The Muse (Chapter 7)

Shanea padded down stairs and took out a bowl, she noticed a paper had been brought in and looked at the front cover, she couldn't tell what was going on in the smaller headlines, so she slipped her glasses onto her face, and flipped to the entertainment section, a headline reading, 'Friend or hoe?', she read on and found a picture of her and Zach on the balcony, and sure enough you could see her pantie and her ass. She had to read the article even if it brought her to tears, so she read on.
'Last night the new it couple were spotted doing a bit more than the PG xfactor allows, rumour has it that Shanea Highfeild is a retired stripper and is just using the new hearthrob, Zach Hudson as a sex toy, more on the friend or hoe story on page 21.'
Shanea daren't look at page 21, as tears were rolling down her face thick and fast, she was dressed in jeans and a plain black tee, with a jack wills hoodie slopped over the top. Not many of the others were around, they were all either rehearsing for the show or sleeping, Shanea muttered something that sounded like, 'Fucking lies,' and she held her head in her hands as she balanced her elbows against the granite surface. Tears fell against the cold stone and she screamed to herself, her life had just been too perfect clearly.
//
Zach heard crying from downstairs, a girl more likely, he looked to his side where Shanea had been, now only her lace black bra and small panties remained, a little crumpled heap at the foot of their bed. Zach sighed, and pulled on some jamma's. They had both slept in just underwear for it had been hot, and Zach knew Shanea normally slept in a thong or pantie, genrally no bra and when she did it was see through and lacy, so in an effort to make her feel happy and comfortable Zach had slept in just his boxers. He quietly walked downstairs to find Aria with an arm around Shanea gasping at a newspaper, Zach sighed again, they just couldn't stop hurting his baby could they?
He nodded in thanks to aria, who kissed Shanea's cheek and went away shaking her head in despair, Zach who had been watching from the other side of the unit island, walked to Shanea. "Hey baby." he whispers, putting his arms on her hips roughly.
She warms as she feels him hold her and kisses his chest, his scent was so sweet and loving, Shanea loved how when she would steal his jumper that she could always go to it for comfort because it smelt of him and even if it had been washed you could guarantee that Zach would wear it again and sneak it back to where it had been before Shanea realised. "I don't know how I'm going to do this. They think I don't love you." she whispered, tears playing in her eyes.
"But you do. Your not a " he scanned the article and words were lost to him, they'd been worse than he expected and the picture of Shanea flashing had come out perfectly. A little caption read, 'A limitless supply of strippers eh Zach?'
"Fuck them. I can
show you what real love is. " Zach blurted out, he slipped his hand down her trouser leg and rubbed her panties softly.
//
Shanea threw the paper in Simons face, "lies all of them."
Zach put his arm around Shanea, "Hey Shan."
The tall, built up man turned around in his chair to face his computer screen. "Shanea. I can't do anything about it. The press like to hurt people and your new meat to them. You've just got to take it on the chin and act as strong as you can." Simon said, a frown spread across the whole of his face. He'd too seen the two articles, and had really felt for Shanea and Zach.
"Simon you've got to be able to do something about it." Zach almost begged.
Shanea took Zachs hand and entwined her fingers round his, Zach rubbed his thumb against her palm,
"Come on. I'll just stay low for a while." Shanea mumured, trying her best to smile.
Simon nodded, "Sorry Shanea. But whats done is done. We all know you love Zach and that's what matters right? Oh and stay off the Internet for a few days whilst this clears up."
Shanea tried not to gawp, but Zach was off to America in a few hours time and she'd have to face more than what she thought. She jut waned to sob until there was nothing left. Zach sensed that Shanea was upset, and took her out of Simons office with a simple pull of the hand,
"Come on Shan. It'll be alright. I'll skype you as soon as I get there. " Zach tried his best to sound genuine but people were out to hurt his baby and they wouldn't stop till they'd hurt her.
Shanae sniffled and walked through into the lounge, a few guys Zach was good mates with were in there, "Blake, Rick and Harry." Zach introduced them all with a point to each guy, one, Blake was tall, dark haired and lanky, what most would probably call a looker. The second, Derek, was shortish, browny-ginger bangs and the last, Harry was about inbetween Blake and Derek's height, he had jet black hair that moulded softly to the heart shape of his head and it was sleek short waves that were buried under a pinstriped hat. Shanea smiled shyly at them all and curled up in the far corner of the right-angle shaped couch. Zach grinned at the three of them and flopped down on the couch between Harry and Shanea, she instantly cuddled against him and lovingly nuzzled her head against his neck sloping in to his shoulder.
//
Derek smiled at the two of them, Zach's head was in her lap and she was stroking his hair happily, if only the three of them could see past the happy couple, inside ; where a worrying Zach was hidden and a scared Shanea was keeping her feelings hidden.
"You two are so cute together, perfect really." Blake cooed.
"Yeah if only the press could see that." Zach murmured, the guys felt for Shanea, because they knew Zach was good, and he'd go far which meant she would be tormented more.
//