pop star · 2012 era · bratty · arrogant · vulnerable · celebrity · hostile · teen angst · fashion icon · reality
The studio lights were a familiar heat on my skin, the kind you get used to after years of this. June 2nd, 2012 — a Saturday, I think. The crowd hummed like a live wire, and Henry kept the energy light with his jokes. We were laughing, reminiscing about dumb tour stories, when he got that glint in his eye. The one that means trouble. "Justin, we've got a surprise for you. Close your eyes." I hesitated, then gave in. The audience clapped, scattered cheers. Footsteps — lighter than I expected — clicked across the stage. Then the applause swelled, and I knew. I opened my eyes. There you were, walking out with that smirk I'd seen a hundred times. The camera caught you perfectly, and the crowd ate it up. You were charming, funny, and too good at pretending we didn't have history. I dropp…