Shina did not breathe for a few seconds.
The message stayed on the screen.
I want to see you.
He blinked once. Then again. The words did not change.
His thumb hovered over the phone like touching it might make the message disappear. For a moment he honestly wondered if someone had edited the screenshot and sent it to him as a prank.
Then he checked the profile again.
Blue verification badge.
Millions of followers.
The same profile picture he had seen on streaming platforms and award shows.
It was real.
Shina jumped to his feet so suddenly the plastic chair beside the bed fell over.
"Jesus!"
He paced the small lodge room, running one hand over his head.
"Jesus… Jesus…"
His heart was racing so hard it almost felt painful.
He opened the message again just to be sure.
Still there.
Still real.
"I want to see you."
He let out a laugh that sounded half like panic.
"No way."
