In The Spotlight

Pin- Spaceman Fashion

In typical fashion, I had to sit and smile through everyone else before me. My last name starts with 'Y,' so it was like that a lot growing up, too.

The saddest part is that I think I'm pretty interesting. I can bake up a storm, I can play the drums, and I change my eye color daily. Maybe they're just saving the best for last.

"Pin," Woody began, placing his arms on the table, resting his chin on his hands. "You, unlike many of your peers, have social media. What's it like to gain thousands of followers in three days?" Blocky, nodding at his partner, leaned back in his chair.

Something interesting! I was worried I wouldn't know how to answer whatever they had for me, but this was easy. I had already thought a lot about it. "I think it's cool! It's a better way to get to know me than just my few minutes of screen time." A murmur of laughter came from the audience. "And I love to bake and share my creations, so that's a bonus."

I wondered if they might ask follow-up questions or interact or something, but they just moved on to the ending thoughts of the segment. Three sentences and I'm done. I can't decide whether to laugh or cry. After all, it's a little funny how excited I was for this when it turned out to be almost nothing.

Whatever. There's a lot I'm not supposed to say anyway.

Flower went out again with some girl, who was apparently unemployed. Why else do you go for drinks on a Thursday night? This left our home base perfectly empty. A great place for me to unwind. A warm bath was in order. It was only 7:20, so if I timed it right, I could catch Wheel of Fortune afterward.

The world had other plans for me tonight, though.

I was filling the tub when Flower started knocking like a madman. She must have had a bad date and forgotten her key. I rubbed the bridge of my nose and opened the door for her.

However, unless Flower had shrunk a half foot, dyed and chopped her hair, and started dressing like an office intern, Coiny was the one looking back at me.

"Hello?" He wasn't quite talking, and I figured it was because I didn't look like I normally do. "Sorry about the brown eyes and lack of a leather jacket. I don't wear that to bed."

"I kept a secret from you." He looked down at his shoes, which were plain brown and not very fun to stare at.

"Ok... Come inside."

He didn't make eye contact as he paced through the small space. He moved his gaze from straight down to straight up.

"Dude, what is going on?" Finally, he looked at me. "Just tell me. I won't be mad."

"It's about the alliance."

"Go on."

His fingers darted around without purpose as he spoke. "I had the idea before, but I saw something that told me it had to happen. To protect each other."

What on earth was he talking about? "What did you see?"

"Loser and Cake from our show. Together."

"That's crazy! Cake and Loser are friends?"

He squeezed his eyes closed and shook his head. "No, together."

Suddenly, my feet were covered in invisible space boots. Too heavy to move, I was stuck in place. "Why wouldn't- Why didn't you tell me? If we're making a group with them, I need to know about liars!"

"I didn't want to out him or something! Like, as LGBT or as with Loser."

I combed through my hair with my hands. "Why are you telling me now, then?"