EPISODE 2: FOLLOWERS, FAKES & FIRST FEELINGS
534 Words
Scene 1 – Morning, Dorm Room
Sunlight filtered through the blinds.
Amara lay awake, staring at her phone.
That message from last night replayed in her head.
Unknown Number: You can’t fake your life forever.
She checked again.
No reply. No profile. No clue.
Skylar jumped off her bed, energized.
SKYLAR
Rise and shine, baddie! We’re late for breakfast — and people are already talking about you.
Amara forced a smile.
AMARA
Talking… how?
Skylar waved her phone.
SKYLAR
Your i********: hit 5K followers overnight. Someone reposted you on a campus page.
Amara’s stomach twisted.
Fame was supposed to protect her — not expose her.
Scene 2 – Campus Cafeteria
The cafeteria buzzed with noise and laughter.
Amara walked in beside Skylar, suddenly aware of eyes on her.
Whispers followed.
“She’s the new girl.”
“Is she rich?”
“She looks expensive.”
Amara held her head high.
They grabbed food and sat.
Across the room, Ethan sat with his friends.
He glanced at Amara.
This time, he smiled — just a little.
It wasn’t friendly.
It was curious.
Scene 3 – The Influencer Table
Skylar dragged Amara toward a table filled with girls dressed in luxury.
SKYLAR
Girls, meet Amara Jay. She’s blowing up already.
One girl leaned forward.
LUNA
(smirking)
What’s your brand?
Amara froze.
AMARA
My… brand?
LUNA
Yeah. Fashion? Lifestyle? Rich-girl aesthetic?
Amara swallowed.
AMARA
Lifestyle.
They nodded, unimpressed but interested.
LUNA
You should come to the Carter party this weekend.
Amara’s heart jumped.
AMARA
Carter?
SKYLAR
Ethan Carter’s family hosts it every year. Invite-only.
Amara nodded slowly.
Another lie to survive.
Scene 4 – Library Encounter
Later, Amara hid in the quiet corner of the library.
She finally exhaled.
Then a familiar voice.
ETHAN
You’re good at pretending.
She looked up.
Ethan stood there, hands in his pockets.
AMARA
Pretending what?
He sat across from her.
ETHAN
Like you don’t care what people think.
Her guard went up.
AMARA
And you’re good at assuming things.
He chuckled softly.
ETHAN
Fair.
A beat of silence.
ETHAN
Why Westbridge?
She hesitated.
AMARA
Because it’s… far from home.
That part was true.
Ethan studied her face.
ETHAN
You don’t belong here — but not in a bad way.
Her heart raced.
Scene 5 – Fashion Emergency
That evening, Skylar burst into the room.
SKYLAR
Emergency! Carter party is tomorrow.
She dumped clothes on the bed.
Designer dresses. Heels. Jewelry.
Amara stared.
AMARA
Skylar… I can’t afford—
Skylar waved it off.
SKYLAR
Relax. Borrow mine. That’s what roommates are for.
Guilt burned in Amara’s chest.
Scene 6 – Late Night Confession (Almost)
That night, Amara sat alone on her bed, phone in hand.
She opened a blank message to her mother back home.
I’m not who they think I am.
She deleted it.
Her phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number:
Tomorrow night will expose you.
Her hands shook.
Scene 7 – The Party Begins (Cliffhanger)
Luxury lights lit up the Carter mansion.
Cars lined the driveway.
Music thumped.
Amara stepped out of Skylar’s ride wearing borrowed confidence and a dangerous dress.
Eyes turned.
Then Ethan appeared at the top of the stairs.
Their eyes locked.
This time… he smiled fully.
- Writer
