Everything being her big fat mistake when she was nineteen that she could never live down. “K, sissy, I have to go. I love you lots. All is fine, I promise. Love you.” She ended the call before Lucy could reply.
Almost as soon as she set the phone down, it started buzzing again. Thinking it was Lucy calling back, she grabbed the phone. But she stopped short when she saw the screen.
Unknown.
Suspecting a spam call, she hit decline and opened her Instagram app. Her notifications were out of control since the incident, and she couldn’t keep up with DMs, but she checked them anyway. She knew better than to check comments where most of the trolls lived.
The first DM in the list was from @modellover2010. Talk about weird. She’d gotten DMs from this account before and never responded. Never bothered to block them either since most of the messages were always praising. Sure enough, this one from earlier today read:Keep that beautiful chin up. This too shall pass.
She gave a small smile. Lucy was right. There were weirdos online who didn’t know about boundaries or respect. But there were plenty of genuine fans too. In the sea of vitriol, letting someone have their fangirl moment wasn’t a bother. It didn’t hurt anyone.
Vanessa thumbed through more of her DMs until shelanded on her group chat with Nikki and Landon, two of her oldest friends from their modeling days.
Nikki still worked in modeling, and Landon was a photographer. They’d met in New York ten years ago when Vanessa was starting out and had stayed in touch ever since. Every once in a while, a job or Fashion Week would bring them together, and they’d have a blast like no time had passed.
Vanessa tapped the message.
Nikki
Girl, you alive?
Landon
Enter chat with proof of life.
Vanessa snickered and quickly typed her reply.
Vanessa
Alive and thriving, thanks.
Bubbles popped up immediately, followed by a string of laughing emojis.
Nikki
LOL, good to hear. You’ve been all over my socials for that club make-out with bouncer hottie. Thought I’d check in before it went all PR crisis.
Ugh, she should have known Nikki would be all over her most recent debacle. Which made her think…
Vanessa
Any chance you sent me roses?
Nikki
Sorry, boo. But I can if you want me to.
Vanessa couldn’t help but grin.
Vanessa
LOL, maybe another time. I got a huge bouquet and no clue who sent it.
Nikki
I’m manifesting a secret millionaire crush.
Vanessa
