Page 11

Why me?

I sit on my bed, facing my bedroom door. I click on Rook’s profile on my phone and scroll through his posts. The apple video is off schedule for him, and people are noticing. Comments are already thirsting over the late-night upload and what the apple means. Part of me smirks because it’s a nod to me—the lucky girl who has his attention. Thousands, maybe millions, of people would kill to be in that situation.

But what the actual fuck?

It only takes a minute of scrolling to find out where I triggered him. I liked one of his videos. On my main verified account. I exposed myself…am I an idiot, or was this the fuel to make every dream of him a reality? I’ve spent so many hours just watching and rewatching Rook’s videos. He’s given me orgasms without touching me, and I have to wonder if he’ll be back for more. Why pull a stunt like that if he never intended to come back? He could make another appearance and wouldn’t take no for an answer if he wanted something next time. Fear twists in me again. But faint hope lies under that fear.

I lay my head back on my pillow and close my eyes. As unnerving as tonight has been, I felt the solid contours of his abs with my own fingers. The abs I’ve dreamed about raking my nails down. He made me feel his piercings as if they’d prove his identity. If only I could have gotten a glimpse of his face or a whiff of his cologne or body wash.

I’m the chosen one. I see you, Rook.

I finally fall asleep after the emotional hurricane Rook caused me, and I wake up when it’s light again with an unusually clear mind.

I’ve thought about getting an upper helix piercing in my ear for a while, and I’m going to use that to send a public message to him. “Hey, loves! Come with me to get my ear pierced.” I’m in my car, parked in the garage, and talking to my phone, but it’s true, I’m getting a piercing. It works out because a nearby piercing place has been wanting to collaborate. They have a clean-girl aesthetic, geared toward girls like me who aren’t edgy. It’s a perfect fit for me, and I’m eager to get there.

The timing couldn’t be better!

Once I arrive and am brought to a private room decorated in pastels, I pull my phone out because everything is content. “So, I want an upper helix, but maybe I should get a rook? That’d be cute,” I say, recording myself in selfie mode and pointing at the rook piercing location in the upper part of my ear. I’m not getting a rook piercing, but name-dropping him might be the invite he’s waiting for.

But he doesn’t need one. Clearly.

After explaining the care routine, the piercer cleans the upper cartilage of my ear with antiseptic that stings my nose and marks the spot on my ear. I opt for a thinner gauge and a small hoop. A sharp sting invades my ear, but I barely flinch. I just smile to myself. Maybe I’m more of a baddie than I thought.

“Ta-da, I ended up with an upper helix, but what should I get next?” I say to my phone when I’m seated in my car. That’ll work for the video. I mentioned the business name and piercer too, to fulfill the collaboration details.

When I get home, I grab a light snack and start editing the video. It’s short, less than a minute, and I know Rook will be waiting. It’s noon, and I haven’t even posted on my story yet. An icy shiver makes my shoulders buckle.

What if he’s here—slipped in again while I was out?

My eyes dart around, but I resolve the intrusive thought. Rook operates at night to keep himself anonymous, and if it’s daytime, I’m safe.

Within minutes, I have the video ready to post, caption it with the agreed-upon details, and hit the post button. I take a selfie, showing off the new piercing, and post that to my story, too.

By the time I post the selfie, my notifications explode with likes and comments on my new video. I open the video to scan the first batch of comments. Sure enough, the top comment already has a hundred likes…from the one and only Rook on his verified account. He never seems to engage with the online community, and I feel like my stunt was triumphant.

I didn’t think you’d be this predictable, Rook.

I smirk as I read his comment, like we’re flirting.

@Rook: Didn’t flinch, did you?

There’s a thread of comments responding to his comment from my followers:

OMG, @Rook!

Wait, do you know each other?

I wouldn’t flinch for you, @Rook!

I will be unalived if you guys are together.

Holy crap.

@AppaPie, RUN!

I think for a moment, considering whether I should respond. I don’t want to egg him on, but maybe part of me does. This is my chance to flip the script, so I reply directly to his comment:

@AppaPie: @Rook, did you?