When I looked at the screen, my eyes went wide.
It wasn't another hate comment.
It was a DM. From Tori Show Official. Linda's rival.
I sat up so fast, my thumb shook as I opened the message.
Hey Benny. Heard what happened today. Don't sweat Linda, she's old news. I like your work. Why don't you come in for a trial session? If I like your vibe, you'll be my personal makeup artist.
I screamed out loud.
"Ahhhhh!"
Miso yelped like she thought I was dying.
"My eyes are… what the actual…" My voice cracked into a laugh. "This has to be a prank. There's no way."
But the blue checkmark next to her name told me it was real.
Miso barked, as if she understood, and I scooped her up, spinning her around the room.
"Miso. Baby. We're saved. This is a blessing in disguise. Linda firing me was the best thing that ever happened….because Tonia's show is five times richer. Their interns have their own interns. Their assistants have personal assistants. Do you understand what that means? Bitch, we're about to upgrade."
I collapsed back onto the bed, still clutching my dog in one arm and the glowing diary in the other, my mind kept racing.
She wagged her tail but side-eyed me like, bitch, I'll believe it when I see it.
Then, the spiral kicked in.
What if it's a trap? What if she's only calling me in to humiliate me? What if it's one of those hidden-camera shows where they prank washed-up makeup artists? What if I bomb again? What if…
I rubbed my face. "Shut up, Benny. Just shut up."
I forced my fingers to type: When can I come?
The reply came so fast my phone buzzed before I even locked it.
Now. Don't be late.
I blinked. "Now?" My eyes darted to the digital clock on my nightstand. 2:00 PM.
I jumped off the bed, already grabbing jeans. "Okay, okay, assessment, trial, whatever. Mama's gotta secure the bag. Tonia said now, which means no time to cry over Linda's cheap lace wigs."
I glanced back at the diary on the bed. The cover shimmered faintly.
I narrowed my eyes. "Don't think I'm forgetting about you. I'll be back. We'll finish this later. I need to know his name too, but hey, suspense makes the tea hotter."
The gold shimmer brightened, like it was mad I was leaving.
Miso growled at it, then bolted off the bed when the glow flared across the sheets.
She pressed herself against my leg, whining, pawing like she didn't want me to go.
"Aw, don't be scared, Miso." I bent down, rubbing her ears. "It's just a diary. A sexy, weird, glowing diary. Totally normal."
She whined harder, clutching my ankle with both paws.
I sighed. "Oh my god. Don't give me those puppy eyes. I'll be back, promise. It's only 2 p.m., she said don't be late. If I blow this, we're doomed. You want kibbles or eviction?"
I pried her off, kissed her forehead, then grabbed my keys.
"Guard duty. If it starts levitating, bite it."
She barked once.
"Okay, Miso. Okay, creepy-ass diary. I'll be back soon. Don't miss me too much."
Miso tilted her head at me. It felt like she understood, even though she couldn't.
I grabbed my car keys off the dresser and bolted downstairs, still in my damp shirt from earlier.
I slid into the driver's seat. "Okay, listen. I know I've said some things. Hurtful things. This morning I may have called you an old dying man with asthma. And last week I said your brakes were suicidal. And… okay, maybe I told people you smelled like burnt toast. BUT." I patted the dashboard gently. "None of that matters now. Please work for me. " I muttered, jamming the key into the ignition. "I swear I'll never make fun of you again, just start…"
The engine coughed, choked and stopped.
"Please. I'm sorry! I'll get you new seat covers! I'll wash you with actual soap instead of rainwater!"
I turned the key again.
The engine roared at his time, and actually started.
I gasped. "Yesss! That's my girl."
The engine purred a little too loud, but I ignored it. My hands were slick on the wheel. Maybe from sweat, maybe from nerves.
I peeled out of the driveway, singing, "We're gonna be rich, we're gonna be hot, we're gonna…"
Upstairs, Miso was still growling at the diary, which pulsed brighter and brighter, even painted the room in golden light as I drove away.