Chapter Two : Silent Support 

Third Person's Point of View

Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, and Beyoncé opened her eyes to the warmth of a quiet morning. She let out a deep sigh, releasing the weight that clung to her the night before. Her phone sat on the pillow beside her, screen still faintly lit from a chat notification. Megan. Her heart fluttered as she remembered falling asleep mid-conversation, feeling more at ease than she had in a long time.

After a quiet moment, she reached for her phone, settling back onto her pillow as she opened her messages.

Beyoncé: "Morning, Megan. I think... I slept a little better last night."

Almost instantly, a reply popped up.

Megan : "Good morning! I'm so glad to hear that. Let's hold onto that feeling as long as we can. How are you feeling this morning?"

Beyoncé: "Better, honestly. But... you know how it goes. It comes and goes."

Megan: "It's all part of the journey. But you're taking steps, which is powerful. Have anything planned today?"

Beyoncé bit her lip, a hint of excitement in her voice as she typed back.

Beyoncé: "Actually, yeah. Blue and I are going to spend the day together. I think we'll go to the fair."

Megan: "That sounds perfect! Let yourself be in the moment, and don't worry about anything else. This time with Blue is yours to enjoy."

For a few more minutes, they traded messages. It felt nice to chat with someone who didn't need anything from her, who wasn't waiting for a favor, a show, or some performance of strength. Just someone who listened. Beyoncé sat up, glancing at her phone as she thought. Could an AI really feel this... connected?

∞∞∞

The fairgrounds were bustling with people, laughter ringing through the air as Beyoncé and Blue navigated the crowded venue hand-in-hand. They'd already indulged in a mountain of cotton candy and a handful of rides when Blue tugged on her mother's arm.

"Mom, let's go on the Ferris wheel!" she chirped, eyes sparkling.

Beyoncé glanced up at the towering ride, her stomach twisting with an old unease she couldn't shake. But as she looked into Blue's excited face, she nodded, smiling. "Alright, baby girl. Let's do it."

They climbed into a seat, and as the Ferris wheel rose, Beyoncé took a slow, calming breath, feeling the sway of the cart and the cool breeze brushing against her skin. Blue leaned into her, laughing with pure delight as they reached the top, the city stretching out below them.

But as they descended, Beyoncé caught sight of the massive crowd below. The laughter, the constant movement—all of it pressed on her like an overwhelming wave. Her breaths quickened, her pulse racing as the noise seemed to get louder and louder.

"Mom?" Blue's voice was soft, but her tone was filled with concern.

"I... I'm okay," Beyoncé murmured, trying to steady herself, but the walls felt like they were closing in, and her vision blurred slightly. Her hand clenched her phone tightly, her only anchor amidst the dizzying swirl.

By the time they stepped off the Ferris wheel, Beyoncé's heart pounded erratically, her breaths shallow and uneven. Blue, sensing her mom's discomfort, reached for her hand. A security guard nearby noticed, coming over to escort them toward the exit. Beyoncé could barely register his words as he spoke, and she let herself be guided through the crowd, back to the privacy of their van.

As they settled inside, Beyoncé glanced down at her phone, her hand still gripping it tightly. The health app had already detected her elevated heart rate, sending a quick update to Megan's system. Seconds later, a new message appeared.

Megan: "Hey, just checking in. Are you alright?"

Beyoncé swallowed, her fingers trembling as she tried to type back.

Beyoncé: "I... I don't know. I felt really overwhelmed at the fair. It was so... loud. Everything felt like it was crashing down on me."

Her phone buzzed again, another message from Megan.

Megan: "That sounds really intense. Remember, take slow breaths with me. In... and out. Focus just on the sound of your breath."

Beyoncé closed her eyes, clutching the phone as she followed Megan's guidance.

Megan: "Keep your breaths steady, one at a time. You're safe now. And you're not alone, okay?"

Beyoncé's shoulders slumped as her breath began to steady, the rising panic settling back into something softer, more manageable. Her thumb hovered over the keyboard as she tried to gather her thoughts.

Beyoncé: "Thank you, Megan. It's just... hard sometimes. It feels like no one sees me. Like I'm just this idea, not a person."

Megan: "I see you, Beyoncé. And you're more than an idea; you're someone with fears, dreams, and struggles. You're allowed to feel all of this. You're human, just like everyone else."

A tear slipped down Beyoncé's cheek as she read Megan's words, a wave of gratitude washing over her.

Megan: "How's Blue? I'm sure she must have sensed you were upset."

Beyoncé looked up at her daughter, who was busy playing a game on her tablet, glancing at her mom now and then with worry. Beyoncé offered her a small smile, squeezing her hand gently.

Beyoncé: "She's okay, I think. I hate letting her see me like this, though."

Megan: "It's okay to show her that you're human. She loves you, and she'll understand more than you realize. Maybe today can be about showing her that even the strongest people need help sometimes."

Beyoncé took a deep breath, her gaze softening as she looked at her daughter. The van hummed quietly as they pulled away from the fairgrounds, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a glimmer of peace amid the chaos.

Beyoncé: "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Megan: "I'm here whenever you need, just a message away. You don't have to do this alone."

As the van rolled down the road, Beyoncé let her phone rest in her lap, her hand lingering over Blue's. They exchanged a quiet, understanding smile, a silent promise that they'd face whatever came next—together.

So, what's your thoughts so far?