33: s t i c k s a n d s t o n e s

I've been told, it's sticks and stonesThat break your bonesBut it's the words you throw that hurt the most

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Amerie and Taylor were walking a red carpet for music that they were invited to.

"Amerie, Taylor I must say the matching outfits are a clever idea, you two look stunning" An interview said.

"Thank you, thank you for saying that" Both Swift's said in unison, their response was the most cheesiest grins at each other.

"Please explain who made these stunning outfits" The interviewer asked.

"Our good friend Stella McCartney" Taylor said.

"She truly is an incredible designer" The interviewer asked.

"Now Amerie, this is one of your first music red carpets, I'm sure this is probably very exciting" The interviewer asked.

"Yeah, it's a little nerve racking with all the cameras and questions, I feel like all my facial expressions are just being photographed, they've probably got a lot of mugshots of me" Amerie chuckled.

"I'm sure they are not bad photos, you are a very beautiful girl, you take after your Mom" The interviewer said.

"Thank you" Amerie smiled.

Taylor pulled Amerie into a side hug and posed for the cameras. Taylor guided Amerie through the red carpet, how to pose for the cameras, what to say to the interviewers, how to behave.

Amerie had signed fans CDs, Vinyls and more, she took pictures with her fans. Taylor stood beside her with a proud face.

The red carpet walkers were soon led into a hall, Taylor knew exactly what this was but Amerie had no clue.

"Hi, welcome to the music red carpets. This is a small event, but we invite all artists. Welcome to the award section, this is mostly where small artists can get recognition, so here are our award categories." The host said.

Small Artist of the year

Inspiration of the year

Youngest artist of the year

Young artist song of the year

Young artist album of the year.

Small artist album of the year

Small artist song of the year

"As you know we have nominees in all categories, the winner will be voted on by you guys" The host said.

"Hey" Amerie heard the familiar voice. She turned her head to see Riley standing in front of her.

"Riley.. hi" Amerie blushed.

Taylor was sat next to Amerie smiling.

"You're here?" Riley asked.

"Yeah.. you're here too.." Amerie blushed tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Yeah I was invited, well me and Rory were, we were invited for our song together" Riley blushed back.

"That's good" Amerie blushed.

"Mind if I sit next to you?" Riley asked.

"I don't mind" Amerie chuckled.

Riley took a seat next Amerie and turned their head to the host who was announcing the nominees.

Neither Amerie nor Riley were paying attention to the nominees, but they appeared on the screen anyways, she saw Gracie's picture for smallest artist of the year and immediately smiled over at Gracie who was sat on the same table.

"Nominees for inspiration of the year are.. Chappell Roan, Renee Rapp and Amerie Swift" The host said.

"Wait what..." Amerie mumbled.

Taylor stared to cheer followed by Selena, Gracie and Sabrina who both cheered "Go Amerie!"

Amerie looked at them with a smile, then looked back at Riley who was smiling and blushing at her.

"You've got chocolate cake on your mouth" Amerie chuckled

"Where?" Riley asked.

"Just there" Amerie pointed, but Riley failed to get it.

"I'll get it off, stay still" Amerie chuckled wiping off the chocolate cake in the corner of Riley's mouth.

Their eyes met and Amerie ran her thumb down Riley's cheek.

"Thank you" Riley muttered.

"You're welcome, oh look you and Rory have been nominated for young artist song of the year" Amerie chuckled.

"Yeah, oh and you've been nominated for Young artist of the year" Riley said in which Amerie looked up, then looked to her Mom.

"Yeah.." Amerie said feeling anxious, she began to fidget with her hands.

"You okay?" Riley asked, his hand covered Amerie's hand that was tapping the table, held it gently, which Amerie responded by looking up at him and smiling.

"Yeah I'm okay" Amerie blushed.

"The voting will now begin, please take your slip that's on your table and vote for each category by placing a tick in the box next to the nominee you want, also write your name on the space provided so you can not cheat or vote for yourself!" The host said.

Amerie ticked Gracie Abrams for most of the small artist award and Riley for young artists awards.

The votes were placed into the voting box, now all they had to do was wait.

