Chapter 38: It's a Star's Light that Brings out a New Day

Even through the cloudy nights of gloom and gray, it's a star's light that brings out a new day.

~Starlight24

"I don't understand why you can't tell anyone that it's you. Can you please give everyone a hint that you happen to be Starlight?" asked Nat, for what seemed to be the two hundredth time in the last ten minutes. I groaned and rolled my eyes.

"Fine, I'll write a small poem about my name, okay?" I said, with an exaggerated eye roll.

She clapped like an overly enthusiastic seal. "Wait... you're gonna make one right now?" she asked, cocking her head to the side.

"Yep," I quipped. Poetry had always been something I'd liked, and I could make one in two minutes flat. I'd even timed myself once. "But after that, I'm leaving. I need to go confront a very special somebody called Cady Hunt."

The two of them groaned in an almost rehearsed synchrony. I smiled, thinking about how I'd ranted about her for the past ten minutes, before turning on my phone and thinking for a moment. How exactly did I want my poem to be?

I began typing.

Heya Lighters! So, I've been getting requests from people to reveal my identity. Here's a small code-like rhyme that gives away my name. Have fun trying to solve it!

Sunshine pours through the lands, scattering across houses, streets and meadows,
A time when people leave the comfort of their beds and pillows.
A time where everyone is groggy as roosters break through the still air,
And swooping noises follow as the nocturnal creatures return to their dark lair.

The colors of dawn break through the shadows of the night,
And create a world so brilliant and bright!
Okay, I'm getting tired of this poetic, rambling game.
Tell me honestly, have you still not guessed my name?

I'll put an end to your misery and give you one last clue,
By now I'm pretty much handing my name to you!
For even through the cloudy nights of gloom and gray,
It is a star's light that brings out a new day.

I finished off with a flourish before clicking on the small post button on the side, and both Deeds and Nat opened their phones to check it.

"That's beautiful," Nat gushed. "I can't believe you haven't flaunted this fact yet. To think I called you an attention seeker! Ugh, I'm the stupidest person in the world," she groaned, burying her face in her hands.

I grinned, feeling a light blush dab its way across my cheeks.

My phone buzzed, and I popped it open to see a bunch of comments on what my name might be. I got some normal ones like Dawn, Summer, June (close!), July, Juliet and even a couple of people that got Day right.

I also had a text from Popcorned, and I fought hard to stop the grin from breaking through my face. Jeez, I needed to calm down.

"What happened?" Deeds asked, noticing my expression morph into ecstatic pleasure.

"Well, nothing really," I said, my face going red.

"Is it that Popcorned dude?" asked Nat, still looking at the same post on her phone in awe as if it would disappear if she looked away.

"Maybe?" I squeaked, burying my face in my hands. The two of them smirked and turned to me with a sly expression plastered across their faces.

"Oh my gosh!" Deeds exclaimed. "Oh... I remember this guy! You were chatting with him the day we had the revenge plan for Dylan!"

I nodded, remembering that. "Yep," I said, nodding.

I then turned to my screen with the two of them breathing down my neck.

Popcorned: Why can't you just tell us your name like a normal human being?

Starlight24: I prefer being cryptic.

Popcorned: Sadistic little bitch

"Well, he's not the sweetest treat in the chocolate box, is he?" asked Nat with an exaggerated eye roll.

"Not at all," I said with a laugh.

Starlight24: Don't you know it?

Popcorned: *siiiiigh* a little too well. I'm going to find your name and track you down, though!

"Creep," muttered Deeds, and I stifled a laugh.

Starlight24: Ooooh, I'm terrified. May the gods above save me!

Popcorned: I've never met you, but I can picture your expression of mock petrification.

Starlight24: Is that even a word? Petrification, I mean.

Popcorned: I hope it is?

Starlight24: You and your nonexistent vocabulary xD

Popcorned: Wanna know the one word that I could live off for the rest of my life?

Starlight24: What?

Popcorned: You.

"AWW!" exclaimed Nat, fangirling like a little kid who just saw the Disney Princesses. "HE. IS. FREAKING. ADORABLE. MARRY. HIM. NOW."

"He's a creepy online stalker, that's what he is," Deeds said, venomously. "No offense intended, Day, but I'm not one to support online love."

I shrugged. "He's different," I defended.

"That's what they all say, before they go on a date and end up having their neck twisted off and they die," she supplied, and I rolled my eyes at her.

Starlight24: Cheesy but cute.

Popcorned: Hey! I tried.

Starlight24: Cheers to you then!

Popcorned: A little more enthusiasm might have been nice, you know.

Starlight24: Omg awwwwwww, my cute little muffin, thank you so much! Your very presence adds to the flames to my ever flickering candle. You make me happy when my world is bleak. Thank you for you cute word. My heart can't calm down.

Popcorned: -.-

Starlight24: It's me. Try not to expect much.

Popcorned: Anyway, how are you doing?

Starlight24: Meh. I just became friends with someone I should have become friends with a while ago, though. I also just realized that my other so called "best friend" is a backstabbing bitch.

