For many, the coronavirus disrupted the structures of their lives and placed them in new, often isolating positions. For Alexia Rey, a confident though struggling songwriter seeking work in the music industry, the virus provides her with an opportun...
Alexia laughed but rolled off of her. The two sisters settled into a comfortable silence, both taking heavy breaths to recoup the air they lost in the tussle. Alexia picked up her phone from where it had fallen to one side of the chair during the scuffle and tapped the screen to turn it on. The home screen, a selfie of Alexia and Livvy on the beach with their arms wrapped around each other and goofy grins on their lips, illuminated the dim room.
"Ah, the good old days..." Livvy sighed.
Alexia stifled a laugh, shaking her head at her little sister, "That was two years ago, Livvy. Was that really so long ago?"
The younger girl looked up at her defiantly, "Yes."
Alexia made no effort to stifle her second laugh. Livvy punched her lightly in the stomach, and Alexia chose to embellish the contact, shifting forward and clutching her stomach as though she had been punched full strength in the gut.
"What, are you LeBron James now?"
"What does that even mean?"
Livvy snorted, "I honestly have no idea. It's something Tyler said to me once after I faked an injury."
The two fell silent for a moment before Alexia spoke, "Livvy..."
"You want to know about my relationship with Tyler," Livvy sighed, cutting her off.
"That wasn't what I was going to ask, but now that you mention it, yes. I didn't even know you liked him when you went to school together. Isn't he the type of boy that Mamá taught us to avoid?"
"He was," Livvy admitted quietly. "Honestly, he probably still is."
"Then, why?"
"He treats me nicely. He brought me flowers the other day."
"The ones on your desk? He brought them?"
"Yeah," Livvy whispered. "It feels so nice to have someone treat me like this. Is it so wrong to like how he treats me?"
"No," Alexia responded, shifting on her side so she could look her sister in the eye. "That's not wrong at all. It's natural to like that. Has he asked for anything from you in return?"
"No," Livvy immediately denied. "Not once. He keeps trying to take me out for dinner, but I know Mamá doesn't want us going into public restaurants right now, so I tell him no."
"Why are you concerned, then?" Alexia asked. "Don't pretend you aren't; you know I can always tell."
Livvy sighed, "I like him. I do. I really do, but I'm not sure I like him the way he likes me."
Alexia remained quiet, and her sister continued, "I like the way he treats me. I like the way he gives me gifts. I love how he always wants to be around me, and I like being around him. But still, he doesn't feel right for me. Why?"
Alexia placed a soft hand on her sister's shoulder, "That isn't a question I can answer for you, Liv. That's something you will need to figure out for yourself."
Livvy shook her head, "I don't want to lead him on. I don't want to hurt him."
"You know, Livvy, the point of having the type of relationship you have with Tyler at your age is to have fun, yes, but it's most importantly a great way for you to become more in tune with what and who you like. You aren't leading him on if you haven't given him the impression that you want to be more than friends."
Livvy silently listened to her sister's advice until she stopped speaking and then let out another long sigh. "Why are you so wise?"
Alexia laughed, "I was born wise."
"Oh, fuck off," Livvy groused, grabbing a pillow from the ground next to the chair and playfully hitting Alexia in the chest with it.
Alexia let the pillow hit her and then grabbed it, ripping it from her sister's grip. She raised it above her head threateningly. Her sister held up her hands in surrender. Alexia allowed the pillow to drop through her fingers and fall onto the ground next to them. The two sisters fell into a comfortable silence once more.
"What are you going to do next?"
Alexia frowned, "What? Do next? What are you talking about?"
"You're famous now, dork! You need to take advantage of that!"
"Oh, I do? What would you suggest?"
"Make a TikTok account dedicated to your music and post one of your many songs! Make another cover of a Taylor Swift song! I don't know, but do something!"
Alexia smiled, "I will, I will. I don't want to rush anything, Livvy. I was given a platform because of someone else's work. I want to earn a platform for myself."
"For God's sake, shut up," Livvy shook her head. "Your morality is really annoying. If I were in your shoes, I'd leap at this opportunity."
Alexia shook her head, "I know you would, Livvy, and I appreciate your advice. I really do. But I need to take this at my pace. I don't want to rush anything."
Livvy nodded, letting out another sigh, "I had to try," she muttered.
"Just for you, I'll post an update to Instagram. Is that fair?"
"What kind of an update?"
"You'll see."
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liked by LivvyRated123, taylorswift, and 73,490 others
alexiarey the tale to be told, begins thus...#crimson
LivvyRated123: That's my sis! Love ya!
NoahtheGay_: Superstar in the making. Don't forget me.
user1: Oh shit. It's time!
user2: Can't wait to hear it!
user3: Mother liked the post! If she supports you, I support you!
user4: You have the Music Industry's approval! Can't wait to hear it!
