Tiana didn't text him.
That was normal.
What wasn't normal—
Was that Jeffery didn't either.
Not that night.
Not the next morning.
By afternoon, she noticed.
"…Okay."
She stared at her phone.
Then locked it.
"…Also okay."
It wasn't a big deal.
People got busy.
She got up from her desk.
"Hey, Tiana."
She turned.
It was one of her coworkers again.
"…If this is about the video, I'm resigning."
They laughed.
"No, no—relax. But actually… it is about the video."
Tiana closed her eyes briefly.
"…Of course it is."
"You didn't tell us you're famous now."
"I'm not famous."
"Someone reposted it."
Tiana paused.
"…Where?"
"Different platforms. It's moving."
"That sounds illegal."
"It's public."
"That still feels illegal."
They turned the phone toward her.
More views.
More comments.
"…Why are people watching this?" she muttered.
"Because it's relatable," they said.
"That's concerning."
She handed the phone back.
"…Please don't show me again."
"Too late, you've seen it."
"I mean in the future."
"Can't promise."
Tiana shook her head slightly and walked away.
"…This is getting out of hand."
Later—
She checked her phone again.
Still nothing from Jeffery.
"…Interesting."
Not bad.
Just—
Noticeable.
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She frowned.
"…Not today."
It rang again.
Persistent.
She answered.
"…Hello?"
"Hey!"
Not the voice she expected.
Tiana blinked.
"…Yes?"
"I'm calling from the event yesterday," the voice said quickly.
"You remember the open mic?"
"…Unfortunately."
The person laughed.
"Your clip is getting attention. We're hosting another one this weekend."
Tiana froze.
"…No."
"Wait, hear me out—"
"No."
"It'll be bigger this time—"
"No."
"People liked you—"
"I said no."
A pause.
"…That was fast," the voice admitted.
"Very."
"Alright… if you change your mind—"
"I won't."
She hung up.
Immediately.
"…Why is this becoming a thing?" she muttered.
"Becoming what?"
Tiana turned.
The girl from the dance class stood behind her.
"…Nothing good," Tiana replied.
The girl smiled.
"I saw your video."
"…I need to disappear."
"It was actually nice."
"That's what everyone keeps saying."
"And you don't believe it?"
Tiana shrugged slightly.
"I didn't plan it."
"Exactly," the girl said.
"That's why it worked."
Tiana looked at her.
"…You sound like the people online."
"I am one of the people online."
"…That explains it."
They both laughed lightly.
"You should come this weekend," the girl added.
Tiana shook her head immediately.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I enjoy peace."
"That didn't look peaceful."
"That's because it wasn't."
The girl smiled.
"Think about it."
"I won't."
"…You will."
Tiana frowned slightly.
"…You're very confident for someone who doesn't know me."
"I don't need to," the girl said.
"You came back here, didn't you?"
That—
Was annoyingly accurate.
Tiana didn't respond.
"…See you next class," the girl said, walking off.
"…We'll see," Tiana muttered.
That evening—
Tiana sat on her bed.
Phone in hand.
Still nothing.
No message.
No call.
"…Alright," she said quietly.
Not upset.
Just noting it.
She dropped her phone beside her.
Then stared at the ceiling.
"…Everyone is acting strange."
A pause.
"…Including me."
Her phone buzzed.
She picked it up immediately.
Then paused.
Not Jeffery.
A notification.
More views.
More comments.
"…This again."
She locked her phone.
Turned to the side.
And closed her eyes.
Not thinking too much about it.
But not ignoring it either.
Just letting it sit.
Somewhere in between.