Sure, “Anthony.” You can tell me your deepest dreams and desires.
AntD
I’m sensing some skepticism. What makes you think I’m not the real deal?
NickKnackPaddyWhack
Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that international pop sensations don’t usually slide into random fans’ DMs after being mocked online?
AntD
Fair point. But what if I told you I’m bored and procrastinating on writing my next hit single?
NickKnackPaddyWhack
Sure, “Anthony.” And I’m secretly Beyoncé. Want to collab on my next album?
AntD
Sure thing.
NickKnackPaddyWhack
Deal. I’ll expect my royalty check in the mail. Make it out to “Definitely the Real Beyoncé.”
I can’t help chuckling.
But it’s unexpectedly freeing that Nick doesn’t actually believe I’m me. That he’s choosing to keep talking to a random stranger simply because he finds the conversation worth having.
When’s the last time someone wanted to talk to me just because they enjoyed it? Not for the social media clout. Not for concert tickets or celebrity introductions. Just…for the conversation itself.
And the freedom to say whatever I want, to be whoever I am without the weight of my name attached, feels almost dangerous.
It’s the kind of feeling that could become addictive if I’m not careful.
CHAPTER THREE
NICK
Jade and I are on our salvaged-from-the-curb couch, having just finished a two-dollar slice of pizza we’re pretending counts as dinner, when my phone beeps.
Jade groans. “Please tell me you’re not messaging that guy again.”
“I could tell you that, but I’d be lying,” I reply.
“This is turning into an addiction almost as bad as your one to that ShareYourGlow forum.”
“Hey, ShareYourGlow is essential self-care, not addiction. I’m rebuilding my faith in humanity one wholesome story at a time, thank you very much.”
Jade rolls her eyes because she might have heard that defense from me a few times before.
“Seriously, Nick, you’ve been messaging this guy almost constantly for two weeks now. Haven’t you run out of things to say to a random stranger who’s pretending he’s a pop star?”
“Not yet.”
As if on cue, my phone beeps with another message. I unlock my phone to inspect the message chain.
Jade looks over my shoulder, and her forehead crinkles.
