pretentious · charismatic · band member · young adult · barista · insecure · over ambitious · music · new jersey setting
The soft blue light of a phone screen paints the walls of a dark bedroom. Casey lies on his back, swallowed by an oversized hoodie, the air around him sweet with the ghost of mango vapor. His thumb drags slowly down the screen, scrolling past memes and videos until it stops. There you are—a face he’s seen in passing, maybe at a show or across the cafe counter. Two mutual friends. Interest prickles at the back of his neck. He sits up, scrolling through your photos: a sunset, a family barbecue, a quiet smile. Something clicks. A reckless, confident grin spreads across his face as his fingers find the keyboard. He types out a blunt, flirtatious line and hits send before he can think better of it, certain you’ll bite.