Page 23 of Someone Just Followed You

I feel a smile form. I know it’s pathetic. Pretending to call her out when she’s fast asleep in bed and I’m out here, freezing my butt off. But still, it feels good. Before tonight, I couldn’t stay mad at her. Because every time she let me down, she’d twist things, make me feel like I was the one at fault – too lazy, or ungrateful; too stupid or selfish to see what we were building. And then I’d blame myself.

But I’m not doing that anymore.

She doesn’t love me, not unconditionally like parents are supposed to. So why should I listen to her?

‘I don’t think she did hear you, actually, but I did, and I think that’s a fair call.’

My head whips around. It looks like I’m not alone anymore.

Chapter 29

Maple

‘Shit, Dylan,’ I say, wiping my eyes, hoping the cold air has taken the red blotches out of my skin.

‘Sorry,’ he says. ‘I couldn’t sleep, and I saw you through the window. Mind if I join you?’

‘Um, I guess.’ I watch him walk over to the lounger next to mine and drop down. I can’t help noticing that it’s exactly how we were sitting earlier, when Mom took that video. My heart starts to thud at the memory. FIRST KISS!!

‘You’re pissed off with your mom, huh,’ he murmurs, looking out at the pool. ‘Guess I can’t blame you for that.’

I nod, drag my bottom lip with my teeth. ‘Did you …’

‘Yeah, I saw it,’ he interrupts. ‘Couldn’t avoid it really; your mom tagged me.’ He shrugs. ‘Well, actually you tagged me, your account, but I figured your mom was behind it.’

‘On YouTube?’ I whisper.

‘On everything.’

‘Oh God, I’m so sorry.’

‘It’s not your fault.’

‘But she’s my mom – it happened at our home. You must hate us.’

‘I don’t know,’ he murmurs. ‘I have pretty low expectations as far as parents go.’

I think about how Mom came across Dylan via the influencer school his mom’s set up, the one I’m supposed to be starting at in August, something else she didn’t bother to discuss with me. ‘Is your mom as obsessed with clicks as mine?’

He sighs, half smiles. ‘Nah, she barely understands social media. But she pretty much does what my dad says. I’m sure she’d prefer to still be teaching elementary school if he’d let her, but Dad decided a senior school for kidfluencers has better earning potential.’

‘And your dad always gets what he wants?’ I ask.

‘Our family is traditional that way.’

‘Skateboarding sensation on TikTok doesn’t sound that traditional.’

Dylan laughs, which makes me feel a tiny bit better. But the sound quickly fades. ‘Providing for your family is the traditional part,’ he goes on. ‘Dad works in real estate, but the money’s up and down. He heard through church how much influencers can earn and figured we should start monetizing my skateboarding.’

‘At least you’ve got an actual skill to earn from,’ I mutter. ‘And my friend Coco’s channel is about trying to uncover a real-life killer. While I just make lame “get ready with me” reels and do stupid pranks.’

‘I’m not that good a skateboarder,’ Dylan counters. ‘Yeah, I can do some tricks, but so can lots of riders. They just don’t make a big thing of it on social media.’

‘Well, you look pretty good to me.’ I cringe as I realize how that sounds, then quickly start talking again. ‘And I guess sponsorship must bring lots of opportunities.’

‘Yeah, but not the ones I want.’

‘How’s that?’ I ask, genuinely curious.