The rest of the evening passed by without a single reply from TBD. Despite checking my phone every few minutes, time seemed to stretch on endlessly. Four hours felt like an eternity, and the anticipation of a message from TBD weighed heavily on my chest.
As midnight finally arrived, signaling the end of the day, I felt a sense of relief. Though it was an early night for me, the burden on my chest seemed lighter. For once, I could breathe normally, and my thoughts effortlessly drifted to the faceless boy who had become a source of comfort and familiarity.
Hoping that my mother would retire for the night, I decided to take a shower to pass the time. Disrobing and stepping into the warm water, I let its comforting embrace envelop my body. The silky shampoo lathered into my scalp, cascading down my neck and into the small of my back.
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In the solitude of the shower, I found solace in singing. It was a secret pleasure, one that I reserved solely for this private sanctuary. My songs came to life in the steam-filled enclosure, the melodies and lyrics echoing off the tiled walls. Here, I could unleash my voice without judgment or interruption.
But amidst the serenade, my thoughts inevitably turned to Ethan. Ethan, with his captivating smile and the years-long crush I harbored for him. At times like this, my mind raced, fixating on him and the longing I felt. I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to have his touch, his kiss, the warmth of his body pressed against mine.
Realizing the direction my thoughts were taking, I quickly snapped myself out of the daydream. "Shit... I should get out," I muttered to myself, not wanting to make a mess in the shower. With a sigh, I turned off the hot water and stepped out, drying myself swiftly before the cold air could attack my damp skin.
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Slipping into a fresh pair of boxers, I tried to shake away the lingering thoughts of Ethan. Climbing the steps to my attic bedroom, I was grateful for the space that was solely mine. It provided a sanctuary where I could retreat from the world and be myself.
As I reached the top of the stairs, my eyes caught sight of my phone vibrating on the bedside table. Excitement surged through me as I ripped it from its charger, diving onto the bed to unlock the screen. Several notification pings from Ethan cluttered my notification bar, a common occurrence. However, it wasn't his name I longed to see.
Scrolling through the messages, my heart skipped a beat when I finally spotted TBD's name at the very bottom. The thrill of potential connection coursed through me, and I eagerly delved into the message that awaited me.