Joanne stood in front of me with her face twisted in concentration. Her mouth was pursed as she filled in my eyebrows, her cool hand barely grazing my face as she worked her magic. Her eyes were set and didn't defer from my face as she worked. I tried to say as still as I could as I sat on the make-up seat but the severity of the situation made it difficult.

"You're nervous." Joanne smirks as she moves back to grab a different brush.

I sigh and shut my eyes before opening them again as she begins working. "Why wouldn't I be? This is make or break for Theo and I."

Stating it out loud makes the whole situation more daunting than I thought it would be. Our contracts are in the legal process of being changed, now approved by management, but we now face the real enemy. The public. The realisation dawned on me last night as it occurred to me that we could still be fired and shamed if the public didn't like us together.

They have been rooting for us from day one, however. A moment between our characters on-screen or a small smile between Theo and I off-screen sent them berserk. Videos of moments we had had been posted to YouTube and fan accounts had been made. This didn't mean there weren't haters, however, and the people who were supportive of our relationship were only a fraction of the amount of responses we were about to deal with.

"This is going to be your make," Joanna smiles encouragingly. "You guys are great together, they'll all see that. The whole world will."

Fear strikes down my spine at the phrase whole world because I know that this is it. But, previous to my initial fears, I now feel calm about moving forward with Theo and I's relationship. We're solid and on the same page. By supporting each other so effortlessly now, it's as though an extra shot of courage has been injected into my nerve wracked body.

My eyes immediately flick over to Theo's figure as he walks into the room. Done with wardrobe, he's wearing a white shirt, rolled up to his elbows, with black formal trousers on. His hair is slicked back but I grin internally at it's rebellion against it, leaving him with messy hair. My stomach clenches at his appearance, his attractiveness throwing me off my usual collected persona.

"You okay? You look gorgeous." Theo smiles, walking towards me and taking my hand.

I close my eyes as Joanna sweeps a brush across my cheekbones but squeeze his hand back. Dressed in a gorgeous pink pant suit, the arrival of new clothes has given me a small boost of confidence. Made my back straighter and held my head a litter bit higher, just as new clothes always do.

"Yeah, I'm okay. Fucking nervous, to be honest, but that's expected. Apparently." I quirk, throwing back his words which he said to me last night as he calmed me down.

"You're still sure about this?" Theo asks, concern etched onto his features.

"I am. Plus, your Mom and Dad's reaction helped boost my confidence." I grin, opening my eyes to see him grin back.

It's been a week since Theo and I reunited and in that time, we went over to Theo's childhood home to tell his parents about our relationship. I'd met them quite a few times through parties but I was still terrified. Despite my fears, they were ecstatic about the news and Theo's Mom immediately went on about how she was hoping he would find someone like me. It warmed my heart and having their support,despite it being kept from them for so long, has been like a ray of sunshine on this nerve inducing day.

"I bet it did, I felt like a cousin looking in." Theo smiles, his dark eyelashes framing his brown eyes.

"Not my fault that they love me more." I grin before pouting my lips so that Joanne can put lipstick on them.

Standing back, she sends me a smiles as she nods. "You're done. You look great."

A small drop of relief spreads through my chest as I smile back. "Thank you so much, you're a lifesaver."

"I know," She laughs. "Now good luck you two. We're all behind you."

Theo and I nod before making our way out of the room. Whisked along by security and crew members, there's not a moment to be scared until we're standing at the edge of the stage, waiting to go on together. Turning to face him, Theo stands tall as he looks across the crowd. He doesn't look nervous but when I slip my hand into his, it's clammier than usual and I smile. Turning my head to look at him, he kisses the top of my hair.

An ad-break is called and Theo turns to me as we embrace the last few seconds we have. Running his hands up and down my arms, sparks send shivers down my spin as I lazily smile up at him. His effect on me is drugging, it always had been. As I stare up at him, my mind ponders over its affection for him and I find myself leaning into him as he stands tall - acting as a pillar of support in this situation.

"It's been an honor to have a forbidden relationship with you, Mr Williams."

"The feeling is mutual, Miss Woods. T'was a pleasure."

