Page 30 of Goodbye Note

Fan4Life: damn why is ChemicalSmuggler so special he gets all the attention from Arik?

ChicagoIsSo2YearsOld: seems kinda gay. IDK.

I made a face, not sure what to do as the chatroom got more and more out of control, comments coming in quicker than I could read them. I was about to call in Kiernan to save me when he posted.

ChemicalSmuggler: Because we are friends. I’m allowed to give him shit.

I gasped.

Arik Vesper: How can I be sure we are friends? You could be anyone.

A ton of questions popped in, basically re-asking how he knew me.

ChemicalSmuggler: I came to your record release. Did you forget me already?

A bunch of fans jumped on that, saying they’d been to shows or release parties, and did that make them friends with me?

Arik Vesper: Of course we are all friends if you’ve been to a show.

I hedged to try and keep the chat more under control.

ChemicalSmuggler: If it’s that easy to be your friend, how do I elevate myself? Do I have to work harder when we play Warped together?

The chat exploded, and I couldn’t breathe.

My fingers froze over the keyboard.

Arik Vesper: Are you here to resuscitate my brain?

I scanned the flying text, waiting for him to reply.

ChemicalSmuggler: Did you give me some sort of key for that? Or is there something I’m missing?

Arik Vesper: I thought you were the one with the dopamine?

It would give it away to the fans, but I wanted to talk to him, not beat around the bush anymore.

DeathbRingeR: OMG is that one of the guys from Dopamine-Fiend?

Closetfreak: IT HAS TO BE.

Littlebitsad: I’m freaking out. Two of my favorite bands in this chat rn

ChemicalSmuggler: Do you need some dopamine?

ChemicalSmuggler: I might have some to share.

Arik Vesper: You brought it with you.

ChemicalSmuggler: Is that a really cheesy way of you telling me I’m making you happy?

Arik Vesper: If I say yes, will you hold it against me?

ChemicalSmuggler: I’m going to hold everything against you.

I smiled and pulled my knees into my chest, resting my chin on them.

The chat moved too fast, and I knew I should be looking for and answering questions, but I craved more replies from Varian.

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