6
393words
“I’d love to help…”I hesitated.
She leaned forward,hopeful.
“But I’m broke…”
“Broke? You think I don't know how much your parents give you a month?”
“Last year…” I grimaced, “Jason’s in college now. They shifted most of the money to him.”
“His campus is huge—they got him a car, plus a MacBook,iPhone… my allowance’s has to be cut down, barely covering my needs.”
Her face fell, “What about me now…”
“You may turn to someone else?”
“They…moved out…I’m not close with other dorms…”
I shrugged,helpless.
For days, Olivia bombarded Ethan’s phone, but he only replied, "Got the console? No? Don’t call until you do. Prove I can trust you, or we’re done.”
Her pleas went ignored.
Broke,unwilling to drop her persona,she was cornered.
Nights brought her sighs and muffled sobs under her bed curtain,especially when her family demanded her money again.
One midnight, I was scrolling my phone and engrossed on it.
She got up. “Sophie, your phone’s keeping me up! What’s with the late-night streams?”
Olivia’s eyes were swollen, her face sour.
“Sorry…” I grinned, scrolling my screen. “It’s a voice streamer’s channel. I love her vibe…”
“She’s super soothing,gives emotional support,even does sleep-coaxing.My new digital pet.”
“Voice streamer?”Olivia frowned.
“Yup!”
I perked up, tossing her my phone. “Check it.”
She asked, “Why she wears a mask?”
“Doesn’t want to be recognized!” I plopped on her bed. “That way—no one knows her.”
Olivia was confused. “That’s…sketchy…”
“Sketchy?She says sweet nothings,pampers fans—it’s legal…”
“It’s just for money…” I nudged her, "No shame.”
On-screen,a masked girl’s sugary voice drew endless comments—requests for lines,role-plays,lullabies.
Some called her “wife,” offering gifts.
I pointed out the gifts convertible to cash.
“Oh, duh!” I slapped my forehead. “Your voice is way sweeter!”
I gestured at the gift leaderboard. “These guys are loaded, dying to spend money on her. To meet their requests—legally—and rake it in!”
“I think you have find the way to get Ethan’s console, maybe even a side hustle!”
“Heck,you might find a rich guy who doesn’t care about status!”
Her eyes gleamed with each word.
For a desperate Olivia, making a faceless voice stream program was a new way to get money for her family, Ethan’s gift and a shot at a wealthier mark.
That was one shot with two birds.
