Ravita:No.
Marnie:You’re being a tyrant.
Ravita:This is a PRINCIPLED group chat. We have standards. Our brand is Riley Puth.
Marnie:You're being ridiculous.
I stare at the chat. Rhonda was on my couch wrapped in my blanket. Eating chicken noodle soup with a fever.
I don’t think I can say any of it.
"You okay?" Ravita looks up from her salad. "You've gone very quiet."
"I’m just tired."
"You've been weird since the concert."
"I'm not."
"It’s weird when you smile at your phone."
My thumb is hovering over Rhonda's contact. I didn't realize I'd navigated there. I close the app and pick up my sandwich and try to redirect to Marnie's bass player betrayal. Ravita launches into a passionate defence of brand loyalty that carries us through the rest of lunch with no more questions, but I can feel her watching me.
After lunch I sit at my desk and post the Riley breakdown to the fan account. Four hundred and twelve words about left-hand ghost note technique, annotated screenshots, a slow-motion clip of the cross-sticking transition.
Ravita:Your post is going viral. The Sirens’ official profile just reshared it!
Marnie:LENA. LENA. LENA.
Ravita:LEGEND. You queen.
Marnie:Wait. WAIT. Riley commented! She put a drumstick emoji and a heart emoji!
I stare at my phone. The comment is only two emojis. But it's the most validation I've felt in my life.
Marnie:RILEY PUTH ACKNOWLEDGED YOUR EXISTENCE.
Ravita:This is transcendent. This is the highest achievement of your life now.
I stand up and throw both my fists in the air. Susan from the other side of the office looks my way.
“Sorry, I just wrapped up a huge client file.”
“Well done.” She gives a small nod and went back to her work.
Marnie: (voice note—incomprehensible screaming)
Ravita:That was beautiful. That was pure joy.
Marnie:I will never recover from this.
Ravita:Okay this OFFICIALLY calls for a celebration. Saturday at my place. We are finally doing the Sirens scrapbook.
Marnie:YES. I’ve been hoarding ticket stubs like a raccoon. I will bring the good washi tape.
Ravita:Bring everything! Photos and clippings!
Marnie:I call dibs on the Jani spread.
