I'm In Love With A Fantasy

I

"Dude, let's go! I'm fucking starving!" My best friend Noah tells me.

"Coming!"

I run out and jump into his arms.

"You look good." He says.

"Thanks, bro."

"Ready for our overpriced dinner?" He asks.

"Of course."

---

"Who's that really hot girl? Like holy shit man." I ask, discreetly pointing her way.

"That's Madison Beer-" He tells me.

"No way."

"And before you interrupted me, I was going to say that she's been looking at you the entire time we've been here."

"What do I do? Go up and talk to her?" I ask.

"I think she's with a guy though because the guy next to her has had his arm around her a lot."

My phone vibrates in my back pocket.

madison's iPhone wants to airdrop you a note.

I accept it and see a small little 'hi'. I smile and go in and edit it and leave my own 'Hi'.

I send it back. I watch her check her phone and smile. Her fingers dance across the screen and then I get a notification a few seconds later.

'you're beautiful.'

I bite my lip trying to contain a smile. I look up and see her looking at me with a small smile.

'Says God herself.'

I send it and watch her open it. She looks down, biting her lip. My phone vibrates again.

'for that, I think you deserve my number.'

I look up at her and mouth "Really?"

She bites her lip and nods her head. She should bite her lip more.

She sends me her contact.

"What the hell is happening?" Noah asks.

"I just got her number!"

"Ayyy, that's my girl." I fist bump him.

I text the number.

Emily: I never got your name.

310-***-****: i'm madison. you are...

Emily: Emily.

310-***-**** changed 843-***-**** to Emily

843-***-**** changed 310-***-**** to Mads🧸

Mads🧸: Nicknames already?

Emily: Oh, does it make you uncomfortable? I can change it if you want.

Mads🧸: No! No! I love it:)

Emily: Awesome!

Mads🧸 is typing...

"Stop looking at your phone. I feel so lonely." Noah says.

"We're in LA! Get yourself a girlfriend."

I look back down at my phone and see a new text.

Mads🧸: So, do you have any plans tomorrow?

Emily: No, you?

Mads🧸: No. I want to get to know you, how about we get coffee or something tomorrow morning.

Emily: I'm down for that. What time and place?

Mads🧸: Does 11 work for you?

Emily: Yeah.

Mads🧸: We can just meet at Starbucks in West Hollywood. Since we can't stay in, I could show you around, since I assume you're not from here.

Emily: I'm down.

Mads🧸: :)

Emily: I'm sure you want to get back to your date now.

I look up at her and she points to her mouth, fake gagging. I giggle a little bit causing a big smile to go across her face.

Emily: Or not.

Mads🧸: He's just so boring.

Emily: I'm sorry:( I wish I could save you.

Mads🧸: I think I'll survive these last few minutes.

Emily: Okay🥺

Mads🧸: Maybe we could facetime tonight and talk some more.

Emily: Okay. I'll text you when I'm available:)

Mads🧸: Yay!

---

"Noah, I'm literally freaking out. WHAT DO I WEAR?!" I snap.

"Okay, chill out. It's going to be hot, so you may want to wear a tank top plus it'll show off your arms. You could just wear some swim trunks that go with it." 

"Okay," I dig through my suitcase, "How are these?" I hold up a Tar Heels tank top and a Tar Heel blue pair of swim trunks.

"That looks good." He tells me.

I go to the bathroom and quickly change. I put on deodorant and cologne. I look in the mirror and smile to myself.

"You've got this," I tell myself.

"YOUR UBER IS HERE!" Noah yells.

"OKAY, COMING IDIOT!"

I run down the stairs of my aunt's house and see Noah standing at the door. I give him a quick hug and he pecks my cheek.

"I love you, good luck!" He tells me.

"I love you too!" I yell over my shoulder as I go to the car.

---

"Ahhhh! Hi!" Madison runs into my arms.

"Hi, Mads!" I hug her back and hold her close to my chest.

"You ready to kick this day off?" She asks.

"I'm ready if you are."