Just his follower

Chapter 12: Just his follower

I jolted awake, groggy and disoriented as my phone keeps buzzing on the table beside me.

Late. I'm late!

I stumbled out of bed, my heart pounding and rushed through my morning routine—shower, skincare and throwing on whatever I could pull from the closet. And as I reached for my phone one last time before heading out, I noticed something that made me pause.

No message from Evan.

Yesterday, he texted just to check if I was up, with that laid-back way he has of making sure I come back on time. But today? Nothing. I brushed it off, telling myself he must be busy. I just head out, determined not to let this unsettle me.

Still, the walk felt different somehow and like something wasn’t quite right.

As I rounded the corner to Evan's street, I froze. From a distance, I spotted a small group of people gathered just outside his door, chatting and laughing. I ducked to the side, slipping behind a nearby fence for a better view, trying to make out who they were. They look like a family, a close friends maybe. And then I notice someone—a girl standing infront of him, beaming as Evan leaned in and kissed her cheek. The kind of kiss that felt so natural, like he did it a million times before.

I strained to hear their voices but caught only faint words and laughter, and I notice how Evan’s face lit up with that dazzling smile of his, the one that draws people in. I don't want to admit it, but it stung a little, seeing him like that with someone else.

I took a deep breath as I slipped closer to Evan’s house carefully and quiet, making sure nobody will notice me as I move along the edge of their fence, hidden behind the thick bushes. Suddenly I felt my heart race for reasons I couldn’t fully understand as I try to catch a better glimpse inside, and I can see through the open windows the family I saw from outside, they were gathered comfortably in the living room with voices warm with laughter.

Evan was standing beside the girl, and even from here I could see the wide grin on her face and the way she look at him. Her eyes shining with that easy closeness that look like they had a real history. She also look effortlessly lovely, with an undeniable warmth around her that seem to make Evan’s own smile glow even brighter. They look so right together, at ease and… happy.

My stomach tightened and I found myself glued to the spot, unable to pull away. Is this how Evan is like with the people he is close to? That smile, the way he looked at her when he kissed her cheek—it was so natural, and maybe its just who he is, giving out same kind of treatment to everyone around him.

And maybe… maybe I'm just imaginning that there is anything special about the way he acts toward me. Maybe the way he is with me—the texts, the teasing, the closeness—is just his normal way of being, just like the way he is with everyone. Now, I realize that I’d been holding onto a feeling that's something I couldn’t quite name, and now it seem almost silly.

I ducked down lower, barely even breathing as I watch them share quiet conversations, catching fragments of laughter that drift through the open window. The girl stayed by his side, and he didn’t move away while chatting to a person that looks like older than him. I can tell just by watching them, that this girl was someone who knew him well, who could probably make him laugh with the kind of familiarity that I only been on the edge of.

Finally, I forced myself to pull away, slipping back out of view and down the street. This isn't the right day to be here. I should not let this get to me. Not today.

I turn away deciding that its better if I head toward the company instead. There's work to be done and the team project needs some follow-up. I remind myself that I am an intern photographer and that is something I should focus on, something I know I can control. The last thing I ever want for today is to sit around, letting my mind spiral into things that might never be.

Hours passed, and I am completely immersed in my work. The studio is quiet and mostly interns like me scattered around since its the weekend, and most of the regular employees were off. I like the emptiness—it let me focus, or at least that’s what I told myself. As I continue to distract myself with work, one of my coworkers -Anna, walk by and paused when she saw me.

“Hey, Moriah! Didn’t expect to see you here today,” she said, a bit surprised. “Thought you’d be busy working with Evan on those track samples?”

I quickly forced a smile, hoping it will look natural. “Oh, yeah... I just thought I’d get ahead on some studio work.” I replied, trying to keep my voice light. I don't want anyone guessing why I am really here, buried in editing software as I try to get my mind off things. Just then, Anna gave a quick nod, seeming to buy the excuse and wandered off. I took a deep breath and went back to my work, focusing on every tiny detail in the edits.

But just as I got back to working few seconds ago, I saw my phone starting to buzz infront of me, its Lyka. I remember that I sent her a quick message before coming here, telling her why I am at the studio. And knowing her, I figured she have a lot to say about my unexpected weekend plans, so I wasn’t surprised when my phone buzzed with her call.

I picked up, plugging in my earbuds and braced myself for her usual excited reaction. “Moriah!” Lyka’s voice practically spilled out of my earpiece, loud and clear. “I did a little digging, I found her account as one of Evan's followers and I think I know who that girl at Evan’s place.”

My heart skipped as I kept my eyes on the screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard. “Go on.”

“Her name’s Hailey,” Lyka said sounding clearly satisfied with her intel. “She’s been friends with Evan since 2017. Apparently, she’s a family friend too, especially when his family moved after his mom retired. And guess what? She’s posted tons of pictures with him on her social feed. I think they’re really close, Moriah."

