there she goes - jschlatt

shifting tides

the days after my dinner with schlatt felt different.

 it was as if the universe had shifted slightly, creating a new rhythm in my life. every time my phone buzzed, my heart raced, half-expecting it to be him. our conversation replayed in my mind like my favorite song on repeat, the warmth of our connection lingering in the air long after we'd said goodbye.

i dove headfirst into my podcast, eager to share my newfound insights about vulnerability and connection. i spoke passionately about how opening up can be a bridge between people, even when fear threatens to pull them apart. as i recorded, i found myself wondering how schlatt was processing our conversations. did he feel the same spark of possibility that i did? or was he still wrapped in the sarcasm that defined so much of him?

when the episode went live, i felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. what if he listened? what if he didn't? either way, i was putting my thoughts out into the world, exposing the rawness of my experiences. the feedback from my listeners was overwhelmingly positive, which bolstered my confidence. still, there was a nagging thought at the back of my mind, echoing my uncertainty.it wasn't until a few days later, while scrolling through social media, that i stumbled upon a post from schlatt. he had shared a clip from my latest episode, with a caption that simply read, "worth a listen." my heart swelled. he was engaging with my work, acknowledging it publicly. it felt like a small victory, a thread connecting us in a deeper way.

that evening, i decided to text him. "hey, thanks for sharing the podcast! did you get a chance to listen to the latest episode?"

"yeah, i did. you really laid it all out there," he replied.

"i figured it was time to be honest," i sent back, my fingers trembling slightly. "vulnerability is scary, but it's also important."

his response came quickly. "it takes guts to put yourself out there. not everyone can do that. you should be proud of yourself."

i could hardly contain my smile. "thanks. it feels good to share, especially when it resonates with people."

"you're onto something. keep pushing those boundaries," he encouraged, and i felt a spark of inspiration igniting within me.

over the next few days, we exchanged texts, each conversation flowing more easily than the last. we shared jokes, memes, and snippets of our daily lives, slowly weaving our experiences together. i found myself looking forward to each notification, my heart racing with anticipation.one evening, as i was winding down for the day, my phone rang. it was a video call from schlatt. my heart skipped a beat as i accepted the call, his familiar face appearing on my screen. he looked relaxed, wearing a hoodie that hung loosely on his frame.

"hey, superstar," he said, a teasing glint in his eye. "didn't expect to see you so soon.""well, you called," i replied, trying to sound nonchalant despite the butterflies in my stomach."fair point. thought it'd be fun to catch up face-to-face," he said, leaning back in his chair. "how's the podcast treating you?"

"great! it's been really rewarding to hear how people connect with my experiences. it's a bit surreal," i admitted, feeling a rush of vulnerability."you deserve it. you put in the work," he said, his tone genuine. "it's refreshing to see someone be real in a world full of bullshit."his words wrapped around me like a warm hug. "thanks, schlatt. it means a lot coming from you."

"so what's next? more deep dives into your past?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips."maybe. but i also want to focus on how to move forward, how to build connections despite our pasts," i replied, feeling more confident in my vision.

"you're onto something," he said, his expression shifting to something more serious. "people need to know they're not alone in their struggles."his sincerity resonated deeply with me. in that moment, i felt an undeniable connection between us, something more profound than just friendship. it was as if we were both navigating the same turbulent waters, searching for solid ground."what about you?" i asked, leaning in slightly. "what's your story?"

he hesitated for a moment, his gaze dropping. "let's just say my past isn't something i'm proud of. but i've been working on it. trying to be better.""that's all we can do, right?" i encouraged, hoping to lift the weight he carried. "every step counts."

he nodded, looking up at me. "yeah, it does. and it's easier to keep moving forward when you have someone in your corner."his words hung in the air, a promise of support and understanding. i felt a surge of emotion—this connection we were forming was beginning to feel like a lifeline, anchoring us both amidst the storms we faced.

"i want to be that person for you," i said softly, my heart racing. "if you ever want to talk or need someone to lean on, i'm here."

"i appreciate that, charlotte. it means more than you know," he replied, his voice steady.

the night wore on as we shared stories, laughter, and comfortable silences. with every moment, i felt the barriers between us slowly crumbling, revealing the genuine connection we had been building. it was thrilling yet terrifying—the kind of intensity that made my heart race and my stomach flutter.

as the call came to an end, schlatt leaned closer to the camera, his expression serious. "we should hang out more. just us. no distractions.""i'd like that," i said, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest."let's plan something," he replied, a determined glint in his eyes. "it's time to see where this goes."

"definitely," i agreed, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. as we said our goodbyes and ended the call, i couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental was unfolding between us. the slow burn was intensifying, and i was ready to embrace whatever came next.that night, as i lay in bed, my heart raced with possibilities. the tides were shifting, and with each passing moment, the threads of our connection were weaving a tapestry of hope, understanding, and perhaps, something more profound.