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Themorninglightseepsin, but it doesn't warm me. It's just a reminder that last night wasn't a bad dream—it was real.
My phone is buzzing like it's possessed, each vibration a sharp poke reminding me of the video that's everywhere now.
I barely slept last night. If the incessant buzzing wasn’t enough to keep me up, my anxiety definitely was. My mind is a mess, and I’ve rewatched the video hundreds of times now.
It was posted by a new account that has nothing else uploaded. They follow one person: me. Their username is quinnexposed45.
Seriously? If the situation wasn’t so depressing, I would have actually laughed.
It’s still a mystery to me how they even managed to get their hands on footage like that. Enzo and I, for all our spontaneity, had always been careful not to be seen in public like that together.
Could someone from the vineyard have done this? It’s surely gotten their name trending. Nothing more viral than a good old scandal.
My heart catches at the thought of Enzo being involved. But no, he wouldn’t…would he?
I push the thought away. He’s always been too private to do something like this. Besides, knowing how inept he is with technology, I would be surprised if he even knew what TikTok was.
As I debate what my next move should be, a new message arrives. It’s Lilly.
You’re coming today, right?
I ignore it. The idea of seeing everyone at the launch after the leak is too much for me. This feels like when I was in high school, and someone stole my diary from my locker and read it out to everyone. It was embarrassing then, as it is now, having something private laid bare to the public without my permission.
My phone buzzes again.
Lilly:You better not bail again. I saw the video, Q. Everyone did. You need to clear your name.
Lilly:P.S. they’re all just jealous of you anyway. ;) Don’t be so hard on urself.
A small smile forms on my face.
Maybe Lilly is right. If it’s going to be my last day here, I shouldn’t spent it cowering behind closed doors. What happened is embarrassing, yes, but it’s hardly a crime. I didn’t really do anything wrong.
People kiss each other all the time, right?
With feeble resolve, I make up my mind and remind myself who I really am.
An embarrassing clip on the internet should not define me. None of this will matter in a week, since people on the internet have worse memory than a goldfish. Why should I let it ruin what little time I have left here?
Two hours later, I’m at the event. My hair is slicked back, my dress is brand new, high heels and my lips are painted the loudest shade of red I own.
If I didn’t feel my best, I could at least look it. Right now, I felt like the poster child of fake-it-till-you-make-it as I plastered a confident smile on my face, making my way through the area around the pond.
The event is beautifully set up, and the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses fills the air. I get the odd glares and whispers from people around me, but they’re not relevant right now.
This is about me. I need to prove to myself that I won’t crumble when there’s a little bit of drama in my life.
“I’m glad you listened.” Lilly catches up to me, linking her arm with mine and handing me a glass. “Isn’t it so much better that you’re here now?”
“I guess I’ll find out.” I gulp down the liquid. “How many people do you think saw it?”
“I’m not going to lie to you. It has been making rounds.” She presses her lips together, “I didn’t know mystery man was Enzo.”
“Well, it’s not much of a mystery anymore, is it?” I mumble under my breath.
“It’s not. Let’s not kid ourselves, though. Any of the girls here would have killed to be in your place.” Lilly smiles. “So, no one’s going to judge you.”
“Tell that to my audience.” I chuckle, shaking my head. “Half of my comments are divided on whether I’m escorting on the side or this whole influencer thing is just a front.”