Page 6 of Stalked By the Gamer

Everything okay? Caught some of your beach pics. Seems like you've carved out a slice of paradise for yourself. You always look so happy on your posts. Did something happen?

My heart thumps an erratic beat. Blaze follows my posts? I'm caught between the thrill of unexpected attention and the raw edge of vulnerability.

It's beautiful here, and I love it. It's not always sunshine and waves, though. Today's been rough, honestly.

Want to talk about it?

His offer is a line cast into my turbulent sea, and I find myself clinging to it, willing to bite. So, I confess, my words pouring out like the tide I can’t control.

Sometimes, it feels like I'm screaming into the void. Like today. I shared something real, and it's like nobody heard, nobody saw. It's like...people only see what they want to see—the happy, bubbly me modeling products for them.

"Blaze's reply is swift, a flash of anger on my behalf.

Fuck that. I saw you. I heard you. You're not alone, Nova.

I catch myself smiling. I draw my knees up to my chest, hugging them tight as warmth filters through me.

Thanks, Blaze. That means more than you know.

Any time. And hey, if you ever need to escape the 'void' and hang with someone who gets it, I'm here. We can share a sunset, or whatever.

My laugh is a surprised burst, a bubble popping in an otherwise stagnant room.

I might take you up on that. #SunsetChaser.

Looking forward to it. #sincere

His message is punctuated with a winking emoji, and it's like a secret promise tucked between pixels.

Talk soon.

I type my goodbye, my pulse drumming beneath my skin, alive with the echo of something that's been quiet for too long—connection.

Very soon.

I can almost hear the grin in his words.

A flush crawls up my neck, heat blooming from a place that's been cold and cobwebbed. I let the phone slip from my fingers, the screen dimming, but the ember he's ignited flickers on. There's a wildness unfurling within me, a yearning mixed with the sweet poison of potential. Blaze Montgomery, the dark horse in my pastel world, might just be the disruption I crave, the one who sees the girl behind the glow.

"Blaze..." I whisper to the walls, tasting the name, letting it coat my tongue with its smoky promise.

It's crazy. I have no idea what he looks like—only what he sounds like from hearing him talk to my brother from miles away, but I already feel more connected to him than the people I interact with every day.

Maybe he's right. Maybe I'm not alone.

CHAPTERTHREE

Blaze

I check my phone again,pulse racing. There. Nova replied. We've been chatting on and off since that night I finally got the balls to make contact with her, and I've never been happier. Just getting a simple message from her makes my day like nothing else.

Hey you! How have you been?

Better now that you've graced me with your presence again. I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me.

As if I could forget about you. ?? How's the new game design coming along?

It's getting there. Still needs more playtesting. You should come try it out, give me your expert opinion.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com