Behind the Screen | Zhiqi Jiang (9)

“Hey guys, welcome back to my channel! Today I will be showing you how to effectively apply your foundation so you can have this soft gleaming base like me.”

I gleamed while saying this. This was my 37th video in a row. I had started this channel a little over 4 months ago and I was loving it. It made me feel great. The fans, the PR I would receive, but most importantly it was the money. 

“The most important thing when doing your makeup always, always, always, is to have a clean palette to start with! That means one must make sure to properly moisturize.” 

Everyday I sit in front of my dresser and record videos, and even though I get profit I want more. And I won't stop until I can say that the entire world as whole are just MY fans. 

“That’s it for today's video! Remember to like the video and to subscribe and hit that notification bell. I love you, my little chocolate chips! This was your favorite YouTuber Angelica.” 

Another video done. Now time for editing. 

Text here, cut the video there, I've done this a million times. 

And when I’m done I’ll upload the video and just wait. 

DING!

That’s odd. I don’t usually get likes or comments this quick on my videos. Am I making it big? 

It’s a comment. 

“Angelica, I love your videos. They always brighten up my day, but I think you deserve much  more than what you have now. Message me and I promise you, you will make it big. Angelicaslover718554@gmail.com” 

I stared at the same 5 words that ended the sentence. 

You will make it big. 

This could be my chance. 

I could be the queen of this world. 

Instantly I clicked on the email and typed the 6 words that I’ve questioned myself since the beginning of time. 

“How do I make it big.” 

No question mark. It was a statement. 

And just like the comment the person responded immediately. 

“Meet me at this location.” 

And attached to the email was a nearby pizza place that I’ve been to often. 

At that moment I had many things running through my mind. 

Who was this person? Why did he want to meet at a pizza place? How was he supposed to get me famous? 

Nevertheless I didn’t care. I needed this. This was the only way I could get what I truly wanted. 

So, I drove there.

As fast as I could. 

Pulling up to the place I wasted no time. I got out as soon as I could then walked into the building. 

When I walked in, I had no clue what to expect. I didn’t even know who to look for. 

But then I tripped. 

I landed head first into the ground.

And next thing you know it… I was in a completely different world. 

“Angelica! Angelica!”

“Angelica over here!” 

“Angelica, I'm your number one fan please sign this sweatshirt!”

They were everywhere. 

Fans.

They were to the left of me. The right of me. In front of me. Behind me. EVERYWHERE. 

But through the crowd I saw a dark figure. 

And that's when I knew. It was him. 

It was him who did this to me. 

I dove through the crowd of people pushing myself to get to this guy. 

But the more I tried…

The farther he got. 

This isn’t what I wanted. 

I didn’t ask for this. 

I didn’t ask to be mobbed and pushed around, and seen as only an object.

All I wanted was the money.

Then all of the sudden I felt a strong, tight, grip around me. 

“Not so great is it now Angelica?”

My eyes widened. 

This entire time I had thought that this very figure who had been torturing me and putting me through thick and thin was a man. 

But the person I found having this very grip on me was a little girl. 

Young and innocent. 

Her cheeks were rosy, hair shiny in two pigtails, and the brightest smile on her face. 

It was me. 

“No, Angie. It isn’t great.” 

“What did mama always tell you Angelica?” 

“To be grateful for what you have.”

And then like a birthday cake being blown out everything went away. 

I was in my room again. 

The camera was still taping. 

This time I clicked the red button to stop it and didn’t do anything about it any longer.  

Because I knew that I wasn’t going to fall for the illusion of greed anymore.