FaceOff
Ep.0
Jia Wang
How much will that be?
Jia placed a bowl of spicy octopus instant noodles on the counter, alongside a small carton of milk. Dark bags had cozied up beneath her eyes, an indication of the amount of sleep she had been loosing during the previous nights. She pulled on her hoodie at least to cast some shadow over her eyes, while the remaining half of her face was covered with a black face mask. No one could recognize her facially except they were familiar with her hoodie.
The cashier, who appeared to be in her mid twenties paused between words and turned to her colleague who had spoken to her. He was wearing a similar work shirt as her, looking smart, and in his hand was a phone. His eyes were glued to the device.
Colleague
I said Fang has uploaded a new video!
As soon as he repeated himself, the cashier squealed and pounced on him, snatching the phone away from his hands.
He protested with a frown.
Colleague
Attend to the costumer first, then we can watch the new episode together!
The girl made a sound of annoyance by smacking her lips
Cashier
I can't believe it! Now Fang has finally uploaded something, and I'm stuck on duty!
The cashier complained, aggressively checking in the items Jia had laid out. The machine beeped twice and the girl put them in a package.
Cashier
Hurry up! The new episode is out! I've got to watch it!
She tried to hurry Jia into giving her the credit card. Jai could only raise a brow in question.
Cashier
Fang's latest edition! Don't tell me you didn't set a notification for it!
The cashier looked ready to rip Jia apart even though she was just a costumer. Jia waved at her sheepishly.
Jia Wang
Of course, that episode... I do have a notification for Fang.
She lied. But it was necessary. Jia could tell, the cashier was one of the crazy Fang fans.
From corners of the small store, she could hear a few squeals popping up, followed by a low buzz of excited discussions.
It was always like this whenever Fang uploaded something new.
She quickly retrieved her card and took along the items she bought and ran out of the store.
Who was Fang?
If only the people could understand and see through her, only then would they know she was the internet sensation, Fang, that made everyone go crazy with admiration.
It wasn't hard for her to realize that almost every individual on the street had their heads cast down, concentrating on their phones. She was literally on every screen. Even the electronic boards carried her face on them.
A small tired smile worked its way to Jia's lips. This was the source of her happiness.
She threw her gaze towards the peak of the Stellar entertainment skyscraper and slowly wondered... How did this become a thing in the first place?
Well, it all started with a small zit...
Ep.1
On command, said girl stopped her walk and turned to look at her friend, Lin.
Lin
So you were truly planing to leave without me?
A fake hurt look was on Lin's face and Jia shook her head in expiration, the day hadn't even started and Lin was already dramatic. The two girls had been friends for three years. Jia could still remember the day they had met for the first time, in the school bus. The memory was enough to bring a smile to her face.
Lin
What's funny? Is there something on my face?
Lin was a little out of breath from the short run she had made to catch up with Jia.
Jia Wang
Nothing. I was just thinking about when we met in the bus.
Lin screwed up her face at Jia's words.
Lin
Honestly I regret that day.
Jia laughed heartily hearing Lin.
Jia Wang
The feeling is mutual baby girl.
Lin
Ne, isn't that Yue Zhao?
Jia looked at the electronic billboard that Lin was pointing towards. True to her words it was Yue Zhao, although she looked different on the Adidas advertisement, but that was as a result of skilled makeup. Yue was the daughter of the owner of Stellar Entertainment, one of the biggest and most recognized company's in the continent.
Jia Wang
Yeah... She looks very different in this one.
Lin
Gosh! Take me a picture! Make sure you get her in it! I've got to upload my daily post today.
Jia rolled her eyes, and accepted the phone given to her. Lin was one of the many addicts that used Stargram. A mobile app used by many, including foreigners. The app was one of the numerous successful creations made by Stellar Entertainment.
When the picture was taken she returned the phone to Lin.
Lin
30k. I'm pretty sure this one will get my followers to 50k.
Jia Wang
Don't you think you're using Yue to boost your follow number?
Lin
Duh... That's what I'm clearly doing. Don't worry, everyone does it. Try take a picture with someone famous and bam! you've you've got an addition of followers. It's simple logic really.
Jia let out a soft sigh, she couldn't really say anything in the issue. Lin was kind of right, as they rounded up a hotpot joint their school came in view.
Jia Wang
Shoot I have to submit my biology assignment today!
She only remembered because she had seen the class nerd, Heng who was few feet in front of them. He was her seat partner and always had his allergies act up in the lab. Whenever the boy sneezed, she always got a good shower from his spit particles.
Lin
So? Did you forget to do it?
Lin
It's no big deal, you can come up with something real quick.
Lin had never once offered to give Jia her own assignment even though they were friends and had the same classes. But if Lin did, Jia knew she wouldn't accept it, since she was too 'morally disciplined'.
Both girls where about entering their classes when Lin did a little squeal.
Jia only raised an uninterested brow. She silently questioned her friends mental health.
Jia Wang
Good for you, I guess.
Lin
Oh come on, this is not the time to be sarcastic. It's barely less than an hour and my followers are already increasing, its all because of the trendy advert of Yue!
Lin was still smiling at her phone, she threw her hair aside to give Jia a small look.
Lin
Your followers, how many do you have now?
Jia Wang
I don't know, I'm not a lunatic like you. I stopped going online a few months ago.
Lin made a face of understanding and went back to her phone, her fingers flying in a hurry.
Lin
Oh my! The number of zits on your face is more than what you have as followers.
The girl winced at the figures on her screen. Her reaction made Jia take a peek at her account which was now on display. It was true, she was last seen two months ago and the account looked starved of pictures, as it only had one picture of the beach and that was from New year's eve.
Jia Wang
Lin, sit down and stop acting weird about it.
Lin
I'm not acting weird. This is just me being sad for your social life.
She took her seat beside Jia and turned away from her friend to respond to the greetings of some girls.
It was always like this everyday and it became normal for Jia. Lin had a lot of friends, who stuck to Lin alone and never cared if Jia existed. Well, she never made any attempt to dive into their large friend zone. She was comfortable with Lin and that was quite okay for her. She took out her biology note and started to work on the soon to be dew assignment.
Lin
Jia, could you please lend me your English assignment? I promise to change a few things.
Jia Wang
What? No. Not again.
Lin
Please, one last time!
Jia Wang
You said that before and you're doing it again.
Ya
Hey, come on! Do you plan on taking the answers to the grave?
Ya, a classmate who always talked to Lin butted in. She used her hands to support her weight on the table while she leaned over Jia, who looked a little taken aback. She didn't know what to make of the statement. Was that a threat or a joke? If it were the latter, then she was not laughing. She looked at Lin for some explanation but was met with a blank stare.
Sighing calmly, she rummaged her bag for the English note and gave it to Lin. As soon as she did, Lin's friends descended on the note, like a crowed of hungry vultures, copying furiously. Jia tried to express her dislike for what was going on, but everyone seemed too focused plus, her voiced became smaller and a huge lump formed in her throat.
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