’t help but feel like she’s putting on some sort of act. Like this is all a performance, and this diva attitude is merely a persona, hiding therealZaria.
I wonder what the ‘real’ Zaria is like.
Once you strip down this opinionated, domineering act, what would remain of the actual woman?
Maybe I’m wrong and she really is the massive pain in the ass she’s portraying. But I’m not buying what she’s selling at this point, unlike everyone else who’s gone from acting scared of her to sending Zaria sideways glares when she’s not looking.
“I have to use the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back,” Zaria announces out of nowhere. She stands quickly and proceeds to walk out of the room.
Everyone stops talking like someone flicked a switch to silence, and then they all watch her stride out. Even the way she walks is like silk.Fucking flawless.Once she’s left the room, everyone collectively lets out a joint sigh.
“Jesus Christ, she is certifiably crazy! Like batshit, balls to the wall, mother fucking crazy,” Lunar says.
“I know, talk about a diva complex. They say that pop stars are divas. Well, I’m pretty sure Oscar winners take the cake as far as I’m concerned,” Tillie replies.
“She’s an A-list actress. She’s supposed to be a diva,” I defend, feeling like someone needs to stand up for her while she’s out of the room.
“Diva? Sure. Asshole? No,” Lunar replies.
Tillie and Lunar laugh rather loudly as Zaria walks back in.
Everyone falls silent before Zaria swallows hard, her eyes focused as if she had obviously heard what was said. But she shakes her head slightly as if she’s brushing it off.
Zaria sits back down and exhales. “Tillie, get me another drink. Anddon’tforget the straw this time!”
Lunar rolls her eyes as Tillie stands and rushes off to pour anotherspecificdrink for Zaria.
“We’re all done here for the night. Everyone’s free to go,” Oliver announces, breaking the tension in the room.
They all stand ridiculously quickly and rush out, leaving only Zaria and me in the room, watching as they all bolt out like a stampede of bargain hunters at the local Walmart.
Zaria slumps in her chair like she’s finally able to relax into herself, and I tap my fingers lightly on the table while watching her façade wash away. The more I think about it, the more I realize she was one hundred percent putting on a show tonight. I just don’t know why the hell someone of her stature would want to do that.
Suddenly, she turns to me and plasters on a fake smile. “So, honestly, tell me, you can’t read, can you?”
I groan. “No… I absolutely can.”
She huffs. “Artist, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Believe me, I don’t think any less of you. Really, just tell me. I’m not going to tell the others. Promise.”
I tense up, swallowing hard. Something about her tells me I can trust her—that she won’t run off to inform the others if I finally admit it. She’s already figured it out, so I may as well come clean instead of making myself look like an even bigger idiot.
“My brother knows, but Danger and Ryan don’t. They probably suspect but don’t know for sure.”
She pats my shoulder in a kind gesture. “Okay… it’s settled. I will teach you.”
I furrow my brows and tilt my head. “Um… what?”
“I’ll teach you how to read. I’m an excellent teacher, and I promise I won’t be too hard on you. Plus, I’m going to be around for a little while, so we have plenty of time.”
I shake my head ever so slightly, more in shock than anything else, then let out a laugh. “No, really, you don’t have to do that.”
