VIRAL | JSCHLATT (stopped)

One

  "No, no, it was nothing like that," I chuckle at the question of the girl that just inquired about the latest video I made with Wilbur where we made up campfire songs while being completely isolated in the woods. He was one of my closest buddies, but everyone's assumptions were much like hers. "Platonic is a word that all you lot should remind yourself of more frequently!" I smile and point at the audience, Wilbur, who's been placed a few seats away from me, jokingly glaring at the rest of the giggling members of the panel. He's taken, trust me.

  Ah, yes, PAX East. A never-ending wave of signatures, rumors, photos, and games. A fun little roller coaster for a weekend, during which you are able either to rise to fame quicker than you thought or diminish your career completely.

  "I mean, she's wearing Slimecicle merch and not mine, so.." Wilbur jokes with the crowd, trailing off his sentence whilst turning to me with a raised brow. Knowing my appreciation and respect for the boys of the Lunchclub, or at least one of them, he hints at there being more reasons for me to show off my supportive side. And, well, there is.

  "It's for the views, love." I imitate his accent and the audience laughs, as so do the others on stage, and the questions swiftly proceed on to the following person.

  It's all a scheme. You make some videos, you drop some names, you make collabs, and then you go viral. It's not easy, but after becoming the second most subscribed to female on YouTube, finally I wasn't the one to be chasing the fans. At least, not always.

  Soon after, the panel ended and the discussions were slowly getting drawn out whilst the streamers and YouTubers made their way backstage. I was the first to go down the steps, Wilbur's hand drawing the black curtain open before I could, which I grin at him for as a sign of gratitude, as I'm welcomed with a huge smile and open arms. Charlie, the boy on my T-Shirt, was standing in front and beaming with delight.

  "Your first panel! I can't believe it!"

  "You're so dramatic," I tug my lips into a lazy smile and roll my eyes. He pulls me into a hug as I jokingly swing my arms at my sides, not hugging back. He scrunches his nose when he pulls away and takes me wrists.

  "How was it?" He's such a puppy.

  "Well..it was..it was.. I mean - you saw the whole thing!" I can't help but smile at his clueless excitement. Each year I've been invited to PAX I've always rejected the offer, mostly because it seemed like such an immense effort to put on a happy-go-lucky character for three days straight. I am money-orientated, yes. I can merely smell the crispy newly printed green notes that were filling my bank account with each step I took, but such a frantic convention it wasn't worth my mental health. If it wasn't for Charlie, whom I've met several months ago online and only recently reunited with in real life, I would have bailed this November as well. I've since gotten messages from Cooper and Traves about collaborations, and a few other streamers who weren't as mainstream as I would have liked. Cooper seems like a nice guy.

  "Dude..Thanks for coming." His eccentric facial expression winds down, and only then I notice the chaos happening behind us. My future short-term band members are pacing around, and small groups of people are talking and wildly exclaiming with their hands in the air. I guess I stare for a moment too long as Charlie looks behind him. He raises an eyebrow and points his thumb to the cooler, where the rest of the Lunchclub boys stood, right next to the food laid out for the performers. I shrug light-heartedly as we make our way towards the corner of introverts.

  "Hogging the entirety of the snacks table, huh?" I smirk with a laugh, putting my hand on Cooper's shoulder. The circle opens up as I make eye contact with the remaining five I haven't spoken to or met yet. They all smile shyly, clearly not used to sudden interruption in their conversations, when Carson pipes up.

  "Alexa, right?"

  "That's right," I grin foxily as one of Wilbur's friends taps my shoulder and hands me my electric guitar. It was about to be showtime - him, his friends, and I will be performing a few songs that we've written together out of pure boredom and fun in hopes of lighting a spark in the music career, as well as to aid out with the instability of YouTube nowadays. Not only will it be spectacular, but we'll stand out for sure. It's what everybody wants but only little achieve.

  "I'm quite a big fan - all of us are. Too bad you like Charlie more than the rest," Carson chuckles and so do the others, and only then do I begin to notice them one by one. Carson's glasses are crooked, Cooper has a bruise on his arm which I accidentally gave him about a week ago when visiting Cali, Ted's shining smile blinding the room's participants, Traves is shyly grinning, reminding me of the wholesome Minecraft video we filmed last week, Noah seems to still be distracted by mine and Charlie's sudden appearance, and Schlatt...

  I like his hoodie.

  I prop my guitar onto my knee and lean onto the edge of the table, as the circle shifts into an oval surrounding me and Charlie. I begin to tune it with the electric tuner that's been attached prior, and to break the silence, Cooper chimes in.

  "You remember this?" He points to the purpling blue spot on his arm. I solely avert my eyes onto him and flash a guilty grin. "Yeah, you do. It still hurts, y'a know.." He pouts angitly, making Carson's face flush and scrunch up with cringe.

  "Awh, tough love," I poke his bruise.

  "That wasn't very good," JSchlatt has decided to speak up. Charlie looks away.

  "And who are you to tell me that?" I tease, raising my eyebrows at him.

  "Someone who can do a better job," He says and jabs his thumb into the blonde's arm.

  "Yo, fuck you, Shlatt!" Cooper laughs as do the rest. I give a warm smile at their friendship, still tuning my guitar. "That was mediocre," I comment. Too easy, Schlatt, too easy.

  I mean, don't get me wrong - he's not bad looking. If anything, he'd be the one to get more fanfics written about him. But is there anything special to this kid?

  "Uh, please.." He rolls his eyes. A hand reaches in between Cooper and Carson's shoulders and Wilbur's head leans in, "We're on in five," and disappears.

  "Well, boys, that's my queue," I straighten myself out and place my hand on Cooper's shoulder. I nod at Schlatt and begin to make my way through the darkened hallway in front.

  "We'll be watching!" He exclaims after me.

  I smile over my shoulder, "You better!"

////

Woohoo! First chapter. I forgot the adrenaline I have when I do this. 

Don't worry, these author's notes won't be a usual occurrence, I just wanted to say thanks for reading it! Make sure to add it to your library or list so you don't miss out on any updates. My schedule is quite peculiar..

Please, if you have any comments or feedback on changed or additional ideas, let me know! It'll be a pleasure to read them!

Thanks once more!

- HONORGUK