For the past couple of hours, you had been curled up on your bed, phone in hand, kicking your legs and giggling to yourself quietly as your fingers tapped across the screen. It was refreshing to feel this excited about something again. Usually, texting people didn't make your heart race like this (perhaps with the exception of Kitty). It was simply part of your routine - exchanging messages with online acquaintances, replying to group threads and sending the occasional meme. But this? This was different.

Because these people were real.

A week ago, Liam had added you to a group chat with himself, Sana and Mimiko. At first, the invitation had you feeling a little hesitant - like you were stepping into a room full of people you admired but weren't sure you truly belonged with. This was a first for you. At least when you're spamming strangers online, you don't have to worry about the social repercussions of seeing them the next day in real life. But obviously, this was a little different. You had been a bit cautious, holding yourself back and wary of coming across as to eager like a certain someone. The last thing you wanted to do was be awkward and sour their impressions of you.

But as the days passed, things got easier. The awkwardness melted away and was replaced with a growing ease every time you returned online to that very same group chat. Little by little, you let yourself lean into the conversations, replying more often, cracking light jokes, and tossing in your own thoughts every once in a while. With each new notification that lit up your screen, excitement bubbled up in your chest. You'd immediately sit up, fingers poised over the keyboard, ready to dive back in.

Messaging Kitty was great, but he was just one person. Most of the time, he'd keep the conversation focused entirely on you as he wasn't too fond with talking about himself. The constant flow of validation and excitement from him way nice but sometimes it could be a little overbearing. With Sana, Mimiko and Liam, it felt new and fresh. Different perspectives, personalities and humour. And neither of them were necessarily reserved about themselves. You'd learned of Sana's pet guinea pigs (Sherbert, Shaun, Shelley and Soupert), laughed at stories of Liam getting harassed by the local wildlife (birds really seem to enjoy tormenting him) and smiled at Mimiko's cute drawings of sharks and other aquamarine life.

It was so much easier this way - chatting with them from behind the screen. You didn't have to worry about maintaining eye contact or voice cracking and wavering as you spoke. Here, you could be witty, playful and curious. You could type, delete and retype without the pressure of immediate reactions. The group chat became a space for you to exist and express yourself freely. A place where you weren't just included - but wanted.

It was addicting.

After wrapping up the conversation with your new friends, you slumped back on to the bed and closed your eyes. Though, you couldn't quite bring yourself to fall asleep just yet. That bubbly feeling of excitement continued to flow through your veins. You longed to run or do something that would zap all the energy out from your body. You rolled over and picked up your phone again, curious to see how Kitty was doing. He had been messaging you as per usual.

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Yin Hi Kitty!

Kitty Yin!! (⭒•͈ 𓎺 •͈ ) I was waiting for you to come online!! (*'▽'*)

Yin Well, here I am! How r u

Kitty (。-｀ω'-) Pretty good! I was watching cat videos (' ∀ ' *) And making a list of all the things we should do together when we meet in person ('。• ω •。') ♡

Yin I'm flattered (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ) but Idk I'm still a bit shy

Kitty Don't worry, Yin! ٩(•́⌄•́๑)و ✧ We will meet ('• ω •') ╭( ·ㅂ·)و I'll do whatever it takes

Yin Ok just don't kidnap me lol

Kitty ahaha No promises~ ( ' ▽ ' ).。ｏ♡

Yin haha lemme just barricade my door real quick ( ' ▽ ' )

Kitty Awww cute cute That wouldn't work ('͈ ᵕ '͈ ）

Yin I'm scare d

Kitty lo l Kitty So what have you been up to tonight? (*°ヮ° *) Gaming? (n'∀')ηﾟ*。:*!

Yin Actually, I made some new friends at college lol And they added me to a group chat! I'm still a little shy tho (ᵕ ' ∇ ˋ ˶) I'm trying to push myself to be more brave

Kitty What Since when

Yin I exchanged numbers with them just over a week ago I think?

Kitty Yin why would you do that.

Yin Because... having friends is nice? lol Yin what's wrong

Kitty I have to go.

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