Chapter 3: We Just Got A Message

That night when Clyde was just about to sleep he got a notification from the Solm8 App that was downloaded by his dearest friend Jane.

He was about to check it and also to explore it for the first time when he got a call from the hospital that Max got involved in a minor accident.

Max's family were both living abroad while on the other hand Clyde was left with no one. His parents died due to an incident when he was still in college.

Since Max has no one, Clyde dressed up and went to check on him.

He found his friend sleeping in the room assigned to him. The doctor said it was just a minor accident but his heart actually felt like it skipped a beat when he got the call. It was his parents… 😭

He started checking out his phone while looking after Max.

He explored the Solm8 app for the first time. For a breather -- he just went on the chat side and talked to random people. 🤣

This is kinda cool, it can help hime feel less nervous and less sad.

Few days after…

"Hey! Stella and I would like to have a night dip. Come with us please 🥺" Max said.

Stella is one of Clyde's clients. Well technically a student but it was just an offer that he took outside his regular job because of a colleague. Apparently, this young lady fell for Max that's why Max is also in Clyde's place.

"I'd be staying over here reviewing in the corner. Just please look after Stella" Clyde asked and started continuing his work by the pool area.

While Max and Stella were fooling at the pool area Clyde noticed his phone chime in.

Chime 1

Chime 2

Chime 3

He completed his review, when he heard the 4th chime he picked up his phone and noticed that all of the notifications were all coming from the app.

🔏SOLM8! Hey stranger! Are you there?

🔏SOLM8! Ahmm knock knock 😄 is anyone home?

🔏SOLM8! Hey, I ain't gonna bite. Talk to me busybee please 🐝🐝🐝

🔏SOLM8! Hey username Puzzle_Master don't you really want to talk? 😢

Clyde was really surprised. When he looked at the username it was the very first person who messaged him that night.

Opening the chat…

Puzzle_Master: (Typing)

LurkingShadow: Whoah u r finally online and typing 😇

Puzzle_Master: That was fast for you to notice! 😅

LurkingShadow: Oh well, good day to you by the way. I like your name that's why I kept on bugging you. Hope I am not disturbing you 😔

Puzzle_Master: Nope you are good -- I just finished my paper works, totally free to talk.

LurkingShadow: Yey!! 🥳

Puzzle_Master: Seems you have more time, I envy you 😌

LurkingShadow: Nope, I am just making time just so I could speak with you 🤭

Puzzle_Master: Just because you like my user name? U r making time for it? 🧐

LurkingShadow: You may put it that way 😁

Puzzle_Master: Your name is interesting too. Lurking Shadows…

LurkingShadow: Well.. hehe ahmm it is kinda late am I stopping you from getting rest?

Puzzle_Master: Nope not really, I am with my friend. Well I am at the poolside finishing some items and he is with his girlfriend.

LurkingShadow: Aww a third wheel 🤣🤣🤣 

Puzzle_Master: You may put it that way 👍🏻

So-- why lurking shadow?

LurkingShadow: Wow, ur question 😅

Well -- I am not confident, I tend to hide and just keep things to myself. This doesn't go in general. I just have the specifics 😉

Puzzle_Master: Sounds interesting. What makes you use this app?

LurkingShadow: You!

Puzzle_Master: (Typing…)

LurkingShadow: I mean talking to peeps like you. Just share random things, ask random questions etc.

Clyde and LurkingShadow talked for a very good amount of time.

⚠️ 10% Battery 

Clyde was smiling all night talking to LurkingShadow. They talked about life in general and it seems like they both feel comfortable with each other.

"Hey! Old soul!!! 😗" Max stood in front of Clyde.

"Where have you been? You look so dry for someone who took a night swim (looked behind Max) Where is Stella?" 🤔

"I am not sure if I would be happy or what? 🙄🙄🙄 (rolled eyes and prep for a sarcastic blow) Well I am glad you find peace here and get to bring all of your stuff and completed them 🥰" Max said while he is starting to clean some of Clyde's notes.

"😊 Oh well! Thank you! I was able to complete them" He said.

"Dumbass (hit one of the pens to Clyde's forehead) I was being sarcastic 😤 I invited you for a quick swim with Stella but you brought your revisions here. I told you Stella will be heading home -- I was expecting you to come with us until I noticed that you were not with us. 😡😡 Then -- then I will find you here holding your phone and busy typing. What are you? Chat support?? 🤬🤬🤬" Max blurted out.

Clyde is a forgiving type, instead of fighting back he will access things and try his very best to understand.

"Are you hungry?" He asked, after knowing each other he knows exactly how he can make Max calm.

"I am!" 😢 Max said while picking the last notebook on the table "You're making me mad -- now I am hungry!"

Morning…

"Why don't we eat at the dining table?" Max asked while he was eating and playing on his phone.

"Dude -- can't you just focus on your food and stop playing for a moment?" Said Clyde who is always annoyed when his friends were playing ranked games while they were supposed to be focusing on the food.

"Sorry sorry sorry, lemme just finish this -- (grabbed a spoonful of blueberry jam and stock it in his mouth)" Max replied while trying to get his full attention on the game.

(Phone shime)

🔏SOLM8! Hey good morning 😇

Clyde looked at his phone and saw the notification popped up.

He accessed the account, took a sip while it was loading and looked at his friend seriously trying to win his game. 

When the app finally appeared Clyde saw that LurkingShadow's typing something.

LurkingShadow: (Typing…)

Clyde: (Looking at the chat 👀)

LurkingShadow: Good Morning to the stranger who didn't even bother to say goodnight last night before they logged out 🥺

Clyde: Oww shoot I am sorry, my phone got drained and I got busy after -- I was scolded by my friend 😅

LurkingShadow: I was just kidding 😁😁 how's your morning?

Clyde: I am just having a breakfast with my friend.

LurkingShadow: The same friend you were with last night? 🤔

Clyde: Yep! 

LurkingShadow: Must be really close then. A lover? 🤣

Clyde: 😂😂😂 No! A brother 👌

LurkingShadow: aw brotherzone hahaha 😁🤣😂

Clyde: We are both men, we grew up together 😄

LurkingShadow: Gotcha gotcha! So will you be busy today?

Clyde: A bit -- I hope to find time to rest actually. But, I have a lot instore for Saturday morning.

LurkingShadow: Need a hand? 😇

Clyde: Thanks for the offer 😊 I just need to find alone time and get intimate with the things I need to complete.

LurkingShadow: Ayt! I will let you have that 😉 I will bug you later 😅

"Oh shoot ****!" Max shouted (in a gamer mode on way)

He mouthed Jane is calling while I am on the game 😭

Clyde gives him a sorry look while Max is engaged with a call.

"I missed the 4th game -- I think I wanna hurt Jane 😂😂" Max said.

They finished cleaning everything and Max started to fix his look.

"I'd be heading home and prep for the shoot later. Boss Jane is toooooo strict 😤" He said.

"You can ask her to come over here if you want" Clyde offered.

"Boss Jane the DRAGON?? (He laughed) nope, just have a sweet moment here. Jane and I have our fave venue to kill each other, that's at work." He winked at Clyde and broom away.

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