.....
The very next day, Nova got up early from bed to prep herself for today's meeting. She and Kalaya had agreed to meet at the mall today and then try a super chic coffee place that just opened downtown.
She curled her hair and eyelashes and put on a Cream hoodie tucked into high-waisted jeans. Sleek sneakers. Minimal makeup. Just gloss. A simple yet well defined look.
When she was sure she was ready, she picked up her phone and purse and headed in the direction of the new coffee shop. Its name was "Bella's Brewery". The ratings from here so far were good. She had to admit that Kalaya had good taste, as expected.
She stepped into the shop and the single of the bell at the door announced her entry. The place was chic and it indeed gave off the new vibe. The customers there looked like high class people. Finally, Nova thought.
She looked around and spotted Kalaya sitting at a table at the corner. She wore sunglasses even though the it was cloudy. Her aura was like gravity — everything shifted around her.
She waved to Nova as she pointed at the seat in front of her. Nova smiled and walked over. She pulled up a chair and sat, smiling.
Kalaya grinned, "Hey superstar". Nova laughed, trying her best to sound and stay cool. "Please, you're the superstar." Kalaya's grin widened, "True".
Nova tried her best to maintain the smile she was wearing when she heard the comment. Its not like it meant anything but to Nova, it did. She didn't know why but hearing Kalaya admit that she was indeed a superstar...it made her angry.
Still, she shook it off and both decided to order.
They ordered milkshakes and fries despite the fact that this was a coffee shop, as none of them were fans of coffee. Kalaya began talking about her life and Nova could swear that Kalaya was trying to rub salt on her wound.
But it didn't make sense since they both knew nothing about each other so it was only logical that she talk about herself and likewise. But it just made Nova uncomfortable even if she tried so hard not to feel like that.
Kalaya talked about how lonely it gets wen everyone only wants something from you. How fame feels like everyone is watching you — but no one is really seeing you.
"But with you, it's different. Its like you're the only....real person I've met in a long time. You feel real, Nova. Like, normal. In a good way, a good way that I love and want to continue with forever " Kalaya said.
Somewhere, it made Nova feel guilty. She was also using Kalaya but the difference was she wasn't being direct about it. She was...being manipulative right now. But that wasn't true....was it?
No way. It was for good, for her good. She was doing all this to secure a bright future. One where she wouldn't have to work so hard to get whatever she wished for. One that was truly deserving of her. One that complimented the amount of effort and hard work that she was putting in right now.
In a few more years, everyone would see her value. She wasn't using or manipulating Kalaya, she was simply....she didn't know what she was doing, but it sure wasn't manipulation. It wasn't.
"But forget about all that. Why don't we take a photo to post on my channel? You could post it on yours too. I heard from Jade that you have one".
Nova couldn't believe her ears. This...this was exactly what she was aiming for. This was exactly what she wanted. And she had achieved it in just one hangout. Wow. With Jam Kitty on her channel, her channel is surely going to skyrocket overnight.
....
NOVA POV
After the café, we walked through town. Just talking.
She told me about her cousin, Daniel. Some mysterious musician with a god-complex. And how they were super close.
"I think you'd like him," she said with a sly smile.
I tried not to blush.
Then she asked, "Why do you want to be famous?"
I paused. I turned to her and saw her curious expression. "What?" I asked, clearly confused. She then sighed as she said, "I talked with Kiara and Jade the other day. They told me about your passion to become famous no matter what path you take".
I then nodded slowly. So, she knew about it through Kiara and Jade. Luckily, she didn't find out about her plan, not like she told anyone. And now, that actually turned out to be a good idea.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Kalaya say, "So, answer my question. Why do you want to be famous so bad?"
I opened my mouth — then paused.
Why did I?
Was it the lights? The love? The power?
Or maybe just the idea that if enough people adored me, I'd finally adore myself?
"I don't want to be invisible," I said finally.
She nodded. Like she got it.
And then… just like that…
She handed me her phone.
"Put your number in. I don't have it and we're supposed to be besties".
....That hangout lit something inside Nova.
A flicker. A fire. A new chapter waiting to be written.
But far from the smiles and milkshakes…
Kiara sat in her bedroom, scrolling through Kalaya's Instagram.
And she saw it — a blurry picture. Two milkshakes.
Nova's favorite hoodie in the corner of the frame.
She zoomed in.
"No way..." she whispered.
Then came the notification.
Kalaya Summers has started following Nova Lane.
Kiara stared at her screen, heart clenched.
Was this what Nova meant by "not chasing fame"?
Because to her, it looked like Nova wasn't just chasing.
She was running.
---
Back to Nova's POV
Later that night, I laid in bed, fingers hovering over my screen.
Kalaya had posted a story. A boomerang of our clinking drinks.
Caption: Real ones only.
I felt it.
The rush. The high.
I was finally becoming someone people noticed.
But then... a message from Tessa popped up.
> Tessa: "Hey, haven't seen you around lately. Everything okay?"
Then Jade.
> Jade: "Saw Kalaya's story. You two getting close?"
I didn't respond right away.
Not because I didn't want to.
But because I didn't know what to say.
Because the more I stepped into Kalaya's world…
The more I started fading from my own.
---