BOYFRIEND PLUS

Falling so hard...

Andy: Hey there, pretty face. Just getting up to lift some weights before my meeting at Pathtreader, thinking about you…

(Andy drops his phone onto the bed, stretching his arms. He waits, half-expecting his phone to light up immediately with a reply from Elina. But it doesn’t.)

(That’s fine. She’s probably busy. Right?)

(An hour passes. Then two.)

---

(Midday, Still No Reply...)

Andy: Where are you?

Andy: I hope you have a really great day. There’s something I really wanted to talk to you about soon.

(Still nothing.)

(Andy sighs, tossing his phone onto the couch. He tries to distract himself, goes to the gym, takes a shower, even scrolls mindlessly through social media. But in the back of his mind, the silence from Elina starts creeping in.)

(Did he say something wrong? Did something happen? Or… was she ignoring him on purpose?)

(He shakes his head, trying to push away the thoughts. He’s overthinking. He has to be.)

Andy: I really am missing you a lot.

Andy: I know it’s just been a day without you, but I can’t help but think about you.

(Andy exhales, rubbing his forehead. He tries to focus on anything else, but it’s impossible. His mind is a mess, and every thought leads back to her.)

Andy: I would like you to know some things, though.

Andy: Are you even there?

(He stares at the screen, waiting for those three little dots to appear. Nothing. His chest tightens.)

Andy: I’m going to tell you anyway.

Andy: So just listen, babe.

(His fingers tremble slightly as he types. He’s not used to feeling this exposed, this needy for someone.)

Andy: I mean, I’ll tell you when I think it’s right, but I’ve just had you on my mind a lot. And I think… there are some things we could be moving forward with as far as we go.

Andy: I don’t know if you feel the same way, but I really do hope so. Oh man… I haven’t been falling this hard in a long-ass time.

Andy: Ha, ha, I am way too nervous about that.

(His heart is racing. He leans forward, gripping the edge of the couch. He feels like a teenager again, caught in this storm of emotions he can't control.)

Andy: You are a special girl. I haven’t felt this way about a girl in… well, a long time. If not forever.

Andy: It’s crazy because I’ve only ever seen you once.

(He lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head. This feeling is insane, and yet, it feels like the realest thing he’s ever known.)

Andy: I should probably shut up now.

Andy: I’m just rambling, haha. Well, I hope you decide to drop me a text when you get this.

(Andy sighs, running a hand through his hair. He should stop texting, but he can’t. He won’t. Not until she knows just how much she means to him.)

Andy: You know what? No, I’m not shutting up. Not this time.

Andy: I don’t care if I sound clingy, or if this is too much, too soon. Because the truth is… I’m crazy about you, Elina.

Andy: I don’t just like talking to you. I don’t just enjoy your company. You’ve become something more to me. Something I didn’t even know I needed until you walked into my life.

Andy: It’s terrifying, honestly. How much you’ve gotten into my heart. How much I crave hearing from you, seeing your name pop up on my screen. It’s ridiculous, right?

Andy: But here I am, falling harder than I ever thought possible over a girl I’ve only seen once. A girl who somehow makes me feel more alive than I ever have before.

(His hands shake as he types. This is real. This is so damn real.)

Andy: I don’t know what this is yet, Elina. But I know that I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want to lose you.

Andy: And I’m sorry. Well, I don’t know why I’m saying sorry, but if I hurt you in any possible way, then I deserve this. I deserve you ignoring me like this.

Andy: I just keep replaying everything we’ve talked about, trying to figure out if I messed up somehow. Because the thought of you being upset with me? It’s worse than anything else.

Andy: I swear, if I did something, tell me. I’ll fix it. I’ll do anything to make it right. Just don’t shut me out, okay?

Andy: I feel so bad today. I’m sorry, baby.

(His thumb hovers over the word baby. It’s unfamiliar, yet it feels like the only thing that fits.)

Andy: You’re my favorite part of the day, Elina. My safe space. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s the truth.

Andy: I just want you to know that even if you’re not talking to me right now, I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere.

Andy: No matter what, you’ll always have me. I promise.

(His throat tightens as he presses send. The vulnerability in his own words shakes him to his core. He’s never opened up like this before.)

(He exhales, staring at the screen, hoping, praying, for some sign of life from her. Nothing. The silence is deafening.)

Andy: Alright, just text me back. Bye, gorgeous.

(He presses send, then tosses his phone onto the bed, running his hands over his face. His chest is aching in a way he hasn’t felt in years.)

(For the first time in a long time, he feels powerless. And it’s terrifying.)