Alexreecks: Crazy fan or music lover?
Who, me? Uh... I think I’m a bit of both...
Sweetie3343: Crazy fan of your music.
I type quickly, not overthinking it, afraid my idol might vanish into thin air like cigarette smoke.
Silence. Why isn’t he responding? Minutes drag on like years. Maybe he’s busy? Or what if it’s not even him typing? What if someone else runs his account? I lock my phone and set it on the table. Staring at the screen endlessly is harder than just waiting. But when a new message pops up, I grab it so fast I fumble the unlock three times from sheer nerves. So much text! He wrote a whole letter! I’m about to have an information overload!
Alexreecks: Let’s drop the formal stuff, okay? I feel like a grandpa when people talk to me like that. Sweetie—is that your name? Were you named after some exotic fruit? Let me guess, your parents called you that as a kid? Or maybe a boyfriend? Do you have a boyfriend, Candy? Can I call you that?
AAAH!!! He called me Candy! A grin stretches ear to ear, and my hands automatically reach for another hit of nicotine. Kat is gonna lose it when she hears about this!
Sweetie3343: My name’s Svetlana, but I feel more like Sweetie. I decided that myself—heard it somewhere as a kid and demanded my parents call me Sweetie, and then everyone else too. In kindergarten, I even bit a boy who couldn’t remember my new name. And no, I don’t have a boyfriend. Don’t have the time for one either. I’m studying and working—relationships aren’t on the radar right now.
Alexreecks: But you found time for me.
Sweetie3343: Do you have an idol, Alex?
Alexreecks: I think everyone does. Not everyone can admit it to themselves, though.
Sweetie3343: I’ll take that as a “yes.” If your idol messaged you in the middle of the night, would you go to bed? No, wait—would you even be able to sleep?
Alexreecks: I don’t think I could. Stop flattering me =)
A smiley face. He sent me a smiley face. Heh...
Sweetie3343: Can I ask a dumb question? Maybe even a little silly...
Alexreecks: I’m not gay.
Sweetie3343: ...
Sweetie3343: I was gonna ask why you haven’t found someone for yourself. It’d be easier for you. They’re ready to fight each other just for a glance from you.
Alexreecks: You think I’ve got more free time than you do, Candy? I haven’t seen my mom in three months. For three months, I’ve been running around the world like I’m escaping something. Tomorrow I’m heading back to Kyiv for a few days, then I’m off again.
Sweetie3343: That’s rough... Do you even like this kind of life?
He’s kinda weird. Too down-to-earth, or am I imagining it? Not that I’m disappointed... it’s just that his image is more of a bad boy. I can’t help myself and send another message.
Sweetie3343: You could bring a girlfriend along.
And... silence... No reply for about 10 minutes now, so I quietly crawl back into bed and get as comfy as possible, shoving my phone under the pillow. A wave of comfort washes over me, and I’m almost asleep when a new message comes through.
Alexreecks: Would you come on tour with me?
I can just imagine the angelic smile he’d have saying that, and I melt like a snowflake in early spring. Would I go? Of course! Why not? But instead, I play it cool.
Sweetie3343: Only if you sing me a serenade under my window :)
Alexreecks: Send me your address. I’ll be there by evening.
Yeah, right! But the smile doesn’t leave my face. Flirting with him feels so nice.
Sweetie3343: What would you sing?
Alexreecks: What would you want to hear?
Sweetie3343: Something old but timeless. Something unforgettable.
Alexreecks: Bieber?
Sweetie3343: Bieber? Seriously? I meant like the soundtrack from “Titanic.”
Bieber? Is that some kind of artist joke? He hasn’t been cool in, like, a hundred years. I wouldn’t even know who he is if Kitty hadn’t been obsessed with him for a few months when she was twelve. Thankfully, she got over that phase.
Alexreecks: One of his songs got me into showbiz.
Sweetie3343: You’re kidding!
While Alex types his reply, my eyelids start to droop, and I think I’m about to fall asleep any second, but my phone dings with an incoming message.
Alexreecks: Not even a little! I swear! Someone recorded me singing at my high school graduation party. I was already done with my first year of college, and my old teachers invited me to perform at the event. The video ended up on YouTube, and a producer spotted it. I couldn’t say no—the offer was just too good.
Sweetie3343: And why don’t I believe you? Who are you, weird guy? And where’s my favorite singer?
He’s typing something for a long time while I fight to stay awake from sheer exhaustion.
Alexreecks: Disappointed?
That’s it? You were typing for, like, 20 minutes, and all I get is one word? Seriously?
Sweetie3343: It’s like cognitive dissonance. I pictured you one way, but you’re... real, grounded, even a little ordinary.
Oh no! Why did I write that? He’s gonna be offended. Should I delete it before he reads it? While I’m hesitating, the little “Read” notification pops up at the bottom. Sweetie, you just ruined the most magical moment of your life. Filter your words a little, you idiot!
Now he’s probably gonna block me, and I won’t even be able to drool over his pics anymore.
Alexreecks: Don’t jump to conclusions, Candy!