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Typed Feelings

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Typed Feelings

Chapter 1: A New Message

[Chat between: "SkyHigh_Leo" & "Luna_Dreamer"]

SkyHigh_Leo: Hey.

Luna_Dreamer: Um… hi? Who is this?

SkyHigh_Leo: It’s Leo. From history class. We sit two rows apart.

Luna_Dreamer: Oh. Leo Walker?

SkyHigh_Leo: Yup. That’s me.

Luna_Dreamer: How’d you get my number?

SkyHigh_Leo: Borrowed it from Jake. Hope that’s okay?

Luna_Dreamer: I guess so… What’s up?

SkyHigh_Leo: Nothing much. Just… I saw you reading that poetry book during lunch. Thought it was cool.

Luna_Dreamer: You noticed that?

SkyHigh_Leo: Yeah. You always read alone. I was curious.

Luna_Dreamer: Not a bad thing. I like my books.

SkyHigh_Leo: Never said it was bad. Just thought… maybe you’d like someone to talk to about them?

Luna_Dreamer: Are you trying to be nice, or is this some weird bet?

SkyHigh_Leo: Ouch. No bet. Just trying to be friendly.

Luna_Dreamer: Sorry. Just… not used to random texts.

SkyHigh_Leo: Understandable. So, what was the book?

Luna_Dreamer: Love & Other Distant Things.

SkyHigh_Leo: Sounds deep.

Luna_Dreamer: It is. It’s about love that never reaches. Like stars too far apart.

SkyHigh_Leo: That’s kinda sad.

Luna_Dreamer: Yeah. But sometimes, sadness makes things beautiful.

SkyHigh_Leo: …You talk like a poet.

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe because I love poetry?

SkyHigh_Leo: Figures.

Luna_Dreamer: You don’t?

SkyHigh_Leo: Never really thought about it. But maybe I’d like it if someone explained it to me.

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe.

SkyHigh_Leo: Maybe you could.

Luna_Dreamer: …Maybe.

Leo stared at his screen, waiting for more. But Luna didn’t text back.

He didn’t know why he texted her in the first place. He wasn’t the type to randomly message people, especially quiet ones like Luna Carter. She was always in her own world—soft-spoken, mysterious, and distant.

Yet, something about her made him want to reach out. Maybe it was the way she read, completely lost in another universe. Or maybe it was the way she looked at the world, as if she knew something no one else did.

Whatever it was, he didn’t want this to be their last conversation.

Leo took a deep breath and typed again.

SkyHigh_Leo: So… can I sit with you at lunch tomorrow?

The dots appeared. Then stopped. Then appeared again.

He held his breath.

Then finally—

Luna_Dreamer: Maybe.

Leo grinned.

Maybe was better than no.

---

Later That Night

Leo lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His phone was still in his hand, but no new messages had come. He wondered if Luna regretted replying at all.

"Dude, who are you waiting for?" Jake’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Leo turned his head. His best friend was sitting on the gaming chair in his room, controller in hand, completely focused on the basketball game playing on his screen.

"No one," Leo muttered, tossing his phone onto the nightstand.

Jake snorted. "Right. That’s why you keep checking your phone every ten seconds. Spill."

Leo debated for a moment before sighing. "Luna Carter."

Jake paused the game and turned to him. "Luna? As in, quiet girl Luna? Reads-books-like-it’s-her-job Luna?"

"Yeah."

Jake looked at him like he’d just announced he was moving to another planet. "Dude. Why?"

Leo shrugged. "I dunno. She seemed… interesting."

Jake shook his head in disbelief. "You? Finding a girl ‘interesting’? That’s new."

Leo rolled his eyes. "It’s not like that. I just texted her. That’s all."

Jake smirked. "Sure. Just texted her. Next thing you know, you’re writing poetry in your notes app."

Leo grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "Shut up."

Jake laughed, dodging it easily. "Hey, man. Do what you want. But Luna Carter? She’s not like the girls you usually talk to. Just saying."