Chapter 22
Chapter twenty-two
Today is the first day of the convention.
First-day energy buzzes through my body.
This is the space I wish I could live in all weekend.
So far, everything is perfect. Roxy and I were surprised with breakfast in bed courtesy of Cas.
I’m fairly certain he just ordered two of everything on the breakfast menu.
I don’t care. It was definitely the thought that counts.
He’s sweet, but I get the feeling he doesn’t want anyone else to know that.
The room phone rings, and Roxy answers. I listen to her side of the conversation, knowing it’s probably the front desk letting us know our ride has arrived. She hangs up, and I ask, “Is the car here?”
“Yup,” Roxy answers. “Are you ready to go, little miss featured cover artist?” I giggle happily.
“You know this is my favorite part of the con!” I squeal.
“Me too, boo.” Roxy snatches our day bag and tosses it over her shoulder. I grab both our water cups, and together we stroll out the hall to the elevators.
“Do you remember the first time my dad brought us to Texas for a convention?” I ask as the doors slide closed and the elevator begins to descend.
“Yeah, we thought it was so cool to go on the floor with him, and we kept telling everyone your dad was famous,” Roxy recalls through laughter.
“I wish he was here.” I sigh, my excitement flickering for a second.
“Hey, none of that. He would be so fucking proud of you, Vi. He was proud of you, and even though he’s not here this year, he got to see you sign.” She gives me a hug.
The elevator dings, and she drags me out to the car. Roxy’s right. He may not have seen me follow in his footsteps as a featured artist, but he knew I made it.
The driver opens the door for us, and Roxy turns back to look at me one last time before she climbs in. I follow her, and the door closes. “Are you okay?” she squeezes my hand.
I nod. “Just those pre-show emotions that eat you alive.”
“I’m glad it’s only pre-show nerves, but if you need to schedule a menty-b, let me know, and we can work it into the schedule.” Roxy’s tone is joking but serious.
I swear if we couldn’t laugh about our pre-show breakdown rituals, then I’m not sure either of us would survive.
“Are you okay?” I ask as the driver gets in.
“You mean, is it fine that my grandparents are too busy living it up in Florida to attend yet another event?” She puts her sunglasses on, pushing them into place with one finger.
“Yeah, babe, I think that stopped hurting a few years ago. Besides, it’s more fun when it’s just the two of us.
Although I won’t complain if Cas wants to tag along sometime, so long as he brings some friends. ”
I cackle. Roxy laughs so hard she snorts, and the driver eyes us both in the rearview mirror like we might be insane.
Since we stayed onsite, the drive takes barely five minutes before we’re merging into the celebrity access line.
This has always been my favorite part of attending.
Our line moves fast enough, but we still get to enjoy seeing all the fans dressed up and in line down the streets, taking over the city in their cosplays.
It’s both humbling and fulfilling to glimpse a fraction of all the lives we’ve impacted before a show. Seeing so many people brought together over a shared love of a fictional world we get to help bring to life is gratifying at a different level.
Roxy and I ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’, pointing out our favorite cosplays as we make our way to the designated entrance, where we’re greeted by security.
When we finally meet up with our team of handlers and the rest of the publishing talent attending, we have just enough time for a snack.
While we eat, we’re briefed on the meet-and-greet event opener.
It’s surreal to be the person opening the entire convention to the public, but it’s also bittersweet.
I try not to over think anything, and pay attention to all the instructions.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m escorted with Roxy by my side to the opening stage at the VIP entrance.
The crowd goes quiet as the president of the convention speaks into the microphone.
“I want to welcome everyone to opening day. Thank you for being a part of the VIP experience here in Texas. The doors will open in a few minutes and you’ll be able to make your way to the experience you selected on your ticket.
Have the QR code ready to scan on your badges for entry.
We hope everyone has a phenomenal weekend at the convention. ”
Cheers erupt. He waits for silence to fall once more then continues. “It’s with great excitement that I welcome featured cover artist Viv Taylor to the stage to officially open the show.”
