Into the Flames

CHAPTER ONE

After rubbing my eyes as if I could magically erase the exhaustion showing within, I reach for my phone and unlock my screen. There is a frown on my face as I realize that it was not, in fact, a text message that I had received, but a friend invite from a random user calling themselves MYoon3 on Snow, the app that my best friend had insisted I install.

As she was currently the only contact within said app I had often debated uninstalling the stupid thing, Sarah be damned. This would undoubtedly cause more trouble than it was worth however, and so it had remained.

There is a moment of hesitation. A tiny and infinitesimal second in which I almost make the usual call. Typically I don’t accept friend requests from people I don’t know. For reasons unknown I instead accept it.

LifeNLemons7: Hello. Do I know you?

MYoon3: No.

LifeNLemons7: ???

MYoon3: Wattpad. I read your poetry.

Oh. I had completely forgotten that I placed my Snow username on Wattpad. I had hoped that perhaps I could connect with others who struggled as I did.

MYoon3: I like them. They are raw but inspiring.

LifeNLemons7: Thanks?

I shift my weight on the bed, seeking a more comfortable position before I continue typing.

LifeNLemons7: So.....?

MYoon3: Oh for fucks sake. You really take compliments well don't you?

LifeNLemons7: What?

MYoon3 is typing...

LifeNLemons7: Oh! It's not like that! I just... I'm kinda socially awkward...

MYoon3: Why would you put your information out there if you can't even hold a conversation?

LifeNLemons7: You don't seem much better to me... -_-

MYoon3: ...

You really were about to block this rude stranger when he replied:

MYoon3: Friends?

I might never know what makes me do it. Honestly I really don't like people. People always hurt me, or let me down in the worst of ways. There is something about this person that strikes a painfully familiar chord within me however, and so I tell him.

LifeNLemons: Friends.

-MYoon3 has successfully logged out.

And like that, the tiny seed of something new is planted within my heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I could not have known the ways in which this new friend, whose name I don't even know, would change me. Sarah has still yet to answer my calls, nor has she called me on her own. But it’s ok. While patiently waiting for my best friend I am also making a new friend.

Each day I find myself looking forward to reading his messages. I really don't know if he is male or female, but he reminds me a lot of a grumpy grandpa, and so I often refer to him as such.

LifeNLemons7: Hey grandpa, whatcha doing?

MYoon3: About to go to prison apparently...

LifeNLemons7: ???!!!!

MYoon3: I told you to stop calling me "grandpa", plus you are disturbing me.