Texting a Stranger | Matty Healy | °ONHOLD°

s e v e n t e e n

"Ta-dah!" Hayley chanted, turning the mirror in front of me quickly.

"I dunno, I don't feel right. I look nothing like me" I scrunch my face up at the sight of myself.

Hayley had spent a whole hour doing my hair in lose ringlets and shoveling a stupid amount of make up onto my face. I looked like a completely different person. One I wasn't sure I liked. I felt cheap and tacky. Minimal was always best for me, I'd found.

But I was letting her off, because tonight we're going for a meal for her 21st.

"Which dress you wanna wear?" She asked, holding up 2 short, tight dresses. One black and one blue.

"I dunno, non" I retorted with a sulking face. Why couldn't I just go out in my skinny jeans!?

"Black one it is then" She giggled before throwing it onto me. Already knowing I wasn't in the best mood.

I grabbed at my bag, checking my phone.

"Still nothing from him?" Her voice asked from behind me. Of course she was being nosey.

"What?" I shot back in irritation. "I was just checking if my mum had text me" I told her.

"Oh, the woman you haven't spoken to in almost 2 years. Sure" She laughed again, adding more annoyance into me "I believe you" She sang as she headed out of her bedroom to get changed herself. "It's only been two days, let him miss you" She called across the landing to me. Oblivious that her words were chipping away at me.

Don't cry. Do not cry, Alessia!

You don't even know the guy. Don't waste tears on a stranger.

We were taken to our seats, the restaurant was packed out already and it was only 7pm.

"Can I get you ladies some drinks?" The waiter asked, not giving us chance to even get settled.

"We'll just have a bottle of champagne" Hayley shrugged, not even bothering to check the drinks menu.

"Cheapest!" I chelped in. I swear this girl sometimes thinks she's on the wage of a super model.

"So, club after we've eaten?" 

"What?" I asked, not necessarily listening, I was too busy checking my phone for any messages again! 

Our bottle was suddenly brought over, a huge sparkler sticking out the top of it, the sparks were flying all over us. I flinched, not expecting it, causing a few people round us to burst into laughter, some cheering and clapping.

"Um, how much is this?" I asked quietly as Hayley, stood cheering along for herself, loving the attention she was getting.

"The gentleman seated to the left side of the room paid for this, ma'am"

I turned swiftly. But was struggling for someone's face to stand out and seem familiar to me.

Three glasses of champers down, we'd quickly decided alcohol was going to be the only thing we consumed tonight. We'd both quickly lost our appetite as a few others had joined us now round our table, guys, of course - It is Hayley here.

We'd had another of the same bottle bought for us, from the same mystery bloke who was still unidentified. Plus these guys had now topped us up with a few glasses of wine. 

I knew there intentions. And Hayley wasn't stupid enough to think they were just generous dudes, we knew they were only after one thing. But that's where me and her differ. 

Whilst she was occupied, having the attention of all three of them, I quickly pulled my phone out and without thinking, just did it....

I Miss you! :'(

I'm closer than you think x

My body thrashed round so quickly I was sure I'd given myself slight whiplash.

Yet still... no one was standing out to me.

Where are you?!!! I need to see you. I can't stop thinking of you x

"Fucking hell, Healy again. I swear that guy must be following us" Hayley muttered into me and began laughing again, quickly occupied with the guys again.

My eyes searched frantically, spotting him in almost 3 seconds flat. He was at the left side of the room. His head down, phone in hand.

My phone lit up with a text again, catching my attention. But I kept my eyes on him for a little longer.... It can't be?

My shaking hand reached for the phone, tearing my eyes away from him. I read the text.

Thinking of you too! So much xx

All the little things were slowly adding up to show evidence this STRANGER was likely to be HEALY. How did I never see it before!?

You having a good night? x 

My eyes instantly traveled back to him the second I pressed send. And just like that, he picked the phone up again. His eyes quickly traveled over in this direction. Our eyes meeting. Holding gaze.

My fingers quickly typed out a new text.....

HEALY?!?!?!???? 

You caught me! xxxxx

It is you!!!

"I knew it!" I whispered to myself in disbelief as he stood and began heading this way slowly. Feeling like it was all in slow motion.

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CATS OUT OF THE BAG. 

HELLOOOOOO, CAN I JUST INFORM YOU ALL I'VE BEEN UPDATING THIS STORY ALL SHITTING DAY. FOR REALZZZZ, THERE WERE ONLY 4 CHAPTERS ON THIS BEFORE TODAY!

I GOT A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY, AHAAA!

ANYWAY, PLEASE LEAVE OPINIONS AND VOTE.... BECAUSE THAT GETS YOU UPDATES QUICKER!