8. Arik

All the air went out of the room.

I typed: Is that you?

Then, I erased it.

I tapped my fingers on the keyboard and then typed: Varian, are you sneaking in under cover?

Then, I erased it.

What if he didn't want it known he was in here? His band was bigger than mine, and it might cause some shit.

It might not even be him. But it fit. If he was Dopamine-Fiend, it would make sense he was smuggling chemicals. Maybe it was just a fan of them. Or like a My Chem fan. That would make more sense. I was being stupid.

Finally, I posted.

Arik Vesper: Welcome, Smuggler.

Arik Vesper: Do you have chemicals to share with the class?

That earned me a lot of lolz and LMFAOs.

ChemicalSmuggler: What if I don't want to share?

Arik Vesper: You can't just bring chemicals in here and not share with the class.

ChemicalSmuggler: Can I share with just you?

Arik Vesper: This seems so personal. But I'm not going to say no.

The chat went wild.

DannyB: Are they flirting?

HotterThanU: I'm jealous.

Fan4Life: damn why is ChemicalSmuggler so special he gets all the attention from Arik?

ChicagoIsSo2YearsOld: seems kinda gay. IDK.

I made a face, not sure what to do as the chatroom got more and more out of control, comments coming in quicker than I could read them. I was about to call in Kiernan to save me when he posted.

ChemicalSmuggler: Because we are friends. I'm allowed to give him shit.

I gasped.

Arik Vesper: How can I be sure we are friends? You could be anyone.

A ton of questions popped in, basically re-asking how he knew me.

ChemicalSmuggler: I came to your record release. Did you forget me already?

A bunch of fans jumped on that, saying they'd been to shows or release parties, and did that make them friends with me?

Arik Vesper: Of course we are all friends if you've been to a show.

I hedged to try and keep the chat more under control.

ChemicalSmuggler: If it's that easy to be your friend, how do I elevate myself? Do I have to work harder when we play Warped together?

The chat exploded, and I couldn't breathe.

My fingers froze over the keyboard.

Arik Vesper: Are you here to resuscitate my brain?

I scanned the flying text, waiting for him to reply.

ChemicalSmuggler: Did you give me some sort of key for that? Or is there something I'm missing?

Arik Vesper: I thought you were the one with the dopamine?

It would give it away to the fans, but I wanted to talk to him, not beat around the bush anymore.

DeathbRingeR: OMG is that one of the guys from Dopamine-Fiend?

Closetfreak: IT HAS TO BE.

Littlebitsad: I'm freaking out. Two of my favorite bands in this chat rn

ChemicalSmuggler: Do you need some dopamine?

ChemicalSmuggler: I might have some to share.

Arik Vesper: You brought it with you.

ChemicalSmuggler: Is that a really cheesy way of you telling me I'm making you happy?

Arik Vesper: If I say yes, will you hold it against me?

ChemicalSmuggler: I'm going to hold everything against you.

I smiled and pulled my knees into my chest, resting my chin on them.

The chat moved too fast, and I knew I should be looking for and answering questions, but I craved more replies from Varian.

TidalDemise: Wait, are you two friends?

ChemicalSmuggler: Besties.

Arik Vesper: Is that so?

ChemicalSmuggler: Even if you don't know it yet.

Littlebitsad: OMG. Someone pinch me.

aMUSEment: How long have you 2 been friends?

Arik Vesper: We've known each other a little while.

NotReal: Is this why u 2 are both playing Warped?!????

ChemicalSmuggler: Nah that's a happy surprise.

Littlebitsad: Is that why you started hangin out tho?

I left it for Varian to answer, not sure how honest he wanted to be here.

ChemicalSmuggler: Nope. I like 2nd Star's music and after we played the Chicago Bowl I crashed their record release. The rest is history.

Arik Vesper: I've always been a fan of their music too.

TidalDemise: Which member of Dopamine-Fiend is this?

