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I took a deep breath and began my long story.
“Almost three years ago, when I was 8 years old, well, Hanson became famous, as you guys all know, I think. Well, I think this whole thing is probably going to freak you all out. Don’t get all freaky on me and everything, k? I’m still me, no different! So you guys just sit back and listen and don’t say anything till I’m finished, alright? They toured all over the world, to places you’ve never even heard of. Naturally, I went with them.”
“Why naturally?” asked Elizabeth with an excited look on her face.
I glared at her. “Do you wanna hear this or not? That’s what I thought. Now, where was I? Oh yeah. Naturally, I went with them since I’m their sis- Oh, no. You guys, I sorta said that the wrong way. But, that’s probably the easiest way. So now you know. I went touring with Hanson because I’ m their sister. That’s it. So now you’re wondering why the hell I don’t live with them, right?”
“Right,” said Elizabeth.
“Elizabeth Williams, please be quiet because you know I don’t like to have to get mad at people.”
“Okay,” she said quietly. “I’ll shut up.” We all laughed.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” I said. “It’s just easier to explain if you hear every detail. Now. I went touring with my brothers, and it was all great, you know? I mean, I got to see all these places most people will never see in their lifetime in about a year. I got all these great souvenirs and everything. I got to see all the big auditoriums. And I went to about a million Hard Rock Cafés and Planet Hollywoods. But everywhere I went I was Hanson’s little sister. I was always just the little sister. Once or twice, security tried to tell me that I couldn’t go backstage, and I had to show them my pass. And sure, they asked me to join the band, but it’s not my thing. I don’t want to travel all around the world. I don’t want to be famous. I lived that life. I was famous for awhile. Like I said, I lived that life. I didn’t like it. Didn’t like it one bit. Living out of suitcases in hotels and spending my birthday watching thousands of girls scream at my brothers. It’s not my idea of fun. I did that for awhile. I hated it. Even if I had been the famous one, I still would’ve hated it. I would’ve hated it even more because I’d be in the spotlight even more. I’d always be on camera and doing interviews and photo shoots and things. I watched my brothers do that for awhile. I didn’t like it. I never saw my friends and we spent holidays on the road. I don’t care about the money or the fame. I always wished that I could just be normal. The Christmas I was eight, we were all supposed to go home to Tulsa for Christmas. I was so excited. I was going to see all my friends and family. I would get to be at home, and sleep in my bed instead of a hotel one or a little box on a bus. We were going to have a Christmas tree and have Christmas dinner at home and spend Christmas morning just laying around the house. I was SO excited! But then we got this call. It was to do some program. Some Christmas thing. And my parents and my brothers accepted it! They didn’t care that we weren’t going to be home on Christmas like they had promised me for a month. I was so angry. We were at a hotel. I started screaming. I screamed and yelled. I kicked things and pulled things off shelves. I was so mad. I ripped the sheets of beds and dumped out the contents of people’s suitcases. When Taylor tried to calm me down, I punched him in the nose. When Zac tried to calm me down, I kicked him. We had thee rooms and I locked myself in one and cried for like an hour. Isaac was out and when he got back he stood in front of the door for like an hour, knocking and trying to get me to come out. I cussed his head off. My family didn’t even know I knew some of the words I said. But I’m not stupid. Besides, my brothers cussed all the time and probably still do. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I left with my aunt and uncle three days later, two days before Christmas. We came here. I called my aunt Mom and my uncle Dad. I dyed my hair brown and changed my name. I practically rewrote my life story. The only thing I kept was my birthday. I hated my family for a long time. I never wanted to hear the name Hanson again. That’s really why I left. I hated the recognition. That’s why I changed everything. My aunt just told me yesterday that she and my mom had been keeping in touch all this time. When I saw Isaac, all I wanted to do was leave. I knew he would talk to me. I didn’t know they were here. I thought for sure they’d stay away from Arkansas. Obviously, they didn’t. I haven’t seen my family in almost four years. They probably all hate me anyway. I can’t talk to them. But anyway, that’s how I ended up here. Where I am today. So that’s my life story.” Tears were running down my face now. My friends stared in awe. I stood up and walked away, my back to them. I tried not to cry. Tears started to flow freely down my face. Adriann came over.
“Ann-,” she started, “Jessica. It’s okay. Come on, don’t cry. They don’t hate you. Why would your brother even bother if he didn’t care? Why would he call? Of course they love you.” She grabbed a tissue from a box on the table.
“Here,” she said. I took it and wiped my face. I heard the garage door opening. I cursed under my breath. My aunt was home. I wiped the last of the tears of my face and tried to look normal.
“Jess?” my aunt called from the kitchen. “Jess, where are you?” Then I heard another voice talking and laughing with my aunt. I froze. It was my mom.