Writer

Her Name

(3)

It was the first time she felt a cold sweat.

Her real name's Ayumi. A normal plain girl that likes to read stories in the internet, especially in a specific site(It's PG). The kind of person that likes cute things, the opposite of the what Soothy likes. Her jaw tighten.

"Are you Soothy?"

So what gave it away!?

"..No," She snorted, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Where did you got that idea?"

Her mother's eyes narrowed, "That response was late." Yumi stilled. The usual slow-witted mother gone sharp all of the sudden.

She felt a lump in her throat, "Anybody would be when that literally came out of nowhere." They were talking about fashion earlier, a topic that has completely no relations with writing. Added that her mother never ask her like this.

Her mother seemed to accept her answer, "..Fine." Ayumi mentally cheered, until she saw the gleam on her mother's eyes. Her lips parted,

"Have any boys on your mind?"

She covered her face.

______

(2)

"Did you know?" Her father continued, "Soothy published on Saturday mornings."

Ayumi managed to keep her expression normal, except for the slight flash of trembling hands.

"Oh cool." Ignoring the stare directed by her father as she focused on her voice, "What a coincidence." A moment of silence before she reflected on her response— Oh f***.

She messed up—, a gruff tone interrupted her thoughts.

"Of what?" His voice the same added with a sliver of amusement, but no expected confusion. What?

She took a peek from her phone, now noticing her father's gaze and raised brow. She supressed the urge to run, idly noting that her hands feels warm. It can't be that he found out, right? "T-that she published on the same day you guys go to work," S**t--- She added, "What a hardworking woman!" Emphasizing, hoping to distract him from the slip up.

He hummed before going quiet, directing his long gaze from her to the book at his hands, seemingly going to back to where he left off.

Her shoulders tensed, waiting for another unexpected attack before finally going back to reading on the web. But, her eyes wanders to the person in front of her. The phone long forgotten as she ponders the conversation earlier. She only realized before she was lulled to sleep.

Her father was playing with her.

______

(1)

She made a vow to herself before she posted her first ever story.

Never reveal your identity.

The only reason is for the fear of her mother's reaction. Ever since she could remember, her mother despised the one genre she love, allowing all others except that.

She can feel the venom on her mother's tone whenever she speaks of it, it made her hairs stands on end for the whole day. The only one her mother gives an exception to is Soothy. Probably 'cuz of how rich her writing is, she thought.

Though right now, she feels that she wants to break it.

"What if I can get a million views like her?"

She raised a brow, "How do you know it's a her?"

"That's—"

"You know what never mind." She huffed, giving me a look as she crosses her arms, "You can't."

"Yeah. But, what if---"

"Doubt it."

Something inside her snapped, "What if I can, what if I get it like her? On the same genre of books," She continued, "Actually what if I am her--"

"Yumi!"

She stopped, regaining her bearings. Everything seemed to glare at her as she realized what she had just blurred out. Her heart sank,

"Is that true?" Her voice oddly calm, but her piercing glare says otherwise.

Shehastodosomething---"I-It's just a 'what if' mother."

Her mother paused,"..Oh," She continued, "Is that so?" Her voice becoming more cheery. Ayumi nodded, pinching the inside of her cheek as she responds,

"Yep!"

That day her resolve strengthen.

Never reveal your Identity

She added another, letting out a mute scream as she blinked her tears;

Especially to your parents. Ever.

She sniffled at her bed. And this time..

She intends to stay it that way.