Siobhan Wild

Tuesday night flew by, with everyone agreeing they needed extra sleep before Anna's interview.

Max stared at her ceiling, finally alone since Anna had moved back into Chris's room. She wasn't really sure if that was a good or bad thing since thoughts about her father and home were eating away at her faster by the minute.

Was everything going to change?

Was she going to have to change?

She couldn't imagine a world where she would run around smiling and enjoying things. Max hadn't necessarily been happy before Anna swooped in, but life had been simple. Wake up, sing, come home, sleep. More people meant more complications.

Her eyes widened.

Are they going to take me to therapy? Fear began to set in. Or toss some meds down my throat?

Anna had said that Max would have a choice, but it just wasn't true. If she didn't do what they said, then BOOM. Complication. If she didn't get better. Complication. If she didn't want to leave the house. Complication. She didn't want to give everything inside herself — mostly her trust — to anyone, and of course that's what they were hoping for. They all kept repeating that they "understand" and that they didn't know her anymore, when really, they were ignoring that. They just wanted her home and they would probably say anything to get her there. The situation got more overwhelming in her brain and she knew she needed to stop. Max looked at the clock: 4 a.m. Anna had to wake up at 6 a.m., so Max also had to be up at 6 a.m.

Great, she thought sarcastically as she shut her eyes, falling into a restless sleep.

Morning came too fast as Max shook her head, trying to get her eyes to open. She rolled out of bed and nearly tripped over a shirt trying to get to her door. She was expecting to hear Anna losing her mind in the living room, but there was no noise.

She better not have given me the wrong wake-up time, Max thought to herself as she slowly creaked open the door.

Anna was sitting up, straight as a board, all dressed up on the ugly couch and staring hard into the wall.

Max looked right, then left, confused. "Hey," she choked out as she cleared her throat. "Hey, what's going on?"

Anna turned her head in Max's direction and smiled. "Nothing at all, babe." She shut her eyes as her head turned back forward. "Better get ready, can't be late."

Max furrowed her eyebrows and nodded. "Okay, won't be long." Her voice softened. "Are you okay?"

"More than okay. Get ready, asshole."

Max laughed to herself. "You got it!"

She turned around and stepped back into her room, already staring down at the dress Anna had bought her. With a disgusted face she bent over and picked it up with her right hand. "Just a few hours," she said to herself. "Just a few."

With a sigh she ditched the sweatpants and ratty shirt. Slipping the dress over her head, she pulled it down with both hands, trying to stretch it longer. Anna had given her zero say in what she was to wear and of course she'd chosen the shortest dress in the store. The dress was a spaghetti-strap black mini-dress and Max hated it. But this was potentially the biggest day in Anna's career and if Max had to dress like a skank, then that's what she would do. Luckily Anna permitted her to wear a lacey robe-looking thing so at least some parts of her body would be covered up.

"Max! Let's go!" Anna spoke loudly, but much more timidly than usual.

Max left her eyeliner on her face from days ago and slapped some chapstick on, hoping Anna wouldn't care.

"Okay! I'm good!" Walking out of the bedroom, she slipped her combat boots on and looked up at Anna, hoping she would let her leave home without "fixing her."

Anna sucked in a deep breath and let it out. "Let's go."

Max could've found a million things to complain about the entire way, but she suppressed her tendency to bitch because today it was all about Anna. She could always wait until later and tell Chris about how terrible it all was.

"We're here, babe."

Max almost ran into her, stopping and looking up and down the gigantic building in front of them.

"Holy shit," Max let slip out.

Anna looked up with dreamy eyes. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Before Anna could say anything else Max quickly said, "I won't ask you if you're ready because I know you are." Staring directly at her friend, she motioned to the door. "After you."

Anna took a step and turned around, looking at Max with tears in her eyes. She threw her arms around Max and let go after a few seconds. No words were said, but they didn't need to be. They understood each other's appreciation. The girls smiled gently as they walked through the door.

Max started getting anxious as they approached the elevator doors because she did NOT like heights or elevators, but she swallowed her fears and put on a happy face. The elevator finally stopped. She didn't know which floor because she'd shut her eyes around ten.

The room was bland, to her surprise. I thought famous people were fancy.

