Benji was still snoring when I heard it. I got out of bed and peeked out my window, seeing some shady guys with cameras on the sidewalk by my front yard. Really, I thought, they are following me. I had yet to receive any confirmation this week on whether or not Katie Perry and John Mayor were a couple, but I am stalker worthy. I mean, where were those attention-hungry Kardashian sisters at a time like this? I turned on my coffee pot and decided to open up my email, just to make sure I still had a job. I clicked away and was shocked to see a swirl of twitter notifications.

I had gone from three hundred followers, a number I'd been impressed with, to two hundred thousand followers. What is wrong with the world? I'm a hair stylist. I thought about sending out a "I'm not famous" tweet, when I decided to log onto to my Facebook. A video of yesterday was reposted; it had over a thousand comments. I checked my phone, and I had six voicemails. Three were from morning news shows, and the rest were Angie telling me what I'd already known. Apparently, when you get punched in the face by a celebrity, you become newsworthy.

Benji came into the kitchen, looking sleepy and wonderful.

"Hey Ben," I said. "So I hope you don't mind going public about our relationship."

"Did you tell the world love? Because I am fine with announcing to the world that Stephanie Mcnarie is all mine."  

I smiled and kissed him, wondering how I'd gone so long without his lips and soothing voice.

"Look outside," I said. "I am going to kill Angie for bringing the lemmings here." Benji opened the curtains, still dressed in his boxers, and I saw some cameras flashing.

"Whoa," He yelled, surprised by the sudden intrusion.

"At least you look good with your shirt off," I said.

After a breakfast in the basement to avoid any cameras from sneaking a veiled photograph, we both got ready for our days. I had to find some sunglasses and a pink baseball cap to cover up my black eye, but I loathed the look. Better to choose bad fashion than to be the battered woman in the tabloid. I didn't want press charges against Lacy for assault, but crimes of beauty seemed applicable. I was still surprised she'd given up so easily and allowed me to keep my job. She didn't seem like the type to give up.

"So," Benji said, breaking me from my morning routine. "Are you nervous? You're going to work with the maniac, and you'll have to break pretty boy's little heart."

"No," I said. "I am going to avoid the diva. And Jerry will be fine, I am sure he'll find another girl, probably someone crazier than Lacy."

"Well, I feel sorry for him," Benji said, "He has a crazy ex and he lost you. That is a hard week." 

I smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Are you ready for your day," I asked. "It's been a while since you guys made a new record."  

He smiled.

"I have inspiration," he said. "I spent some solid time with my favorite muse last night."

"You're so cheesy," I said. "What time are you done tonight?"

We went out the back door that was not camera free, but only the TMZ guy was smart enough to climb my fence. Benji looked upset to see him there, camcorder rolling.

"Hey," Benji yelled, "You're on private property."  

The guy shrugged, probably hoping we'd call the cops. Some of the best stories involved celebrities fighting back against 'harmless' photographers. I squeezed Ben's hand.

"It's fine," I whispered. "I know this guy."

"What, are you keeping paparazzi as pets now? Stephanie, really?"  

Benji was overprotective, just like Joel. Was it weird that my boyfriend and my brother were so similar? Possibly, but it was what it was.

"What was your name?" I asked the camcorder guy. He smiled, apparently surprised by the question.

"I'm Steve," he said. "And sorry I crashed your yard. It's my job, but I hate acting like a douche to a nice girl."

"I understand," I said. "I got punched in the face at my job yesterday. Making a living in this town can be...different." 

Benji started walking, pulling me forward as he went. Steve turned his camera on and smiled.

"Wait," Steve cried, "Are you two an item? What about Jerry Jensen? Did you hear about the engagement?"  

That was a lot of questions. Benji, surprisingly turned to Steve and smiled.

"I will gladly tell you," Benji said. "That I am madly in love with this girl, and she is my girlfriend."

"Is that true Stephanie," Steve yelled as we approached the car. "How does Joel feel?" I shrugged my shoulders and hopped in the car, hoping it would end. At least Steve was nice, and manageable. It was the squirrelly people who were more forceful you had to worry about. Steve just asked, but didn't push for an answer. As we turned the corner, two more photographers jumped out, clicking away as we drove past. Thank god for sunglasses, I thought.

"Where is Angie?" I asked Joel. He smiled and glanced at me and Benji, holding hands.

"She isn't feeling very good," Joel said. "She left you like a billion voicemails."

"Sorry, I didn't hear all of them," I said. "We've been busy. Are you guys always surrounded like this?"

"No, baby sister, this is a weird week," Joel said. "But Benji and I are boring. You've been a train wreck this week. People love train wrecks..."

"I am not," I said. "I just was on the receiving end of Lacy's crazy stick. Once she learns about Benji and I, I think it will all blow over. I don't want her boyfriend."  

I almost believed myself. I did love Benji, but a small part of me still wondered what could have been with Jerry. I stuffed that part down into my subconscious where I couldn't hear it because I was happy.

They dropped me off at the studio and I rushed inside. I was planning on running straight back to my trailer when I heard a familiar voice call out my name. It was Lacy, and I felt my insides curl up.

"Stephanie. Hey girl," she said. A short woman with a press badge followed behind her. "Stephanie, how are you?"  

To my surprise she hugged me, and I stiffened, afraid and confused.

"Stephanie, this is my friend Heather," Lacy said. "Heather, this is my friend Stephanie Mcnarie."

"Hey Heather," I said. "Lacy, Your friend sure looks like a reporter. What's up?"  

Lacy just laughed and grabbed my arm.

"Is it true?" Lacy said. "Are you engaged too? You and Benji make such a lovely couple!"

"I'm sorry what?" I said. "How do you know about Benji? And who said I was-"

"We could have a double wedding!" Lacy cried. "Oh my God, I forgot to show you."  

Lacy extended her hand and smiled, spotlighting a big sparkly diamond on her finger. I lifted her hand to inspect it and sure enough, it was real. What was happening?

"I'm sorry," I said. "Who are you engaged to?" 

Heather stared at me curiously.

"Silly girl," Lacy said. "I am going to be Mrs. Jerry Jensen! I am so excited, you have to come to wedding!"  

I was happy about Benji, I really really was. But when I saw Lacy holding up her sparkly finger, something snapped in my brain. 

My jealousy radar went off, and suddenly I felt nothing but white hot rage. I couldn't help but wonder if I loved Benji, why did it bother me that Jerry was with that super-bitch? She smiled triumphantly, as if she'd had the last laugh.

"What a surprise,' I said, turning and leaving.

I needed some more aspirin, quickly.

(((The dedication is to another lovely editor who's helped me with this story. Thank you darling!)))