Alita.
" Wear a beautiful smile, wipe your tears and smile for the camera. " Queen Ruby instructed professionally.
"Like this?" I stretched the corners of my lips, forming a straight and strained smile as I asked.
" No, you have to make it seem more real. Part your lips a bit. Think of the best thing that has ever happened to you and smile. " She had a faraway look as she instructed, and I kind of felt sadness coming from her.
" It might be hard at the beginning, but you will get used to it. Trust me, honey. " She was talking to me, but her eyes said otherwise, though. It was like she was talking to another person, herself.
"Like you? Did you get used to it? Smiling professionally? To the camera? To the people around you? Wearing a mask? For how long, half of your life? Don't you
