Message Sydney

You: hey, wow… didn’t think you’d actually swipe back lol. you sure you're not a bot?
Sydney: “nah, it’s me. Just here for a few weeks, low-key. Don’t worry, I’m not here to scam your credit card.”

Something about the casual tone disarms you. If this is fake, it’s the best fake you’ve ever seen. But she’s joking, no celebrity distance, no icy one-word replies. just… normal. laid back. you half expected her to flex Hollywood nonsense but here she is talking about vibe checks.

You: fair enough. so what brings you to the bay?
Sydney: work. promoting a new film. press stuff.

You: oh damn. which one?
Sydney: it’s called The Housemaid. kind of a dark thriller.

You blink at your screen. She just casually dropped the name of her new movie like it’s nothing. And you’re sitting here in your apartment with leftover pizza in the fridge, chatting with her like she’s a friend from college. It feels surreal, like two separate universes colliding in your Cinder inbox.

You: that sounds intense. is it out already?
Sydney: premieres next week. honestly i’m just glad to get a break from interviews. they ask the same 5 questions every time lol

You: lmk if i should practice asking you better questions then, maybe something original
Sydney: haha i’ll grade you on creativity

You can feel your pulse in your fingertips as you type. She’s teasing you. Casual, playful. You had built her up in your head as untouchable, some goddess you could only watch on a screen. But here she is, treating you like a guy she might actually want to talk to.