text: “Hi” “hi.” “What’s up?” “nothin really. u?” “Eh you know. Netflix lol.” “niccceeee. what you watching?” “Just The Office. I freaking love Dwight lmao” “nah. michael is the best character.” “Oh don’t get me wrong, I love them all haha.” “You still there?” “yeah sorry.” “Lol it’s cool.” “So you come on here often?” “not really. something about “dating” apps just kinda freaks me out, it’s weird to just hook up with someone when you only talk to them via texting.” “Yet here you are” “i said it was weird. it can still be fun.” “I suppose.” “and now you probably think i’m a slut.” “Oh stop. I do not.” “whatever.” “I’m sorry? Do you want me to think that you are or something?” “idk.” “Well I don’t think you are. Your profile picture is too... idk, just too nice or whatever.” “yeah. because nice is what I was going for. ” “do u ever feel like ur having a heart attack but like, you know you’re not?” “What?” “nothing.” “ugh im so bored.” “Lol me too. Wanna chill or something?” “not tonight. i have plans.” “Oh okay.” “Watcha doing?” “its kinda hard to explain.” “Do you have a boyfriend or something?” “if i had a boyfriend i certainly wouldnt be here.” “no offense or anything.” “but like, what are we even doing here? whats the point of swiping on pictures just to talk to strangers for a short amount of time searching for something to quell our loneliness” “u there?” “Yeah I’m here.” “did i scare u away yet?” “No not yet.” “good.” “It’s getting late though, it’s like 11:30 and I have to be up at 5:00 for work.” “stop being lame. u will get plenty of sleep.” “Are you not letting me go to bed?” “im not letting myself be alone, and ur the only one talking to me right now.” “Why don’t you want to be alone...?” “Hello?” “Hello???” “hi. sorry, what up?” “Okay I’m not playing these games anymore haha, what’s going on? You’re being hella sketchy” “hahahahaha im sorry. im here now though” “This is the first time you laughed since we started talking.” “i wasn’t actually laughing. just because i typed hahaha doesn’t mean i was actually over here laughing or anything.” “Okay.” “have u ever drowned?” “No...” “it’s extremely painful. u feel as if ur entire world is breaking down beside u, as if u can save urself but the fact that ur panicking stops u from actually simply pulling ur head above water. people try to save u, they jump in and try to pull u out. but u end up pulling them under with u. not because ur trying to hurt them or anything, just because u are panicking and are willing to grab onto anything to help u stay afloat. u dont realize what u are doing. u dont care. all u care about is getting another breath of air. but eventually people stop running in to save u, so u are forced to drown alone in a cold, silent hell. u can scream all u want but nobody hears it. nobody cares, or if they do care they simply dont hear you screaming for help.” “Jesus. Did this happen at the beach or something.” “its been happening for a couple years now.” “I don’t think I understand.” “ok” “u still up?” “It’s 2 in the morning lol I have to get to sleep.” “can u stay up a little bit longer?” “im tired of drowning.” “I mean I can stay up for a little longer I guess. What are you doing?” “ill send u a pic.” “did u get it?” “Yeah that’s a beautiful view, do you have like a top floor apartment or something? I love the city skyline.” “no. i go to the roof sometimes just to hangout or whatever.” “That’s pretty cool. Plus it’s an amazing view.” “yeah i know.” “i like sitting on the edge. just letting my feet dangle off while i stare out into the vast number of windows.” “That sounds kinda risky...” “whats the worst that could happen? i fall and the drowning ends? i fall and nobody has to save me anymore?” “Please don’t talk like this.” “go to bed, dear. u have to work and i think im okay with being alone right now.” “Yeah, but I’m not okay with you being alone right now.” “my phones about to die though.” “Bullshit.” “JUST LET ME GO.” “No.” “Hello?” “Hello???” “HELLO?!?!?” “hi.” “What the hell. Where did you go?” “funny how u can miss someone u didnt even meet.