[ IP ] Who I Used to be

I used to be famous. 
 
 People would come from all over the world to see me. There would be blimps flashing my name, and everywhere I went someone would offer me a drink, a place to stay, or a nice meal. 
 
 I was best singer there was. 
 
 Stages would be littered with roses, and the kind words never stopped. Talk about me was the best kind of talk, and everyone was jealous because god, I was just so *good. * I was so pretty and smart and talented! 
 
 But now, here I am, standing in a trashy little alleyway, a vagrant. 
 
 Tattered posters of myself plaster the wall in front of me. They ’ re hidden back here because this is the only place town that ’ ll take me. It's a run-down bar that still uses pictures from my glory days because hey, maybe one or two sad saps do n't know how far I've fallen. 
 
 The buildings around me are thumping with someone else ’ s music. Some youngblood's making a name for themselves. The crowd is roaring, and I'm sick to my stomach because I wish they were cheering for me. 
 
 I don ’ t even wan na do the show. I wan na rip these posters off the wall and tear them into tiny pieces because they ’ re awful. They ’ re not who I am, and all these people who pass by without a second glance know that. 
 
 But, as much as it pains me, I *will* do the show. I'll sing my heart out and they'll boo like crazy. It'll give me a paycheck and tonight I wo n't have to scrounge the dumpsters for food. 
 
 I hate it all. I just want my voice back. God, I just want my *life* back! 
 *** 
 I feel like I've been responding to so many of your prompts lately! Thanks for the great images! ( Also, sorry for another dark story, haha ) 
 
 If you like this story, check out my sub! r/longhandwriter
