Writetober 2023, Day 4: 'A Television Tale'

"Never believe what you see on television". was the mantra that Yana had took for the truth ever since she had starred in a television series. Yana was born to 2 actor parents, who had played in a semi-successful  sitcom. After her birth, her parents were given an offer to star in a reality television show. Her parents took the offer, as they had become impoverished following the end of their show. 

Yana never lived a day away from the limelight. Her parents wouldn't talk to her, except for giving her stage directions. On camera, they appeared nice and supportive. Off camera, they were cold and distant. For multiple years, they maintained the facade of a perfect family. When Yana started school, she wasn't allowed to do her homework. Her grades suffered because of it. She had to conserve a perfect image on screen. Off screen, she was struggling with realizing what was real and what was fake. On her 18th birthday, she packed what little things she had, and left. She kept on walking until she found a nearby town. Yana changed her name and completely left her old life behind. Her parents adopted a child a year after she left. When she found out, detached from the rest of her family, she knew the cycle would continue. 

written by Zoe