POV: Jade

"Alright everyone we go in five!" a director calls.

Mika does last-minute touch-ups to my makeup.

My phone dings with an alert while I wait for my interview. This is the first time I'm doing an interview since Skylar and I got separated. The host promised me we'd only talk about Evil Eyes and my other upcoming projects but as I pull out my phone to look at my alert I know everything has changed.

A sleazy gossip magazine has Skylar and Aphrodite splashed on the front page.

Jade's ex's fiancée is on to bigger and better things. Or should we say richer!

I stare at the picture of the two happy and kissing as they are walking in a park in London.

I glance across me and see the Host also looking at the same article.

I sigh and shoo Mika away as the interview gets ready to start.

I knew this was going to be a mistake.

As we lock eyes I can tell she is going to break our agreement. I put my phone on silent and force a smile as the cameras come on.

"Hello Everybody!" The Host says as she stands and dances around, trying to get me to dance with her. I force a laugh and do a little jig before sitting down.

"Well look who we have here," The host says.

Everyone claps and cheers. I wave.

"It's Jade Tate, an up-and-coming star known for her roles in Ghoul School and her hit television series Evil Eyes."

People cheer louder.

"That's me," I say.

"Jade, it's not enough justice to say the people love you. How is it, suddenly coming into fame? Fans know your story, a young girl who was adopted by her aunt, got into school on a scholarship, and always dreamed of making it big. So how's the dream coming along?" she asks.

"It's coming. You know it's definitely a lot more hard work than people realize. You need thick skin and open eyes. You don't always get what you want and it can be a pretty harsh and demanding world. I think people don't realize that when trying to break into the business. The number of auditions I had to go through just to land that one role in Ghoul School. Most aren't so lucky. I'm grateful for my start in Hollywood, but as most of you know, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. But I'm working through it, doing my best to make things you guys will love." I answer.

"Of course, now as an out and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community have you faced opposition from fans, Hollywood, or otherwise?"

"You know as well as I do, being out and proud while rewarding, can be very challenging. There will always be people who support you with every breath, and people who oppose you. You have to learn to ignore the opposers and take what is given to you, make the most of the opportunities you have. So far people have been very kind and open to me. First my friends at Ghoul School, now my team at Evil Eyes. I've had good enough fortune to be blessed with people who support and love me."

"Speaking of people who love you, we heard from you before that your separation from Skylar was a mutual thing. But if these leaks are to be believed Skylar has moved on already. Is it possible the separation between you and the Olympian wasn't as mutual as we believe?"

I can't keep a look off my face, a look that makes it obvious how unhappy I am with this conversation turn. The crowd goes eerily silent. The Host realizes too late her mistake. I'm not going to let her off easy.

"What a mean thing to say," I start.

She forces an awkward laugh.

"It's nobody's business what happened between me and Skylar. Not yours or anyone else's. And the fact that we agreed beforehand not to bring this topic up makes me feel betrayed. I'll remember this, don't be expecting me to come on your show ever again."

"Oh come on Jade, the people want to know." She tries to play it off.

"Fine, I'll answer the question since people want to know so badly. As all breakups go, things never go as smoothly as people have you believe. Skylar and I grew up together, childhood best friends and all. We love each other. I have no doubt in my mind that Skylar still loves me, there isn't anything she wouldn't do for me. Just like there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her. But love is complicated."

The host nods as she listens.

"We were both young and naïve when we started our relationship. We had a lot of unrealistic expectations as to what our life would be like together. We weren't mature enough to fully grasp what exactly the two of us were getting into. We put a lot of blood sweat and tears into that relationship. Tried so hard to make it work. But the world was pulling us apart. Everything that could get in the way, did. I had to move for work, she had school and track and we just wanted two very different lives. I love her, no if and's or buts about it. If she were to magically appear right now and ask me to do it all over again, I'd say yes without a second thought. But when you love someone, you have to be willing to put their needs before your own. If she wasn't happy with me, then I had to be a big girl and accept that. I want her to succeed, I want her to be happy. And she wants that for me. What we had was too much work and not enough reward. More tears than laughter. More heartache than love and comfort. And you're right, she is the one that ended the relationship, but I am the one that agreed to it."

Everyone is eating this all up, I can picture the social media harassment already. I wish people would just leave me alone, stop prying into my personal life, stop making it the world's business. One of the drawbacks to being famous, everyone thinks they have privy to your life.

"If she's happier with someone else, then I am happy for her. We still talk daily, we still check in on each other, and are still best friends to this day. No harsh feelings between us. Am I heartbroken? Yes, of course I am. But I am also realistic enough to know that what we had, our current standing, wasn't working. We wanted different things and I wasn't going to hold her back from achieving her fullest potential. Sometimes you have to love someone enough to know when it's time to let them go. Skylar and I will make things work between us, we always have. Whether that be as friends, best friends, or something more. Nothing will keep us apart, not time, distance, or a new relationship. We are mature enough to still love and care for each other without needing to be together to do so. I wish her nothing but the best. Skylar if you are watching, win gold for me okay? Tell Aphrodite I say hey, and I love you guys." I blow the camera a kiss before getting up, taking my mic off, and walking off stage.

The Host has to scramble to break.

"You okay?" Mika runs over to me.

"Let's get the hell out of here," I wipe my tears that threaten to spill and storm out of the studio, Mika on my tail.

I have to say, for my first trap interview, it went better than I expected. Hopefully, now people will think twice before trying to pull a fast one on me.

My phone vibrating draws my attention, Skylar is calling me. I sigh and shake my head before answering it.

"Please tell me you didn't see that," I whine.

"Are you okay? Do you need me to make a statement?" she asks.

"The one time I wish you weren't watching," I sigh.

"You know I'm always watching and checking in on you. Even when you don't know that I am."

"I'm fine Skylar," I assure her.

"Are you sure? I can say something."

"It's okay, I think I got it this time."

"Well, just let me know if you ever need anything okay?"

"I will."

We are silent for a moment.

"I'm happy for you." I force out.

"Thank you, Jade, that means a lot." She says.

"Have fun in London okay, don't worry about me. I'm a big girl, I can take it."

"I always worry about you," she sighs.

"Goodbye Skylar, have a great night in London."

"And you have a good day." She chuckles at the time difference between us.

I smile before hanging up the phone.

"You okay?" Mika asks me as we wait for our car to pull around.

I take a shaky breath and wipe my tears.

"I will be, maybe one day," I say.

"Oh Jade, come here." She pulls me into her arms.

I sigh and let her comfort me.

One day it won't hurt so much.

One day.

But not today.