Josie's pov୨ৎ: I'm in bed, curled under my comforter, hair still damp from my shower and a calming playlist playing in the background. I'd just set my phone down when it buzzed with a new notification.
Instagram DM — Matthew Sturniolo
I raise an eyebrow. That's unexpected.
I open it.
hey!
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thanks for today the tutoring. not the existential crisis i almost had halfway through. you were really cool about it.
I smile, surprised by how honest and awkwardly sweet it is. Definitely Matt.
I don't respond right away. Not because I don't want to, but because for some reason, my heart's doing that weird fluttery thing again. I scroll back up and read it again.
Okay, pull it together.
I type:
hii you did good today! that was the smallest crisis ive ever faced, you should see madi when she cant find an outfit for a party, its very scary.🫣
I stare at the screen for a second before hitting send. A second later, the little "Seen" pops up on his last message.
Then—
You're kind of hilarious also... can i get your number? this dm life is embarrassing.
I laugh out loud, covering my face with my hands for a second before I type back:
Smooth matt, smooth. xxx-xxx-xxxx don't make me regret this.
I hit send. This is fun, this is okay. It's okay that I like this.
Matt's pov𖧧: I stare at the screen like an idiot. She actually replied. Not only replied, she gave me her number.
She gave me her number.
I grin while Chris glances over from across the kitchen counter, where he's slouched scrolling through TikTok. "What's got you looking like a happy person?"
"Nothing," I say, even though I know my face is betraying me.
Nick doesn't even look up. "He got her number."
"Shut up!" I throw a middle finger up at him, but I don't even care. It's true.
"Dude, do not blow this," Chris says dramatically. "You're already a walking rom-com. Don't crash the plane now."
