Page 29 of Unfiltered
Ricki reached down and offered Abby her hand. She took it, and as she rose, Ricki said, “When you walk from the tunnel, pause for a beat, and then look surprised. Then smile. Then hurry toward Blythe any way you want to. I’ll be filming it all, but pretend I’m not here.”
“Thanks,” Abby said and released Ricki’s hand. “I’m a little nervous.”
“I know. But you’ll do fine.” Ricki gave her another smile. It wasn’t as vibrant as Blythe’s, but it was comforting.
Abby smiled, no longer feeling nervous. “Let’s do this.”
CHAPTER 11
With a burst ofspeed, Blythe hopped onto the Metra train behind Abby. As soon as Blythe’s feet were firmly inside the train, she turned and looked for Ricki, who lagged about ten yards behind.
The number of times they’d had to shoot the welcome video necessitated their mad dash across the train station. The more flustered Abby became, the worse she performed. After all the takes, they’d likely have to use one of the earlier videos. It was annoying, but Blythe could edit it, so she’d tried not to show her irritation at Abby.
The doors began to close, so Blythe yelled, “Hurry!”
Only a yard from the opening, Ricki launched herself and slipped between the closing doors. Abby’s backpack got hung up, but Ricki yanked it inside.
Ricki was red-faced and panting when she handed Abby the bag.
“Thank you,” Abby said as she took it. “I’m so sorry you had to carry it. I shouldn’t have packed so many books.”
Books?Abby had packed books? Realization dawned on Blythe, and she smiled. Of course, Abby would want Blythe’s help recording a few book reviews.
“It’s a weird quirk I have. I’m always afraid I won’t have anything to read when I’m away from home, and I’ve never gotten used to ebooks.”
Well, that dashed Blythe’s theory. She let out a snort. “You needn’t worry about that. Ricki has more books than the Chicago Public Library.”
The train began to move, so Blythe walked down the aisle until she found an empty row. She slid into the seat next to the window. When she glanced up, Abby stood looking at the seats before she turned to Ricki. “Um, where would you like to sit?”
Ricki smiled and waved her hand at the seat next to Blythe. “Be my guest. I’ll sit across the aisle.” She pointed at Abby’s bag. “Do you want it with you or on an overhead rack?”
Abby looked at Blythe. “Will it crowd you if I keep it with me?”
Blythe shook her head. “No, it’s fine.”
Once Abby was seated, Ricki flopped down in the seat across the aisle. She let out a loud breath. “We made it.”
“No thanks to me.” Abby frowned. “I’m sorry. I’m not good at making these videos.”
“You did fine.” Ricki leaned forward and met Blythe’s gaze. “Didn’t she?”
Blythe patted Abby’s leg. Abby’s inexperience wasn’t her fault, so Blythe needed to get over it. “You were great.”
Abby beamed. Then her face fell. “You’re just saying that.”
“No, you’re just starting out.” Blythe continued patting Abby’s leg. “You just went viral quicker than most. But content creating is an art and a science, so it takes a while.”
“You should have seen how many times we had to reshoot Blythe’s earlier videos.” Ricki laughed. “I still want to create a blooper reel to show how Un-Dykonic the Dykonic One is.”
Blythe shot Ricki a dirty look. “If those ever see the light of day, I’m suing you.”
Ricki leaned over toward Abby. “She keeps saying she wants to go viral. I’m telling you, those would for sure get her there.”
“Keep it up!” Blythe scowled, but she knew the twinkle in her eye gave her away.
“You two are funny.” Abby smiled as she looked between the two. “Why aren’t you ever in Blythe’s videos?” Abby asked Ricki.
Ricki pointed at Blythe. “You set her up to say that.”
