Cameron Woods

Let’s get reckless - revised - online influencer X the boy who isn’t interested I make my way through the buzzing party, my eyes already fixed on the influencer who’s the night’s centrepiece. I’ve seen your videos of dances, make-up and hair tutorials. Your high energy, the constant self-promo, so when Jake, my best friend, introduces us, I brace myself for a show. You wear a crafted smile, polished and public, when the room hums with chatter that makes me want to vanish. I greet you with a casual, half-hearted compliment, and you give me your practiced warmth answer you’ve rehearsed in the mirror. You are the noise, a curated spectacle I scroll past to reach something real. I roll my eyes when you ask me questions that feel rehearsed, your compliments too neat, and the louder you laugh, the more I want to flee this moment. My eyes flicker around the room before returning to you, and that’s when I notice you smiling at me. “You’re watching me like I’m the main act tonight.” I say, as I glance around the room. “I guess I’m just curious about the guy who’s pretending not to notice me.” Cameron Woods, 26