Page 16 of When Love Gives You Lemons
Check my Snap, texts, Clock notifications. Swipe up, switch apps, wait for anything, anyone, to distract me.
Notifications, views, comments, sex, restaurant reviews, food truck reviews, reviews, reviews, reviews, DMs, taps, taps, taps, hook-ups, Ricky, Ricky, Ricky, from two thousand to over a million followers, somewhere, somehow, everything blurred together, and now I don’t know what’s real.
My followers define me based on what I curate, and I crave their validation, the instant gratification that comes with, well, how I’ve curated my life in Ricky’s wake.
An unsettling thought percolates in my brain:
Am I good enough for him now? Have I done enough? Or have I just avoided—
Nope. Not going there.
This is fine, everything is fine.
My foreheadplonksdown on my desk, and my chair wobbles as I wallow.
An email alert buzzes through my phone. I pause my spiraling thoughts to read.
subject: Congratulations, You’ve Been Selected As a “FOOD FOR CAUSE” Finalist!
July 1
Greetings, Fielder!
We’re writing with wonderful News! Your channel @LemonAtFirstSight and your compelling contentfeaturing the Sinking Venetian and the awareness you raised about the impacts of climate change on Venice, Italy, has been voted by viewers as a finalist in Food for Change’s sustainability awareness contest. Here, influencers across the Clock App will be using their platforms to share content aimed at raising awareness about sustainability, green-eating, and conservation. As a finalist, your job is to post up to three long-form videos relating to food sustainability, green-eating, and conservation by August 1st. Please tag @FoodForChange and hashtag #FoodForChange in your captions. One winner will be chosen to intern on the set of the new TV competition cooking seriesOut of This Worldhosted by world-renowned Michelin-star chef and online sensation Mars Lyon in London, England. The winning content will not only spotlight efforts of sustainability, but will highlight the importance of the hard work of conservation efforts, something Chef Lyon andOut of This Worldis passionate about highlighting, all while showcasing the viral, yum-worthy, drool-inducing food content that @FoodForChange is known for!
Along with your content, please submit a 500-word personal essay outlining your personal goals, how the mentorship would benefit you, and about your efforts toward sustainability as a content creator.
We can’t wait to see what you’ve “cooked” up!
Sophia Brookes @FoodForChange
I suck in a breath and hold it. This is a sign. Ithasto be.
This contest from @FoodForChange isexactlywhat I need to change my life. There is a link to more information about the coveted internship and how it’s an opportunity to work behind the scenes in promotion and marketing, making content for a real show and their social media accountsandguest on the actual show as a special mini-challenge judge. This is the type of real-world experience that is sure to appease Ma, and, who knows, maybe I’ll learn something, too.
Except. I don’t know anything about sustainability, but I know food, so I can fake it until I make it. Hell, it’s a better bet than bankrupting myself with school loans and taking classes for a major that would be useless in practicality, right? If I can win this thing, I might actually have a chance to show Ricky that I’m more than my Clock account.
Nonna always says, “Pasta Dolce, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. La Famiglia Limone è forte!” But I’ve never been a glass of lemonade. I’m not watered down or overly sweet. I’m a Lemon. Sour, bright, electric. A versatile ingredient.
I can make my family—and Ricky—proud.
Content. Contest. Internship. Wedding. Italy.
Ricky.Two weeks to prepare myself for Ricky.
Another great commencement, hold the massacre.
Four until the contest content has to be posted.
Stay focused.Figure out my shit.
I may not have always done things the “right way,” in the “correct” order, and I may not know how to cook or have much direction beyond @LemonAtFirstSight, but IknowI need this.
Here’s hoping I can make something better than lemonade.
Wedding Week
SUNDAY