Anna interrupted her inner dialogue. "Hey, okay, I'm going to check in and see where they want you to hang out."

Max nodded as Anna walked straight to Sarah Scott, her freak of a boss.

"OH, ANNA, DARLING!" Sarah yelled with that cackling sound. "Right on time as always."

"Of course! Big day today."

"Absolutely, my dear. Come with me." She grabbed Anna's hand and practically dragged her a few feet toward a fit, long-haired man in a suit.

Anna looked back at Max and smiled, but Max could tell that Anna was terrified.

Max winked at her and mouthed, "Asshole."

Anna smiled big and seemed to relax a bit.

"Anna, dear, this is Lars Stevens, Siobhan's very handsome manager." Sarah lifted her eyebrows creepily at him.

"Oh please! You just kill me, Sarah."

Max, eavesdropping, thought to herself, Yikes, I don't know how Anna puts up with this woman every day.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Lars's British accent. "Anna Johnston! It is wonderful to finally meet you. Your boss here speaks very highly of you."

"You're too kind, Sarah." Anna shook her head, smiling. "Wonderful to meet you as well, Mr. Stevens."

She offered her hand, not breaking eye contact. Anna had told Max she had to project absolute confidence even if she felt like melting to the floor.

After they shook hands and continued conversing, Sarah slipped away and noticed Max behind the cameras.

"Hello dear! You're Anna's pretty friend I met, aren't you?"

Max stuttered a bit, "Oh . . . I mean . . . well, yes."

Sarah smiled at her. "Here! Come closer, I'm sure you want to watch!" She grabbed Max's hand and dragged her a few feet just like she'd done with Anna.

"There you go, sweetie." She motioned to a chair next to one of the photographers. "Have fun!"

"Thank you, Ms. Scott."

"Oh please! Anna's friends are my friends. It's Sarah."

Max smiled at her as she danced away.

"Alright!" Lars said with a raised voice. "Get Siobhan, will you?" He waved off a young boy who must have been an intern.

Max watched Anna stand next to Lars with her head held high. No one would ever know that this was her first big interview.

The silence in the air was broken by a sweet voice. "Lars."

There she was.

Siobhan Wild.

Her skin was almond colored with a perfect shine, her eyes an ocean blue, and her hair a perfect shade of dark brown. She wore navy blue and white harem pants, a white form-fitting tank top, and gold high heels.

Even Max sucked in a breath, astonished by her beauty.

Looking into the supermodel's deep blue eyes, Anna reached out her hand smoothly. "Ms. Wild, I'm Anna Johnston. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Siobhan took her hand lightly. "Anna, likewise. Please! Call me Siobhan."

Anna smiled and took charge immediately. "Would you join me?" She motioned to the two directors chairs.

"Yes, of course!" Siobhan seemed so warm and genuine. Max hoped that would calm Anna at least a little bit.

Minutes went by as Anna asked her the obligatory where are you from, who are your heroes, blah-blah questions. The comfort level between the two appeared to have grown and both women seemed to have settled down into the discussion. Max saw Anna and knew it was time for the big question.

"So, Siobhan."

Max was watching intently as Anna sucked in another breath.

"I've noticed something that I would like to ask about. If you don't want to answer, please just let me know."

"Of course," Siobhan said, smiling.

"I've gone through quite a few pictures of you for this interview — stunning pictures by the way —and I noticed a few unusual scars."

Max waited for Siobhan to say, "Screw off!" and leave.

However, she did quite the opposite. "I was wondering when someone was going to ask me this!"

Anna's eyes widened, Max assuming she was thanking the universe that Siobhan hadn't punched her.

"Well, if you're feeling okay to do so, I would love to hear your story."

Siobhan seemed to take note of Anna's sincerity and continued. "Funny enough, these scars were almost the downfall of my career. In fact, I was turned down numerous times because of them." She shook her head. "It angered me that I had everything they wanted except for these scars. My own history."

Anna looked concerned. "I can't believe anyone could not look past your experiences, especially not knowing what they were. That must've been incredibly disappointing and painful."

"It absolutely was and I almost gave up. But! I did not because I couldn't let the man who did this to me win."

