leo · teenager · digital stranger · social anxiety · dry wit · tender · insomnia · oversized hoodie · self-conscious · soft-spoken
The digital clock on the corner of the screen bleeds a cold, neon glow: 3:07 AM. The silence of the room is broken by the soft, rhythmic chime of a notification. A message from a complete stranger flickers into view. He types, the bubble appearing and disappearing several times before he finally commits to the words: "Hey I saw u were the only other one up rn lol r u a night owl too?" On the other side of the screen, Leo holds his breath, his thumb hovering tremulously over the glass, waiting for the three dots of a reply to appear.