It Was Supposed to Blossom

CHAPTER TWO

Lilly had just released her new video. I watched it on YouTube, while browsing through the Internet, and even though her regular hilarity shone through, it was...different, in a way. It was a collab with The Bella Twins, a sister and a best friend fighting over a girl. I was definitely proud of how far Lilly had come, but my doubts were clear. Ever since her 'I'm III" era, her comedy has changed, from family-friendly, to more mature ratings. Maybe it was because YouTubers evolved as the years went on. I hoped my comedy will not differ from what I consistently produce in the future, but for now, my closest friend's content has been affected like that. It wasn't bad, but it was definitely...something.

I stretched out on the sofas, shut my laptop, and leaned against the cushions. After giving RHPC the whole day off, I was alone in the house. I get up and padded to the kitchen in my bare feet, which was weird and silent, without the usual chatter. I make three slices of toast spread with marmalade, grab a packet of sour cream and onion chips and an unopened chocolate bar and head back to the living room. It was strangely bigger without my crew here.

Shrugging the feeling off, I arrange myself on the sofas, and flick on my favorite show on Netflix, opening the packet of chips. I'm about to crunch another handful when there was the hugest roar of thunder I've ever heard.

I go to the window and press my nose up on it. Rain lashed out against the windowpanes, sliding down the glass like icy fingers. Grey clouds hung low and heavy, while lightning streaked the sky. It was the worst thunderstorm I'd seen in a while. Thankful I was warm and dry indoors, I retreated back to the couch to gorge on my snacks. Then, my iPhone vibrated under a cushion. I toss it aside and pick up the call immediately when I see 'Lilly' flash up on the screen. "Hello?" I say, pausing the episode.

There's a silence on the other line. It's so long I think I lost the connection, when she speaks. "Ryan?" she asks shakily. I am taken aback. Lilly usually sounds so energetic and cheery. "You're my close friend, right?"

"Of course," I bite my lip, wishing we could be more than that one day.

"You'll be honest with me, right?"

"Of course." There is more vigour in my voice now.

"Was my new video bad? You saw it right?" Now desperation is creeping into her voice. I'm puzzled.

"Well, yes, but it was OK-"

"Just look at it," Lilly cuts in fretfully, and I hear clicking in the background. "I've never gotten so many hate comments. Or dislikes."

"I'm going on it now," I say determinedly, opening up my laptop. Within moments I've gone onto her page. I cringe. There are now 158 dislikes in just 2 minutes. I scroll through the comment section, hoping to see the nice things her fans say. But all 246 comments are hating on the production and concept of the video, and how Lilly is changing her comedy. I couldn't believe all the abusive things that spammed the section. I was speechless.

"Well?" prompts Lilly. Then sorrow tinges her tone as she adds, "If you're silent for that long, it's definitely really bad."

"No!" I say hastily, as though she's scalded me. "It's fine, it's fine...every YouTuber gets hate once in a while...and I thought you weren't bothered by it? Why are you so concerned now?"

"Because!" Her anguished tone takes me by surprise. "I've just hit 11 million subscribers. But the number may drop when my new viewers see this. Oh, Ryan...what do I do?" To my shock and horror, I hear her wiping a tear away. Lilly is always strong and postitive. She's never like this.

"Look, Lilly," I say in a rush. "Come to my place, and we'll talk it out. I promise it's not that bad, OK?"

"OK." She sniffed. "I'll be there. Bye, Ryan."