CHAPTER 3:THEIR FIRST CHAT

That night, when the city prepared to doze off,Elora returned to her room tired after the practices. Moments later she emerged out of the shower and flipped on the bed.

She looked into the mirror,and smiled. She had finally made up her mind.She unlocked her phone and stared at the Notification.

‘

Marcus requested to follow you : Accept | Cancel

’

Her finger wandered over the two buttons. The two choices. One could lead to something more than strangers and the other would keep her in darkness forever.

sʜᴇ ғɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴄʟɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵.

She rang up Sarah immediately blurting out everything in one breath. It would be a lie to tell Sarah missed any opportunity to tease her.

Sarah said teasingly, “So, Will you text him? ”.Elora groaned internally. “No Sarah, I won't and I don't think he would too. Besides, shouldn't you sleep already by now? ”Sarah laughed, “Okay, fine.I will shut up, for now”.

Elora smiled a bit, “So, you said he plays..football? ”Sarah, “Quite interested,huh?well yeah, that jerk is actually good at something-football”

“Mhm..Do you think he is interested in me? I mean you obviously think that but isn't it..wrong? I mean I belong to a completely different world. I am not a athlete.I won't understand his feelings properly..and even though-”

Sarah said, “Okay girl, why don't we leave it to him to decide? And athletes love aesthetes. Like I love you? ”

Elora smile, “Love you too, champion.You are the best baller”

Yes, Sarah was a basketball player.

And Elora's insecurity was valid.It wasn't like Elora did not want to play, did not want to experience that part of the world and live that experience,it is just that she never got the proper opportunity to. And even if opportunity did come, it lasted for only a few months leaving Elora with a burning sensation to try again. Situations made her a aesthete, or else a athlete still remains inside her. Just asleep.Or maybe she chose to keep it asleep.

Sarah knew that. She knew every bit of Elora. They both did 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 better than 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦.

They weren't sisters, but they were 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.

After talking for a while about random stuff,They hung up.

On Marcus's way back home from school,as he kept walking through the quite alley,his phone lit up. He unlocked it and his breath hitched.

𝘌𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵.

He could see her posts, her highlights,that casual bio and-

“MARCUS! ”

Luke called out.Luke was his older brother. Someone he could always look upto.

Marcus quickly shoved his phone inside his pocket.

Luke noticed the slight change in Marcus's behavior and asked, “You're behaving unusual. Everything alright? You're red”.

Marcus choked on air, almost. He replied back defensively“Yeah, of course I am okay! It's not like Elora accepted my request!! ”He said and regretted it instantly.

Luke smirked knowing he had caught him red handed, “Elora, huh? Sarah's best friend? Tell me about it. You know you can't hide it anymore”

Marcus sighed.

It was true. He couldn't really hide anything from his older brother and so he spilled the beans.

“Satisfied now? ”Marcus rolled his eyes. Luke let you a humorous laugh and said, “Well, good luck”

It took no time for Luke to actually convince Marcus to initiate the first text. “C'mon!! You're the guy! Initiate it already man”Marcus, a bit motivated typed, “Hi” and deleted it instantly.

She hadn't seen it.. Right?

In a dimly lit room, Elora was scrolling through reels when she froze. “Hi”, she saw it but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. She

smiled and tossed,screaming internally into pillow before catching herself off guard

She gulped. Her eyes closed. Will he text her again? What if she makes the first move now?

On the other said Luke cursed Marcus,

“bro are you dumb? Like c'mon you're just texting a hi. You're not getting married, at least not yet! Stop behaving cowardly ”

Marcus glared at Luke and sighed.

This time, he texted ‘Hi’ and did not delete it. He was internally screaming too but his face looked calm, well according to him. Luke said,

“You look like you ate chilies for dinner. You're red”.

Marcus turned away defensively.

Elora's heart raced as she saw the text again. She typed back, “Hey.. ”.

Marcus saw it Isntantly. Luke peeked into the screen as well.

Marcus:What brand is your microwave?

Luke frowned and shouted, "What are you-. Seriously? Brooo! Don't-Shit! Unsend! "

Marcus panicked, "Huh? What? Oh no! What did I do-Brooo helpp!! "

Luke groaned, "Help!? By giving you a kiss or slap? "

Elora on the other side of the screen was just confused. She laughed. So that was his interest?

Elora:Why? Planning to bake me a cake?

Marcus blushed seeing her text while Luke grinned. Luke said, "Do you know even how to use a microwave? "

Marcus:Uhm, well, maybe?

Elora:Strawberry

Marcus:Noted, so this valentines me at your door?

Elora chuckled looking at the screen.

Elora:I don't believe in love at first sight though,if that's what you're aiming for.

Luke grinned,“Damn,she is smart. She knows your intentions quite well. Sarah did extra for her job”

Marcus glared at Luke, again. He wasn't interested in knowing if Sarah did a good job. What he was actually interested in knowing was-Why didn't Elora believe in love at first sight?

Marcus:Why?

Elora:I think it's not practical.

Marcus:What is love to you?

Elora blinked and typed

Elora:It's a slow understanding. It requires patience and understanding, it's something which is slow and not rushed. What about you? Do you believe in love at first sight?

Marcus:Mhm, I do.I think sometimes you just know the moment you see someone. That rush isn’t absurd—it’s kind of beautiful.

Luke said behind the screen, “Didn't know you were a poet. ”Marcus scoffed. Their mother called out, “Dinner is ready! If you're not downstairs in 10, dad will be upstairs in 5”

The boys cursed.

Marcus:Well, I'll catch up later. I have to go now.. Bye?

Elora:Yeah.. Bye. Good night.

One last time, she typed—

Elora: Do you think people can mean something to us even before we meet them?

The typing cursor blinked.

Marcus was offline now.

Elora locked her phone.

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