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It felt like hours of waiting, people talking, interviewers asking questions. It was officially time, the host stepped out onto stage.

Amerie tried her best to pay attention but all she could think about was Riley.. how his eyes sparkled.. how is hair was so perfect.

Amerie's ears perked up when she heard Gracie's name.

"Oh my gosh Gracie!" Amerie said hugging Gracie, Taylor also joining the hug.

Gracie walked up to get her award and thanked everyone who voted, she shortly joined back at the table and was holding up her award and taking selfies.

Amerie soon zoned out fidgeting with her fingers, she was anxious, what if she won an award and had to go up on stage in front of all these people, she knew for sure she would make a fool of herself.

"This award is a rare award, it only has 3 nominees every year, it's an award that is so valuable. Our winner of Inspiration of the year goes to..... AMERIE SWIFT" The host announced.

Amerie was still lost in her own thoughts, but was soon pulled out when she felt her Mom's hand on her shoulder.

"You won sweetie" Taylor said.

"Huh.." Amerie replied, she was still half zoned out.

Taylor held onto Amerie's hand.

"Just give her a min" Taylor spoke clearly.

"You won Amerie, why don't me and your Mom take you to the stage, we can go on with you if it's more comfortable for you" Gracie suggested in which Amerie nodded.

The three walked to the stage holding onto Amerie's hand and helping her step up onto the stage.

"Amerie I must say, you have been a major inspiration to many people. Your work has helped so many people understand themselves, but also helped people understand others who may be autistic. You sure have taught me things I would never have known before, so thank you. I would now like to award you the inspiration of the year award, keep up the good work Amerie, I'm sure it will pay off" The host said.

Amerie felt unstable, the claps and cheers were loud, she could see everyone's faces, some happy faces but some faces of disgust.She felt sick, she felt dizzy, her hands were all clammy and sweaty.

She felt as if time was moving in slow motion, her senses were everywhere. She felt how the heels hurt on her feet, how her dress itched, how her necklace felt around her neck. Everything was so overwhelming, she was frozen on stage.

"Amerie" Taylor whispered starting to feel worried for her daughter.

Never leave my side again...

There it was, it clicked in her head and she hold onto her Mom and started crying.

"I can't do this" Amerie said into her Mom's chest.

"Let's get you off stage" Taylor said, but first grabbing the award out of Amerie's hands, Amerie didn't even notice that she was handed the award.

"Clearly she didn't deserve the award, she obviously can't handle it." Kanye sniggered as Taylor walked past.

Taylor kept it together and just gave him a stare, she couldn't bring attention to them. Amerie was upset enough as it was, she didn't need people like Kanye insulting her.

"Let's get you home yeah" Taylor said.

"Taylor, she's still nominated for young artist of the year what if she gets that?" Gracie asks.

"Err Gracie you're staying right? If she wins accept it for her" Taylor asks.

"Of course" Gracie replied.

"Amerie are you okay?" Riley asked.

"Just give her some space, she's in a verbal shutdown" Taylor explained.

"I hope you feel better" Riley said, to which Amerie smiled at.

"You're doing well, they will be a big crowd around the whole building, but our security will do their best and I'll do my best to divert you out the crowds" Taylor said hugging Amerie closely.

Stepping out the building, the cameras started flashing, but photographers quickly noticed Amerie's tears, their cameras stopped flashing.

Taylor guided Amerie through the crowds, their security helping to keep fans at a distance.

"She didn't deserve the award! She is no inspiration, she had a temper tantrum such a drama queen" An older woman shouted.

Crowds booed and shouted, Amerie couldn't tell if they were booing at her or the woman, but she heard it all.

"Don't worry, not all these people are booing at you they are booing at the woman for saying an insult, you deserve this award, ignore them" Taylor said, she was angry deep down, she didn't want her daughter being hurt, no one should do that to a vulnerable 16 year old.

This was exactly what Taylor was worried about, the industry is harsh and the people who are not in it can be harsher, always commenting on everything you do, but Taylor isn't the person to stop her daughter from her own dreams, but Taylor wants to protect Amerie with all her heart.