Eden
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There has not been a single moment in my life where I haven't thrived to be the best version of myself.  I have always wanted to be the best of the best. But in some professions there's only so many times you can be deemed 'the best'. And mine seems to be one of them.

"Do you think we'll ever see you in the walking dead universe again?" The interviewer opposite me asks, reading the question from the cards in her hand. My fingers tap anxiously against my crossed over knee.

"It's unlikely, as I've said now that 'The ones who live' is over I'm sure my time as Jess is over too. I loved every second of working on that show, I had an amazing crew but I'm looking forward to stepping away from the acting world." I announce with a soft smile. Sometimes I wish the voice in the back of my head could just recite everything my media trainers tell me, the moment I need it.

The lady interviewing me looks up with a sad shake of her head as she runs her fingers through her hair. "Do you believe you'll stay in contact with your co-stars from the walking dead now that it's 'over'?" She uses air quotations around the word.

"I do, yes." There isn't a doubt in my mind, I love most of them. And over the years despite my lack of continuity and my returning role they have become family.

"What about your other shows? Movies?" She questions, my brows snap together.

"What about them?" I roll my shoulders, waiting for her to elaborate and expand on what she means. All of my shows are sorted and I'm taking a deserved break to focus on a new goal...

"Are you planning to return to any?" The interviewer says with a sly smile.

"No, Jess's story is over. My stance on returning to the Scream franchise has been made clear. I also won't be returning to outer-banks or fast and furious. At least not for a while." I announce with conviction. Since my break from the acting world was announced I've been bombarded and harassed by people online, in person, interviewers and paparazzi. So now I'm hoping that with this final interview the drama disappears.

As I stare at the interviewer in an attempt not to look toward the camera she sighs, seeming increasingly more irritated with my answer before she says, "So you're just going to follow your brother around during his F1 season? And I'm sure as a lot of people at home are wondering, what is the cause of this sudden break? Is there any correlation between this and your recent spilt with Tobi Brown?"

And there it is.
Anger and irritation bubble deep within my stomach as I bite my tongue and try to keep my composure intact. I take a breath trying to hide the irritation in my expression as I reply, "My private life and work life are separate. I believe it to be unbearably unprofessional to bring up my personal life when this interview is meant to discuss the walking dead."

"And, Yes. I will be joining my brother during his F1 Season to travel and work on developing a project I'm excited to share with the world. It has nothing to do with Tobi." My tone grows harsher as I finish my sentence. Yet the interviewer remains unfazed.

I can't wait to leave. I can't wait to just be me.
To Bahrain, for the first Grand Prix of the 2024 season.