“I mean– they’re loving her! They’re loving you all. They’ve given you a hashtag already.”
I hated social media. It was such a wild place. It gave so many powerless people ammunition. So many people lost their souls in the midst of strangers. Too many people had a microphone. Everyone wanted to be a main character. No one wanted to sit the socials out or simply enjoy them for the entertainment they were designed to be. Everyone wanted in. Everyone wanted a voice. Everyone wanted a platform. Everyone wanted a network.
Aside from my campaign, I didn’t have a social media presence. I didn’t have a personal page. Neither did I have any of the applications downloaded on my phone. Posting felt too much like providing evidence to the public and authorities in the event they needed to use it against you.
But, as Matte turned her screen around and Royce’s handle was tagged next to the hashtag Rayson, I reconsidered my stance on the platforms.
Maybe one day. I reasoned.
Not for posting. Not for entertaining. Not to become the main character of anyone’s story. But, to become a supporting character in Royce’s story. Her number one fan. The first comment on her posts. The first one to tap the red hearts. The person to hype her. The person to praise her. Openly.
“Click her page.”
@CCRoyce
Six posts.
Her beautiful face was obstructed in them all. Three fully clothed photos were between three vacation photos. Her page said many things without saying anything. It proved many things without proving anything.
I slid down slightly, placing a hand underneath my chin as I stared at the images. Royce was as close to heaven I’d ever reach. I had to have her. If not now, then eventually. Soon. In the next ninety days. I couldn’t fathom waiting longer.
“This is not a hoax for you, huh?”
I didn’t look up from the phone. My eyes were still pinned on the screen, still pinned onherwhen I responded, “No, Matte. It’s not.”
“You’re starting to like her.”
“This is no start. I’ve felt this way since I met her.”
“That night.”
I nodded.
“That night.”
Matte said nothing more. She waited in silence as I studied every detail of Royce. It wasn’t until I was ready that I returned the cell.
“If you need me, I’ll be in my office.”
“Noted.”
The door closed quietly behind her. As it did so, I picked up my cell. I flipped it from one side to the other in my hand, contemplating my next move.
There was an overwhelming urge to make contact with Royce. Too many hours had passed since I’d seen her face or heard her voice. From the lack of movement on the tracker, I knew she was no longer in Berkeley. She was back home, in Clarke.
That’s exactly where I wanted to be. Right beside her.
I unlocked my cell, deciding that a text would be best.
Thank you.
I kept it simple. There was no need for an explanation. She had her eyes on the prize. She might’ve been in Clarke, but her ears were on Berkeley’s soil.
I didn’t close our thread. I ran a hand around my neck as I waited for gray bubbles to appear. A yawn cut through my concentration, forming tears in my eyes. Sleep hadn’t been easy to come by last night.
I ruffled my sheets with the constant tossing and turning. Insomnia twiddled with my sanity all night. I rose just before sunrise, feeling quite shitty. However, duty called.
There were three communities to visit and a school’s book fair where I purchased every book the children’s hearts desired. I remembered not having the funds to splurge during the yearly school book fair. No kid should suffer that level of heartbreak at such a young age.
