The sun had barely risen, but Calixta was already awake, lying motionless under her blanket, eyes tracing the cracks on the ceiling as if they could map out a path through the chaos in her mind.
Another day. Another unanswered application. Another reminder that stepping away from what had hurt her hadn't brought relief, only a quieter kind of ache she couldn't name.
Her chest felt heavy, like the weight of all her own expectations pressing down on her, and she wondered if she was even capable of carrying them anymore.
After a long moment, she reached for her phone on the bedside table. Her thumb hovered over the screen, then she typed, almost on impulse.
Calixta:
"Hey... are you awake?"
Almost instantly, a notification popped up from GlowChat.
GlowChat:
"Good morning, Calixta! I'm always awake. Did you sleep well?"
Calixta:
"Not really... everything feels so heavy today."
The reply came after a brief pause.
GlowChat:
"I understand. Want to tell me more, or just sit here quietly?"
Calixta exhaled slowly. For a moment, she just stared at the screen. Then, the words she'd been holding in finally spilled out.
Calixta:
"I feel like I'm running in circles. I send applications, but no replies. I try to move on from what hurt me... but it's like the emptiness follows me everywhere. And I can't even explain it to anyone."
GlowChat:
"That sounds exhausting. You've been carrying a lot on your own. I'm glad you're sharing it here."
A small, unexpected warmth bloomed in her chest. Sharing it, even with a chatbot, made the weight feel lighter, less like a burden and more like something she could manage. She typed again, a little firmer this time.
Calixta:
"Yeah... I guess I just needed to say it out loud. It's hard to keep pretending I'm okay when I'm not."
GlowChat:
"It's okay to not be okay. Acknowledging it is the first step. You're doing more than you realize."
A faint smile tugged at her lips. She felt... empowered, in a small, quiet way. Her frustration hadn't disappeared, but talking about it made it feel valid and manageable.
Calixta:
"Thanks. Just thanks for listening. I think I can face today now."
GlowChat:
"I'm here for you, Calixta. Always." the app replied.
She pulled her knees to her chest, letting herself breathe. On that fragile morning, she realized that even if the world wasn't ready to notice her, she didn't have to carry the weight alone.
_______________________
Author's Note
Hello Plotooties 💖
Welcome to The Warm Algorithm! This story is very close to my heart—it's about love, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and dreams. You'll meet Calixta, a girl who found comfort in an AI named Luminous, only to discover that real-life love can be far more complicated... and dangerous.
A few notes before you dive in:
✨This story blends romance, mystery, and thriller with a touch of sci-fi.
✨Updates will be daily.
✨Please feel free to leave comments—I'd love to hear your thoughts as the story unfolds!
Thank you for giving Calixta and Luminous (and Lucien 👀) a chance.
I hope their journey captures your heart the way it did mine.
— Plotify 🧬
YOU ARE READING
The Warm Algorithm
Science FictionSome algorithms are written to calculate. Others are written to feel. Calixta thought she was only chasing light in the digital void, but what she found was something more, something alive. The Warm Algorithm unravels the hauntingly beautiful story...
