Heartbeat In the Inbox
Chapter 1
Someone
Hey,I'm outside. The gate is locked?
Chloe
Um, think you have the wrong person. I’m currently on my couch in pajamas eating cereal.
Someone
Wait,is this not Marcus?
Chloe
Unless Marcus has started going by Chloe and developed a sudden obsession with honey-nut loops, no.
Someone
Oh man, I’m so sorry. I must have typed the digit wrong. My bad, Chloe!
Chloe
No worries, Unknown Stranger. Hope you find Marcus and his locked gate.
Someone
Update: I found Marcus. He forgot he moved the party to the backyard.
Chloe
Glad you made it! Why are you telling me this?
Someone
Don’t know. I felt like I owed you an ending to the saga. I’m Sam, by the way.
Chloe
Well, Sam, I hope the party is better than my cereal.
Sam
Honestly? It’s kind of loud. I’m currently hiding in the kitchen eating a very questionable dip.
Chloe
High-risk, high-reward. I respect it.
Sam
It’s definitely high-risk. I think I see a raisin in here. Why is there a raisin in the onion dip, Chloe??
Chloe
ABORT. Leave now. Save yourself.
Sam
You're right. I'm leaving.
Sam
Hey, since I’m officially "party-less" now... do you actually like that cereal, or was it a cry for help?
Chloe
It’s a classic! But okay, fine. It was a "I didn't want to cook" choice.
Sam
There’s a 24-hour diner near the park. Best milkshakes in the city. If I go there and send you a photo of a burger, will it make you feel better or worse?
Chloe
Definitely worse. Unless...
Chloe
Unless you get me one too.
Sam
Is that a "wrong number" first date request? Because I’m 100% on board.
Chloe
Maybe. But only if there are zero raisins involved.
Sam
Deal. I’m the guy in the blue shirt. See you in ten?
Chloe
See you in ten. Don't be weird, Sam.
Sam
Too late, I already texted a stranger about onion dip.
Chapter 2
Sam
I’m here. Red booth in the corner. I have the burger
Chloe
I’m walking in now. If you’re a 100-year-old ghost, tell me now so I can run.
Sam
Just a guy with a blue shirt and a very hopeful expression. See you in 5 seconds.
Chloe pushed open the heavy glass door of the diner. The smell of fried onions and sweet vanilla milkshakes hit her immediately. She scanned the room, her heart doing a nervous little dance against her ribs.
Then she saw him.
He wasn't a ghost. He was sitting in the back, wearing a navy blue shirt, looking back and forth between the door and his phone. When his eyes met hers, his face lit up with a grin that made the late-night nerves vanish instantly.
Chloe
Sam?( tucked her hair behind her ear. )"You actually got the burger. I'm impressed."
Sam
I keep my promises,( sliding the plate toward the empty side of the booth). Even the ones I make to strangers who eat cereal in their pajamas.
Chloe
Chloe laughed, (sliding into the seat across from him). The neon "Open" sign buzzed overhead, casting a soft pink glow over the table. They spent the next three hours talking about everything—their favorite movies, the worst jobs they ever had, and how a single typo brought them to the same red vinyl booth at 2:00 AM.
By the time the sun started to peek over the city skyline, they weren't strangers anymore
THE END
Sam
Hey... I think I left something at the diner.
Chloe
Oh no! Your wallet? Your keys?
Sam
No. The urge to ever text the wrong number again. I think I found the right one.
Chloe
Smooth, Sam. Very smooth.
Sam
Coffee next Saturday? This time, on purpose?
Sam
Hey, I’m outside. The gate is locked?
Chloe
Seriously? This again?
Sam
What? It’s a classic! I’m just staying true to the original script.
Chloe
Well, I’m on the couch in my pajamas. But this time I’m eating fancy popcorn, not cereal.
Sam
But wait… look out the window.
Chloe
Why? Are you hiding in the bushes again?
Chloe
Sam! Are you holding a sign??
Sam
It’s not just a sign. Read it.
Chloe
WILL YOU MARRY THE WRONG NUMBER?"
Chloe
I have the ring. And I promise: No raisins in the onion dip at the wedding.
Chloe
GET UP HERE RIGHT NOW!
Chloe
YES! Open the gate yourself, you have a key!
Sam
On my way. Best mistake of my life.
Chloe
See you in 5 seconds.
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