there she goes - jschlatt

crossed wires

the days following our coffee date felt surreal. the lingering warmth of schlatt's kindness wrapped around me, but with it came a nagging confusion. he had been different—gentle, attentive, and genuinely sweet—but deep down, I kept questioning how long that would last. after all, this was the man known for his sharp tongue and teasing nature. as we planned to meet again, I was excited yet apprehensive. I decided to wear something casual yet cute—an oversized graphic tee paired with my favorite cargos and a light jacket. I wanted to feel comfortable but still put-together, just in case our conversation turned serious again.

when I arrived at the bar, I found schlatt already seated, scrolling through his phone. he looked up as I approached, his usual smirk in place. "nice of you to finally show up," he teased, though his tone was laced with an edge I hadn't expected.

"sorry! I didn't think I was that late," I replied, sliding into the seat across from him.

"it's fine, just don't make it a habit," he said, his voice dismissive as he waved his hand, brushing off my apology. I felt a slight sting at his tone, but I brushed it aside.

we ordered drinks, and the conversation started off light, but it didn't take long for the underlying tension to resurface. I could feel the shift in the air, like a storm brewing on the horizon. there was something in the way he looked at me that was both intriguing and unsettling.

"so, how's the podcast coming along?" he asked, his tone casual but lacking the enthusiasm he usually had.

"it's going well! we recorded a couple of new episodes, and I think they're really going to resonate with our audience," I replied, trying to gauge his mood.

"that's cool, I guess," he said, shrugging as if he were uninterested.

I hesitated, feeling the disappointment prick at me. "you don't sound very excited," I pointed out, unsure of how to navigate this sudden change.

"it's just a podcast, charlotte. it's not like you're saving the world or anything," he said, leaning back in his chair with a smirk.

his words hit harder than I expected. I had poured my heart into that podcast, sharing my experiences and connecting with others. 

"that's a bit harsh, don't you think?" I retorted, trying to keep my voice steady.

"harsh? I'm just being real. it's good, but don't pretend it's groundbreaking," he said, his tone mocking.

I felt my cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and anger. "you don't have to be a jerk about it, schlatt. I thought you understood why this matters to me," I shot back, frustration bubbling to the surface.

"maybe I don't get why you're so invested. it's just a bunch of people talking," he replied, his eyes narrowing slightly, the playful demeanor replaced by something sharper.

the air between us crackled with tension, and I could feel my heart racing. "it's more than that! it's my way of sharing my story, connecting with people who've been through similar things," I said, my voice rising.

"look, it's great that you're passionate, but maybe you should get a grip. it's not that deep," he said, his tone dismissive.

I stared at him, shocked. this was not the schlatt I had grown accustomed to. his words felt like a slap in the face, and I wasn't sure how to respond. "you know what? I didn't come here to be belittled," I said, standing up abruptly.

 "I thought you wanted to have a real conversation, but clearly, I was wrong."

as I turned to leave, he reached out, grabbing my wrist. "wait, charlotte. I didn't mean it like that," he said, his expression shifting to one of concern.

"then how did you mean it?" I snapped, feeling the mix of anger and hurt bubbling inside me. "it's just... sometimes you can be a little too much. I thought you could handle a bit of honesty," he said, his tone softening.

"and sometimes I need support, not criticism," I shot back, pulling my wrist free. I stormed out of the bar, my heart pounding in my chest. the air outside felt cool against my flushed skin, but the confusion and anger simmered within me. how could he be so sweet one moment and then so cruel the next? I thought we had made progress, but now I was left feeling more lost than ever.

as I walked home, I replayed the evening in my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was purposely trying to push me away, but why? part of me wanted to believe he cared, but his behavior was a jarring reminder of the complexity of our relationship. could I really trust him, or was this just another layer of his facade? I needed answers, but I wasn't sure if he would ever be able to give them to me.