Popcorned: Well, everything has a counter balance. You made a friend and lost another.

Starlight24: Hmm, never thought of it that way.

Popcorned: So in the end, you didn't lose anything. You just maintained equilibrium.

"My opinion of this guy keeps oscillating," Deeds admitted, laughing a bit. "You guys are pretty cute."

I giggled. "I know, right?" I said, looking back at the screen.

Starlight24: Well, what about my ex, then? He and I broke up, and I don't have anything in replacement.

Popcorned: Well, you do have me, you know...

"My heart can't take this," Nat said, fanning herself lightly. I rolled my eyes and playfully shoved her.

Starlight24: Yes, I know, and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. Apart from my best friend.

"Aw, I knew I hadn't been forgotten yet," Deeds cooed, and I laughed, happy that I had appeased the master. Note the sarcasm.

Popcorned: I'm glad you've got a good best friend. After everything that's happened to you, it's the least that the world could have given you in return.

Starlight24: Enough about me. What happened to your life?

Popcorned: My dad and mom are okay with each other, I guess. He's gone for a job interview today, which is great. I also know the company he's going to, and he's applying as the CEO, which is crazy.

Starlight24: Really? I'm so happy for you!

Popcorned: Oh, and on top of that, he's got a partner this time, so the workload won't be huge.

Starlight24: That's great. My dad's not here 75% of the time thanks to work, so I know what it's like to have a father who's swamped with work.

Popcorned: Yep, it's hard. Also, I know the other CEO of the company, it's my classmate's dad.

Starlight24: Oh? What's his name?

Popcorned: It's a girl, and I'm not telling you because I still don't know your name.

"Oh, female friend, I sense the tension," Deeds said, laughing at me as my jaw grew taut. I rolled my eyes, trying to simmer down the unease in my gut, but I really couldn't.

Starlight24: Oh, it's not like I care what your random classmate's name is, anyway.

Popcorned: ...

Starlight24: What?

Popcorned: Is it just me, or are you jealous? xD

Starlight24: Excuse-me!? Why would I be jealous of your random female classmate? I have a lot of guy friends too, you know. Your love life doesn't interest me in the slightest bit. You could kiss her now for all I care! I mean, why would I even bother about your life outside Onlinathon? Sheesh!

"She's crazy jealous," Nat said, turning to Deeds, making me grind my teeth in frustration.

"Guys, I don't give a damn. Liking him was a stupid idea anyway... I mean, he has a life, right? I may never even meet him, right? I mean..." I said, defensively.

"He's replied, Little Miss Jealous," Deeds mocked, and I glared at the screen, tears dotting my vision. Why was I getting so worked up about this? He didn't matter. No guy really did, to be honest. I would just live a life as a loner and be perfectly happy about it while Popcorned went and kissed his classmate.

Ugh.

Popcorned: Okay, screw that. I've been meaning to ask you... do you want to play the three things game?

Starlight24: Okay, whatever.

Popcorned: Hey, don't be mad at me because I have a female friend, Little Miss Jealous!

"Hey, that's my nickname!" Deeds said, laughing loudly with Nat. At my expense. I was pissed off.

"Well hardy har har," I said, rolling my eyes. "You both should bond," I hissed, and then I paused. "Not literally, because he's mine."

My eyes widened as I realized what I'd just said.

"You're adorable when you're pissed," Nat chirped, pinching my cheeks. I rolled my eyes.

"I didn't mean—" I began, but then didn't even bother explaining myself. Whatever, let them think what they wanted.

Starlight24: Stop flattering yourself. There's no way that I'd be jealous of some random female in your class, okay?

Popcorned: Sure, whatever. Anyway, three things?

Starlight24: Kay.

Popcorned: Okay, first up... my blueberry smoothies are the best.

Starlight24: Psht, my lemonade skills probably beat yours.

Popcorned: Haha, doubt it.

Starlight24: Okay, we'll have a cook off sometime.

Popcorned: Sometime. 2) I'm a state soccer player.

"Well, that's impressive," Deeds whistled, nudging me. "He's probably got abs."

Starlight24: Whoa! You wanna know what I'm a pro at?

Popcorned: What?

Starlight24: IMAGINING that I'm a state soccer player.

Popcorned: Lol, I can imagine you doing that!

Starlight24: And also, imagining that I'm actually good at anything!

Popcorned: Please, you're so good with your words. You've got so many people who love you and would do anything for you. You've got literal fan parks. This doesn't sound like someone who's useless now, does it?

"He's so sweet," Nat gushed, grinning. Pink bloomed across my cheeks.

"Yeah, he is," I agreed.

Starlight24: How do you always do that?

Popcorned: Do what?

Starlight24: You always know exactly what to say to make me feel good about myself.

Popcorned: Well, you've got nothing to feel bad about, do you?

Starlight24: Pfffft, I have way too much to feel bad about. Anyway, what's the last thing on your list before I start off mine?

Popcorned: This one is a bit hard, actually.

