The Sterling Glitch

Two months into my successful online relationship, I finally decided to get serious about fitness.

As I sat there, a series of comments suddenly flashed across my vision like a live-stream chat:

Wait, whats happening? Why is the filler girl starting a diet? If she actually gets thin, how is our Main Girl supposed to take her place next to the hero?

Dont worry, shes got zero self-esteem. Our beautiful Lead just needs to mock her a few times and shell quit. She never actually succeeds.

Am I the only one who thinks the Lead is kind of a snake? I mean, the filler girl edited her photos to look thinner, but those are still her photos. The Lead is out here lying, saying shes the girl in the pictures and framing her roommate for catfishing.

Honestly, Rileys got great bone structure. If she actually lost the weight, shed be a total high-fashion goddess.

What are the people above me talking about? Riley is 5'6" and 150 poundsshes a whale. How does she have the nerve to date a guy like Liam? Hes a billionaire's son with model looks. Shes delusional.

I froze.

The next second, my roommate pulled back her bed curtain, her face mask glistening under the dorm lights. She glanced at my desk.

Whoa, Riley! A garden salad for dinner? Again?

Chloe gave me a pitying smile.

I get it, youre trying to lose weight. But with your large frame, youre never going to look right thin. Why put yourself through the torture?

Chloe looked me up and down. Her voice was light, but her eyes were cold.

If this were the old Riley, I would have turned beet-red. I would have hidden my salad like a criminal and stuttered an explanation about how I wasn't really trying that hard.

Id felt it beforethis subtle malice from her.

Whenever I mentioned the gym, shed complain about being "too skinny." If I skipped a late-night pizza run, shed announce to the whole study hall, Riley, are you seriously not eating anything today? Dieting looks so exhausting!

I used to dismiss it. Chloe was the campus "It Girl." Why would she be jealous of me?

Until now. The chat in front of my eyes started scrolling again:

LMAO, I love it when the Lead is being a little bit of a mean girl. Its cute.

Shes doing it on purpose. She knows the other roommates called Riley cute once, and Chloes ego couldn't handle it. Shes been gaslighting her ever since.

Our girl is just a protective little cat. Shes about to go do her skincare routine and meet the Male Lead. His love is going to give her all the security she needs!

I clenched my fists. I looked Chloe dead in the eyes. For the first time, I didn't back down.

Maybe, I said, my voice steady. But who knows? Maybe Ill surprise myself.

The air in the room turned cold. The chat went wild.

Is she serious? She thinks she can actually be a baddie?

Is she trying to pick a fight with our Lead? Is this a Pick-Me move??

I realized then that I was a character in a "Sweet Romance" novel. Chloe was the lead, and I was the "insecure roommate"the foil.

In the original plot, my insecurity led me to send edited photos to my online boyfriend, Liam Sterling. Chloe eventually discovers that my online "Liam" is the billionaire heir and campus king shes crushed on for two years.

Since my edited photos look a bit like Chloe with makeup on, she swoops in. She meets him in person, claims I was the one using her photos, and paints me as a lying thief.

Liam blocks me, falls for Chloe, and I transfer schools in shame.

Chloes smile faltered. She gave me a look that was half-mocking, half-suspicious. Sure. Good luck with that.

She turned to her vanity and began applying a very specific style of "clean girl" makeupsoft and innocent. She pulled out a white sundress Id never seen her wear.

She looked exactly like the girl in the photos Id sent to Liam.

After Chloe left, I used the info from the chat to look up "Liam Sterling."

He was the second son of the Sterling Group. He kept a low profile, but one of his frat brothers had posted a video where he appeared for a split second. Even in a blurry frame, his jawline was lethal.

My phone buzzed.

[TurtleGuy99]: You there? [TurtleGuy99]: What are you doing? I miss you. [TurtleGuy99]: Sent you a gift. Check your mail. Hope you like it.

He was always so direct. I hesitated. I had to tell him the truth before Chloe got to him. I didn't care if the "readers" called me a snake.

[Me]: Are you free? Lets meet. [Me]: The coffee shop on 5th and Main.

I sat in the coffee shop, heart hammering. Liam hadn't replied. Had Chloe already found him?

The bell chimed. A tall man in a charcoal overcoat walked in. He looked around with cool eyes. When his gaze landed on me, he paused.

He walked straight to my table. ...Riley?

I looked up. The jawline matched... but he looked older, sharper.

Youre Liam? I asked.

He hesitated, then pulled out a chair. ...Yes. Thats me.

I was nervous under his gaze. I laid it all out. I told him about the editing, the lies, the insecurity. I didn't mention Chloe, because I couldn't explain how I knew her plan.

So... yeah, I finished, staring at my lap.

I waited for the shock. The anger.

Silence. I looked up. He was just... staring at me.

Mr. Sterling? I prompted.

He snapped out of it and took a sip of his coffee. You think youre overweight? Why?

I think youre perfect, he continued, his voice deep. Youre actually very cute.

I blinked. What? This wasn't the reaction from the "novel."

The chat reappeared:

Riley is so dumb, still waiting for a text. Meanwhile, Liam is literally wrapping his arm around Chloes waist at the park. Im swooning!

Chloe is so smart. She accidentally tripped into him, and he caught her. Peak romance.

I looked at the man in front of me. Youre not Liam, are you?

He froze. He looked at his phone, then back at me. The confusion leaving his face.

I apologize, he said smoothly. Im Liams older brother, Julian Sterling.

Julian explained that the family had found out about Liams "online fling" weeks ago.

In a family like ours, we dont exactly encourage digital romances, Julian said. I was told to handle it. Liam left his iPad at home today with his accounts synced. I saw your message and decided to see who was on the other end.

Then why didn't you tell me immediately? I asked.

Julian looked down. Honestly? I was stunned. And I didn't expect my brother to blow you off to meet someone else.

I felt a sting of rejection, but Julian wasn't done.

Liam is still a kid. Our parents control him. But Im different.

He looked at me, his ears turning red. Im the CEO. I choose who I marry. And honestly? I think I just fell for you at first sight. Could you... consider me instead?

When I got back to the dorm, I was still dazed.

Chloe was bragging to our roommates.

Riley, youre back! I met the most incredible guy today. Rich, handsome, and totally into me.

She was still in that white dress. She looked like the girl in my edited photos. But I wasn't sad. I just said, Thats nice, Chloe.

I checked my phone. Liam had finally messaged me.

[TurtleGuy99]: Sorry, was busy. Didn't see the text. [TurtleGuy99]: You working a part-time job? Don't push yourself.

He Venmoed me $20,000.

Attached was a high-def selfie. He was handsome, but a completely different type than Julian.

[TurtleGuy99]: So you don't forget what I look like.

The chat scrolled by:

LMAO Liam thinks the Lead is his online girl. Hes giving Rileys money to Chloe!

Oh my god! Liam, you sent it to the wrong person! Thats Chloes money now!

Don't worry, theyll meet tomorrow and the real drama starts.

I looked at the mention of Julianthe older brotherand my face felt hot. I immediately sent the $20,000 back.

[Me]: Im not broke, and I don't work part-time. Youve got the wrong person.

For the next few weeks, Chloe went full "innocent girl" mode. I, meanwhile, hit the gym every day.

Liam finally asked to meet.

[TurtleGuy99]: Lets meet. For real.

Its happening! The moment Liam falls for Chloe!

The whale is too scared to go, but Chloe is going to drag her there anyway to show him the difference!

I replied: Sure. But lets make it after winter break.