The adrenaline of keeping our relationship secret ran out a while ago. Soon it was replaced by craving that other person's company. Love arrived soon after and now as the camera begin rolling again, I know that I only want Theo by my side as the next words are said. He's always the person I want by my side.

"Ladies and gentleman, our guests of the show - Alexandria Woods and Theodore Williams!" The host, Marlene, introduces.

We take one step forward and everything comes to a close. The sound of my heart echos across my head, ricocheting against my skull as I take short sips of air. My feet guide me to my seat as Theo moves in front of me, taking the lead. I take a look out at the audience whilst they clap silently because all I can hear is my heart. Slipping on my mask of indifference, I send them all a smile.

I sit down on the cushioned seat and sigh in relief. Sitting down, the adrenaline begins to wear off slightly. Theo and I sit on a sofa but don't touch, keeping ourselves detached for the time. But Marlene looks over with a knowing glint in her eye and I know that it's only a matter of time until we have to spill our secrets.

"Welcome, guys! How are you?" Marlene asks, sitting on an armchair in front of us both.

I nod and plaster on a smile. "Good, thank you. Excited to start filming soon."

"That's right! Season four is it? Queries ratings are skyrocketing." She smiles.

"Yeah, it's been amazing. A real honor to be part of something that's had such an impact as well."

"Must be," Marlene nods. "How's the rest of the cast?"

"That's actually what we're here to talk to you about today. There's been a change between Theo and I." I say, biting the bullet as the words tumble out of my mouth. My fingernails bite into my palms as I squeeze my hands together.

"How come?" She asks, her eyebrows furrowing in fake confusion. We told her about it all before filming.

"Well, for the past nine months, Alex and I have been in a relationship." Theo smiles, reaching over to intertwine our hands.

Our link acts as a lifeline in a storm as the crowd erupts into mayhem. They shout questions. Some people clap. Some people look pissed off. It's a wall of people and all of their attention is on us. As is the rest of the word's, in fact, since this is a live-stream. The minuscule fraction of the world that these people represent is outraged and I have to remind myself to breath as I struggle to see how we're going to carry on.

Luckily Marlene has hidden control and she asks the crowd for silence. They begrudgingly comply but sit down with confusion plastered across their faces. Theo looks over at me and I plead silently with him. For what, I don't know, but my only hope right now is to pray for mercy from the onslaught of questions that everyone undoubtedly has.

"Okay, please explain it to us. I think we're all just a bit confused." Marlene suggests and waves her hand in the air as an indication for us to start speaking.

I take a deep breath to steady myself, swallowing to get rid of the lump in my throat. "It started in season two of Queries. Remember the special episode Theo and I did?" I look out at the crowd to see them nodding in recognition. "Well we started there. There was a connection between us that was impossible to ignore and feelings quickly grew. We've been dating for nine months now and, as Theo said, we're really happy together."

"We kept it secret because what we had was so fragile. Ruining our relationship was out of the question so we kept it hidden. But, we're at a place now where I know that what we have is right and we want to be open with it."

Marlene nods with what we're saying before asking a question herself. "So nine months? Who knows about your relationship?"

"Only very close family and friends, we wanted to keep it very small to reduce the chances of something slipping out." Theo explains, his voice calm against the storm inside of my soul. Nerves for what people are going to say.

"Right okay...Well, what's your questions?" She asks, turning around to address the audience.

"Why did you deny your relationship last month then?!" Somebody shouts immediately.

"We weren't ready and denying it was the only option. I know this seems improbable and fake, but it was all about timing." I explain.

"How come you ready now?" Shouts another voice.

Theo looks at me and gives me a reassuring smile before explaining himself. "We spent some time apart but quickly came to the realisation that this, us, is worth the fight. We're at a good place now and I hope everyone can recognize that the wait was crucial for us. A new relationship is a delicate time."

Question after question is fired at us. Some are deep and intense to answer, others ask how good Theo is in bed (we had to laugh it off, there were kids in the audience) but all in all, once the interview comes to close and we walk back-stage, I feel as though sunshine is bursting out of me with the elation I feel.

