Chapter 18: The Digital Echo
558 Words
The morning after the rooftop concert felt like waking up from a dream that was too vivid for its own good. I was still humming the melody of that cello solo as I reached for my phone.
The "Inner Circle" group chat was already blowing up before I’d even poured my first cup of coffee.
Sarah: MAYA. Report. Now.
Tasha: I saw the location tag on Julian’s story. A rooftop ensemble? Girl, that is some high-level rom-com energy.
Elena: Please tell me you wore the black dress. And please tell me he’s as good a kisser as he is a curator.
I leaned against my kitchen counter, a smile tugging at my lips as I typed back.
Maya: No kissing! It was Date One, remember? But honestly... it was magical. He made me feel like I was in a different world. No grading, no stress, just music and the city lights. He’s very... persuasive.
Tasha: Yesss! See? This is what we were talking about! You deserve to be swept off your feet.
Elena: One down, four to go. At this rate, Julian’s going to have you booked for a weekend in Paris by Date Three.
Sarah: How does it feel compared to, you know... the usual?
I stared at Sarah’s question. The usual. She meant Liam. My thumb hovered over the screen.
Maya: It’s just different. It’s not 'comfortable,' it’s exciting. I think I’m actually starting to see what you guys meant.
I closed the chat, the hype from the girls buzzing in my chest like a caffeine high. But then, my eyes drifted to my call log. Liam. I couldn't keep this bottled up; hiding it would make it feel like a betrayal, and we didn't do betrayals.
I decided to text him instead of calling. A text felt safer—less room for him to hear the conflict in my voice.
Maya: Hey. First date with Julian happened last night. He took me to a rooftop concert. It was... really something. The city looked beautiful.
I watched the "three dots" appear almost immediately. My heart did a strange, uncomfortable gallop.
Liam: A rooftop concert? Fancy. Sounds a lot more sophisticated than our usual 2-star horror movies.
Maya: It was. He’s definitely trying to make an impression.
Liam: Well, he’d be an i***t if he didn't. Glad you had a good time, Maya. You’ve been wanting to see a live orchestra for a while.
I blinked. He remembered. I’d mentioned wanting to see a live orchestra months ago, tucked away in a random conversation about movie scores. Julian had taken me because it was "sophisticated," but Liam remembered because I had simply wanted it.
Maya: I didn't think you remembered me saying that.
Liam: I remember everything you say, Maya. Anyway, I’ve got a busy shift. Catch you later?
I set the phone down, the "hype" from the girls suddenly feeling a little hollow. Julian had given me the world on a silver platter, but Liam had given me the one thing Julian couldn't buy: the feeling of being truly heard.
I spent the rest of the morning trying to convince myself that "exciting" was better than "remembered." After all, I had four more dates to find out.
- Writer
