This short story is dedicated to @SilverBeams. Thank you for continuously supporting me. It means a lot❤️ 

And...done. I hit the enter button and a check mark forms on the screen. 'Congratulations' it reads, 'You've signed up for Connect.'

Woohoo! Okay, let me explain. Connect is a site where people around the world can talk to each other and share art and stuff. I decided I would sign up after I finished my first painting and I just finished today. I'm super excited to share it with everyone. Of course, I'm also super nervous. What if they hate it? Never mind that. I click on the 'My Profile' button and quickly customize my account. I'm going with a anime theme, since that's what my painting is about.

Taking another deep breath, I upload my painting. Then I go browse through other people's creations. Paper mache projects, caricatures, 3D art, it's amazing! Then I spot an art contest. What? I click on it and read through everything. Well, there's a thought.

Heading back over to my own profile, I check on my painting, but there's only one other view and no likes. How depressing. I hit the new post button and start working on an art competition.

~the next morning~

Wow! When I return to my computer the next morning, there's been a significant increase in visitors to my channel. The contest has attracted many people, who have also followed and liked my painting. I decide to go for it and upload a few digital works. A couple hours later I have some likes on each! Not many, but it's a definite improvement.

~a few weeks later~

'Please submit your round two entry soon. Sincerely, your contest host.' I hit send on the message and go through my stack of notifications, mostly announcements from others, but a couple likes on my own works. Nice. A notification bell pops up and I see I've received a message from one of my participants.

'Sorry, but I don't have anything to enter in your contest.'

I message back immediately.

'Will you still be participating?'

I hit send, then groan, realizing how stupid that sounded. They reply anyways.

'No, I'm sorry.'

Oh. Well, I guess that's fine. I mean, it's not like I have that much art either.

'Okay. Thanks for letting me know,' I type back. Then I close my laptop and head downstairs for lunch.

~some time later~

I can't believe my new picture got a like already! I click over to my notifications, which started beeping just a couple seconds after I posted my photo. It's the person that dropped out. They've liked a whole bunch of my artwork and left a lot of amazing comments. Since they're not in the contest anymore, I don't think I would be doing anything wrong if I followed them. I click the follow button and see another notification pop up. It's another like. I seriously owe them.

~couple weeks later~

'Hey there! I've gotten really busy with my contest, would you be willing to help me co-organize?'

I hold my breath and hit send. I'm messaging the same person who dropped out a while ago. I cross my fingers that they'll say yes. After all, I do have a life outside of Connect and this contest is making me busy - not that I have that many participants. The response comes soon.

'Of course! I would love to!'

Okay now I really owe this person.

'Really? Thank you so much!'

~later~

Who is this person that keeps liking all my posts? I scroll through my notifications. It's them! My co-organizer! Wow, they are certainly incredible. Now, how do I thank them? Hm...I'm busy but when I get a chance...I bookmark their profile and go to finish my homework. Don't forget, I tell myself. Do. Not. Forget.

Okay, so while I didn't forget I've still been very busy - but @SilverBeams, remember that I haven't forgotten. I will return everything you've done for me because you are a miracle that appeared in my life and I can't just ignore that.