Julie sits on her bed, staring at her phone as she uploads the 3th video with Tristan. The forced smiles and exaggerated happiness in the video feel like a facade she can barely maintain. Once the video is live, she sighs and leans back against the pillows, the weight of her reality pressing down on her.
A few moments later, her phone buzzes with a notification. She glances at it, expecting more comments from fans. Instead, she sees a direct message notification on Instagram. The username catches her eye
@ellentyler wants to send you a message!
Her heart skips a beat as she remembers the black-haired girl who helped her at the party.
Curiosity piqued, she opens the message.
---
@ellentyler- Hey, Julie. I don't know if you remember me, but I helped you out at the party the other night. I found your watch in my purse and figured I should get it back to you. Hope you're doing okay!
---
Julie feels a strange mix of relief and excitement. She remembers Ellen vividly—the kindness in her eyes, the way she held her hair and made her feel safe, even in such a vulnerable moment. Her fingers hover over the keyboard as she tries to figure out what to say.
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@juliejustice-Hi Ellen! Of course, I remember you. Thank you so much for helping me that night. I really appreciate it. I've been meaning to find that watch! How did it end up in your purse?
---
The response is almost immediate.
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@ellentyler-I have no idea! You were pretty out of it, but I'm guessing you slipped it in there by mistake. Anyway, I'd love to return it to you. Maybe we can meet up sometime?
---
Julie smiles, feeling a warmth she hasn't felt in a while. She types quickly.
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@juliejustice-I'd love that! I'm free most evenings. Just let me know when and where.
---
As she sends the message, she hears footsteps approaching her room. Tristan enters, his expression neutral but his eyes watchful. Julie quickly locks her phone, not wanting him to see the conversation.
"Who are you texting?" he asks, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
"No one important," Julie replies, trying to sound casual. "Just a fan asking about my watch."
Tristan seems to accept this, nodding. "Alright. We've got another video to shoot later. Be ready."
Julie nods, forcing a smile. "Of course."
As soon as he leaves the room, she unlocks her phone to see Ellen's response.
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@ellentyler- Great! How about tomorrow evening at that new café downtown? I think it's called The Cozy Corner.
---
Julie's heart races with anticipation. She types back quickly.
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@juliejustice- Sounds perfect. I'll be there. Thank you again, Ellen. You're a lifesaver.
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@ellentyler- No problem at all. Looking forward to seeing you again, Julie.
---
Julie puts her phone down, a genuine smile spreading across her face. For the first time in a long while, she feels a flicker of hope, a possibility of something better. She can't wait to see Ellen again, to maybe find a friend in this sea of isolation Tristan has created around her.
Ellens point of view:
Ellen is sprawled out on her couch, sketchpad in hand, absentmindedly doodling as the TV drones on in the background. Her mind keeps wandering back to the blonde girl from the party. She can't shake the memory of helping her in the bathroom, the way Julie seemed so lost and vulnerable. Ellen feels a strange mix of concern and curiosity about her.
Suddenly, her phone buzzes with a notification. She glances at it, her heart skipping a beat when she sees it's from Instagram. She quickly opens the app, hoping it's a response from Julie. She'd sent the message earlier, unsure if Julie would even remember her.
---
@juliejustice- Hi Ellen! Of course, I remember you. Thank you so much for helping me that night. I really appreciate it. I've been meaning to find that watch! How did it end up in your purse?
---
Ellen feels a wave of relief and excitement wash over her. She smiles, quickly typing a response.
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@ellentyler- I have no idea! You were pretty out of it, but I'm guessing you slipped it in there by mistake. Anyway, I'd love to return it to you. Maybe we can meet up sometime?
---
She hits send and leans back, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. Ellen has always been confident and extroverted, but there's something about Julie that makes her heart race a little faster. Maybe it's the way she looked so grateful and sweet despite being in such a rough state.
Her phone buzzes again.
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@juliejustice- I'd love that! I'm free most evenings. Just let me know when and where.
---
Ellen feels a surge of excitement. She quickly types back.
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@ellentyler- Great! How about tomorrow evening at that new café downtown? I think it's called The Cozy Corner.
---
As she waits for a response, she thinks back to the party. Helping Julie had felt natural, like the right thing to do. There was something about her, even in her drunken state, that drew Ellen in. Maybe it was her charisma, or the way she managed to be charming even while being sick. Whatever it was, Ellen is eager to see her again, to get to know her better.
Another buzz.
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@juliejustice- Sounds perfect. I'll be there. Thank you again, Ellen. You're a lifesaver.
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@ellentyler- No problem at all. Looking forward to seeing you again, Julie.
---
Ellen sets her phone down, a smile playing on her lips. The memory of Julie's grateful eyes and soft blonde hair flashes in her mind. She can't wait for tomorrow evening, to see Julie in a different setting, to talk to her and maybe even become friends. She feels a strange sense of anticipation, hoping that this could be the start of something meaningful.
---
The next day, Ellen wakes up feeling unusually excited. She spends the day at the art school where she works, her students' projects providing a welcome distraction. But her mind keeps drifting back to the upcoming meeting. She finishes her day at the school, gathering her things and heading home to prepare.
Later, she calls Maud to share her excitement.
---
**Ellen:**
"Hey Maud, you remember that girl I helped at the party?"
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**Maud:**
"The blonde one? Yeah, what about her?Did she respond your message?"
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**Ellen:**
"Yes and yes!We're meeting up tonight so I can return her watch."
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**Maud:**
"Oh my God, that's awesome! You must be so excited."
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**Ellen:**
"Yeah, I really am. She seemed so cool, even though she was totally wasted. I just hope everything goes well tonight."
---
**Maud:**
"I'm sure it will. Just be yourself, Ellen. You're amazing, and she'll see that."
