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Now I’m sitting in a chair that is cutting off the circulation to my thighs. It’s up high enough that my legs dangle. Bright lights shine behind me and to the side, in front and what seems like all over. Do interviews have to feel like you’re baking on the surface of the sun?

A woman who looks familiar has someone fixing her makeup and I remember that Evie’s strict instruction was to apply lip gloss before the cameras start rolling. I dig the tube out of my pocket and apply, watching as the makeup artist applies lipstick to the woman’s lips.

My lips are starting to tingle, but I push that aside. I’ve got to get through this interview, which right now seems worse than the time I had to play through a broken wrist against our school’s rival.

“Hi, I’m Samantha Jordan, host of the Everything Your Heart Desires show. I’ve got several questions to ask here. Answer them as thoroughly as you’d like. Just remember that single word answers will not be accepted.”

Why do I feel like I’m on a game show right now?

“Okay,” I mumble, trying to get comfortable in the chair. And I’ve already broken that one rule. I don’t care right now though because my lips feel like I’ve just eaten a jalapeno pepper, seeds and all. I barely tolerate spice so I’m trying to make sure everything is okay, at least from the camera’s point of view.

“Tell us about yourself, Kenzie,” Samantha says.

“I’m Kenzie Sullivan, twenty-five from Boston.”

The woman nods. “What are some of your favorite things to do?”

I try to smile, the urge to itch just below my lip line is getting to me now. “I love to play hockey and I am a professional organizer.”

“That’s interesting. How did you get into that?”

The heat in my lips makes it so I can’t fully focus on what she’s asking. “Um, I, uh, have learned a lot about cleaning, working on my dad’s home growing up. Sorry, can I get a glass of water?” I ask, turning around to some of the crew.

It takes a few seconds for them to bring a bottle of water and I take a few long swallows, then pucker my lips so I can let some of the cool water wash over them from the bottle. It only lessens the pain though.

“Okay, let’s continue,” Samantha says, giving me a glare like I just forgot her birthday. “Why did you want to come on this show?”

I’m sweating right now and can’t think clearly to answer. I blink several times, before raising the bottle to my lips again.

“We need to answer the question,” Samantha says again.

“I made her,” Trey says from the wings. I turn to see him smiling as he strides toward me. He turns enough that the camera doesn’t see his mouth, “Are you okay?”

I pull the bottle away from my lips and his reaction of terror has me wondering what I look like. Instead of worrying about the cameras, I pull out my phone and turn on the selfie camera.

Letting out a shriek, I clap my hand over my mouth. My lips are bright red and at least three times bigger than normal. Small bubbles have formed around the edges.

“I look like Botox gone wrong,” I say.

“Cut,” Samantha says. “What happened?”

Trey’s eyes are on me, worry written all over his face. “Are you allergic to something you ate?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t eaten since we got here.”

“You did apply lip gloss,” Samantha says. “I’ve heard that people can be allergic to certain types. Have you used it before?”

“No,” I say, pulling out the tube again. “My roommate told me to try it.”

“You might want to go out and get something to help calm the swelling. We’ll just have to do your first interview another time.” She glances down at the paper on her lap. “Trey?”

“That’s me.”

“You’re up last.”

“I think I’ll wait and do my interview when Kenzie does hers.” Trey puts a hand on my shoulder and I give him a small, painfilled smile.

Samantha stands from her chair. “We need to get this done so the editors can cut them all together for the first episode.”