ALEX POV:
About ten seconds after I saw that he was typing, I started getting anxious over what he would say... what if I'm not good enough? My anxiety has always been a problem when it comes to my love life. It has me thinking the worst things.
A few seconds after, he sent back a message.
Boy: Hey, my name is Jake. I appreciate your compliment. I looove your viral video.
I blushed and decided to Benji back a quick message.
Me: Thanks, means a lot to me :)
Benji: So... do you wanna be friends? I wanna get to know you better ;)
Me: Yeah sure :) I'd like that.
I had to stop and process what just happened. A good looking guy actually wants to know about me. Maybe my love life wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Maybe if I gave it just one more last try.
We carried on the conversation.
Benji: How old are you?
Me: I'm 18, how about you?
Benji: I'm 19, a year older than you :)
Me: That's pretty cool :)
Benji: So tell me about yourself
Me: Alright, give me a moment.
Right when he asked me that question, I contemplated on what to tell him because there was so much I could say but also can't say. I was confused and nervous about what he would think of me but I will still do it.
At that moment, I decided to put my anxiety aside and just type in whatever comes to my mind.
Me: I live in Jacksonville, specifically Lynwood. I go to a high school called Jacobson High and want to major in Psychology in the future. I like playing video games on my Nintendo Switch, watching anime, series and reading books. I have one sibling. I'm bisexual; I like boys and girls but I have a preference for boys. I listen to mainly Pop, Alternative/Indie and a hint of Hip-Hop in terms of music genres. I'm decently sporty, I competitively swim but I feel like I'm at the peak of my career so I might stop for a while or forever. I don't particularly have a favorite food or anything but I have a preference for stir fried food.
Benji: Woah. First time someone's ever actually answered that question. Now I don't know where do go with this lol
Me: For real?
Benji: Yeah. Most times it's always "that's hard to answer".
Me: I guess that makes sense lol. Why don't you tell me about yourself? ;)
I hate how cringe this conversation is, but my mind was still feeling happy either way.
Benji: Well, I'm also 18. I also live in Jacksonville; 1821 Lynwood. I guess we live close to each other.
I study accountancy at Brownsville Community College in Brownsville.
I'm gay and I'm only telling you 'cause you told me you're bi, otherwise I feel no need to announce my sexuality (most times atleast). I enjoy most things every average teenager does like music, obsessed with movies and series, like obsessed.
It took me about 3 minutes to process everything that he had said until my mind decided on what to write back.
Me: I suppose we're not as different as you think we are lol ;)
Benji: Okay, well... I'll catch you later :)
He immediately went offline even before I could say bye. I started feeling this ache in me a few moments later like not saying goodbye was the worst thing imaginable in this first interaction of ours...
Suddenly, the bell rang signaling us that recess is over. I quickly finished the chicken sandwich I bought from the tuck shop before sitting down on the bench with Jake. Our surroundings were buzzing with movement, footsteps and chatter filling up the cafe, signaling once againt that it was really time to go.
"Who were you texting this entire time?" questioned Jake with a concerned look on his face.
"Oh, just a friend." I replied. "Don't read too much into it."
He scrutinized me for a moment before letting out a light sigh.
"Well, if we don't leave now we'll be late for Mechanics!" he said while standing up and pulling one of the straps on his bag around his shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah" I replied with an annoyed tone.
We managed to cafe to place in time for the after recess lessons.
***
"Alright class," said Mr. Henderson, "open your Mechanics text books to page 17. We will be starting a new topic called Newton's Law."
I feared he would say we should start Newton's Law today. I let out a deep, audible sigh and decided to try and drown out the sound of his teachings because I really didn't like that topic. I just wanted the day to end as soon as possible.
Moments later, I saw my vision dimming. Before I knew it, my head was on the desk and I started sleeping.
***
"Alex. Alex. Alex!"
I opened my eyes to see Jake trying to wake me up. I brushed him away.
"What the hell happened?" I asked while twitching my eyes.
"Well, you passed out at the start of the lesson and it's now over." replied Jake. "You're lucky I was kind enough to stay behind and copy notes for you otherwise I would've even left you sleeping."
"Now, what would I do without you, Jakey?"
He started smiling at me and looked the other way to continue his smile. He took my small compliment really well.
We left the school ten minutes later and went our separate ways.
While on the way back home, I noticed the sky darkening. The wind began to hit with strength as the clouds began to gather. There were a few cracklings of lightning. I decided to pick up my pace on the sidewalk because I didn't want to be in the rain, let along caught by lightning.
Just when I arrived home, the rain began with force, shaking the trees that surrounded our house.
I was greeted by my younger brother in the sitting room once I entered the house. I went straight to my room to continue the sleep I had started in my last class.
Once I entered my bed, I pulled out my phone from my pocket. I went straight to TipTop and saw that Benji had not come back online yet. That knowledge left a weird feeling in me, considering the fact that I was so obsessed with him on the get go.
I thought about it for a while before I decided to put my phone away and continue my sleep.
*** End of Chapter ***