My Slime

10. Boundaries and Bridges

After Chris's live apology went viral, Gigi's phone practically blew up. Overnight, her follower count skyrocketed, climbing past 300,000 and counting. The comments ranged from supportive to wild, with a blend of admiration and envy filling her notifications. She was receiving messages from fans calling her a "legend" and "an icon," praising her for staying true to herself and handling Chris's apology with style.

But it wasn't all positive. Chris's die-hard fans—some who were convinced he was meant for them—weren't as forgiving. She got her fair share of hate too, ranging from backhanded compliments to straight-up nasty comments. And then there were the trolls, relentless as always, saying anything to try and get under her skin.

Despite the mix of responses, it was undeniable: her status was shifting. Offers started flooding in, from brand deals to fashion collaborations. Even Fashion Nova had reached out, eager to work with her and make her an official ambassador. Managers, publicists, influencers, and even reality show producers started sliding into her DMs, pitching everything from partnerships to management offers.

One night, she decided to escape the frenzy of social media and plan something special for Chris, something that could pull them out of the spotlight and back into their own little world. She packed a basket with all of his favorite things, and created a cozy setup right in his backyard, overlooking the city lights. Plush blankets and comfy pillows were sprawled across the grass, a small lantern casting a warm glow. The stars were bright above them, their own private little universe.

Chris grinned, glancing around at the setup. "G, you really outdid yourself," he said, pulling her into a soft hug. "My backyard ain't never looked like this."

She smiled up at him, feeling a rush of warmth at his appreciation. "I figured we could use a little escape. Just us and the stars."

They settled onto the blanket, sharing food and laughter as they gazed up at the night sky. After a while, the conversation drifted into more personal territory, Chris bringing up topics like cosmic energy, fate, and the idea that certain people were meant to come into our lives for a reason.

"You really believe in all that?" Gigi asked, looking at him with genuine curiosity.

Chris nodded, his gaze soft but intense. "Yeah, I do. I think everything happens for a reason. People cross our paths when we ready for them, or maybe when we need them most. Like, you ever just know something's meant to happen?"

Gigi thought for a moment, nodding slowly. "I do. Honestly, I feel like I manifested this, like... all of this," she said, gesturing around them. "I used to dream about something like this, but I never thought it would actually happen... Especially being from a place like Savannah."

Chris's smile widened, a glimmer of admiration in his eyes. "Oh you manifested me, huh?" he teased.

She laughed, nudging him playfully. "Maybe I did." She teased back, thinking about all the moments she'd spent daydreaming about Chris and the late nights imagining what she would do if she ever met him. "But for real, sometimes it's like the universe just... aligns. Like it knows exactly what you need, even if you don't realize you need it yet."

They fell into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the city a distant hum beneath the stars. But eventually, the conversation shifted again with Chris bringing up her newfound popularity.

"You know, you blowin' up right now," he said, looking at her with a hint of pride. "It's time to really take advantage of it, G. I could help set up a meeting, get you connected with some legit management, start branding yourself."

Gigi's eyes widened slightly, her expression uncertain. "I don't know, Chris. I didn't plan for all this. I'm not even sure I wana be famous..."

He shook his head, chuckling softly. "It's a lil too late for that baby, you attached to a famous nigga." he chuckled, wrapping an arm around her. "But this ain't about fame. It's about usin' your name and monetizing what you already have. You got a whole following now. You could make some serious motion."