‘Yeah!’Anya adds.‘How empowering it must be, to be such an inspiration for other writers out there, just like you!’
I love what they’re saying and their enthusiasm, but I don’t know if I feel free or empowered.I feel violated and exposed.Like my safety blanket has been ripped away from me and I’m not strong enough to endure what’s to come.I never wanted to be in the public eye.That’s not what any of my writing was supposed to be about, but as I glance at the two of them – ranting, defendingme, refusing to let me drown in it alone – I feel something else.Like I’m being seen for the first time in my life.Like I’m being taken seriously.
Maybe this isn’t the be all, end all that I originally thought it was.
22
ZAYDEN
I’M LITERALLY EXPERIENCING THEcoolest thingever.
Nora steps out onto the set, walking confidently over to where a woman sits.The woman is dressed in a tight-fitting pants suit, her dark hair pulled back into a sleek bun, her appearance camera-ready and flawless.
Nora has her hair pulled back into that messy bun I love, the one she always does when she’s about to do something big.She’s wearing a curve-hugging top tucked into ripped jeans, and a leather jacket that is pushed up to her elbows.She looks sexy as fuck, but what I love most is that she looks exactly likeher.Her true self.
The woman offers her a polished smile, nodding in greeting, revealing two rows of teeth that are so bright, I regret not putting my sunglasses on.This is a woman who I have seen on my screen over the years, and it’s so bizarre seeing Nora sit beside her right now.I can’t quite believe I’m behind the scenes, allowed to be a part of it.
I can’t hear the words over the quiet hum of the monitors beside me, but I can see the way she’s trying to make Nora feel comfortable.I shift in my seat, tension building in my shoulders.I thought I’d be nervous for her, but it’s the opposite.I’m so fucking proud.Gone is the girl who was too scared to do amasked photoshoot.She sits there, sitting straight, directing her gaze to the camera, not showing any sign of fear.
I am falling more and more in love with her.
The camera zooms in on her face as the interviewer asks a question, and I see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes – just for a second – but she’s already recovering.I know her too well.That was her rehearsing what she wants to say in her head.I have absolutely loved watching her grow into the woman I knew she was capable of being.The woman who is happy in her own skin and proud of all that she has achieved.
I see the notifications pop up on my phone – people from university, people from the online world, everyone talking about her now.I haven’t seen anyone hating on her.People are … obsessed.With her, her words, her books.I knew she was a big deal from stalking her social media, but she is truly famous in the book world.Everybody knows who she is.
She begins talking and I push around the monitors, trying to hear what she’s saying.
‘I never meant to hide who I was.’Her voice is steady and clear.‘I just wanted the space to write and create without expectations.Unfortunately I had a fan-turned-stalker who tricked me into thinking they were a friend and when I cut them off, they didn’t like that.’
Her revelation sinks into the silence of the room, and when I glance at the audience on the screen, they’re hanging on her every word.
‘They exposed my identity, hacked my accounts and attempted to steal my life from me.’
The shocked reactions are visible as the audience takes in her story.
‘I’m not ashamed of my writing anymore,’ she continues, looking right into the camera, directly into the eyes of whoeveris watching.‘This is who I am.This is my work.I won’t apologise for it.I am proud of everything I’ve created and I’m no longer going to hide behind anonymity to protect myself.’
The interview goes for longer than I expected, and the woman asks a lot of open-ended questions, allowing Nora to go into detail about a lot of things and truly get her own version of events across.There is not one single person in the room who would not be on her side.I mean, I could be biased, but she is one hell of a woman, and I think it’s pretty incredible all that she has achieved on her own.
The interviewer smiles warmly at Nora, the camera pulling back slightly as she leans forward, her voice softer now, like the two have become friends.
‘Well, Nora,’ she begins, pausing for a beat, her tone shifting into something more genuine.‘Thank you for sharing that with us today.It’s not easy to open up, especially when it feels like your entire world is watching.We appreciate your honesty, your courage and your ability to take control of your own story.It’s inspiring.’
Nora’s expression softens and she smiles, a little tighter than usual, but it’s a smile that says more than any words can.
‘Thank you for having me,’ she says, looking so bold and confident.‘I think it’s important to remember that everyone has their own journey.This is mine.It might not have gone the way I expected, but it’s mine to share now.So thank you.’
The interviewer nods, clearly impressed, and the camera zooms in for a final shot of Nora’s face – confident, poised and unapologetically herself.
‘Well, there you have it,’ the interviewer says, turning towards the camera.‘Nora Robertson, the woman behind Valiant Vixen.Thank you again, Nora, for joining us today.’
‘Thank you,’ she repeats, standing up and shaking the woman’s hand.The moment feels like it’s hanging in the air fora second longer than it should, but then she’s walking off the set with the same purposeful stride she walked in with.
As the lights dim, I feel something settle in my chest – a quiet pride from watching her finally step into the light and claim what was always hers.
I am so fucking in love with Nora Robertson.
A few hours later, we are at North Beach.Just Nora and me.
