Texting The Wrong Number

Chapter 6: Going Too Far

It was just past midnight, and Emma lay in bed, scrolling through her phone and occasionally glancing at the ceiling. She wasn’t usually one to
stay up this late, but her mind kept drifting back to the art fair and the strange thrill she’d felt wondering if she’d accidentally walked right past
Captain Marvel.

After a few more minutes of tossing and turning, her phone buzzed. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw his name pop up on her screen.

∆ Captain Marvel: Hey, Pepper. Still awake?

Emma grinned, rolling onto her side as she typed back. There was something special about their late-night conversations, like they were the only two people in the world awake, sharing a secret space between them.

∆ Pepper: Wide awake, actually. Couldn’t sleep. How about you?

∆ Captain Marvel: Same here. Maybe my brain knows there’s someone out there who’s just as sleepless.

∆ Pepper: I’d say you’re right. But if we’re both awake, we might as well make it interesting, don’t you think?

∆Captain Marvel: Oh, interesting? I’m intrigued. What do you have in mind?

Emma thought for a second, her finger hovering over her screen. She’d never had this kind of chemistry with anyone before, especially not through texts. It was exhilarating, knowing she
could say anything, ask anything, without the usual fears of judgment. She decided to test the waters, letting a playful smile cross her face as she typed.

∆Pepper: How about… a late-night confession? No filter. Real, raw honesty.

∆ Captain Marvel: A confession, huh? You first.

Emma took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure why she felt this strange urge to open up to him, but something about the anonymity made her feel  safe. She typed back slowly, carefully choosing her words.

∆ Pepper: Alright… confession time. I’ve always felt like I was missing out on a big adventure. Like there’s a part of me that’s still waiting for something exciting to happen, something that’s… just mine. Sounds silly, right?

She hit “send” before she could second-guess herself. For a moment, she felt vulnerable, exposed. But then his reply came almost instantly.

∆ Captain Marvel: Not silly at all. I get it. I think we all crave something that’s only ours, something that makes us feel… special.

Emma let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. It was strangely comforting, knowing he understood her in a way no one else
did.

∆ Pepper: Alright, Captain. Your turn.

∆ Captain Marvel: Hmm… confession: I’ve always been terrified of letting people down. Like if I don’t live up to some invisible standard, they’ll see me as a failure. Kind of makes me a bit of a perfectionist, I guess.

Emma’s heart softened as she read his words. She never would’ve guessed that about him, and she felt an unexpected tenderness toward this person she’d never even met.

∆ Pepper: I get that. But from what I can tell, you’d be the last person to let someone down. I mean, you’re Captain Marvel, right? ;)

∆ Captain Marvel: Ha! Thanks for the vote of confidence, Pepper. Guess I’ll have to keep up appearances.

∆ Pepper: Absolutely. I’m holding you to superhero standards from now on.

They continued exchanging confessions, each one peeling back a new layer of themselves. It was thrilling, each text a small step deeper into a connection that was starting to feel more real than Emma had anticipated. Eventually, after a lull in their conversation, he sent another message that made her pulse quicken.