I spread out on my bed, a message coming through from my brother. A selfie? Nick must have been on the hot chocolates.

I’d been worried earlier when he’d asked if I could give him a call—it had sounded urgent. But when I’d called back a few hours later, he hadn’t picked up, and now if I wasn’t very much mistaken, it looked like he’d gate-crashed his way into that Christmas party he’d found. He’d sent it to me yesterday to see if Holly might like it, but we both figured she’d want to stick to her plan, so I thought he’d decided not to mention it?

I messaged back.

What I’d give to talk with him right now—like we used to. When he had my back.

Wanting to feel closer to him, I went to Holly’s profile. Wow. So many photos on the grid—and no wonder. Their day looked awesome—Nick looked like his old happy self, like back in Nashton. Out of habit, I checked Dove’s too—her last post had been announcing that I was in the lead, but as I reread it, I couldn’t help feel that, despite her smiling photo, something sounded like she wasn’t pleased.

Was I being tired and paranoid?

@OneElleOfATime has taken the lead—but has @CallMeClaraT got time to post her way to victory? It would take hundreds of you to >>> her way and click that follow button

Was she telling them or asking them?

And @tooblessed2bstressedxx had been at it again on my arty post of the Carnaby Street lights. It had started with @_Beckywiththemediocrehair_’s super-nice comment:

That shot! Chef’s kiss! Is there anything you can’t do?!

But @tooblessed had replied immediately.

@tooblessed2bstressedxx: why yes. How about an original photo?! xoxo

But this time someone I didn’t recognize had replied.

@betterplayliststhanyou: @tooblessed2bstressedxx…when you can’t even manage an original comment? The door’s that way

Yeah—they’d gone there. I bet they were going to get the same treatment too. I clicked on their profile, but it was locked down on private. And I don’t know if it was their support, or the tiredness, or the mess I’d made of the day, but I decided to finally do it. Message Clara.

Hey. Nice work with the challenge. Hope you’re not feeling too blessed to be stressed??? And don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean.

I pressed send before I could wimp out. I didn’t know what she was playing at, but I didn’t like it. Not one bit. Still, I knew sleep would make everything a bit better—so I did what I always did when I was desperate to fall asleep.

I went on a deep dive.

Real deep. On Clara’s profile. On Dove’s. Even on @thingsthepeakgirlsdo and @tooblessed2bstressedxx.