By the next morning, it wasn't just TikTok teens or classmates buzzing about them anymore.
It was BuzzWire.
The headline popped up on Simon's screen at 7:42 a.m.:
> "Step-Sibling Lovers? NYC Teens Break the Internet with Viral Video Confession"
Simon rubbed his eyes.
What the hell?
His phone buzzed again—this time, an email.
> From: Alexis Young
Subject: Interview Request — BuzzWire Live
Hi Simon,
We've been following the viral reaction to your video with Elena. Our editorial board is interested in sharing your story in a more humanized and respectful way. We'd love to have you and Elena on our livestream segment this Friday. 30 minutes. No ambush. You'll have editorial control over final edits.
Let us know.
— Alexis Y.
Senior Host, BuzzWire Live
Simon stared at the screen.
Thirty minutes on one of the biggest digital news outlets in the country?
It wasn't just high school anymore.
This was national.
He sent the message to Elena immediately.
No caption. Just the screenshot.
It took her twelve minutes to respond.
> Elena: Are you out of your mind?
Simon: Hear me out.
Elena: This is beyond exposure. This is lighting our entire lives on fire and saying, "Here, internet, have fun."
Simon: We already lit the match.
Simon: Let's control where it burns.
They met after school, two blocks from their old diner.
Elena had sunglasses on. Simon wore a baseball cap.
Not because they were hiding.
Because they didn't want recognition without context.
"What if they twist it?" she asked, pacing. "What if they cut our answers? Edit us into monsters?"
"They said we'd have final say," Simon reminded her.
"They could be lying."
"They could be telling the truth."
Elena crossed her arms. "This isn't just about us anymore. What about our parents? The school? Everyone who knows us?"
Simon stepped closer.
"And what about all the kids who feel what we feel but are too scared to say it out loud?"
She paused.
"People like us deserve to see it's possible," he said. "That survival isn't the best we can do."
Her throat worked to swallow emotion. "I'm scared, Simon."
He touched her cheek. "Then we'll be scared together. But let's be scared with purpose."
They said yes.
Friday came fast.
BuzzWire's downtown studio was cold and bright, like a spotlight you couldn't escape. Elena wore a sleek black blouse and fitted jeans. Simon wore a dark blue button-up with sleeves rolled to his elbows.
A stylist offered makeup. Elena declined.
"We're not covering anything," she said.
Alexis Young met them at the green room. Blonde, confident, a little intimidating—but she smiled warmly and offered them water.
"I want this to be real," she said. "No gotcha questions. Just your story."
They nodded.
Then it was time.
The red light blinked.
Live.
> "I'm Alexis Young, and today we're joined by two high school students whose recent viral video has sparked national conversation. Simon Donovan and Elena Reyes—thank you for being here."
They both nodded.
> "Let's start with the question on everyone's minds: why now? Why speak out?"
Simon leaned forward.
"Because silence was killing us."
Elena added, "Because when we didn't own our story, everyone else turned it into theirs."
Alexis nodded. "You were raised as step-siblings?"
"Yes," Simon said. "My mom married Elena's dad when I was two. I grew up believing he was my biological father. I didn't even know the truth until I was twelve."
"And the feelings between you two?"
"They didn't come from childhood," Elena said firmly. "We weren't raised like twins. We weren't besties at age five. We grew closer in high school. That's when it shifted."
Alexis smiled gently. "Many people online have asked—how do you respond to the accusation that this is just shock value?"
Simon's jaw tensed. "Love isn't a performance."
Elena nodded. "We didn't post that video for attention. We posted it to defend ourselves. From rumors. From shame. From people twisting what we feel."
Alexis leaned in. "And what do you feel?"
Simon took a breath.
"Peace. Fire. Chaos. Belonging. Love. All of it."
Elena whispered, "He makes me feel seen."
The livestream ran for 28 minutes.
No drama. No stumbles.
Just realness.
And by the end, Alexis looked like she was holding back tears.
She closed the segment with:
> "You don't have to understand someone's love to respect it.
You just have to recognize that it's theirs."
When they walked off set, Simon checked his phone.
Messages. Hundreds.
From strangers. From classmates. From people they hadn't spoken to in years.
> "I cried."
"You're braver than I'll ever be."
"I judged you before. I'm sorry."
"This helped me come out to my parents."
"Thank you."
Elena read a few over his shoulder.
Then she kissed him—fast and fierce—right there in the hallway outside Studio 3B.
"I'm proud of us," she whispered.
He kissed her again. "Me too."
But not everyone was clapping.
That night, Simon got an email from the school board.
> SUBJECT: Notice of Disciplinary Hearing – Attendance Required
Attached was a formal PDF:
He was being reviewed for conduct detrimental to the institution's image.
Elena received the same.
The school was preparing to punish them.
For being honest. For being seen. For going viral.
Simon didn't flinch.
He sent one text to Elena:
> Simon: If they're going to put us on trial...
Simon: Let's burn the courtroom down.