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547words2026-01-26 09:08

“Don’t be nervous,Mara.Just be yourself,”the director’s assistant said kindly,noticing my solemn expression as I sat silently backstage.
I forced a smile and nodded gratefully.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.Three days ago,I was lounging on the grass outside my Appalachian tribe’s gates,basking in the sun.Now,I was a guest on Boston’s most popular reality show.

It was time to go on.I adjusted my tribal attire,took a deep breath,and stepped onto the stage.
The blinding stage lights made me squint.I turned my head,and the silver bells on my headpiece jingled.
Whispers rippled through the audience:“Wow,that Appalachian girl is stunning!”
I knew they meant me,and my cheeks flushed.
The show had invited three beautiful female guests,each with a unique flair:a fitness dancer with the hottest figure,a cute Lolita girl,and me,the folk-inspired tribe girl.
But I knew we were just warm-ups.The real star hadn’t appeared yet.

When I left the tribe in a huff,my grandma slipped me some money.I never imagined Boston’s glitzy world would drain it so fast.I hadn’t even seen the person I came for—how could I give up now?
While wandering penniless on the streets,I met the director’s assistant,crying hard.
Seeing my tribal attire,her eyes lit up.
She explained that a guest had dropped out of the show at the last minute,and the director had chewed her out.If I could fill in,I would earn a hefty appearance fee.

The director initially balked at replacing an Indian guest with me,grumbling,but one look at me shut him up.
The assistant was ecstatic,treating me like her lifeline.
The show started,but the star actress was late.The audience grew restless,whispering.
The host smoothed things over: “Please be patient—Claire Monroe will be here any minute.”
Hearing Claire Monroe’s name,I froze.
She was the reason I had trekked from my tribe to Boston.I never expected to meet her here.
As I struggled to clear thought,the crowd stirred.
A glamorous young woman,surrounded by fans,glided onto the set.
So,this was Claire Monroe.I had seen her countless times on screens,but her real-life beauty still stunned me.
No wonder my fiancé,Nathan Sterling,was smitten with her.
Anger flared,washing away my nerves.I glared at Claire.
She caught my stare and flashed me a faint,scornful smirk.
That lit up a fire in me.I clenched my fists hard.Fine,Claire,today you’ll see what a tribe girl can do.
The show began.After introductions,the host invited the four guests to each perform a talent.
The livestream’s giant screen flooded with comments.
Most were Claire’s diehard fans,showering her with gifts that dominated the feed.
The fitness dancer and Lolita got a few likes,but I had nothing.
My tribe rarely engaged with the outside world—not to mention live-stream gifting, which was unimaginable to them.
If I hadn’t seen Nathan’s scandal on my uncle’s phone,I’d still be clueless,holding on to our ten-year promise.
Ten years ago,Boston’s elite heir,Nathan Sterling,went exploring after high school and wandered into our tribe,eating my love potion.
I was mortified.By trible rules,he had to stay until I came of age and marry me.
Nathan said he had a business empire to inherit and asked for ten years to settle it,promising to marry me afterwards.I believed him and secretly helped him leave.
But he didn’t keep his word.He began flirting with all sorts of women as soon as he was out of our tribe.