Page 20 of Fangirl

God. He really knows how to sneak up on me with words like that.

I don’t reply, not right away.

Then my phone buzzes again, one last voice note.

“I’ve gotta go, Fangirl. Work calls. But I’ll talk to you later, yeah? I was really happy to hear your voice. Now I can hear you when I read your messages.”

I smile, pressing the phone to my chest again like a lovesick idiot. He makes it sound so simple, like hearingmy voice meant something.

I shift on the couch and tug the blanket up to my chin.

The pain in my back has dulled a little. My fingers still ache, but not as sharply.

Part of it’s the meds. I know that.

But not all of it. Some of it is him.

This faceless man who’s quickly becoming a confidant.

I close my eyes, and for the first time today… it hurts a little less.

CHAPTER 4

AMY

By Monday, I’m back to functioning-adult mode. Mostly.

But I can’t get Eli’s voice out of my head. The softness when he called me brilliant. The way he said he liked my voice.

It stuck with me more than anything Maya could’ve said. It’s not just her voice echoing in my head now. It’s his too.

And maybe that’s what’s making me braver becauseeven in the middle of a flare-up, even when everything hurt… I felt lighter.

That kind of levity? That kind of peace? It’s rare, and I want more of it. More of him.

We haven’t really talked since, not properly, and I keep replaying those voice notes like a weirdo. And with every listen, it feels a little less terrifying to want more.

We’re just friends. Nothing more.

Sure, my feelings for him have been getting a little… ambiguous lately.

But maybe that’s exactly why I should see him face-to-face.

A video call could be the reality check I need. Maybe once I see him properly, I’ll get over this ridiculous crush.

By the time I get home, feed Pea, shower, change into pajamas, and microwave my ready meal, I’ve made up my mind.

I’m going to offer a video call. Come what may.

I grab my phone as I sit down to eat my stew, only to see a new message from Eli waiting on my screen.

My heart jumps at the sight of his name.

Eli: Today sucks bad. You’re the only highlight these days.

I blush, warmth creeping up my neck.

I’ve never been anyone’s “highlight” before.