CHAPTER 19

Chapter 19: Texts and Unspoken Words

The next few days were a blur of classes, assignments, and the usual hustle of campus life, but in the quiet moments, my mind kept drifting back to JM. The conversation we’d had at the café kept replaying in my head. We had agreed to take things one step at a time, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was shifting between us. I had no idea where it would lead, but I couldn’t ignore the connection that had sparked between us.

One evening, after finishing my assignments for the day, I found myself sitting in my small apartment, staring at my phone. There was something I wanted to say to JM, something I couldn’t quite get out of my head. My thumb hovered over the screen, unsure of whether I should send the message. But before I could decide, my phone buzzed with a text notification.

It was from him.

JM: Hey Junno, I know you’ve been busy, but I’ve been thinking about our conversation. I hope you’re doing okay. Don’t want you to feel like I’m putting any pressure on you, I just want to make sure you’re good.

I stared at the message for a moment, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me. He’d been thinking about it too. I quickly typed out a response.

Junno: Hey JM, I’m doing fine, really. I’ve been thinking a lot too, and I just want to make sure we’re both okay with how things are going. I don’t want this to be something that complicates things for either of us, but I can’t deny how much I enjoy talking to you.

There was a brief pause before his response came in, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw it.

JM: I enjoy talking to you too, more than I expected. Honestly, Junno, I’ve been trying to keep my distance, to avoid crossing any lines. But the more I get to know you, the more I realize how much I care about you.

My fingers trembled slightly as I read his words. I couldn’t deny that I felt the same way, but hearing him say it out loud, in text, made my heart race. I quickly typed back.

Junno: I care about you too, JM. And I don’t want to overthink it, but I also don’t want to pretend nothing’s happening. I feel something between us, something real.

The reply came faster this time, and when I read it, I felt a mixture of excitement and vulnerability.

JM: I don’t want to overthink it either. But maybe we should take a chance. We don’t have to make any big decisions right now, but I can’t help but want to see where this goes.

I stared at the screen for a long moment. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I felt a nervous excitement build within me. This wasn’t just a fleeting connection. This was real, and it was happening.

Junno: I want that too, JM. I really do.

There was a long pause after that, and I began to second-guess myself. Had I said too much? Should I have been more cautious? But just as doubt started to creep in, his next message appeared.

JM: Then let’s just keep it between us for now. I’m not ready to make any big announcements, but I want you to know that I’m serious about this. About us. So if you’re in, I’m all in.

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. It was like a weight had been lifted, and I realized I had been holding my breath for this moment. I smiled to myself as I typed my reply.

Junno: I’m in, JM. Let’s take it slow and see where it leads. Together.

The message sent, and for a moment, I just sat there, letting the silence fill the room. I couldn’t believe what had just happened. We had crossed a line, but in the best way possible. Something had shifted, and I knew things would never be the same between us again.

JM: I’m glad to hear that, Junno. You’ve made my day.

I laughed softly, feeling a warmth spread through me. We were both in this, and for the first time in a while, I felt like everything was aligning.

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The next day, I couldn’t stop thinking about the text exchange. Every time I looked at my phone, I found myself checking for new messages from him. He was on my mind constantly, and I was more than okay with it.

We spent the next few days texting back and forth, sometimes about nothing, sometimes about everything. He would check in to see how I was doing, and I’d share little details of my day. It was like we were building something, slowly but surely, one message at a time.

One night, I texted him after class, feeling a little braver.

Junno: Hey JM, I was thinking… maybe we could hang out again this weekend? Just the two of us. No pressure, just coffee or something. What do you think?

His reply came almost immediately.

JM: I’d love that. I’ve been thinking about you, and I think it’s time we do something more than just text.

My heart skipped a beat. It was happening. We were moving forward, and I couldn’t wait to see where it would lead.

As I closed my phone and put it on the desk, I felt an overwhelming sense of anticipation. Things were changing, and no matter where this would go, I knew one thing for sure: I was ready to take the next step with JM.