Decoding You

Three

After Hannah left, MC waited for the man to text her. The time was stretching into eternity, and she was fairly certain she would get a whiplash soon from turning to look at the wall clock. She also checked her phone over and over, staring at the screen with an expectant face. All that time, Hannah's words kept ringing in her ears. She wanted it so bad to be true, what she'd said, but the truth was, she was a little anxious on the inside, afraid she was being deceived.

The longer she waited, the more nervous she became.

Yet, logically, she knew it would take a while before any message came through. After all, Hannah had to go home and speak with her brother first. Then, he would need time to actually text her.

But finally, three hours later, her phone made a sound.

The moment she heard that soft chime, she couldn't hold in a gasp and almost fell as she tried to run to grab it. Holding her breath, MC unlocked the device and beamed at the notification.

It was Jake.

J: Hello, MC.

J: I think we should talk. Can we meet?

If she hadn't known him so well by now, the dreaded phrase "we need to talk" might have sent a wave of fear through her. But, after waiting for that very moment for so long, MC couldn't help but laugh out in relief.

She also was sure that he was nervously chewing on his lip, which he did whenever he was a little too agitated or concerned. So, to relieve him from worrying, she quickly typed:

MC: Hi, Jake

MC: Of course, how about tomorrow?

Unable to burn off the surge of energy rushing through her, she fell on the sofa, burying her face in a decorative pillow and letting out another excited squeal.

J: Terrific.

J: I will come pick you up at midday?

A grin was still tugging at her lips as she replied, telling him it was perfect. Not expecting a response, she set her phone down and, again, laughed out loud, overwhelmed with happiness. All the doubts evaporated from her mind. Hannah had been right!

A little while later, her phone chimed again. She snatched it up eagerly, but it was only Hannah texting her.

H: I've never seen him that happy, MC. Thank you, for whatever you told him

MC: I just agreed to meet him tomorrow

H: Ah. That explains it all

MC: So, did you talk to him?

H: Bet. That's why he was so bluntly offering a meeting tomorrow

H: Again, thanks, MC

H: And Lilly says hi

H: And tells me to tell you that she'd much rather have you as family than Jessy

MC snorted at the screen before locking her phone. She then stood up, stretching her arms overhead. There was one thing she needed to do before anyone—especially Jake—arrived, and it was clean the place.

_-_-_-_

The next day, despite her excitement and all the positive energy, the weather had other plans for the day. Not only was it cold, but rain was simply pouring from heavy clouds. Still, the grey surroundings couldn't dampen her good mood. Nor could the fact that she'd spent what felt like forever in front of the mirror, trying to look just right without going overboard.

She was so eager to see Jake that she didn't even notice time slipping away. Before she knew it, she barely made fresh coffee and it was already 12 PM.