Coincidence & Consequence

Chapter 4

When Amelia Rose had arrived at home, the first thing she did was check her phone. She had gotten into trouble for being on it during class, so she didn't have any time to respond. Amelia Rose was unsure of how much information she should text this random person, but they seemed trustworthy. Upon finding out they were the same age, Amelia Rose felt a little better. It felt nice to text someone again. No one knows who you are online and most importantly, who you were previously. Another text came in!

Unknown: Same! What's your name?

Amelia Rose: You can call me A.R.

Amelia Rose has changed contact to A.R.

A.R has shared contact with Unknown

A.R.: What's your name?

Unknown: I'm Chris!

Unknown has changed contact to Chris

Chris has shared contact with A.R.

Amelia Rose smiled to herself. She wondered nervously if the person she was texting went to her school. Probably not, she thought to herself, the world isn't that small. Her phone vibrated.

Chris: Now that I'm thinking about it, how do I know you're not lying about your age?

A.R.: I give you my word. You can trust me. What about you?

Chris: I give you MY word too! And you can trust me as well!

A.R.: Alright! Let's text tomorrow- I have to go.

Chris: Deal! Talk to you later, texting friend!

Amelia Rose grinned. She has an online friend- the first friend she had in ages! Hopefully this person will be nicer.

Christine loved weekends. She could sleep in, watch cat videos, and enjoy the comforts of Netflix. Today, she decided, was going to be a lazy day. She would stay in her bed and sleep until noon. Then, she will get up and take a shower before going back to bed. But fate had decided that she was not going to be doing that. Her phone dinged, sending vibrations up her arm. Christine turned around in her bed and groggily raised her glowing phone up to her face.

A.R.: Good morning. What are you doing today?

Christine frowned. Her day was going to be uneventful, but she wanted to show off. Deciding to change her plans, she texted back an eager reply.

Chris: I'm going to try to hang out with my friends! You?

A.R.: I am going to study.

Christine furrowed her eyebrows. This person sounded a little nerdy.

Chris: What do you mean? Why don't you go hang out with other kids?

A.R.: No.

Chris: Why not?

Christine bite her lip. Was she being too straightforward?

A.R.: Usually, they are fake friends.

Chris: So you're going to throw away your chance to have real friends over a fear that you're gonna get hurt?

A.R.: Yes. I don't want to deal with that stuff.

Chris: You gotta live your life! Don't push people away- not everyone is terrible. It just takes some time to find the right people!

A.R.: I have to go. Talk later.

Christine groaned. She had hoped she hadn't ruined another relationship. This kid, she thought, must have a hard time with other kids for a reason. What could it be?