Us? Forever.

Chapter Eleven : The Picture

Chapter Eleven: The Picture

I suddenly remembered something I had been meaning to ask her.

Motoko: We’ve been chatting for a while now… I’m getting curious.

Motoko: Can I see a picture of you?

Sakura: Hmm… you’re right.

Sakura: I’m not really photogenic though. I rarely take pictures.

I smiled faintly.

So she’s shy…

Motoko: I’m sure you have at least one. I’m not asking for many—just one.

Motoko: Pretty pleeeaaase 🥺

Sakura: Okay, you win. I’ll send it, but…

Motoko: But…?

Sakura: On my personal number.

Sakura: xxxxxxxx — text me there.

I froze.

Wait…

Did she just give me her number?

My heart skipped.

Without thinking, I texted her immediately.

Violet: Hi, Sherlock… it’s Waterston.

She replied almost instantly.

Ezra: That was fast, Waterston. I see you’re keeping up.

A small smile crept onto my lips.

Violet: I try.

Ezra: Then I guess I should reward you…

Ezra: Picture sent.

My breath caught.

The world around me went quiet for a second.

She was…

Beautiful.

No—

Breathtaking.

I stared at the screen longer than I should have.

It felt strange.

I had never reacted like this to someone before.

Not from just a picture.

Not from just a few hours of talking.

…A few hours.

That’s all it had been.

So why did it feel like more?

Why did it feel like I had known her longer than that?

I swallowed lightly.

Violet: You’re breathtaking.

It was the only word that felt right.

Ezra: Don’t flatter me.

I frowned slightly.

Violet: I’m serious. You’re gorgeous.

Ezra: Thanks… but I don’t believe you.

Ezra: I’m sure you’re just being nice.

Violet: I don’t say things I don’t mean.

There was a small pause.

Ezra: …Alright. I’ll believe you.

Without thinking too much, I sent mine.

Violet: Here’s mine.

Ezra: I didn’t ask.

Violet: You didn’t need to.

Ezra: Why do I feel like you’re going to stress me?

Violet: Depends on what you make me.

There was a pause.

Ezra: Wait… what?

Violet: Never mind.

I stared at the screen, my heart beating a little faster.

Why was I acting like this?

This wasn’t me.

And yet…

With her, everything felt different.

Too easy.

Too natural.

Like something was pulling me in.

And I wasn’t even trying to resist.