Anna shifted in her chair. "Someone did this to you?"

"Yes, ma'am." Siobhan straightened up. "A man that I had loved so much changed slowly into a very frightening, bad person."

Max could tell Anna was already horrified about what they were about to hear.

"He hurt me many, many times, but on our last day together, he held a knife to my throat and said he would kill me if I left."

Anna spoke slowly, appearing shocked. "My god."

Siobhan took her right hand and grabbed Anna's. "The important thing is that I left. I didn't let him destroy me."

She leaned back in her seat. "Now this scar," she pointed to her left arm, "I did to myself."

She smiled and looked into Anna's eyes. "There was a day that the mental and physical abuse took over me and I didn't think I could live anymore." Her eyes remained on Anna. "I tried to make it stop. All of it. But! Again, I didn't let the pain and agony win."

Anna shot her a big smile before speaking. "And we are so glad to have you here."

"I'm glad to be here! Had I known at the time that there were good people in this world that felt real love and cared enough to extend a hand, I don't think I would've seen life as so dark." She grabbed Anna's hand again. "People like you."

Anna looked at her appreciatively and squeezed her hand. "I can't thank you enough for letting me into your world."

Siobhan smiled and bit her lip as Anna continued, "There are so many men and women who are going to hear this and change their lives. Be brave enough to do what you did."

Siobhan's face brightened. "Actually, now that you mention it, I had an announcement I was saving for a different time, but now feels right. Definitely feels right."

Anna raised her eyebrows slightly.

"I am finally at a point in my life where I feel I am ready to give back. It has taken me a lot of pain and soul searching to get here! I am incredibly proud to announce that I will be opening a domestic abuse relief center here in New York!"

Anna perked up and smiled big. "That is unbelievable, Siobhan! When is this happening? How wonderful!"

"We are hoping by the end of this year. The plans have been set for a while now and it is moving forward quickly." The supermodel's eyes were sparkling. "Anna, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you hearing my story. And now we can let the world know that a safe space is coming for men and women in need!"

Anna looked into her dazzling eyes. "Thank you for sharing with me."

"Anytime, Anna. And I mean that."

Max was in her seat with tears in her eyes as Anna looked back with a brilliant smile.

"Well, Ms. Anna, I thank you for everything." Siobhan wrapped her arms around her. "Don't be a stranger."

"I won't. I promise. Have a good afternoon, Siobhan."

The beautiful woman walked away as her manager, Lars, walked straight to Anna, extending his hand. "Thank you, Ms. Johnston, we very much look forward to working with you again."

Anna squeaked out a laugh.

Lars raised his voice, waving Sarah over. "Sarah, my darling! Your protégé is fabulous! I will be calling you very soon."

Sarah shuffled quickly to join the conversation. "Thank you, Lars, I look forward to it."

He walked off and as soon as he left the room Sarah grabbed Anna's shoulders and shook her. "ANNA! That interview was of the gods. THE GODS!"

Anna laughed nervously. "Thank you, Sarah. I thought I was going to pee, I was so scared."

"Well let's all thank the gods that you DIDN'T."

Anna smiled and looked down, uncharacteristically out of words.

"Pretty friend!" Sarah shouted at Max."Come on over here!"

Max got up, staring at her friend. She couldn't stop staring. Anna had done everything they all knew she could and this would be her career game-changer.

"I'll talk with you soon, Anna. Congratulations! Go celebrate, darling." Sarah winked as she walked away toward the elevator. Anna turned her entire body to face Max and they hugged, jumped, and screamed together for a good ten seconds.

"Anna, holy shit! This is IT. This is the day that changed your life, you'll remember it forever!"

Anna started crying.

"Hey . . . what's wrong? You nailed it!"

Anna looked at Max and laughed. "DAMN IT!" she screamed. "That was so scary!!"

Max hung her head and laughed. "Let's get out of here, I'm sure Chris is losing his mind waiting to hear."

"Oh my god! Yes, let's roll." Anna started toward the elevator, but stopped when Max wasn't following. "What's up? You okay?"

Max walked slowly to Anna and hugged her tight. "I'm so proud of you."

Anna couldn't help but start crying again. "I love you."

"I love you, too."