'First.'

'OMG, Luv it!'

'Your videos always make me smile'

'Ok singing, looks like it was filmed with a potato though'

'Looks like 2003 girl, buy a camera'

'This is my song! Thank you for doing this!'

'Cringe'

'i lyke ur vedio'

'sub 2 me and I'll sub back'

These were some of the comments on my latest video. It had only been three weeks since I had made my channel and this was the most successful video so far. Yeah, some of the comments were a bit rude or dumb, but enough of them were very encouraging; and I was just beyond thankful for the publicity. I always loved singing, especially with my church's choir but junior year of high school had been super busy with friends, SAT's, college research, learning to drive, and just all of the craziness that being 16 brings that I didn't have the time to sing very often. I had complained about it to my close friend Meggie and she had suggested that I make myself a YouTube channel. I could spend about an hour a week covering a song and sloppily editing it before posting it up, continuing my participation in my favorite craft and maybe even gaining a music loving crowd. My new channel now had three videos, a selfie as a profile pic, and a bunch of musical notes with an inspirational quote as the banner.

Though I didn't really mind the negative comments, I knew they were right about the visual quality of the videos I had posted so far. I did not have my own camera so I was using the webcam and speakers of my old laptop to record videos in my bedroom, and using the default video and picture editing program that the computer came with. While I cared more about the enjoyment of singing than the views, I wanted to give people at least basic quality content.

With that in mind I decided to use the rest of my leftover birthday and allowance money to try to find myself a cheap camera online, obtaining a new editing software could be postponed for a while. Unfortunately, I couldn't find one that I liked in my price range that was new so I opted to search for a used one. After a few more moments of searching I stumbled upon a camera that fit all of the basic qualifications I needed and was listed at a reasonable price; and the pictures even showed it was in a good condition! Squeeeee! Ok Christine, calm down girl.

I decided to message the email address left by the seller expressing my interest and asking basic questions about shipping, payments, and all of that biz. I knew that they would probably not respond right away so I decided to make myself something to eat and maybe even get some studying in for the upcoming test on Monday. I didn't have fantastic grades but they were pretty decent due to studying a lot, God knows I'm not a natural wiz like some of my friends; I wish I could just magically poof all of the information into my head like they seem to do!

After some hesitance I untangled myself from the warm bundle of blankets that I had huddled into and made my way downstairs to get to the kitchen. Normally I don't need to make myself anything to eat or snack on but it was a Friday night so my parents had taken my little brother to his hockey game. I was not expected to go because Friday night is one of the few times of the week that I get free time to myself, and I hate how cold the rink is, brrrrrrr. I could shiver just thinking about it, I have never really been built for the cold.

I made myself a basic turkey and cheese sandwich with toasted bread, as is my personal preference, some strawberries, a small bag of chips, and a tall glass of ice water. I carefully carried my freshly procured goodies upstairs and used my foot to open my door, and plopped my lazy behind into my blanket nest. I pulled out my schoolbook and flipped it to the chapters we covered for the week and started crunchily eating my food and rereading the content until I dropped a half-eaten strawberry in surprise when an email notification beeped loudly from my laptop.

I quickly put my food and drink aside and shoved my book away as I scrambled closer to my computer and opened up my email tab. Quickly scanning past the spam mail from colleges and advertisers; I found and opened the email from the person with the camera I desperately wanted. They responded positively to my interest in their ad and gave me an online method to pay them, details on the shipping and handling, and told me that if the product did not meet my specifications that I would have a three-day window to return the camera and receive a refund. I was so ecstatic that I emailed them back my confirmation of purchase and set up the payment plan right away, but included a sincere thanks and gratitude towards them. I told them that I was very happy to be able to buy this camera, and that I needed it to improve my musical YouTube channel's quality.

They did not email me back right away so I pulled my remaining food back out and finished it off like the hungry wolverine that I am. I was going to go downstairs to wash and put away my dishes when I got another ding from my computer. I expected it to just be a formal report of when I should expect to receive my camera, and it was… that is until I read the rest.

"…also, you are very welcome, and I express my gratitude in having such a friendly and reliable customer. I must admit that I am an apt fan of the arts, and am especially fond of budding non-commercialized talent. Would it be allowable that I know your YouTube channel so I may view it?"

While surprised by this response I was impressed with their way with words and flattered by their interest in my channel so I responded.

"Yeah, sure thing My channel is 'LittleLottie226', and thank you for your interest! I must warn you though that I am not very talented and a total amateur at video making. Anyways, I hope you like it!"

Another ding later…

"I look forward to viewing your work, I am sure it shall hold at least some merit. Maybe I can even offer some constructive criticism? Until then expect the camera soon and new viewer"

After some waiting there were no more notifications, so I knew that was their goodbye and closed my laptop with a joyful and fluttering feeling inside. I went downstairs to wash and put away my dishes, then went back to my bedroom to continue studying my textbook until my tiredness propelled me to push it away and get ready for bed.

All snuggled up in my comforter with my polka dot pajamas and minty breath, I closed my eyes with a warm feeling and excitement to work on my next video. I didn't know that my actions that night were to be the catalyst for the hell that was to become my life.