The Balance of Independence and Connection
The story of a master of solitude who, after peeking into the celebrations of others through her screen, embarks on a journey to find her own perfect temperature for human connection.
Protagonist
An introverted INFP who secretly craves attention, a max-level homebody, and a dedicated online fan.
Scene 1
Logged off. Now it's officially my time.
Narration
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I left the world's noise outside the door. The moment it closes, *click*. A perfect seal. This little universe revolves just for me. The lighting's a soft purple, the BGM is rain sounds. Perfect.
Scene 2
This little light is all I need.
Narration
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They say it's dangerous outside the blanket, and they're not wrong. The only thing shining in this darkness is my phone screen. I'm a 21st-century hermit, exploring the deep forest of the internet with this tiny lantern.
Scene 3
Ding! An invitation to the party over there.
Narration
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But isn't it weird? I say I'm most comfortable alone, but the second a 'Live Now' notification pops up, my finger moves on its own. There are people over there, you know. It's loud, full of laughter... that other world.
Scene 4
I want to laugh with them, but joining is a hassle.
Narration
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It's a whole party on my screen. Three of them, clinking glasses, chatting away, having a blast. I can almost hear the sound of their three cups colliding. Ah, I'm kinda jealous. I want to be in on it, but the thought of actually going out is exhausting. You know the feeling, right?
Scene 5
To comment or not to comment, that is the question.
Narration
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Typing 'lol' in the chat, then deleting it. Over and over again. Is it okay for me to jump in? Or should I just stay a ghost and watch? I hate being lonely, but I hate being drained even more. It's a tricky balancing act.
Scene 6
Finding the perfect vibe. Cheers.
Narration
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Oh, whatever. I grab some sparkling water and whiskey from the fridge. The ratio? Whatever I feel like. Not too strong, not too weak. My real-life glass and their on-screen glasses. Time to begin my own alchemy, blending these two worlds.
Scene 7
Apart, but together. This is enough for tonight.
Narration
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A little 'cheers' to the screen. A single emoji in the chat. That's all I need. This feeling of being connected from a comfortable distance, without forcing myself to fit in. Maybe this is the perfect temperature for a pro-loner to coexist with others.