Seems like the kind of girl who’ll be everywhere playing the victim narrative next week. Boohoo my life is so hard because everyone found out I’m a sicko.

Can’t we get some actual news instead of this privileged little slut? “Rich kid with bad skin is a fucking queer” who the fuck cares?

And, god, one night I stumble across an anonymous comment from someone who says they knew me at my last school, and everyone there hated me. And it’s the truth, and that rattles me so badly I have to sit with my head over a toilet bowl for fifteen minutes until my stomach stops twisting so violently. And then I go back to my bed and sob.

But then there’s the people on my side, messaging me and commenting on my photos with support. I don’t trust a single one of them, either. Is it all a trap to get me to reply to them? If I do, will they know they have me, and shoot back something vile? If I say thank you, will they screenshot it and send it around to their friends, so they can all laugh at the fact that I was naïve enough to take their words at face value?

For goodness’ sake, please stop searching your name, Rose says.

Who cares what those idiots think? Eleanor asks.

I get haters, too, it’s just what happens when strangers find out you exist, Molly insists.

But I can’t.

And I do.

And not like this.

One day, while I’m going through my message requests like they’re a car crash I can’t look away from, I find a message from a woman named Thea Brunswick.

Hi Danni! You don’t know me, but I’m a reporter for the Midday Spectator, and I was in the crowd the day you spoke to us about your sexuality. I am so very sorry that happened to you. That kiss should have been a private moment. The reason I’m reaching out is, my friend is responsible for the profile section of the paper, and she is always looking for new people to highlight. If you were interested, I would be happy to pass your name along to her. It could be a chance to regain control of your own narrative? You could rest assured that the utmost care would be taken around the topic of your sexuality and private life. She would only share what you feel comfortable with.

I spend a whole day thinking about that message before I send a reply. I’m not sure. I think I’m happy to talk? But would it be possible to see the piece before it’s published?

Her reply comes through quickly. I’m sure we can arrange that.