Page 51 of Marked By Shadows
“Pattern designers, perhaps even Yaya Han, whom I know the group loves. I think she’s been there before. A lot of products like scissors and cutting machines, maybe even some 3D printing stuff as that’s moving to fabric now. Some of the larger quilt shops across the country will be there. Some YouTube personalities. Freya sometimes sets up a booth. This year I think she’s doing a few classes instead of a full booth. The class and schedule list is saved to my phone.” I pointed out my phone which was plugged into the charger. “A lot of the influencers will skip tomorrow. They are really only here to see fans and gain freebies from the companies trying to find people to push their products. We are not fans, we are industry. Even the hardcore cosplayers in the group, they are more industry than fans, though they might recognize some of the more famous ones.”
Alex seemed to absorb that knowledge. “I’m not sure I understand what an influencer is?”
“An online personality. A character. People create them through social media to represent products or lifestyles through video and pictures. Their only talent is collecting followers. Think Kim Kardashian,” I said.
I directed us to a quieter road, lined with trees per the GPS instructions on my phone. Had we taken this way down? I wasn’t sure I liked driving it the way back. The street lights were few and far between, leaving long stretches of darkness on the two-lane road sandwiched in the middle of heavy woods.
“Who?” Alex asked.
“Big lips and butt. Pictures of her everywhere. How can you miss that?”
“Oh, I think I know who you’re talking about. Girl with dark hair? Keeps popping out babies for some rapper?”
I laughed. “I guess. Sort of? Oversimplified, but yes, that sounds like her. Her family is pretty big too. They have a clothing line, but were rich before the whole reality TV thing made them infamous.”
“I remember seeing something on TV when I was at Lukas’s. Did you know he has like a bazillion channels? Never seen him sit down and watch TV though. He comes home and falls into bed, then is up at the crack of dawn and out the door. Maybe that was because of me? Invading his space?”
“I think it was the job. Plus, your brother is super serious.”
“Didn’t used to be,” Alex protested. I knew he blamed himself for that. Worried that he’d messed Lukas up somehow and if he’d been able to stay in the Army, Lukas would be fine. I didn’t think that was the case. Alex leaving for the Army and the constant worry, I think that made Lukas who he was. He buried himself in work trying to help others because he worried he’d missed saving his twin. Sky and I had talked about it, but neither of us brought it up to either brother. Some things couldn’t be changed by simple words.
“Life transforms us all,” I reminded Alex. “You’re not the same guy you were before the Army, right?”
He sighed. “I think I still sometimes am. Like I look at him and think, ‘Wow, he’s put together’ and want to be like him.”
“Lukas is not as put together as he likes people to think.”
“No,” Alex agreed. “And I wonder if that’s my fault.”
“As you once told me:You are not the sun, moon, and stars, yeah? You’re not the sole center of the universe.Not even for your brother.” The GPS directed me to turn onto another side road. I really hoped it wasn’t leading us to Timbuktu.
“Wow. That stuck with you.”
I laughed. “Um yeah. You crushed my dreams. Telling me I’m a worthless toad like everyone else.”
“I didnotsay that.”
“Mhmm,” I teased back. “Sure. Claim the fifth now that you’ve had me in bed. I see how you are.”
Alex huffed. “You found me out. I want you for your body,” he threw back, playing my game. “Oh baby, what you do to me.”
“You’re so bad at this.”
“I’m a bit out of practice at sarcasm. Plus, Idolike your body. But I’m kind of into a lot of other stuff about you too.”
“Like?” I prompted.
“Are you fishing?”
“Yes. Needy tonight, I think. Since the police think I murdered some girl I barely know and all that.” I silently wished that the police would find them.
“They don’t,” Alex said. “Well, maybe. Who knows how they think anyway? Shh, let me think.”
“Don’t hurt yourself.”
“Har har. Well, I love how crafty you are. I feel like if we got stuck somewhere you could MacGyver a way out.”
“I don’t know if I’m that crafty. I think you’re the more practical of the two of us.”