Page 46 of The Emerson Effect
I try to ignore the constant vibration in my pocket, but by the time the episode ends, I can’t wait another second. I’m on pins and needles as I pull my phone out and open the BingBang app. There’s a “ninety-nine-plus” dot over my notifications icon, and I tap it to see dozens and dozens of likes, comments, and shares.
But only one stands out––“Twila Greene commented on your video.”
I tap it as fast as my thumb will allow, and swallow thickly as the video pops up and the comments section overlays it. Twila’s comment rests at the top, already garnering two hundred likes and a dozen replies.
Hi (heart emoji).
That’s all it says, and yet, my heart gallops, and my cheeks heat like she said something much more epic and meaningful. Because I’m reading into it just like everyone else who’s commented is.
What she’s really saying is this…
I like you, too.
TWENTY-FIVE
Twila
Holy shit.
My comment on Emerson’s video has over a thousand likes and two-hundred-sixty replies, and it’s only been about sixteen hours since I posted it yesterday. It feels a bit surreal. Okay, more thana bit.Extremely surreal.
My follower count has shot higher than I’ve ever expected, and by the replies to my simple comment, I know those followers are waiting for a reciprocal video. They want me to post a reaction. To do something as equally fun and romantic for my new…
“Boyfriend” doesn’t feel right. Requited crush? Flirt partner?
I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. Whatever we are to each other in the viewers’ minds, I need to respond. Today.
Closing the app and pulling up my text thread with the girls, I type out a quick message.
Me:Can you guys come over this morning? I need some help with a new video.
Callie is the first to respond.
Callie:Oooh, is it for Emerson?
I read the message, hearing her voice in my head as she sing-songs his name. I chuckle and type back.
Me:It is. Now get your ass over here and help me.
The others reply, as well, and Callie and Raven, who are neighbors, agree to swing by and pick up Joey on their way here. You know, so there will only be one car to deal with in case there are frozen cocktails involved.
No margaritas for me, thank you.Me and tequila are on a break.
When they arrive, of course, Raven has a bottle of the devil’s juice in one hand and a jug of green mixer in the other. She ignores my complaints and heads straight for the kitchen, where she pulls out my blender and the ice bin.
“I tried to stop her,” Callie says. “I know you’re off the good stuff for now.”
“Nothing can stop me!” Raven declares in her best evil villain voice just before the blender roars to life.
“It’s ten-thirty in the morning, Raven,” I deadpan, but she points to her ear and shakes her head like she couldn’t hear me over the churning appliance.
Callie laughs, and Joey tugs at my arm to pull me out of earshot from the others.
“I don’t think I can be in the video.”
Joey has always lived with an almost-crippling anxiety, but ever since she started hanging out with her boyfriend, Dallas, he’s helped her deal with it in healthier ways than she used to––like locking herself in her apartment and rarely leaving it. She’s better these days, but she’s obviously not ready for a BingBang video that’s nearly guaranteed to go viral.
“That’s okay. I really just wanted you here to film us. And for the moral support,” I say, and she visibly relaxes.
