Page 40 of The Story Of Us

Isaac

How are you?

How are you? Why don’t I just ask her how the weather is too while I’m at it?

I don’t look away from the screen as three dots pop up to show that she’s typing.

Jaanu

I’m okay. You?

It feels like we’re back in Year 7 when we first swapped numbers, and our conversations were so hopelessly awkward.

Isaac

Me too

This is going so great, can’t wait to show Luke how helpful his advice was.

She doesn’t send anything back, not that I expect her to, considering how pathetic my attempt at conversation was.

I scroll up to find our past messages, hoping for some kind of inspiration to strike so I can keep talking to her because this is the first time she’s responded to my text in months and I don’t want it to end.

I start typing again, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

Isaac

Do you want to meet on Sunday?

I’ll be back at school tomorrow, but it might be a bit too late

I watch the three dots pop up. And then they disappear and don’t come back, so I lock the phone, wishing I could rewind time and pretend the last few minutes didn’t just happen.

Jaanu

1 message

I swipe to unlock, not giving myself time to overthink it.

Jaanu

I don’t know

I’m desperate at this point, typing without thinking.

Isaac

I just want to talk, Violet

Can you give me a chance to explain?

I stare at the screen, not taking my eyes off it as I wait for her response.

Jaanu

Okay

I’ll meet you on Sunday

---