Starlight24: That's okay. I'm listening =)

Popcorned: Promise me you won't be mad?

Starlight24: ...Okay now I'm scared. But I promise I won't be mad.

Popcorned: 3) I like you.

It took me a while to process that sentence, so I just stared dumbly at the screen. Then it hit me like a wave crashing upon a rocky shore during high tide.

"Oh my gosh!" I squealed, and Nat and Deeds just stared with their mouths wide open, jaws unhinged. I began giggling like a lunatic.

"Congratulations on that, Little Miss Jealous!" Deeds tried to explain, still looking a little shell-shocked.

Nat nodded dumbly. "Yeah, good job!" she said, trying to exclaim. I didn't take their lack of enthusiasm to heart, because I knew this was a shocker to me too.

"Just... whoa," I said, staring at the message and rereading it twice before typing in my reply.

Starlight24: Oh. Okay, here are my three things.

I know, it wasn't that enthusiastic about his confession based on my cut-and-dry response. But I would tell him.

"You're breaking the guy's heart there," Deeds said, dryly.

Popcorned: Oh, um, okay.

Starlight24: I actually love salads.

Popcorned: Wow, didn't take you to be one of those girls.

Starlight24: No! I mean, I hate when people label salad-eating girls as either anorexic or as a bitch. I mean, is it unheard of for a person to like vegies?

Popcorned: No offence, but it kind of is xD

Starlight24: I mean, come on... sometimes, the dressings are to die for.

Popcorned: Yeah, yeah. What's next?

Starlight24: I need to talk to my backstabbing ex-best friend, but I'm too scared.

Popcorned: Too scared of what?

Starlight24: Well, I'm not sure exactly. The truth? Because maybe, she found out that I was too much of a loser to deal with? I don't know.

Popcorned: Let me tell you this. From all our chats, I've figured your self-esteem is lower than the Mariana Trench. If any other normal person had over 5M followers, it would go to your head. You, on the other hand, don't even seem to notice this. Based on how you kind of hide your name, I can tell you don't even want anyone to know that you're Starlight. You want to be a normal girl... undercover, I guess. But let me tell you this: You're so much more than that. And any girl that backstabbed you is obviously a psychotic human being. Confront her, bash her up if you have to, and then leave without a second glance.

I gulped lightly. He had a point, and he'd driven it well.

Starlight24: Thank you. What you're saying actually makes a lot of sense.

Popcorned: What do you mean, "actually"? Of course it makes sense! It's me, after all.

Starlight24: Cocky as always, huh?

Popcorned: Don't you know it.

Starlight24: *sigh* I do.

Popcorned: What's the last thing?

Starlight24: Um, this may be a little hard.

Popcorned: Shoot it out?

Starlight24: Well... I like you, too.

Not wanting to wait for his reaction, I turned off my phone and glanced at the other two, who were both staring at me with a mixture of disbelief and joy on their faces.

"Good job, Winters," Deeds said, clapping me on the back. "Momma's proud."

"Actually," I said, laughing giddily, still not able to comprehend what had just happened. "My mom will be super pissed if she finds out I like a guy I've never met."

Nat rolled her eyes and laughed, anyway. "Idiot," she said, teasingly.

I laughed, but then something else dawned on me. "Um, Deirdre?" I asked, the hesitation in my voice as clear as Day. Yeah, I'm punny, even when it comes to my own name.

"Yeah?" she asked, realizing the attitude around us had just dropped.

"Um... I think I'm ready to talk," I said, biting my lip.

"Talk about what?" Nat asked, cocking her head to the side, looking confused.

"Talk to Cady," I whispered.

A/N:

Photo of Popcorn. Day's not the only one who likes it... xD

Can I start off by saying I HATED WRITING THIS CHAPTER. Yuck. I think it's my worst so far. I hated how the conversation went, especially considering this was the chapter I'd actually built my whole story on.

Random fact, but the thing is, MSLIO was created because I made the poem in this chapter during English class and wanted to convert it into a story.

I'm so disappointed in myself. EW.

Okay, anyway, enough of my side... Did YOU GUYS like the chapter? Honest response, please. Also, did you like the whole "three things" bit between Popcorned and Day?

What about Nat?

Cady?

Deeds?

Teaser: Once a bitch, always a bitch (you can guess who I'm talking about, right?)

So basically, Cady confrontation is next chapter. 

Also, I took down Project Perfect... AGAIN. I will upload it ONLY after MSLIO is over, I promise you that. It's hard to focus on two stories at once, tbh.

Song of the Day: Bright by Echosmith

Also, who doesn't really like the new version of Wattpad much? I don't. Also, the rankings just stopped for two days, did anyone else notice?

Anyway... sorry for the long time it took to update.

Follow me:

Instagram: a.lake.yeah

Twitter: AlekhyaBhat

Dedicating this to izzzabelllll because I love her comments! They're so funny xD

Love you all,

~Lexi

PS. Petrification is a real word. It means "a state of such extreme fear that one is unable to move".