My Online Boyfriend

Chapter 2

Lily's POV

“Hey… I got your number from the Dating Post.”

That was his very first message.

We only started talking last month, right after Intrams. He said he got my number from the Dating Post.

I remember staring at my phone, confused for a full minute before even replying.

The Dating Post… it was one of those silly Intrams activities where you leave your contact details and hope someone messages you—without revealing who you are of course. It's like a blind date.

At first, I was really shocked. I didn’t even post mine. So how?

Turns out… my friends did.

And their reason?

“Because you’re already nineteen and still never experienced dating,” they said, laughing like it was the funniest thing ever.

I didn’t know what to feel. Like should I be mad at them or be embarrassed for myself.

So that’s how it started.

Two strangers.

No faces. No names—well, except our first names.

“Sorry… I got busy at school,” I typed quickly. “I think I did okay. I studied really hard.”

I hit send and held my phone close, like I was waiting for something important.

And somehow… my thoughts drifted again.

Jared.

The same name.

But… it couldn’t be him.

This Jared was warm. Gentle. The type who’d remind me to eat, or ask how my day went like it actually mattered.

The other one…

I glanced at the door for a second.

Cold. Quiet. A little intimidating.

They felt like two completely different people.

Not even close.

My phone buzzed softly, pulling me back.

“It’s okay, baby. I know you’re busy. Have you eaten snacks yet? It’s already past 3 PM.”

I couldn’t stop the small smile forming on my lips.

He’s always like this…

“Mm… yes,” I replied. “I’m eating right now. It’s strawberry cake.”

I hit send then I saw the little “typing…” again.

His replies are really fast.

“That’s good. Eat well, okay? By the way, I’ll go out later with the boys to play basketball. Is that okay?”

I tilted my head a little, smiling.

“Of course,” I typed. “But you don’t have to ask me.”

“I just wanted to tell you. I might reply late, but I’ll message you after.”

“Okay… have fun.”

That was the last thing I sent before putting my phone down.

We’ve been like this for 2 months now.

Late-night calls. Random chats. Laughing over things that don’t even make sense the next day.

There was one time he asked,

“Can we meet?”

I remembered staring at that message for minutes, confused on what to reply.

And then I said no.

I’m still not ready… I wouldn’t even know what to do when we finally see each other.

There was a short pause on his responses.

I put my phone down, a little scared on his reaction..

I heard the notification sound and quickly read his chat.

“It’s okay. I’ll wait until you're ready," he replied back.

Just that.

No pressure. No teasing.

And somehow… that gave me a warm feeling in a way I’ve never felt before.

It was strange.

New.

But warm.

I ended up scrolling through random videos—mostly cats—smiling to myself without even noticing how much time had passed.

When I checked the time again, it was already 4:30 PM.

I got up and stepped out of my room to wash the plate and glass I used.

That’s when I saw Kuya Lance and his friends near the door, getting ready.

“Oh, sis,” he called when he noticed me. “We’re heading out to play. Want to come watch?”

I shook my head, smiling a little. “I’m okay… I think I’ll just sleep.”

“Alright. Don’t open the door for anyone while we’re out, okay? Lock your room too. We’ll be back before dinner—I’ll bring you something good.”

“Okay…” I murmured.

I watched them leave, the door closing softly behind them.

Jared was the last one to step out.

He didn’t even bother to glance at me.

I lowered my gaze a little.

So different… from my Jared.

The condo fell quiet again.

I went back to my room and sat on the bed, my phone resting beside me.

I glanced at the screen for a moment… then looked away, hugging my pillow close.

“…He said he’d message later anyway,” I murmured softly.

I lay down, still holding onto that small, warm feeling in my chest.

And without even realizing it—

I fell asleep, still waiting for his next message