I don’t walk onto the stage. I arrive. The crowd goes wild as I smile and wave at the sea of fans. When the cheering has mostly quieted, I lean into the microphone and say my lines. “Good morning, Texas. It’s a great day for a convention. The doors are open, and we can’t wait to meet you.”
More cheers and clapping as people begin to make an unorganized dash for the entrance doors. We hang back with the team and wait on a golf cart to drive us to our next stop—the meet-and-greet.
The event goes by in a blur. It’s genuinely so much fun to meet readers and fans.
I love seeing the huge smiles on their faces.
They’re contagious, and soon my face hurts from smiling so much.
The entire day is filled with signing books and flatlays, as well as posing for photos.
By the time the floor closes for the night, I’m exhausted and so is Roxy.
Tomorrow we have panels sprinkled between signing slots on the show floor.
Saturday is always the busiest day. At times, you can look up and see nothing but a literal sea of people packed together so tightly they can barely move.
It’s also the day the ATMs usually run out of cash, and the internet crashes.
Saturday is my least favorite day because it’s grueling.
When we arrive back at the hotel, Roxy and I agree in the elevator we both just want food, a shower, and a movie in bed.
I’m pleasantly surprised when we open the door to find platters of assorted dinner entrees waiting for us in the room.
Everything is still hot, like it was just delivered.
I look at Roxy, and she shrugs her shoulders.
“It was probably Cas,” she says with a shit-eating grin.
“Roxy, did you give him our hotel information?” I gasp. “You traitor.”
Her mouth pops open in surprise. “I’m offended you would accuse me of that. For the record, I didn’t tell him, but I would’ve if he’d asked.”
“I should’ve never told him to stalk me. I think he took it too literally.” I laugh.
“Shut up, you love it,” Roxy says, calling me out on my lies.
I snap a picture and send it to Cas.
Me: I think you took “stalk me” too literally.
Cas: Only trying to keep you fed.
Me: Thank you.
Cas: You’re welcome. Get some rest. I’m about to go on.
I don’t text him back. I’m not sure what to say to that, and “okay” seems weird.
Instead I confirm with Roxy it was Cas who sent the food.
We sit at the table and dig in. Both of us were hungrier than we realized.
I finish first and jump in the shower while Roxy finishes up.
When I’m done, Roxy jumps in and I put everything in the hall for room service to pick up.
Then I climb into my bed and search for a good movie.
By the time Roxy emerges from her shower, I’m half asleep. She turns out the rest of the lights, climbs into her bed, and whispers, “Good night.”
“Night, Rox,” I answer, passing out immediately after.
The next morning is another blur of panels and signing.
Roxy and I are just getting settled for a ticketed fan signing when I get a weird feeling, like someone is watching me and not in a good way.
I shiver, shaking it off and scanning the line.
Thirty or so people back, there’s a girl standing cross-armed, with her hip popped out, shooting daggers right at our booth.
“Hey, Roxy,” I say, tapping her arm with one finger lightly. “Check it out—about thirty people back the girl in all black. Is she still glaring?”
Roxy stops what she’s doing to look. “Yeah,” she says, surprised. “I wonder what her problem is.”
“Right? Like why are you so unhappy? Smile.” I crack a joke.
“Exactly,” Roxy says with a shrug.
Our signing starts and we both forget about the girl.
I’m having way too much fun taking photos and meeting fans.
An hour later, she appears at the front of the line and my heart stops.
She still looks unhappy. I glance at Roxy, she’s watching like a hawk.
I look at security, and they’ve zeroed in on the interaction as well.
“Hi,” I say. “What can I sign for you?” It’s the same greeting I give all my guests in this line since the ticket came with a signed print.
“How typical. Assuming I actually want something signed by you,” the girl sneers.