I didn’t even realize I picked up my phone until I was scrolling through Hailey’s page, while Lyka narrating through my ear and checking all the posts myself. She was right, Evan liked nearly every post of Hailey’s, and there were even birthday photos, group pictures, casual hangouts… pictures with the same people I saw at his house today. They looked very happy and easy in each other’s company. But the more I scroll, the heavier I fell. Why I haven't noticed this before? It's obvious that there's a whole history, a whole other life that Evan have been living—one I wasn't been part of, one I haven't even realize was there.

Lyka’s voice softened, catching on to my silence. “Hey… you okay, Moriah?” she asked gently.

I took a shaky breath, trying to swallow the tangle of thoughts that built up inside me. What if its too late?

I cleared my throat, trying to sound casual, though I knew Lyka will see right through me. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just… processing, I guess."

Lyka paused, and then her voice softened even more. "Listen, Moriah… it’s okay to feel a bit thrown by all this. I mean, you and Evan are finally reconnecting, working on this music together, and then you see him with someone who’s clearly been a big part of his life. But don't let it bound to mess with your head."

I gave a small, hollow laugh. "It’s just… I didn’t realize he got this whole other world. Friends he knew for years, people who really know him, who probably get sides of him I’ve never even seen."

Lyka sighed. "Moriah, that doesn’t mean there’s no room for you. You and Evan have your own connection, one that’s different from what he have with anyone else. You don’t have to know every detail of his life to mean something to him."

I wanted to believe her, but the images of Evan and Hailey—smiling, laughing together, so comfortable with each other—just couldn't leave my mind.

"I don’t know, Lyka. I feel… out of place, like maybe I was just imagining things. The way he’s been with me, I thought… I thought it meant something. But maybe that’s just how he is—friendly, warm, affectionate with everyone. And I am just his follower, someone who only saw glimpses of his life before from his social media account."

She didn’t respond immediately, then finally said "Look, I think you owe it to yourself—and to Evan—to see where things go. Don’t shut yourself out because of someone else have place in his life. You two are working together, and you’re already creating memories. Just… don’t give up on that before it even starts, alright?"

I closed my eyes, letting her words sink in. She's right, even if part of me wanted to ignore it and to protect myself. "Thanks, Lyka."

"Anytime, Moriah." she said warmly. "But hey, don’t let this keep you locked in the studio all day. Take a break, clear your mind and do something that reminds you why you’re doing all this in the first place."

I smiled, grateful for her. "Yeah. Maybe I will."

I felt a little lighter as we ended the call. The doubts is still there lingering in me, but Lyka’s words gave me enough hope to keep going.

Hours passed and when I finally looked up, the studio was practically deserted and the sky outside the window turned inky black. I glanced down at my wristwatch—and it's nearly eight in the evening, I didn't even realize how late it was. I've been here at the office since morning, I can't even remember if I took breaks. All I know is I consumed too much coffee that I should have not. So I decided to start packing up, closing down my laptop and gathering my things. I picked up my phone and I notice it was completely dead. Just perfect.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and stepped out into the cool night air, heading down the quiet sidewalk. As soon as I start walking, I heard a faint loud beep behind me like someone trying to get my attention. I ignored it at first, thinkning its probably for someone else. But the sound came again, closer this time. I turn around confused, and saw the glow of a motorcycle headlight approaching me. As soon as the bike came to a stop right in front of me, I watch the rider pulling off his helmet in one swift motion- I caught my breath seeing that the rider is - Evan.

He flashed that familiar smirk, and I could tell he was trying to read my expression. “Thought I’d find you here.” he said, resting his helmet on the handlebars.

“Evan, what—how did you…?” I stammered, completely surprised. "You… you have a motorbike? Since when?"

Evan shook his head showing a hint of irritation flickering across his face. "It’s not mine, Moriah. I just borrowed it. I'm worried I wouldn't catch you on time to give you a ride home." His voice was unusually firm, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange tension in the air, like he was holding back something. I swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous.

"That’s... nice of you, but I’m really fine walking," I said, my voice wavering. "Besides, I don’t know how to ride one of this, it looks.. huge."

Before I could even say another word, Evan stepped forward and slipped a helmet over my head with his expression set and unreadable. "Just get on." he said, his voice sound soft but firm and leaving no room for argument.

As I feel the weight of the helmet settle over me, I gave in and climb onto the bike and trying not to make the tension between us any more worse, even though I am not sure what is happening right now and how did this guy even know I'm here? Once I found my comfort seating, Evan’s voice came over his shoulder, low and commanding.

"Hold on tight."

Awkwardly, I reached forward to him and placing my hands on the pockets of his jacket, barely gripping. I feel like this whole situation felt surreal and the last thing I never wanted to happen is to make him uncomfortable. But then, with a sudden twist of the throttle, Evan sped up catching me off guard! I gasped and instinctively tightened my grip around his waist, feeling my heart pounding.

"That’s better." he muttered, his voice carrying a trace of frustration.