Page 26 of Shapes of Love
sashaplsnoticemesenpaihow long have you been dating? who made the first move?
kassyismyotpTHE WAY HE LOOKS AT YOU LIKE YOU HUNG THE MOON AND THE STARS… I CAN’T!
sashanationbrasilCOME TO BRAZIL!
sassysbellybuttonpiercingyou guys are so CUTE and i’m SO SINGLE
A tinge of self-hatred simmers beneath my skin. Their comments are well intentioned, but it’s a lot to take in. I don’t like that I’m contributing to the idea that life is better when you’re in love. But it’s only for six months, I remind myself, and then I’ll be free. Kai and I will “break up” amicably, and my music will just be my music again. For now,however, I guess Kai and I have officially hard-launched. My fans are into it—a few are a little too into it, I decide, when someone sends me a DM with an AI picture of what our six (huh?) children would look like.
I’m about to close out the app when another DM catches my eye. I can’t read them all, but I like to leave them open in case anyone wants to reach out privately.
@SASHAWORLDDOMINATION
hii! i just wanna say thank you. ur music is one of the reasons i’m alive today.
Oh.
I pause as the message sinks in. I— There must be a mistake. Has my music really helped someone like that? Me?
A blend of gratitude and responsibility crashes over me as I type a reply. Moments like these remind me why I share my songs. It almost makes it all worth it—the lies, the fake relationship, the person I pretend to be for them. If I… or well, Sassy—if Sassy can touch someone on such a deep level, then it’s all worth it.
Marissa’s name obscures the screen before I can respond. She’s calling. With a sigh, I answer.
“Good morning!” she says. She tells me how happy my label is that Kai posted about us, and then adds, “Guess who got you a small part on the new season ofFriday, the Netflix show.”
I bolt upright. “No fucking way.”
Fridayis a popular YA show that combines dark academia with elements of fantasy and horror. Mia and I binged the entire first season last year over FaceTime.
“And the best part is that it films in London for two weeks! You leave on Monday.”
“What?” My body turns cold. Monday? That’s in two days. Wait, what does she mean I leave on Monday? I was supposed to have time off, and Mia and I were going to have a sleepover. I mean, this is great, but my family just got back and I can finally rest here and—
“You don’t seem excited,” Marissa deadpans.
“I am. I’m just in shock. I mean, my family just came back. I wanted to spend some time with them… Let me think about it?”
“Think about it?” Marissa sighs. I hate that I can hear the disappointment in her voice. “Sasha, I worked my ass off for this. It’s a great opportunity to branch out, and to be known for something other than your music and your relationship, like you wanted. And, you know, it’s your favorite show. I thought you’d be happy.”
“I am.” I think. I love the show, and I’ve always wanted to meet Rosa, the actress who plays the lead, and Asher, who plays the golden-retriever love interest. Most of all, I’d love to meet the writers so I can bribe them into telling me what happens after the first season’s cliffhanger.
“You can bring Kai. You should bring Kai, actually. You two will have plenty of time to sightsee, too. It’ll be great for PR. I bet he’d love to travel. You’d be doing him a favor.”
“I—” The room spins around me. “I’ll call you later.”
The echo of tires screeching against the pavement slices through the street. I take a few steps back on the sidewalk as Mia rounds the corner, her SUV narrowly avoiding a collision with a tree when she attempts to parallel park.
“Sorry I’m late!” She waves at me through the window. “LA traffic can suck my dick.”
A gentle afternoon breeze tousles my hair as a grin lights up my face.
“Don’t worry! It’s okay!” I reassure her as she hops out of the car. If there’s one thing Mia hates, it’s being late, so she’s probably stressing out. “Hola, fea.”
“¡Hola, feísima!” She throws her arms open, the sunlight casting a warm glow on her face. I jump into her arms, and she squeezes me. “I’ve missed you, Sash.”
“Me too, Mimi.” I hold her tight. Neither of us lets go. It’s strange. There was a time when being apart for more than a week felt like an eternity. Now it’s been months.
“Are you ready?”
