Page 39 of Romeo

Jasper: Why?

Me: Sunrise feels like pressure. Sunset feels like permission to stop.

I hit send, then immediately wished I could pull it back. That was more truth than a stupid game required.

Jasper: That answer was too thoughtful for this game.

I smiled. At least he hadn’t asked me to explain it. Jasper seemed to understand me better than most people did.

Me: Your turn.

Jasper: Sunrise.

Me: Why?

Jasper: Feels like getting another chance to get it right.

I read the message again. Then once more.

Another chance to get what right? Jasper had this way of giving me answers that somehow revealed less than the questions.

Me: That was also too thoughtful.

Jasper: We’re both failing.

Me: Next.

Jasper: Texting or talking?

Easy.

Me: Texting.

Jasper: Liar.

I blinked at the word. My defenses rose as I typed out the next message.

Me: I like having time to think.

Jasper: You answer me pretty fast for someone who needs time to think.

Well. That was rude.

Mostly because he was right.

Our messages had started simple. How was your day? What are you doing? Did you make it home?

Somehow those little conversations had stretched into hours. And lately, I didn’t need much time to think before answering him at all.

Me: That’s different.

Jasper: How?

Me: I don’t know.

That was the annoying part.

I really didn’t.