The Secret Life of a Wattpad Author

2: 📚

The morning bell at Chiton Preparatory Academy sliced through the stillness of the early day, its chime reverberating through the hallways and amplifying the buzz of anticipation that thrummed through the corridors. Students spilled into their classrooms, their voices merging into a symphony of excitement and curiosity. I navigated through the bustling crowd, clutching a stack of books to my chest, but my thoughts were miles away, tangled in the aftershock of my encounter with the mysterious guy from The Exchange.

As I neared my locker, a burst of animated conversation caught my attention, pulling me abruptly from my reverie. I stopped, my gaze drawn to the fervent discussion unfolding around me.

"Did you hear about the new author on Wattpad?" Emma, a fellow literature enthusiast and friend, was practically vibrating with excitement as she leaned against her locker. "They've skyrocketed to the top of the charts in just a few weeks! Their latest novel has over five million reads!"

My heart skipped a beat. The sudden surge of adrenaline was almost palpable. Could they possibly be talking about me? I had kept my Wattpad identity a closely guarded secret, but the details were too specific to ignore. My fingers tightened around my books as I tried to steady my racing thoughts.

Across the hallway, Jake, a longtime friend and fellow writer, was engrossed in a conversation with a group of students. "You guys have to check out this author's work," he urged with enthusiasm. "Their writing style is so fresh and captivating. And the plot twists—mind-blowing! I can't believe they're just a high school student, like us."

My cheeks flushed with a mix of pride and anxiety. The idea of my stories reaching such a level of popularity was both thrilling and terrifying. Leaning against my locker, I wrestled with the decision that loomed over me. Should I reveal my secret now? Would my friends understand, or would they view me differently?

Sarah, another fellow writer and long-time supporter of my work, approached with an awe-struck look. "Felicity, have you seen the latest buzz about the author on Wattpad?" she asked, her voice trembling with excitement. "They're calling them a prodigy, a literary genius! I've been following their work, and it's phenomenal. I can't believe they're from our school."

I swallowed hard, my throat feeling parched. "Yeah, I've heard some things," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. "It's pretty amazing, isn't it?"

Sarah's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Amazing doesn't even cover it! Their story about the girl in the coffee shop—it's like they captured every detail about our town and the bookstore perfectly. It feels so real, like they wrote it just for us."

My heart pounded fiercely in my chest. I knew exactly which story Sarah was referring to—the one that had resonated with millions, the one that had come to me in a dream. The realization hit me like a tidal wave. My secret was on the verge of being exposed, and the world was beginning to catch on.

As the day wore on, the whispers and speculations about the enigmatic author grew louder. I could hear my classmates exchanging theories about who the author might be, their curiosity palpable. Each glance and whispered comment seemed to pull me deeper into a whirlwind of excitement and dread.

By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, I felt the weight of my secret pressing down on me like a physical burden. I had managed to keep my identity hidden for so long, but now it felt like the truth was on the verge of crashing through my carefully constructed facade.

Walking to my locker, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The hallway was still abuzz with talk of the mysterious author, and the excitement in the air was almost overwhelming. I knew I couldn't avoid the inevitable much longer. The truth was out there, and it was only a matter of time before I had to confront it.

As I fumbled with my locker combination, snippets of conversation reached my ears, heightening my anxiety.

"I heard the author's story is based on real-life events," one student said. "The details about the café and the bookstore—it's uncanny!"

"Do you think they'll reveal who they are soon?" another voice asked. "I mean, someone's bound to find out eventually."

My fingers trembled as I finally opened my locker. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me. It was time to make a decision. Should I reveal my identity now, or continue hiding behind the curtain of anonymity?

Jake, sensing my unease, approached with a look of concern. "Hey, Felicity, you okay?" he asked, his tone laced with genuine worry. "You seem a bit off today."

I forced a smile, attempting to mask my anxiety. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."

Jake's gaze lingered on me, his expression thoughtful. "You sure? You look like you're carrying a heavy burden."

Before I could respond, Sarah joined us, her eyes wide with excitement. "Felicity, you won't believe this, but I just read that the author is rumored to be someone in our school. They've been dropping hints in their latest posts!"

My heart sank. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, and the pressure was mounting. It was time to confront the reality of my situation.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at my friends, my resolve firming. "You know," I began, my voice steady but soft, "I think it's time I told you something. I've been keeping a secret, and maybe it's time to share it."

Sarah and Jake exchanged curious glances, their interest piqued. "What do you mean?" Jake asked, leaning in slightly.

I gripped the edge of my locker for support, my heart pounding. "The author everyone's talking about... it's me."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was stunned silence. Sarah's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way! You're the one?"

I nodded, feeling a wave of relief mingled with nervousness. "Yes, it's me. I've been publishing my stories on Wattpad under a pseudonym. I didn't mean for it to be a secret, but it just happened."

Jake's face lit up with admiration. "That's incredible, Felicity! I had no idea. Your writing is amazing, and it's no wonder it's getting so much attention."

Sarah's excitement was palpable. "I can't believe it! Your story about the coffee shop—it's like you wrote it just for us. This is so cool!"

I smiled, the weight of my secret lifted by the warmth of my friends' support. The journey ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, I felt ready to embrace it fully. With my friends by my side and my dreams within reach, I knew I was prepared to step into the spotlight and see where this path would lead. The future looked bright, and I was excited to face it with renewed purpose and possibility.