I was about to get up and leave, but of course, my phone had other plans for me. One last notification popped up on my screen. Another friend request. Seriously? I thought, half-annoyed but also a little curious. Just one more peek wouldn't hurt, right?
I unlocked my phone and there he was—Max. His profile picture was something else. Tall, dark, handsome...the kind of guy you'd double-tap without thinking twice. And that smile? Damn, it was dangerous. He looked African, which wasn't exactly my type. Not that there was anything wrong with Afrikans, but I just wasn't into them. I mean, I was already stuck here in Nigeria, and I wanted something different. Something far from here, like a European or American vibe.
But this Max guy? He was fine enough to make me break my own rule. His pictures were on point, too. No awkward selfies, no weird angles—just him looking like a model in every shot. It was hard to say no, so I didn't. I hit "accept" before I could overthink it.
Whatever, I thought. What's one more guy, right?
Before I could even finish scrolling through his pictures—which, by the way, were all fire—he messaged me.
**Max:** Hey babygirl
Babygirl? Okay, normally I would've rolled my eyes, but somehow it didn't sound cringey coming from him. I didn't waste any time replying.
*Me:** Hey you ;)
Yeah, I was playing it cool, but inside? I was already kind of excited to see where this was going. I already liked him, just based on his looks, but now I wanted to see if his vibe matched. And he wasn't disappointing.
*Max:** You look real good in your pics. How you doing?
**Me:** Thanks, you too. I'm just chilling, you?
**Max:** Better now that I'm talking to you.
Okay, okay, he was smooth with it. Not in that way-too-over-the-top way that makes me wanna block a guy immediately, but just enough to make me smile.
**Me:** Haha, glad I could make your day ;)
We kept talking, and honestly, I wasn't even mad about it. Normally, guys from around here would bore me after the first few lines, but Max? He had me hooked. I don't know if it was his confidence or just that he wasn't trying too hard. It felt natural.
**Max:** So, where are you from, babygirl?
Here we go, I thought. This was the part where most guys would lose me. But for some reason, I wasn't ready to ditch him just yet.
**Me:** Nigeria, you?
**Max:** Kenya, babe. Ever been?
Kenya. Okay, not too close but still Afrikan. Normally, that'd be enough for me to dip out of the conversation. I was done with local guys. But Max was different. So, I stayed.
**Me:** Nah, I haven't. But maybe someday.
**Max:** You should. I'd love to show you around.
He kept throwing these smooth little lines at me, and honestly? I was starting to eat it up. It wasn't like I hadn't heard this kind of stuff before—trust me, I had. But there was something about Max. He knew how to say the right thing without coming off too strong.
**Me:** Haha, sounds fun. You must say that to all the girls, huh?
**Max:** Nah, just the special ones ;)
Right. I wasn't stupid. I knew how guys worked, especially cute ones like him. They always had a line ready for every girl. But whatever. I wasn't about to marry the dude. This was just fun.
We kept chatting, and I found myself leaning more into the conversation, forgetting all about my plan to head over to my neighbor's house. Ugh, Jamie could wait. Max had my attention now, and I wasn't ready to cut it off.
**Max:** You're actually really cool. I don't usually talk to girls this long, but I'm feeling you.
**Me:** Haha, yeah? I guess I'm just special like that.
I was flirting back, but honestly? I meant it. I wasn't like the other girls these guys probably talked to. I wasn't some naive chick who thought I was the only one. I knew the game, but I could play it too.
**Max:** You got WhatsApp? We should talk more off Facebook.
Now this was the real question. The one that took things to the next level. Was I ready to give him my number? I mean, it wasn't that big of a deal, right? It's not like I didn't already have eight guys in my inbox. One more wouldn't kill me.
I hesitated for like two seconds, then typed it out.
**Me:** Yeah, I do. You want it?
**Max:** Of course. Drop it here, and I'll hit you up.
I stared at the screen for a second before sending my number. Fuck it, what's the worst that could happen?
**Me:** Here you go ;) Hit me up whenever.
I sat back after I sent it, feeling a weird mix of excitement and nerves. I wasn't usually like this, getting all caught up over a guy, especially one I just met online. But something about Max felt different. Maybe it was his confidence, or maybe it was just because he looked like he belonged in a damn music video. Either way, I was curious.
I closed the chat, trying to refocus on what I was supposed to be doing, but my mind kept drifting back to him. I mean, I wasn't seriously into him...yet. But I couldn't deny that little spark of excitement. I was already wondering what his next message would say. Already imagining how our WhatsApp chats would go.
I knew I should probably stop. I mean, this was getting ridiculous. I didn't need another guy in my life, especially not another Afrikan. But then again, maybe Max wasn't just another guy. Maybe he was different.
I sighed, looking at my phone. Fuck, I thought. Here we go again.