After School

When school let out, Anni didn’t join the usual crowd at the gates. Instead, she walked alone, deep in thought. 400 views. That number kept echoing in her mind. It felt like a brick pressing against her chest. She wasn’t giving up, but she couldn’t help feeling like maybe she wasn’t cut out for this.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from Rika.

Rika: “You’ve got this. You just need to believe in yourself more.”

Anni stared at the message for a few moments. She wanted to believe Rika, but it felt harder and harder to do so.

She shoved her phone back in her pocket and continued walking. The weight of her disappointment was still there, but a new thought began to form in the back of her mind. It wasn’t just about streaming anymore. She needed something more... something different. Something real.