Ep 2

Episode 2

Since that first DM from @dark.boy.__ came in, I started getting curious. Not because he was handsome or anything, but because he was different. Not like other guys who usually act all cool or just comment flame emojis on stories.

> “You always look happy. But your eyes seem to be hiding something.”

I didn’t really get what he meant. But I replied anyway, just because… well, I was bored and wanted to chat.

> “Maybe it’s just good lighting.”

He replied fast:

> “Or maybe you’re just really good at hiding everything.”

From there, we started DM-ing often. The convo flowed, though sometimes super random. He said he liked reading books, writing poetry, and hated crowds. Totally matched the vibe I gave off on IG. But what made me even more suspicious—he never posted his face.

I once teased, “Send a selfie!”

He replied, “I’m shy in photos. Not photogenic.”

Hmm… weird. But whatever. I wasn’t exactly honest about my looks either.

At school, Lala started getting suspicious. She sat beside me during lunch break and peeked at my phone.

> “Who are you chatting with? You’re smiling way too much.”

I quickly locked my screen. “Just an IG friend.”

> “What’s his name? Is he cute?”

I shrugged. “Dunno… he’s mysterious.”

Lala stared at me for a while. “Be careful, okay? People on IG can be anyone.”

I just grinned, but honestly… I was thinking the same.

That night, I checked his account again. Still just three photos. All artsy. But when I searched one using Google Lens… one of them showed up on Pinterest. Exactly the same. Not even edited.

I froze. Maybe… he’s not the guy in the photos.

But weirdly, I still wanted to talk to him. I don’t know why. Maybe because… I wasn’t the girl he thought I was either. So, fair game, right?

A few days later, a fake account commented on one of my posts:

> “Thick filters, huh, Miss?”

> “Bet you look totally different in real life.”

I deleted the comments, but it stung. That night, I stared at the mirror for a long time. Looking at my face without filters, without the golden-hour lighting I always relied on for selfies.

But I didn’t cry. I was used to it. As long as everything looked fine on IG, I was fine.

Then @dark.boy.__ started replying less. Sometimes he’d reply, but only short stuff. “Hehe,” or “Okay,” or just leave me on read.

I started getting annoyed.

> “Busy lately?”

He said, “Sorry, a lot going on.”

Going on with what? He never shared. Even when I tried talking about personal stuff, he changed the subject. It started to feel like I was chatting with a bot.

I started wondering… did he really enjoy talking to me, or was he just playing around?

One night, I sent a voice note. Just me saying, “Hey. Are you listening?”

But he didn’t reply. Didn’t even listen to it. Just ignored it.

I got upset. But still, I waited. Every time I opened my phone, I’d check DMs. Still hoping he’d reply.

And that night, he finally did.

> “Rena, I’m sorry. I don’t think I can keep chatting like before.”

> “I just wanted someone to talk to back then. Things are different now.”

I read the message over and over again. It felt like being left out of nowhere, when I didn’t even know who he was.

But I didn’t reply. I just stared at the screen for so long. And somehow, I couldn’t even be mad.

Because I realized… I lied to him too. I wasn’t honest about myself either.

But that didn’t mean I could just accept all this.

The next day at school, I couldn’t focus. Lala kept asking, but I just said, “I’m tired.”