CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHRIS
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Chris
Did I just get friend-zoned?
I’m standing at my bathroom sink, ready to brush my teeth, but haven’t done it yet because I messaged Lexie and that took over. She’s gone now, but I’m still lingering here, staring at her words, analysing our exchange.
I reread our messages. I’m midway through telling her all about my day and … I did – I just got friend-zoned. And rather abruptly too. So abruptly it almost makes me laugh.
I shake my head in bafflement and scroll up our chat. And then I scroll down and … Where was the sign this was coming? There was no sign. Or was there? She went silent on me for a few days. Was that it?
I read through the bit where I tell her I can’t stop thinking about her. This is a little embarrassing now. And why I did this is beyond me, because I’m on a mission to be single. But I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Lexie. I’m drawn to her. We had an evening of perfect conversation and I asked her to get on a plane with me. She said no. And now I’ve been friend-zoned. She put a kiss and then I watched it disappear as she deleted it.
That was painful to watch.
But we got on so well. It was so real. That night on the terrace, it felt so real. She almost got on a plane with me. And everything after that … perfection. Until now. I pull a deep breath into my lungs, let it out slowly.
I stare at the phone in anticipation, just in case. But there’s nothing more. She’s gone offline. That’s it.
I look away from the phone and stare at myself in the bathroom mirror. Under my breath I mutter the word ‘Fuck!’