The Crush

Goodbye, Fortmann?

As I was sitting in my room, scrolling through my phone, a notification popped up from the crush app. It was Fortmann.

[Fortmann]: Can we talk?

I felt my heart skip a beat. I had been talking to Fortmann for a while now, and I

couldn't help but feel like I was getting to know him on a deeper level. I was excited to see what he wanted to talk about.

"Sure, what's up?" I typed back, feeling a little nervous.

There was a long pause, and then he responded.

[Fortmann]: I don't think this is a good idea.

I frowned, feeling confused. "What do you mean?"

[Fortmann]: I mean, I don't think we should keep talking like this. It's not a good

idea.

I felt my heart sink. I didn't understand what he was trying to say. Had I done something wrong?

"What did I do?" I asked, feeling a little hurt. He responded quickly, but his answer only left me more confused.

[Fortmann]: You didn't do anything wrong. You're perfect. It's just...I don't think it's a good idea.

I couldn't help but feel frustrated. It was like he was talking in circles. I wanted to

know what had changed, why he suddenly didn't think we should keep talking like this.

"Can you explain?" I typed back, trying to keep the frustration out of my message.

[Fortmann]: I don't know. I'm just confused. I don't think it's a good idea for us to keep

talking like this.

I felt my heart sink even further. I had been enjoying talking to Fortmann so much, and

now it felt like it was all being ripped away from me.

"Is it because of something I did?" I asked, feeling desperate for an answer.

[Fortmann]: No.

I had no idea what was going on with him. Was it something outside of our conversations on the app? Did Lathan see me hanging out with Alex and decide he didn't want to talk to me anymore?

As I lay in bed, feeling confused and hurt, I couldn't help but wonder what I had done wrong. I knew I liked Fortmann, but now it felt like that connection was slipping away from me. I felt lost and hope that someday, he would change his mind and we could talk again.

[Ariel]: I understand. It was nice talking to you, Fortmann.

[Fortmann]: Winter, my phone is dying, but I want to tell you that this isn't the end of us in the real world...

[Fortmann]: I like the connection we have built outside of the app...

[Fortmann]: No more Fortmann. I am...

I waited for Lathan to admit who he was, but I didn't get a response. I think his phone had died. However, on a good note, I smiled widely. LATHAN LIKES ME!

***

As I walked into the science club, I noticed Alex sitting at a table surrounded by textbooks and papers. I couldn't help but feel relieved to see him there. After all, working on our science project brought us closer than ever before.

"Hey, Winter," Alex smiled as I approached the table. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world," I grinned back.

We spent the next few hours working on our project, discussing different theories and ideas. I found myself enjoying Alex's company more and more with each passing day. He is intelligent, funny, and kind-hearted. It was hard not to like him.

As the meeting came to an end, Alex and I were still engrossed in our work. We continued chatting, lost in our little world until we were the only ones in the room.

"Hey, Winter?" Alex spoke up, interrupting our conversation.

"Yeah?" I replied, looking up from my notebook.

"I know we've only known each other for a little while, but I feel like we're really good friends," Alex said.

I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Yeah, I think so too."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck, "I want to..."

It was then that my phone beeped, breaking the moment. I glanced down to see a text from Jordan. She was waiting for me in front of the school. Marcus had practice today and can't drive her home, so I'm on drive duty. I am so glad she and I made up. "Alex, I have to go. Jordan is waiting for me." Alex smiled as he helped me pack up.

As we left the classroom, Alex gave me a hug. "Call me later, okay," Alex said, handing me my binder. I smiled, and we walked out into the hallway.

Lathan called out to me. "Winter, wait up!"

I turned to see Lathan walking towards me, his usual confident grin on his face. "Hey, what's up?" I asked.

"I was wondering if you wanted to grab some ice cream with me?" he asked.

I smiled and told him I had to drop Jordan off first. He said he didn't mind and would follow me in his car. We walked towards the front door of the school. I glanced back at Alex. He was still gathering everything into his bag at the classroom door. He must have felt me looking his way because he looked up to smile at me. I felt my heart skip a beat.

I like Lathan, but my feelings for Alex are not friendly anymore. I don't know if I like him like I like Lathan, but I didn't see him as I saw Jordan or any of my other friends. Alex is different. I can't explain it.

Lathan and I have been interacting more lately. He has been trying to talk to me more outside of our anonymous interactions on the crush app. I like Lathan. He is so much different when he isn't surrounded by his groupies. As we walked down the street to my car with Jordan, Lathan and I chatted about our day, laughing and joking around. I couldn't help but enjoy his company, but at the same time, my thoughts kept drifting back to Alex.

As I opened my car door, I saw Alex getting into his car. He waved goodbye, and I felt my heart sink a little. I kept repeating to myself; I like Lathan. But my brain was shouting something different.

I miss talking to Fortmann.