Chapter 22 Zayden
ZAYDEN
I’M LITERALLY EXPERIENCING THE coolest thing ever.
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 like her. 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 a masked 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 whoever is 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 for a 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.
The sand feels cool under my feet, and the waves crash softly against the shore.
I never come to the beach at this time anymore, and I miss it.
I used to spend days and days at the beach, soaking up the sunshine, feeling the salty water on my skin.
With classes, study and football dominating most of my time, I find it difficult to get here that often now.
Nora’s quieter than usual, but I can tell she’s not upset.
She’s got her hands in the pockets of her hoodie, and her hair is blowing gently in the breeze.
I don’t think she notices, but I keep glancing at her – her face is soft now, the hard edges that were there this morning, when she was about to walk into the studio, have faded away.
There’s no anxiety in her shoulders anymore.
No tension in her jaw. I think she is coming to terms with her new reality, and instead of being scared of it, she’s finally embracing it.
‘I’m proud of you,’ I say, breaking the silence as we walk. My voice feels a little too loud, but it’s the first thing that comes to mind, and I mean it more than anything. ‘You were amazing today. You looked like a natural up there. Your career is just going to soar after all of this.’
She glances at me, a small smile tugging at her lips. ‘Thanks. It’s weird, you know? Being seen like that. Being honest about such an intimate part of my life that only I’ve known about for so long.’
I nod, not sure what to say because I can’t imagine what that feels like. ‘I can’t put myself in your shoes right now, but I’d like to think I’d have handled it as well as you did.’
‘I thought I’d be a mess,’ she admits. ‘I was terrified I might even cry, but when I got in front of that camera, I just felt so angry. Like, a calm sort of angry. I don’t know how to explain it, but I needed to tell my side of the story. It was my one chance to do it.’
I reach for her hand, pulling her closer as we walk side by side. It feels good, the warmth of her hand in mine. I give her fingers a gentle squeeze. ‘I wonder if your family saw you?’
She lets out a small laugh, though it’s not quite a laugh – it’s more like a breath she’s been holding in for a while finally slipping out.
‘Who knows. I’m still not sure how I feel about all of it.
I mean, it’s not like it’s a good thing to have your life turned upside down, your identity exposed.
But I don’t feel as panicked anymore. I think I’m okay with it.
I think I’m finally accepting the fact that they are going to know about it. ’
I stop walking for a second, making her pause too, and I turn to face her. Her eyes are wide, and I can see the little flicker of vulnerability there, just for a second, like she’s still working through it all.
‘You’re more than the books. You’re a real person and that’s what people are going to see now.’ I pause, giving her a crooked smile. ‘I lowkey love that Riley thought this would ruin your life but instead, it’s sort of been the best thing for you?’
Nora smiles again, a little wider this time, but there’s still something guarded in her expression, like she’s not sure if she’s completely convinced. ‘I hope so,’ she says, her voice softer now, like she’s just realising how much of herself she’s shared with the world.
We start walking again, the sand cool beneath our feet. It’s quiet here. Safe. At this moment, I know that whatever comes next, we’ll handle it together.
‘Not having my accounts is hard, but I can rebuild them all again. It’s going to take time, but I can do it.’
‘I’m am proud of you, Nora,’ I say again, this time with more certainty, because she deserves to hear it more than once.
She looks at me, her smile soft and real this time, and I see the truth in her eyes.
‘Thanks,’ she whispers. ‘That means everything to me. I have loved having you by my side through all of this.’
‘I wouldn’t have it any other way.’