Talks and Texts [ #1]

8 | late nights and rendezvous

8 | late nights and rendezvous

Jessica tilted her neck, massaging a strained muscle and looked at how many pages were left in the book. There were still around a hundred left and she wondered, looking at the clock, if it was time to call it a day. She shook her head, she needed to do this for the reading club which she had formed. It wouldn't do if she of all people was lagging behind.

Lately, it had all become a bit too much. She was fitting in too many classes with her Class President duties as well as extra-curriculars. It was true she needed to do all she could to get a scholarship but maybe she could drop off some extra workload without causing too much damage. She had taken on extra stuff, after all.

She got up and went downstairs for a drink of water, welcoming the break and deciding that she would leave the rest of the book for the morning and speed-read through because there was no way she would remember most of it anyway if she tried reading any further into the night.

The house was quiet and she took care not to make a noise which would wake Dad. Mum was doing another night shift at the hospital and she couldn't help but feel sad that it had been weeks since Mum had had a good night's sleep. This was why she needed to do all she could on her end and not cause any more trouble.

She smiled as she passed her Dad's room. His fracture was recovering. There were victories.

When she got back to her room, her phone was blinking with a new message and she frowned as she read.

Loner Lawson: are you awake?

She chewed her lip before answering, uh, yeah. Everything alright?

It was another five minutes before she got a reply.

Loner Lawson: sorry, was messaging someone else.

She shrugged and turned over to sleep. He could have all the late night rendezvous he wanted with his mystery buddies, she was going to sleep.

She wondered, however, as she was drifting off, whom he was messaging and then chided herself for thinking he didn't have friends. Even if he was a loner at school.

She didn't have to think about it anyway because they hardly ever crossed paths over the next three days. She was way too busy and he was way too invisible but one evening, she was struck again by how quick the assignment deadline was approaching and they didn't even have a topic yet! She decided it was time to try some teamwork again.

17:09 p.m.

Pain in the Ass: Do I have to start the conversation always, Jacob?

Loner Lawson: Yes, Jessica

Pain in the Ass: Any ideas?

Loner Lawson: About what? :P

Pain in the Ass: XU You know what I mean @#$%

Loner Lawson: Bahahaha! The only people who use symbols instead of cusses are those who don't know any.

      And yes I know what you mean. Was kidding.

      And no....NO IDEAS :D

Pain in the Ass is offline.

Loner Lawson: So, you seriously don't know any cuss words?

      Not even one?

Pain in the Ass is online.

Pain in the Ass: I do.

Loner Lawson: Oh really!? Which one o_O

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Loner Lawson: You don't right? :'D

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Loner Lawson: You don't !? o_O

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Pain in the Ass: Why are you even using so many emojis today?

Loner Lawson: :'D