Alex
“Give it a shot, Alex! No one ever said it’d be easy. Everyone’s doing it, trust me. Look at Doreen—she’s switching partners almost every night and doesn’t bat an eye.”
My manager is a weird dude. He’s 38, never been married, zero serious relationships in his entire life, and yet here he is, trying to school me on how to live. To each their own, I guess.
“Andrew, I just can’t, okay? I can’t hook up with someone I don’t even know.”
Ever since Alla, my high school sweetheart, left me three years ago—unable to handle my crazy schedule—I haven’t been with anyone. Andrew’s been nagging me for months to find a one-night stand, but... I just can’t. Not without feelings. Yeah, I’m probably an idiot for not using my fame to get gorgeous girls into my bed. Yeah, Alla’s the only one I’ve ever been with. And I don’t regret it. Didn’t regret it. Until today. I’m fed up with everything. I’m tired of the endless concerts, the boring celebrity parties, and the events where every woman in the room is practically chasing me down. The tabloids keep saying I’m the ultimate catch, a heartthrob every girl dreams of, but I’m still just Alex—the same guy I was before fame hit. People think I’ve gotten cocky, that success has gone to my head. But that’s not true. Fame doesn’t matter to me. What matters is my music and how my fans connect with it.
With spring rolling in, it’s become unbearable. I can’t stop staring at all these stunning, long-legged beauties. And even though I’m far from home right now, in a place where it’s almost never cold, my heart feels frozen and empty. I’m desperate for some warmth in my soul. I don’t believe a one-night stand will fix that. I don’t believe it, but as soon as I’m back in my hotel room, I grab my phone and post a new pic on Instagram, determined to find someone for a little fun.
“What can you see in my eyes when you don’t know me at all?” I caption my selfie.
“Just pick anyone, Alex,” I hear Andrew’s words echoing in my head. “Every single one of them, man, every single one would not just fall into your arms—they’d kiss the ground you walk on!”
Sure. Kiss the ground. I scroll through the comments, over a thousand of them piling up in just a few minutes. They really are ready for anything. Some are straight-up offering themselves, others just send hearts or random emojis. A few even confess their love. Love? What kind of love is that? Y’all need to check into a psych ward, kids! High schooler, high schooler, high schooler... Nah, not this, not that... New comments keep popping up.
It’s 2 a.m.—I’ve gotta be up by 7. When the hell is this damn tour gonna end? I’ve got no energy, no drive to keep doing this. No inspiration for new music either. Lenny pitched me a new song, but I don’t even wanna rehearse it. It’s not my style at all, and the story’s so overdone. I’m craving something fresh, something new... maybe even something romantic.
Sweetie
“Loneliness—that’s what I see in your eyes. In every photo.”
He’s not just hot—he’s perfection. The ideal guy for any girl. I’m sure every woman has fantasized about him at least once. Tall, nearly six-foot-five, with broad shoulders and abs so chiseled they could start at his neck, like something straight out of a romance novel. Gorgeous blue eyes, a smile that could outshine the biggest Hollywood stars. And when my idol steps up to the mic? Goosebumps don’t just crawl over me—they stampede down my arms like a herd of rhinos, making every hair stand on end. That pure, smooth baritone voice—it makes my knees weak. I can’t get enough of it! But he’s untouchable. There are rumors he might be gay since he’s rarely seen with women. I don’t buy it. Alex Reecks—aka Alex Titarenko, musician, composer, actor, and so much more—is 100% straight.
When I commented on Alex Reecks’ latest post, I think I held just a tiny sliver of hope that he’d read it and notice me. Why? Well, he’s a star, so why not? I could brag to everyone that Alex Reecks himself liked my comment—the biggest playboy in our entertainment scene. Of course, he didn’t like it, and I’d already crawled into bed, ready for some much-needed sleep, when my phone buzzed with a new message.
I hesitated for a minute, debating whether to check it. I’ve got class at the university soon—maybe I should just sleep? Chronic student sleep deprivation plus the need to work a job has me so drained that the idea of chatting with anyone at 2 a.m. is the last thing I want. But what if it’s important? What if my friend Kat needs help? I reach for my phone, unlock it, and squint at the bright screen. I read the message and can’t believe my eyes.
Alexreecks: Hey! Wanna keep my loneliness company?
I rub my eyes hard, sit up, and read it again. Is this some kind of prank? I click on the sender’s profile to make sure it’s not a fake. Nope, not fake. There’s the blue checkmark next to his username.
I pinch myself just to be sure. Am I dreaming? Of course, I’m totally stunned. What do I even say? What would you say to your ultimate crush?
“YespleasetakemeI’mallyoursandmydroolisflowing.”
Something like that, probably...
Instead of that mess, I type something even more cliché:
Sweetie3343: Did I die and go to heaven?
My heart stops as I wait anxiously for a reply.
I think I’m nervous. Ugh... why would I be? Oh my God, it’s Alex Reecks! Yeah... I need a smoke right now. Cigarettes always calm me down. I step out onto the balcony and breathe in the air. Spring smells so unique—fresh and warm, even at night. The view from my balcony is amazing. It’s huge, and I’ve got my own little study nook out here. In winter, I have to move inside and do my homework practically on the floor, but during the warmer months, my roommate Kitty and I sit out here in the evenings, having deep, heartfelt talks. And there’s nothing better than reading a favorite novel with a cigarette in hand. It’s the perfect spot.
Right now, I’m sitting here, unlocking my phone every 30 seconds, waiting for a response. He didn’t message the wrong person, did he? He’ll reply, right?
Oh, he’s read my message! But he’s not rushing to reply. Come on, Alex!
Finally, a little note pops up at the bottom of the screen. He’s typing something to me! He’s typing right now. Wherever he is, whoever he’s with, he’s giving his attention to me!