3:28am

Chapter Two

5:46 pm.

My mom just got home, and she's preparing dinner. I lay on my bed, phone in my hands, scrolling mindlessly through my feed. Suddenly, a notification from the same blog that messaged me previously.

Tumblr: reclusivebird- "Thank you honey. Have a nice night."

I smile again, I love pet names. I open the message and begin to type a response, until my mother calls my name, alerting me that dinner is ready. I drop my phone on my bed, phones are strictly not allowed, and begin to go down to the kitchen.

6:22 pm.

I return back to the sweet haven of my room, and collapse into my biggest vice. My bed. I lay around too much, I can't ever seem to muster enough energy to get up and actually do something other than be on my phone, sleeping, or watching TV.

I check my phone for notifications. I receive another notification, from the same blog.

Tumblr: reclusivebird- "Lets make one thing clear. Do not leave me on read."

I'm surprised they actually checked to see that I read it. The seemingly kind person actually is fed up with me, for something so simple. I laugh. Instead of cussing them out and telling them that I'm not entitled to owe them anything, I decide to not have any confrontations. I type back a half hearted "shit, sorry," and continue scrolling through my feed. He responds back instantly.

Tumblr: reclusivebird- "You're fine, chill. What is your name?"

I debate whether or not I should respond. I didn't want to particularly talk, I mean who would want to talk to random strangers off of tumblr. But I didn't want to receive attitude again about not responding, so I sighed and typed a quick response. "My name is Natalie, and yours?" I quickly erased the part where I said my name was Natalie, and put it to Jade. Jade was who I am on the internet. I hit send.

1:13 am.

Another lonely night spent in my room. These walls are my home, my haven, my life, but they imprison me at the same time. These walls hold the secrets of my soul, like my blood and DNA. They hide all the depression, that I'm too afraid to show to the world. I don't mind the judgement of my peers, at least I tell myself that. But deep down, I feel like their judgement is what holds me back. I don't receive enough approval from myself so I need theirs for my sanity. It's a wicked cycle when you don't fit into the society norms. Suddenly, my phone dings once again, awakening me from my heavy realization.

Tumblr: reclusivebird- "My name doesn't matter."

I roll my eyes. So we're going to be like that, is what I thought. I hate fake deep men that try to act all mysterious to seduce young girls. At least I think he's a man. He sounds like one. Well, jokes on him, I see right through him.

I respond back "So reclusivebird, what brings you to message me on this fine evening," I joke.

Tumblr: reclusivebird- "Just trying to get to know one of my favorite blogs. And shouldn't you be asleep? I'm sure it's past your bedtime."

I smile at the fact that he called me one of his favorite blogs. I pour out my thoughts and feelings into my blog, it's like my "twisted mind". I cringe at that thought, I went through a phase when I was 12 and had no friends, I used to refer to my blog as my twisted mind. I type back a quick response, asking him what he likes about it and also informing him that my mom always forgets to take my laptop so I get to stay up. It makes me wonder how he knows it's nighttime where I'm at. He responds back almost as I send my message. I wonder what HE'S doing.

Tumblr: reclusivebird- "I like how dark it is, I find it very relatable. And you should get to bed soon, you probably have school tomorrow. Wouldn't want to fall asleep during class."

It makes me blush how he cares so much, when we just met. Not many people care about me, because I'm just a shadow in the world. I blend into the crowd, don't offer much to people, therefore they don't see any use of me and don't care. In the back of my mind I also find it concerning that he cares so much. Why does he care exactly? I tell my anxiety-driven thoughts that he probably cares because he sees that I'm a depressed, lonely teenager and figures that I could use a friend at the moment. And it's not like I could really be choosy about who I get attention from. My father is incredibly absent in my life, and when he's in my life, he's verbally abusive. Apart of me wishes that he would be better but I know that he won't. It's too late for him.

I respond back.

ripjade: "I'm glad that you relate to it. That's why I love social media, I always find someone I can relate to on it and it's extremely comforting. And about school, I don't care enough to stay awake. My teachers don't care so why should I?"

reclusivebird: "That's not a good mentality to have at all. Your education paves the way for your future, and I'm sure you would want to have a good future."

A warm feeling rushes over my body. It makes me feel so fulfilled to have someone care for me- even if I just met them.

ripjade: "Of course I want a good future. But school is just bullshit at this point, I talk to no one and the teachers don't even hold me accountable. I can do whatever I want and I'm just tired of going."

I begin to vent to him about my troubles at school. He listened the entire time, and tells me that he dropped out of school when he was 16 and always regretted it, and that I should continue forward with my education.

3:59 am.

I begin to fall asleep, so I wish him good night and to sleep well. I found out that he indeed is a man, but he still refuses to tell me his name. He just tells me to call him "reclusivebird." To each his own, I suppose.

A/N:
I know there aren't read receipts on tumblr but let's just act like there is