The Echoes of Unspoken Love

1. Unexpected Beginning

                                             

P.S. This is my first story. Any judgments, opinions, or criticisms are not accepted. I am committed to finishing this story, so please be kind to me and respect my first attempt at writing.

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Theo sat by the window of his small apartment, the soft hum of the city outside providing a constant background noise to his thoughts. He had spent the past two years immersed in his studies, focusing on himself, and managing household chores. After his breakup two years ago, Theo chose to isolate himself, using the time to heal and rebuild. Now, as a college student with a clear mind and heart, he felt ready to commit to a new relationship.

He wasn't the most approachable person, but when someone did talk to him, he entertained them. However, he never really let anyone in completely. He kept a safe distance, protecting his heart from any potential pain. This summer break, he decided to dedicate more time to himself, enjoying the solitude and peace that came with it.


Theo spent his days reading books, catching up on movies, and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. He was content, or at least he thought he was. But deep down, there was a longing for connection, a desire to share his life with someone special again.


One afternoon, while he was reading a book, he heard the familiar ping of his phone. It was a notification from Facebook. Theo reached for his phone and saw a friend request from someone named Nate.

"Hmm, who could this be?" Theo muttered to himself. He clicked on Nate's profile to see if he recognized him. Nate had a warm smile, and his profile was filled with pictures of adventures and happy moments. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy. Theo's curiosity was piqued.Without hesitation, he accepted the friend request. As he did, a message notification popped up. It was from Nate.

"Hey Theo, thanks for accepting my friend request! I noticed we have some mutual friends and thought we could connect. I thought you seem like a good person and I'm kinda interested to know you more."

Theo felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He hadn't engaged in casual conversation with new people in a long time. But there was something about Nate's message that felt genuine and inviting.

He took a deep breath and typed a response, "Hi Nate! Thanks for reaching out. My summer has been pretty relaxed so far. Just enjoying some me-time. How about you?"

Almost immediately, Nate replied, "That sounds nice. I've been working a lot lately. I had to stop going to school to support myself, so it's been busy. But I try to make the most of my free time."
Theo's fingers hovered over the keyboard. He wasn't sure what to say next. "Oh, that sounds tough. What kind of work do you do?"

"I'm working at a café downtown. It's not my dream job, but it pays the bills. Plus, I get to meet a lot of interesting people," Nate responded.

Theo smiled, picturing Nate behind a counter, serving coffee with that warm smile. "That sounds like it could be fun. I admire your dedication."

"I'm studying Education," Theo replied. "I want to become a teacher. It's been a lot of work, but I enjoy it."

"That's great! Teaching is such an important job. Do you have a specific subject you want to teach?"

"I'm leaning towards English," Theo said. "I love literature and writing. How about you? What were you studying before you stopped?"

"Haha, let's not talk about that right now" Nate joked.

Theo chuckled to himself, feeling a little more at ease. "Well, if you ever need tech support, you know who to call."

"Deal! I'll definitely take you up on that offer," Nate replied with a smiley face emoji.

The conversation flowed, albeit with a few awkward pauses. Theo found himself opening up more than he had in a long time. Nate had a way of making him feel comfortable, and their chat felt effortless. For the first time in years, Theo felt a spark of hope. Maybe this was the start of something new, something meaningful.

The summer break, which he intended to spend focusing on himself, suddenly seemed filled with possibilities. Little did Theo know, this simple friend request would be the beginning of a journey that would change his life in ways he never imagined.

As they continued to chat, Theo discovered more about Nate's life and his struggles. Nate's determination and positive outlook despite his challenges were inspiring. They shared stories about their pasts, their dreams, and their fears. The more they talked, the more Theo felt drawn to Nate.

By the time the evening rolled around, Theo found himself looking forward to their next conversation. He hadn't realized how much he missed having someone to talk to, someone who understood him. Nate was quickly becoming that person.

As he lay in bed that night, Theo's mind was filled with thoughts of Nate. He wondered what tomorrow's conversation would bring and felt a flutter of anticipation. Maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something beautiful.

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Hope ya'll like it.

M. J. Ryder