Daisy nodded, her chin bouncing against Mom’s shoulder. “Okay. I’m going.”
The first step was the easiest. Each additional one that took her closer to the empty chair on the end, and therefore closer to Brittany, grew in difficulty. She tucked her hair behind her ear. She’d worn it down in big curls today, and after seeing Brittany’s tumbled braid, she was glad.
A stagehand gave them each a mic and had them say “test” into it once. Right behind him came the moderator, who introduced himself and shook their hands. He faced the crowd and called the room to attention, explaining that anyone with a question should line up behind one of the mics. They’d go for an hour and then he’d call time.
People scrambled for a line, making Daisy smile.
“Hi. My question is for Daisy. How did you and Beck meet?” The girl flipped her hair over shoulder. She couldn’t have been more than fifteen.
Daisy lifted her mic, careful to keep her voice low enough not to cause feedback. “Beck is my brother’s best friend. I’ve known him since we were children.”
“Next question,” prompted the moderator.
“Hi, I’m Kierra, and my question is also for Daisy. Now that Beck’s makeover is done—” The rest of her question was drown out by catcalls, whistles, and applause.
Daisy grinned. “I’m glad you’re all happy with the results.”
The moderator motioned for them to simmer down and for the woman to repeat her question.
“Are you planning to make him a permanent part of your channel?”
Daisy tipped her head, considering. “I’m not opposed to having him on there more, but he has a job and will probably leave the country soon.” Boos and groans filled the room. “I know. I wish he would stay too.”
Her gaze darted to her mom, standing at the bottom of the stairs. Her eyebrows lowered. Daisy hoped the next question was about restoring an antique flamethrower—heck, she’d take a question for Brittany to get the spotlight off this topic.
“Daisy,” the woman at the far right mic addressed her. “It looks like there’s something going on between you and Beck off camera. Can you confirm this for your fans?”
The whole room took in a breath, hovering on the edge of the question, waiting to fall into joy or misery based on her answer. This wasn’t exactly how she wanted her parents to find out about her new boyfriend, but she couldn’t lie to a room full of people. She hated lying to one person. This simply had to be done. She faced her mom and lifted the mic. “Yes, Beck and I have been seeing each other.”
The crowd screamed and cheered. Her mom? Not so much. She folded her arms and gave Daisy awe’ll talk about this laterlook.
Okay, so not telling her mom was a bad thing. Telling her in front of a room full of people was worse. But dating Beckett was not a bad thing. He was good and gentle and happy and being with him was as natural as breathing. Mom would just have to understand all that.
“Hi, my question is for all of you. What would you say is the key to your success?”
Brittany had her mic to her lips before the woman finished her question. “I think being authentic on camera is the key. Nobody is perfect. No one is niceall the time.” She looked pointedly at Daisy. A few snickers came from the crowd.
Daisy’s muscles tightened in a weird fight-or-flight response to Brittany’s answer. It was weird, because there was no reason to run away and she certainly wasn’t going to fight Brittany on or off stage. Especially not with Teri in the audience. She doubted KPaka would want to partner with a woman involved in a catfight. There were dozens of phones up, recording every moment of this event. Of all people, Daisy knew how quickly a video could go viral.
Staying true to herdon’t engage a dragonphilosophy, Daisy smiled sweetly and shrugged her shoulders. It was the best noncommittal move she had. There was no sense jumping in to defend herself—her actions spoke louder than her words ever would.
The next person in line stepped to the mic. “Daisy, what message do you want viewers to take away from watching your channel?”
This was an easy answer. “To be their best self and let their beauty shine through. Like Brittany said, no one is perfect, but if we’re trying our best in life, then we are beautiful. It’s a standard my mom instilled in me at a young age.” She smiled at her mom, hoping to win a few points back after not telling her about Beckett. Mom’s small smile said she’d succeeded.
“So you want every young girl to look just like you?”
Daisy whipped her head back to the woman at the mic and her accusatory tone. She hadn’t moved like she was supposed to after asking her question and stood with folded arms, tapping her foot. Upon closer inspection, Daisy could see the 45-degree swoop to her brown eyeliner. A swoop Brittany swore took five years off a woman’s face.
While Daisy could ignore or dodge Brittany’s attacks, not answering this question was not an option. She lifted the mic. “Not at all. I want each girl, each woman, to find her inner beauty. I want to inspire them to stand out because of their individual light and talents.”
“I disagree,” said Brittany.
Of course you do.Daisy just managed to keep her smile in place.
“My mother used to say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” She pulled her braid over her shoulder like a queen draping herself with a cape. “I’m not handing out my beauty secrets so women can pick and choose which ones they think will work best. They watch my channel because I have the training and the knowledge to back up what I say. My tips work for everyone.”
Daisy almost swallowed her tongue in her efforts not to break apart everything Brittany just said.
