Message

Once I got home I immediately collapse on the couch and start fiddling around on my phone.

Before I left Jaki's house she suggested that we exchange contacts so it will be easier for us to communicate.

I acted nonchalantly, and exchanged my info with her as naturally as possible. Or at least I hope I did.

On the inside I was feeling all giddy and excited.

I want to text Jaki as soon as possible.

Though I hold myself back because I don't want to be too eager and put her off.

I turn my phone off and back on again, wishing that the next time it turns on there will be a message notification.

"What's got you all glued to your phone?"

My mum asks as she seems to notice how much I'm playing around on my phone.

"Ah nothing, just browsing you know."

"Hmm."

My mum doesn't seem to be too convinced with that answer.

"Oooh wait. Does it have something to do with the classmate that you have been visitng the past few days?"

For some reason it seems like my mum can always read me like an open book.

"Yeah, I guess."

I feel myself blush a little as mum figures out the reason I am glued to my phone.

"Well I hope its all going well with your new friend! It's very exciting that she lives so close to us. You should invite her over sometime!"

"M-maybe."

Now my blush is in full bloom as I think about the possibility of Jaki coming over.

Most of my friends from school have never been to my house before because I live so far away. So the thought of someone seeing something as personal as my bedroom feels really embarrassing.

Everything in my room is deeply personal and in a way a part of me, so I can't imagine anyone that isn't family seeing it.

My bedroom have plush toys that I have slept with since I was a baby. Many of them are quite worn out now but they are still very precious to me. I make sure that all of them get more than enough cuddles and love from me.

But weirdly enough I also want Jaki to come over. Despite the embarrassment I might feel, I want to share this part of myself with her.

Arghhh! All this thinking about Jaki makes me want to text her. I don't care anymore! So what if I come off a little bit eager. I am eager and excited. Especially now that I finally have a friend who lives so close to me!

I tap on the contact list. I have made up my mind. I start thinking about what I should type but my mind is undecided.

Whatever, its just a text message, I shouldn't overthink it. But before I can send out my message I see that Jaki has sent me a simple "Hey."

Without missing a beat I immediately send back "yo!".

Though I instantly regret replying back so fast. Jaki might figure out that I have been just sitting idle on the message screen this entire time.

Then Jaki sends another message "Guess we happened to send our message at the same time, what a coincidence."

I reply with " Yeah, haha! I guess so!".

Even though I know it is not a coincidence.

Before I can worry about whether Jaki knows the truth I see another message from her.

"What time do you usually head to school? If you don't mind we can go together tomorrow? I normally leave my house around 7:30."

I feel a jolt of excitement and joy being sent up my body upon seeing that message. I sent a reply back as fast as humanely possible.

"yeah no problem I normally get up around 7, meet you at yours at 7:30?"

"Sounds good. See you tomorrow."

"yep, catch you tomorrow!"

That was a complete lie. I normally get up at 7:30. But getting up at 7:00 is a sacrifice that I am more than willingly to make.

I hug all my favorite plushies tightly as I try to fall asleep, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next day.