Page 102 of Pierce Me

Unknown number: Hey, Eden, it’s Lou again. I got your number from Miki, I hope it’s ok to text you. If not, honestly, I wouldn’t blame you. I’ll delete it.

Eden: Hi, Lou. I actually was looking for your number too. I wanted to tell you that Pooh’s here.

Lou: The little traitor. But I figured he’d be with you, you’ve been inseparable for days. He’s completely adopted you, hasn’t he? Well, you deserve him much more than I do, to be honest. I know I apologized to you a few hours ago, but I want to say again that I’m so sorry about what I did—

Eden: It’s all forgotten, Lou, honestly. Don’t keep thinking about it, please.

Lou: The girls just left, and I feel… Somehow free, you know? But also, bored. The boys are rehearsing and I just… I wanted to talk to someone who is not a groupie. Someone normal. Like you. Is that ok?

Eden: Well, I am definitely not normal.

Lou: Hahaha neither am I, obvi.

Eden: And also, sorry to disappoint, but I am definitely a groupie. Or at least a fan. That song of yoursWho Hurt You? I was obsessed when it first came out.

Lou: OMG is this for real?

Eden: Yep. Weird?

Lou: Oh, it gets weirder. You have no idea.

Eden: What what?

Lou: Are you sure you want to know?

Eden: I’m DYING to know.

Lou: That song,Who Hurt You… Maybe there’s a teeny tiny reason why you liked it so much.

Eden: The amazing lyrics? The sad music? Your gorgeous voice?

Lou: Thanks. But no, those are not the reason.

Eden: What is it then?

Lou: It may have sort of kind of have been inspired by you… and your story. Is that super weird? Do you want me to delete your number now?

Eden: …

Lou: Are you there?

Eden: I’m here.

Eden: Just shocked, I guess.

Lou: I am so sorry.

Eden: Why are you sorry? I mean, my story was in the news and everything. Everyone knows about it. I’m just surprised it inspired someone so much that they wrote a song about it.

Lou: Are you serious? I cried for days because of your story. I read every article, I watched every YouTube commentary… It’s getting weird again, isn’t it?

Eden: My entire life has been one weird, crazy nightmare so far, so I’m not the best judge of what’s weird or not.

Eden: It’s sweet that you wrote a song about me.

Eden: It helped me, actually.

Lou: It did? This is surreal right now. Are you lying to me?

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