Max:Only 8 more weekends until the waterpark opens for summer. And yes, I’m counting.
This is the longest he’s gone between texts, and I’m curious as to what he’s doing, but I don’t want to be pushy about it. I keep wondering if he’s really the guy we saw on Facebook, which he probably is because it’d be too much of a coincidence. It’s not like multiple people have the same number. I am definitely talking to a guy who plays football at the school in the next town over. I really want to go to his school’s website and search him out from the athletics pictures they no doubt have posted online. But, I also don’t want to know. Part of the fun is just having a random anonymous text friend.
Me:I don’t mind the weekends until summer. It’s the weekdays that suck.
Max:lol. For real.
Max:So, you’re in high school?
Me:Yep. Scott White High. You?
Max:I go to Summerfield– well, I used to.
Great. My heart sinks. He’s totally graduated, meaning he’s probably 19 or 20 and he’ll want nothing to do with a sixteen year old. I try to think of something to say, but I’m not sure how to keep up this charade now.
Me:lucky. I’m still stuck in school.
Max:so am I, just I do all my schooling at home now.
Hope flickers in my chest. He’s homeschooled now?
Me:Why’s that?
Max:I had to quit going to school so I could take care of my mom. She’s sick.
Me:oh God, I’m so sorry. That’s awful.
Max:She’s okay, for now. She’s not like dying or anything, but she has autoimmune problems and needs me to help her.
Me:You’re a good son! :)
Inside, I’m melting into a puddle of goo. Max became homeschooled so he can take care of his mom? Most of the jerks at my school would never do that.
Ugh, here I am getting all swoony over a guy I don’t even know.Get it together, Jess!
Max:My mom is the best. :) She raised me all by herself and she’s like the strongest person I know. So I don’t mind. Plus, being homeschooled is kind of dope. I just miss my friends sometimes.
Me:Well now you have me, your anonymous texting friend. :)
Max:Yes, the friend who won’t tell me her name…
Me:It’s Jess.
Max:Ah ha! We have a name! We’re like totally legit text friends now. :) Hi Jess, nice to meet you. I’m Max.
Me:lol! I already know your name. Tell me something else.
Max:Umm…. I’m a senior. What about you?
This is the first time we’re talking about anything remotely personal now. Giddy butterflies float around in my stomach and I am torn between wanting to know all there is to know about this mysterious Max, the former football player high school senior, and also being scared to find out. Part of me still thinks he might be a typical guy. And typical guys are the worst.
Of course, every guy I talk to asks me for nudes by like the fifth text they send. There’s something different about Max. He doesn’t say anything dirty. He’s not a typical guy at all. He’s funny, and he knows how to have a good conversation.
I hesitate before telling him my grade. I kind of want to lie and say I’m older. But for whatever reason, I decide to be honest.
Me:I’m a sophomore.
Max:Cool. So I’m guessing you live around here since you found my number at the dog park. I haven’t been there in forever. Do you have a dog?