“Then why’d you bother waiting in line for an hour?” Roxy snaps, her tone icy and dangerous.
The girl ignores her, turning her attention back on me. “You don’t deserve him. You’re already ruining his career. We all hate you. He can do so much better than a stuck-up spoiled little brat like you.”
“That’s enough,” I snap, slamming my hands on the table.
I turn to shout at security to intervene as I do something slams into my arm, catching me off guard. “Secur—“ my shout for security turns into a blood-curdling scream.
Pain explodes up my right arm, leaving my stomach lurching.
It burns like it’s on fire, and then something warm dribbles across my skin, wetting the spot that hurts.
More screams erupt around us. Everything is happening in slow motion.
I look at my arm and nearly faint. There’s so much blood.
I fall back in my chair but miss, collapsing to the floor as the room spins.
I’ve never handled blood well, and seeing my own is no exception.
The girl is being tackled to the ground as she screams and writhes in pain. Roxy is holding the bear mace, covering her eyes with her arm. That’s when it hits me. I start coughing and tearing up. My arm hurts so bad, and there’s blood. So much blood. I gasp as the air fills with the residual mace.
“Roxy!” I scream, reaching for her with a bloody hand.
“Fuck. Vi!” Roxy sounds panicked. “We need medical. A paramedic. EMT. Now!”
My hearing gets bubbly, like I’m underwater. I think I might pass out any second. Before I close my eyes, I mumble, “Roxy, don’t tell Cas.”
The world goes black.
I’m conscious when they load me into the back of an ambulance. Roxy climbs in with me, and I listen as the EMTs instruct her on strapping in. They give me morphine for the pain, and soon I’m floating in and out, listening to Roxy swear over and over it’s going to be alright.
When we arrive, I’m immediately taken from Roxy since she’s not next of kin. It doesn’t matter that she identifies as my sister. The system doesn’t care what we call each other.
The emergency room works quickly to assess my injury.
The very young, very attractive doctor comes in to stitch me up.
They give me some additional anesthetics and pain meds, then he gets started.
I spend the entire time blathering on about hooking him up with my best friend.
When he finishes, I ask if I can see her.
He nods. “Soon.” Then he leaves me alone with a nurse who gets me comfortable and tells me to rest.
I have no idea how long I’m out for, but when I wake up Roxy squeals. “Vi, I’m so glad you’re okay,” she sobs.
“What happened?” I ask.
“Oh no, pump the brakes a little, missy. First you’re going to tell me why the hot ER doctor knew I was single and needed a dinner date tonight.”
I chuckle. “They drugged me.”
“Vi,” she says sternly.
“I hope you have fun at dinner. I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m pretty sure they’re keeping me overnight given all the drugs they gave me and the fact it’s dark out,” I answer, avoiding meeting her gaze. “I think what you really mean is thank you.”
Roxy laughs. “Don’t thank me yet. It’s all over the news.”
I suck in my breath between my teeth with a whoosh. “He knows, doesn’t he?”
“Oh he knows, and he’s pissed. I begged him not to get on a plane and screw up the tour. It took me so long to talk him out of coming, and even now I’m not entirely sure he’s going to listen.” Roxy’s confession hits hard.
“Rox,” I sniffle, my emotions hitting me hard.
“Yeah, babe,” her voice is soothing and soft.
“I want to go home,” I whisper, wishing more than ever I had my dad still.
“I know. Let’s talk about it after you sleep off some of these drugs. Get some rest. Do you want me to stay?” she asks.
“No. I mean yes. But first go on your date, and then will you come back here?”
“Of course. I’ll call and give everyone an update. Get some rest and I’ll bring you something yummy for dessert when I get back.” She hugs me tight.
“You scared me today, Vi. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“I’m sorry. I love you. But hey—“
“Yeah, Roxy?”
“At least you got to use your bear mace.”
Roxy cackles. “Yeah, there’s that. And it was so worth it.”
We say our goodbyes, and then I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.