Page 28 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
I flip through the pages for a little while, only to find myself distracted again. Before I can stop myself, I click on Phoenix’s channel. She’s live streaming a game from her house. That’s why I couldn’t find her at Katie’s.
The chat is exploding like it normally does. I skim the comments, smiling at the ones cheering her on and cursing the haters under my breath. Why can’t everyone appreciate and enjoy the stream? Why are there so many haters out there?
I focus on Phoenix, trying to get some sort of hint on what’s bothering her. Is it me or something else? The bullies? They’reattacking her like they did last night, but would she take out all that anger on me?
No. I must have done something. But what?
I click back to last night’s video and read LiamC protecting her from the haters. I know it was wrong to make that account, to pretend to be someone else online. But…I’m not even sure why I did it. Why I have this crazy need to protect her. First online from the trolls, then when Thad abandoned her on the streets. She hates me, yet all I want to do is make sure she’s okay. Why?
Clicking back to the current live stream, I notice she keeps glancing at the chat, as if she’s looking for something. Or someone? Maybe LiamC?
It’s wrong to fool her this way, but I can’t just sit here and let her take all this crap from the bullies. Besides it seems shewantsLiam to drop by. If I can’t talk to her in real life, the least I could do is be her friend online.
Talking smack to these bullies is so easy. All I do is put them in their place, challenge them. And they back down a little, maybe because they’re bored. Maybe they feel like there’s no point fighting with me. Maybe it’s a waste of time.
A large grin captures Phoenix’s face when she takes in my words. She’s never…smiled at me that way. Only a tiny bit at the museum. Her entire face lights up and my heart skips a beat. She’s beautiful, especially when she smiles.
I rub my temples. What the heck am I doing? This is the girl who drives me insane, who can’t stand the sight of me. I can’t be…I shouldn’t be…
The guys start attacking her again and I can’t hold back from taking her side. She ignores them as she plays, but I can see the anger and frustration in her eyes. It all vanishes when she notices me sticking up for her.
Fine. She hates me in real life, but if I can make her happy online, then I’ll do it.
“Okay, FireBirds, I think I’ve had enough for tonight,” she tells her viewers.
The chat goes crazy with protests, everyone wanting to see more and more and more. I feel the same. There’s something captivating about her, not only when she plays. Her entire presence. Maybe that’s why she has so many fans and gains more as the days go on.
“Sorry, guys, but it’s late and I have homework.”
The chat keeps her for five minutes before she tells them she’ll see them at her next stream.
I read the comments that praise her, and add in my own compliments. I’m not sure she’ll see them, but it’s nice being part of this community.
As I’m soaking up the words, a message pops up.
PhoenixFireBird:Hey, LiamC. Thanks again for the help. I really wish these guys would leave me alone, but that’s what I get for putting myself out there. You get hate as well as love.
LiamC: No problem. As always, I’m more than happy to break their bones. Virtually, hahah.
PhoenixFireBird: Lol, yeah. So how are you?
LiamC: I’m great. You?
PhoenixFireBird: Ready for that game I promised.
She sends a smiling emoji.
She’s so different from the girl who wanted to tear my head off only a few hours ago. I’m still confused what I did to upset her, but if talking to her online is the only way I can get her to laugh, then I’ll do it.
LiamC: Sure. What genre?
PhoenixFireBird: You pick.
LiamC: I’m really fine with anything. Though that new multiplayer zombie game looks insane. I actually haven’t played it yet.
PhoenixFireBird: Okay, log on and I’ll invite you to a game.
I do as she asks and we spend twenty minutes in our first match. She’s pretty much slaying everything in her path. It’s actually cool to play alongside her, learn some tips. She’s a pro at this.
