VIRAL | JSCHLATT (stopped)

Eight

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  Schlatt and I were walking side by side, slowly swaying along the Boston pier. There was a big road separating the little one by the fence and the one we were walking on, which was full of lights, pubs, and many little shops. In my hands I was holding my previously worn sandals, feet already growing tired of walking in those shoes, and by my side, was striding a 6'3 brunette.

  "It's all so cozy, isn't it?" I say, more to myself than Jschaltt, and peep into the windows of the restaurants to see the smiling faces of many families and their friends.

  I could see him nod and smile, also looking at the people surrounding us. It was midnight, and no matter how polluted the world may be, the stars were still clearly visible above. I glance upwards, and point to the sky.

"You see that? That's Venus." I exhale. The air feels misty and salty due to the shoreline not being too far from where we were walking.
  The more time I spend walking around with Schlatt, the more I feel distanced from Earth and the world around me. It's so peaceful and tranquil, a sense of ease that comes and goes, mixing in with hints of nostalgia.

  "How do you know?" He seems genuinely interested in something so out of his likes, it seems, as astrology.

  "'Cause I'm a caprisun," I joke so painfully deadpan and blatantly incorrect, that it earns a laugh from Schlatt.

  "No shit, me too."

  "You know what planets always remind me of? Ice cream. Like, Saturn definitely tastes like carmel, y'know?" I feel dazed, and definitely craving a scoop or two.

  "Pluto's blueberry."

  "Pluto isn't a planet," I scoff.

  "It's a dwarf planet, broad." He snickers.

 His very New York-style insults made me snort and laugh, which makes Schlatt beam in return. I look down from the stars and to the man, who was already facing me, a thoughtful grin already plastered on his face.

  "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

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  "But that's why I don't really like conventions.." I mumble, looking down. To not seem overly down or angsty over the previous ruined times I went with friends to a con, I quickly picked up my chin and straightened out my posture. I glanced at Schlatt, whose face was intently focused on me. I smile and could feel myself mentally crumble under his concentrated gaze, so I take a deep inhale.

  "There's no point of shying away from them though," Schlatt reasons, throwing one of his hands in the air. I lick my ice cream, nearly done with it, as he continues. "You know, you're a creator, and what doesn't kill you make you stronger and all that other bullshit."

  I laugh and he slightly grins as I hum the familiar Kelly Clarkson tune, lightening up the situation. Having no idea how we got to discussing our regrets so quickly, it feels good to ease the tension.

  "I mean, yeah, you're right-" Before I could properly close off my sentence, I felt a little droplet of water land on my head. I look up, and another lands right on my eye.

  "Ouch," I rub it and Schlatt laughs a little. "It's raining," I whine with disappointment.

  "Didn't you say you love the rain?"

  "Yeah, but..I dunno," I trail off and look for a good spot to find shelter at, really not wanting this evening to end. By this point in the night, nearly everybody had gone, and there were only wild, daredevil teens and late night working adults roaming the streets, and maybe two YouTubers, as well.

  The rain starts to grow heavy and pours nearly instantly, as we hop under the overlapping roof of a souvenir shop. We chuckle and glance at each other, huddling a little closer than before. Not having anything better to do, we decide to enter the shop.

  It was rusty, wooden, and very cozy inside. There were flickering lights, pictures everywhere, alongside some hanging ornaments and statues to remind the newcomers and tourists that they are, in fact, in Boston.

  "God, I hate Boston," grumbles Jschlatt. "I really do sound like Noah right now."

  I laugh, "Yeah, it's so chilly in here." I raise my hands to cover my upper arms to imitate the cold and shivers that were being sent along my spine. After all, a little dress wasn't doing much to protect me from the storm, especially by the sea.

  Instantly, Schlatt takes the pink hoodie that was hanging from his forearm and straightens it out, projecting it right at me.

  "Oh, come on, Schlatt, it's okay." I smile kindly to reject his offer, but he jokingly glares and walks closer, non verbally pressuring me to take it.

  "Gosh, stop it, you!" I say, and after a few more attempts and closer steps in my direction, I finally give in with an angered expression.

  "This is yours, and I feel like a thief," I make him snicker as I pop my head through the hood and pull down the rest of the top.

  "Maybe don't say that while we're inside a store," he proposes, earning a laugh and a nervous gaze at the cashier from me, who was looking dead-straight at nothing in particular on the wall in front of him. God, that normal life seems awful.

  We walked around the store a little longer and were about to make our way out, but before we could, I heard a little voice behind us.

  "Is that Alexa?" An audible whisper is heard. "Sorry! Alexa! Can I please have a picture with you?"

I turn around, as does Schlatt, and a boy with another two gasp, seemingly at the sight of him by my side.
  They express their love for both of our channels and kindly ask for some pictures, which we decide to take. Standing on either side of each of the boys we smile and pose. They seemed not much older than 14-15, and before we could leave, one of the boys popped up again.

  "Where did you buy that hoodie? I love it," He gives a great smile, which turns to confusion as I respond.

  "Sorry, it's not mine," I grin in return and turn my heel to follow Schlatt, who was already patiently waiting for me at the door.