Eros415: Shark meme.
Eros415: Shark emoji.
I smile at the screen, glad to see he’s still online.
BiteSizedGabi: Hi. Sorry, I had people over.
Eros415: People, hmm?
Eros415: I don’t like it when you deprive me, Gabriela.
I shiver at those words, imagining what he must sound like in person.
BiteSizedGabi: How can I make it up to you?
Eros415: Tell me the best part of your day.
BiteSizedGabi: I’m settled into the new place now. So that’s one less thing to worry about.
Eros415: And the worst?
I hesitate, considering how honest I want to be. We’ve had conversations about a lot of different things, but I haven’t told him much about my past or the people in my life. It’s not that I’m hiding anything, but it hasn’t come up.
BiteSizedGabi: I saw an old friend today. We don’t get along anymore, and every time I'm around him, I end up feeling bad about myself.
Three pulsing dots pop up on the screen as he starts typing, then disappear. A minute passes, and I wonder if I overshared again. Then, finally, the dots return.
Eros415: He sounds like a dick.
I stare at the screen, tempted to defend Romeo. But ultimately, I decide to change the subject.
BiteSizedGabi: What was the best part of your day?
Eros415: Talking to you.
I smile like an idiot.
BiteSizedGabi: You always say that.
Eros415: Because it’s always true.
BiteSizedGabi: And the worst?
The pulsing dots appear, then pause again before he responds a minute later.
Eros415: I broke something I really like.
That message feels cryptic, but his usually are.
I type out a message, delete it three times, and enter it again, hovering over the send button. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to gather the courage. Then finally, I just go for it.
BiteSizedGabi: Would you ever want to meet?
He reads the message, but doesn’t reply right away, and as usual, I start to overanalyze.
BiteSizedGabi: Just casually. Not like a date or anything. I was thinking we could find a way to keep it anonymous if we want.
Wait, did that sound like I never want anything to happen between us? I chew on my lip, scrambling to type another message.