ChemicalSmuggler: How do you know I don't speak as a collective?

So he was fine with them knowing it was his band but not which member.

NotReal: Who was at their party? Did anyone see one of them there?

LifeOnHigh: Wait! What about that photo of Varian with Arik from their NYC show?

Littlebitsad: OMG.

Littlebitsad: So it's Varian?

They'd figured it out.

ChemicalSmuggler: That would spoil all the fun!

Arik Vesper: lol

Arik Vesper: Are there any more questions?

I had to get the chat somewhat back in control before Kiernan got off the phone and realized I hadn't done anything for promo.

NotReal: Wait so you're both playing Warped?

Arik Vesper: We are.

Littlebitsad: Is there a collab with Dopamine-Fiendcoming in the future?

Arik Vesper: Not yet, but I guess we'll see how much more they stalk me.

A ton of messages about wanting us to work on something together filled the chat.

ChemicalSmuggler: Do you want to be stalked, Arik?

Arik Vesper: Depends on who's doing the stalking.

My cheeks heated as I typed, but I hit send anyway.

ChemicalSmuggler: Is that so?

Arik Vesper: We've already done the blood ritual. Doesn't it come with benefits?

I regretted sharing that as soon as I hit send, and the comments started flooding in.

NotReal: Blood ritual?!

Littlebitsad: KINKY AF

ChemicalSmuggler: Damn just putting your kinks out there on the internet like that!

ChemicalSmuggler: This place is turning into the wild west.

Arik Vesper: You must have that effect on me. I seem to tell you a lot I don't mean to.

ChemicalSmuggler: Good. Don't stop.

"How's it going?" Kiernan asked, making me jump. "Skittish? What did you do?"

"Nothing."

Kiernan glared and hit a few keys to log himself into the chat on his phone. I was sure. It took him a minute to scan back. "Wait, is this…?" He stared at me.

"I'm pretty sure." It was behind a screen, so I couldn't be sure-sure, but he knew me.

"Are you two friends?"

I lifted a shoulder. "Somewhat. I'm sorry it got off the rails. I'm working on pulling it back in."

"Don't be sorry. They are on fire right now. You should hang out with Varian!" He clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Keep it up. This will have people taking." The glee on Kiernan's face was unmistakable, and all I felt was another weight added to my shoulders.

How long until my head went under? I could only hold so much and keep treading water. I couldn't exactly hook him and reel him in. If I had that power, I would have already.

A private message popped up on my Discord. I didn't even realize there was an option for that.

ChemicalSmuggler: I realized I don't have your number.

My heart stopped. I typed my number into the chat, and my finger hovered over Enter. What if it wasn't him? I sent it. I could always change my number, right?

My phone buzzed with a text five seconds later. Like he'd already typed it out and had been waiting for the number.

313-999-6666: Now I have unfettered access right to your pocket.

He already had unfettered access right to my brain. But I wasn't going to tell him that. I added him as a contact.

Arik: How do I know this is really you, and not someone scamming me online?

Varian: You can never be too careful on the internet. I guess you'll have to let me prove it to you.

Arik: Is this where I get all those unsolicited dick pics I keep hearing about?

Varian didn't reply for a long time.

Fuck. I was such a fucking idiot. He didn't know me or my humor. I couldn't just bust into gay jokes without scaring him off. I'd come this close to being friends with him, and I'd blown it. I raised my arm to throw my phone across the room when it buzzed in my hand.

Varian: I was going to suggest a midnight nightcap as we pass through, but if you'd rather only have a picture.

My heart stopped.

Arik: Are you in town?

Varian: Picture or the real thing?

Varian: Decide now.

Arik: I thought you guys were off for the month. Why are you in Chicago?

Varian: Time's ticking down.

Arik: Real thing.

I responded before he could decide for me. My blood heated in my veins, warming down to my fingertips.

Varian: Good answer.

Fuck.

He couldn't be serious. Could he?