For the next couple weeks, school was a blur. She went through the motions and didn’t feel like she was even on Earth.
She passed Roman in the hall at school once, and his step faltered, as if he wanted to stop her. She was so tempted to turn and ask him if he had kissed Ava back, if they had kissed other times, if he had feelings for her… but she kept on walking without looking at him.
She knew people were gossiping about them, and it was embarrassing. School absolutely sucked lately, and she swore Ava looked more smug than she usually did. Ava knew Roman was her boyfriend and still kissed him. She hated Ava. Hate wasn’t a feeling she was used to, but it felt better than feeling sorry for herself.
Her and Jackie were in class working on a group project together, when Jackie nudged her elbow. “Earth to Isis. You’ve retraced that same graph repeatedly for like, ten minutes. I think it’s finished.”
Isis tried to smile but it wobbled. “Sorry. I’m just… distracted.”
“I know babe. I’m sorry, but just know I’m here if you wanna talk.”
Isis’s throat tightened as she explained “I thought breaking up would make me feel better. Like I’d finally stop worrying. But now I just feel stupid and sad.”
Jackie made a dramatic gasp, clutching her chest. “Stupid? Sad? Absolutely not. You are a radiant queen who simply made a strategic life choice.”
Isis snorted despite herself. “A strategic life choice?”
“Yes,” Jackie said, “Sometimes queens must remove boys from their kingdom for the sake of peace and productivity.”
Isis finally laughed, soft but real.
Jackie poked her arm playfully, saying “There’s a smile! I just want to see my bestie laugh again.”
After a nice dinner and surprisingly polite conversation with her parents that evening, she walked into her room to see her phone and laptop back on her desk. Thank god!
Roman had texted her while she was grounded. One day he had asked her to meet him so they could talk about things properly. The next day he had insisted he wasn’t cheating on her. What he didn’t do was apologize. Maybe it was a good thing she hadn’t had her phone.
She was so excited to get back into streaming, but also nervous about losing her viewers after disappearing for so long. She touched up her hair and makeup and was about to log on when she remembered something Jackie had suggested to her.
“Dress cuter, babe. A well-dressed woman can conquer the world!”
Ever since Jackie started her fashion blog, she had been giving Isis advice on how to spice up her outfits. Jackie’s wardrobe style was very different from hers, but she had to admit Jackie was talented and had a vision.
She opened her closet and sifted through her clothes. She found a cute top and changed into it, admiring the low neckline.
When she logged into the streaming site, she was so relieved! If anything, there was more excitement than usual. People were asking where she had been and congratulated her on being back. For the next hour she lost herself in her game, laughing and chatting with her viewers.
When she logged off, her phone chimed. It was Jackie.
Jackie: Hey, you know Jayson from school? Can I give him your number?
Isis: We’ve talked a couple times, why??
Jackie: He was in your stream. Said you’re cute. He asked me for it. See told you dressing cute would work!
Isis: Work for what lol, I’m not trying to get a date!
Jackie: Who says it’s a date? Just talk to him. He’s nice.
Isis: *eye roll*
Jackie: Sooooo
Isis: If you insist…
She was flattered but a little weary. Why not ask her in person? It was kind of silly to ask her friend like they were in grade school or something. She was certainly not interested in talking to any guys any time soon. Her heart was till broken from Roman.
A few seconds later her phone chimed again.
Unknown Number: Hi Isis. You’re a blast on stream. I’ve been subscribed for awhile now and just wanted to say glad to see you back. Hope everything is okay.
Isis: Hi. Thanks. Assuming this is Jayson?
Jayson: Yeah, sorry! 🤦Hope you don’t mind I asked Jackie for your number. I play The Sims too but none of my friends do, so I don’t have anybody to talk to about it haha
Isis: Oh! Yeah it’s my favorite game. And same, nobody to talk to in real life, only on my stream.
They texted about games and school and it was kind of awkward. She wasn’t interested in anybody new, but what could she have said, no? She sighed, wishing she wasn’t so nice.
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