Chapter 14 - High-end Model

The sun was high in the sky when Talon and Alice arrived at the bustling mall. The air was abuzz with the chatter of shoppers and the soft hum of background music. Amidst the sea of people, the duo navigated their way to the electronics section, a world of gleaming gadgets and cutting-edge technology.

Alice was in her element, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she led Talon through aisles lined with the latest smartphones. Talon, however, was more reserved, eyeing the price tags with a mix of awe and apprehension.

"You really need a phone that can keep up with you, Talon," Alice insisted, picking up a sleek, high-end model. "This one has the best camera, making it perfect for your social media debut. It's equipped with a powerful battery, a broad range of sophisticated features, and comprehensive support services."

Talon swallowed hard upon seeing the price tag, his mind quickly calculating the multitude of things he could purchase with that amount of money.

"Alice," he said, his voice strained with worry, "how can I survive if my funds eventually deplete?"

"You're thinking too small. With your talent, you'll earn it back in no time," Alice replied, her confidence unwavering.

"But, I've never bought anything this expensive," he said, swallowing hard. "It costs 1,700 USD."

She tried to reassure him, "You don't need to worry. This is not just a purchase but an investment. With this smartphone, you can do lots of things."

"Moreover," she continued, "You are used to living without money, aren't you?" she said with a chuckle.

"Yes," he said, smiling faintly, "I cannot deny that fact."

Talon hesitated, mulling over the advice Alice had given him. With her strong recommendation, he chose to take her advice, especially since he had no other idea.

"But, it will take me so much time to pay for the rent," he said.

"That's alright," she replied with a knowing smile, "I'm used to hearing similar remarks from you."

Reluctantly, he made the purchase.

Their next stop was a quaint café tucked away in a quieter corner of the mall. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of baked goods. They settled into a cozy booth, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow through the windows.

Lunch arrived, and they ate amidst comfortable chatter, the food delicious and satisfying. As they finished, Alice's attention turned back to the matter at hand.

"Alright, let's get you set up," she declared, her fingers already dancing over his phone.

Talon watched, fascinated, as Alice expertly navigated through settings and apps, setting up his new phone. She guided him through creating a social media account, her instructions clear and concise.

"Social media is all about engagement and consistency," Alice explained. "Post regularly, interact with your followers, and most importantly, be authentic. People love seeing the real you."

"The real me?" Talon said quietly, frowning. "I don't think there is anything interesting about my life," he muttered softly.

"Let me rephrase my point," she continued. "You could demonstrate your authenticity by showing off your skills and talents. Or, you can post something that will capture the attention of your followers. It doesn't have to be anything too complex - something simple and relatable will do."

Talon slowly nodded and then cast his gaze to the homepage post on TikTok, watching several short videos there.

"There are a lot of cute girls on social media, huh?" Alice asked, her tone inquisitive. "So, do you like that type of video?"

"Ah, I mean… " he replied, speaking slowly. "Do I have to do some sort of dance to gain attention from followers?"

Alice chuckled. "You can always give it a go if you're confident in your dance skills," she suggested.

Talon clicked on Alice's Instagram profile and was awed by the amazing pictures he saw. It was a side of her he seldom noticed on her profile.

"What are you doing? Why are you staring at my profile for so long?" she asked.

"No, I'm just amazed by your photos. You've been to so many places, haven't you?" he said quietly.

"Are you impressed by the places I visited or by my beauty?" she inquired.

He then glanced at Alice and then back at her photos on her Instagram.

"I can't deny that you're beautiful, but all of the photos on your profile are really great as well," he added.

Alice frowned. "Then, maybe you should learn how to take good photos, too," she suggested.

"And..." she continued. "I recorded your performance at the wedding yesterday. Let me help you edit the video and post it to your account."

Talon's eyes lingered on the screen of Alice's smartphone, where his own image, strumming the guitar and singing with a confidence he scarcely recognized, filled the frame. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, a mix of disbelief and pride washing over him.

Alice, ever perceptive, caught the change in his expression. "Why are you smiling?" she teased. "Miss your performance with Maya?"

Talon shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the screen. "No... I just didn't think I could do something like that."

Alice finished editing the video and showed it to Talon. The footage was crisp, the audio clear, and the way she had captured the emotion of his performance was impressive.

"Ready to post it?" Alice asked, her finger hovering over the 'upload' button.

Talon took a deep breath, a sense of anticipation building within him. "Let's do it," he replied, nodding.

With a simple tap, the video was set free into the digital world, marking the beginning of Talon's journey into the realm of social media. It was a small step, but one that held the potential to change everything.

On the way home, Talon's mind was filled with thoughts of how many views his videos had garnered.

"Have the views gone up? And what about the followers and subscribers?" he said as he drove the car.

"Be patient, Talon. Gaining the attention of lots of people takes time. Just focus on honing your craft." she said reassuringly.

***

Talon's room welcomed him with its familiar, comforting embrace. He sat down on his modest bed, the springs creaking slightly under his weight, his mind already racing with ideas for his new song.

"Alright, now it's time for me to do my job. I need to come up with something that will draw in a lot of attention."

He wanted to create something that resonated with people, a song that spoke of love and longing, themes universal yet deeply personal. As he contemplated the lyrics, a melody began to take shape in his mind—a tune that was both haunting and beautiful, evoking feelings of romance and wistful longing.

He whispered with a hint of doubt in his voice, "With my current songwriting skills, I may not be able to create a masterpiece, but I still believe that originality in a work is something to be proud of."

Grabbing his guitar, Talon felt the smooth wood under his fingers, a familiar and comforting sensation. He strummed a few chords, each resonating in the quiet room, filling it with a melody that seemed to flow from his heart. He hummed along, his voice a soft murmur as the words began to form a poetic expression of the feelings brewing inside him.

Lost in the creative process, he barely noticed the passage of time. The notes danced in the air, intertwining with his whispered lyrics, creating a symphony of emotions. It was a magical moment, one where he felt completely in tune with his artistry.

His reverie was interrupted by the ping of his phone, snapping him back to reality. He glanced at the screen, and a message from Alice popped up.

"Talon, someone just contacted me. It looks like they have an exciting offer on the table. I'll be in your room shortly," the message read.