It's a weight off of our shoulders. Our future is now wide open and ready for us to experience together as a couple. There's no more hiding. No more secret meet-ups or breakdowns at three am because we felt like we couldn't do it anymore. Our story pages are no longer dull and bleak, they're bursting with light and possibilities.

Theo and I's feelings must of been in sync because as soon as we're back-stage he wraps me in his arms and pulls me in for one of the most whole-consuming kisses he's ever given me. My hands find their way to his hair as we break apart, hugging in the midst of the chaos of back-stage.

We did it all in public because now we could. There were no more limitations.

~~~~~

The city that never sleeps was buzzing below me, the sounds of horns and people shouting at each other blending into a medley of soothing background noise. It flowed through my open balcony doors and greeted us with its lulling sound where we sat on the sofa. Surrounding the table, all five us sat around the discarded board game as we had settled on talking instead.

Keeping his arm wrapped around my shoulders, I lean my head on Theo's shoulder as we talk about everything and anything. Clara, Noah and Isadora were all round at my apartment as a mini celebratory night. A celebration of Theo and I going public - a day I never thought would come.

"I did know," Isadora grumbles at Noah. "I was just shocked at their timing, that's all."

"Yeah, sure you were.  That's why you were screaming and ranted at me for about twenty minutes solid with no interruptions about how you thought they were crazy." Noah rolls his eyes and takes a sip from his beer.

"You're twisting the facts. I was shocked, I was not angry." Isadora snaps back.

"So if I kissed you right now you wouldn't be 'angry'? You would just be shocked." Noah suggests, a childish glint in his eyes.

"No. I would be pissed off and you would be dead." Isadora shrugs, and crosses her arms across her chest with a smirk that screams ha, i win.

"She's right. I've seen her at the gm boxing, mate. She could take you down." Theo laughs, tilting his bottle of beer towards Noah.

"Yeah, yeah." Noah grumbles but defeat is written all across his features.

"So, its officially out then? Every single person who wants to watch it could watch it?" Clara asks, redirecting the conversation towards Theo and I.

"Yep, every singly person." I smile, leaning into Theo more.

"We're number one trending on Twitter." Theo shrugs as if it's the most casual thing in the whole world.

"Not bad. What are the reactions like?" Noah asks.

"They're mixed. Some people are celebrating and loving it. They're even going as far to take screenshots of the interview and write 'look at the love in their eyes' across it. But, saying that, there's people who hate it or don't believe us and are just laughing." Theo explains.

"That's tough." Clara sighs, looking at me a supporting smile when I turn to look at her.

I shrug with indifference. "Not as hard as I expected it to be. I was expecting this so it has made the blow less painful."

The hurtful comments, in fact, barely seemed to touch me. I was on cloud nine with the man of my dreams and my best friends around me. The people laughing at me online were just an inconvenience today, like the rowdy sounds of outside. They blended in before evaporating into nothing.

I expected today to be terrifying. Life changing. But the fact was, the my life changed the day I met Theo. There was nothing new being added to my life, it was everyone else's. With the news now out, I see why Theo as pushing for it - we can live our lives how we want. I didn't see that in the beginning but now as I sit beside Theo, feeling serene in the night, I know fighting for our relationship was the best thing I could've done.

The ties of the contract had fallen loose and now I couldn't wait to live our lives in new found freedom.

~~~~~
Author's Note:

They did it! Their relationship is officially confirmed! Hallelujah, am I right?!

The interview scene was a really weird one for me to write, but I wanted to emphasize Alex's character development throughout this chapter so I hope you felt proud! I was sat here feeling like a proud mom ;)

Also, what did we think of their reunion after with everyone? I loved it!

Sadly, we only have a couple of chapter left in this book :( I'm just warning you, just in case you're as attached as I am!

But to make your mood better, you can read the next chapter right now for FREE!! It's on Inkitt which is basically an ad-free version of Wattpad. By checking it out, you would really be helping me and I would be forever grateful!

All you have to do is follow the instructions on my bio and then you'll find chapter thirty waiting right there for you!

Have a great weekend guys, let me know what you're up to!

Much love,

Jade x