Separated by a Screen (And Several Hundred Miles)

Chapter Seven

After a few minutes, Luke had to go; he had class on Monday afternoons. He didn't end up messaging me again that day, but I didn't really care; when I went to sleep that night, my one thought was Wow, Heather; you did something right, for a change. You actually made a friend.

~ ~ ~

The next day at lunch, I made the usual decision that I didn't care about whatever gossip the people at my table were talking about, so I went ahead and pulled my phone out of my pocket. I did my best not to grin when I saw that I had a message.

@lukewarmcoffee: hey! I usually don't have class in the middle of the day so you should text me when you're at lunch :)

I quickly responded:

@heather_the_feather: hey there weirdo x

I didn't quite realize what I was typing until I sent it. Then I noticed the "x" at the end. My immediate thoughts after sending it were something along the lines of: SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SH-

He answered.

@lukewarmcoffee: heather!

@lukewarmcoffee: long time no message!

Relieved that he didn't comment on my message, I let out a breath a replied.

@heather_the_feather: luke, it has literally only been like twenty hours

@lukewarmcoffee: that's 20 hours too long

@lukewarmcoffee: that's almost a day

@lukewarmcoffee: the concept of a day without you is literally terrifying

@heather_the_feather: well, good to know someone appreciates talking to me

@lukewarmcoffee: Heather, I'm assuming that an awesome person like you is surrounded by friends

I almost laughed.

@heather_the_feather: quite the opposite, actually. No one seems to want to even acknowledge my existence

I wasn't sure how he'd respond. I started to get a little nervous.

@lukewarmcoffee: well, same goes for me.

@lukewarmcoffee: we can be alone together, then x

This time, I didn't try to hide the grin that spread across my face. Chill, Heather; it's just an "x." He just did it to make you feel okay for doing it earlier.

Even without the "x," the message was worth the grin.

Then I realized what the message sounded like.

@heather_the_feather: let's be alone together

@heather_the_feather: we could stay young forever

@lukewarmcoffee: screAM IT FROM THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS LUNGS LUNGS

I almost laughed, but refrained from doing so.

@heather_the_feather: seeing as I'm in lunch, I'm not going to scream, but I'll do it mentally

@lukewarmcoffee: ugh fine

@lukewarmcoffee: you're no fun

@heather_the_feather: I know

@lukewarmcoffee: ...

@lukewarmcoffee: ...

@lukewarmcoffee: ...

@lukewarmcoffee: Heather...

I started to get scared; I noticed my thumbs were shaking when I replied.

@heather_the_feather: yeah?

@lukewarmcoffee: ...

@lukewarmcoffee: ...

@lukewarmcoffee: ...

@lukewarmcoffee: say YEAH

A short laugh escaped my lips; the people at the table shot me a weird look, and I felt myself go a little red.

@heather_the_feather: yoU ASS

@heather_the_feather: I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG

@lukewarmcoffee: you're welcome.

@heather_the_feather: ughhhh I freaking hate you so much, Luke

@lukewarmcoffee: love you too!!! XxXXxxXxxXxX

I almost laughed again; I had to clasp a hand to my mouth to keep from doing so.

@heather_the_feather: stop making me laugh! Everyone thinks I'm crazy!

@lukewarmcoffee: so....it would not be a good time to ask if you wanted to go penguin sledding with me?

And I laughed again. I got another weird series of looks shot at me, and I quickly quieted myself.

@lukewarmcoffee: PLEASE TELL ME YOU GET THE REFERENCE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEE

@heather_the_feather: Yes, I do, and I seriously hate you so much, Luke whatever-your-last-name-is

@lukewarmcoffee: good to know you care so much can about me

@lukewarmcoffee: and it's Pendleton

"Luke Pendleton," I said to myself, quiet enough that no one could hear. It just seemed like such a right name.

@lukewarmcoffee: and yours?

@heather_the_feather: Evans.

@lukewarmcoffee: ARE YOU RELATED TO LILY EVANS

@heather_the_feather: unfortunately, no

@lukewarmcoffee: aww that would have been fantastic

@lukewarmcoffee: well, even if your not related to the woman who had the Chosen One

@lukewarmcoffee: I'm glad to meet you, Heather Evans

I smiled the kind of smile that no one else could see; the kind that wasn't meant for anyone but the one person who couldn't possibly see it.

@heather_the_feather: and I you, Luke Pendleton.