Sorry, Wrong Number

March 22,  10:30 pm

Unknown number: 

Hey Carol, it’s Eli. So I need to tell you something. I know that we have been friends for a while, and we’ve gotten really close over the years. I would never want to ruin that, but I think that I might like you. I have for a while now, and I just needed you to know that.

Me:

Hey Eli, I’m sorry to say this but you have the wrong number. I’m not Carol.

Unknown number:

Oh, that’s awkward. but since I have you here, would you mind being a test run for this text? Does it sound not terrible?

Me:

It sounds not terrible, Carol would be lucky to have you.

Unknown number:

You don’t even know me.

Me:

Not yet ;)

I’m kidding, but any girl is lucky to have a guy that cares about her.

Unknown number:

Well, let’s hope that Carol agrees with you.

Me:

Good luck Eli

Unknown number:

Thank you, not Carol

Me:

You’re welcome, and it’s Angelina. My friends call me Ang. So you can call me Angelina.

Eli:

Ouch.

Me:

Not to say that I’m not having a blast talking to you, but it’s 11 and I need my beauty rest.

Eli:

Beauty might be a stretch, but rest for sure.

Me:

You’ve never even seen me

Eli:

That’s only a minor detail.

Me:

Oh okay. I’m going to sleep, goodnight.

Eli:

Good night. Enjoy your, maybe, beauty rest.

March 23, 7:43 am

Eli:

Oh gosh, Carol read the text.

Me:

Why is she texting you this early?

Eli:

That’s not the main issue right now.

Me: 

It should be, but since your priorities are obviously scattered I will let this one slide.

Eli:

Ahhhhhhh

Me: Deep breathes.

Eli:

Breathing can wait.

Me:

That is a slightly concerning mindset.

Eli:

That’s fine.

She said that she wanted to stay as friends.

Me:

She’s a fool.

Eli:

Or she’s sane.

Me:

What sane person would reject you?

Eli:

You’d be surprised.

I don’t really feel like talking right now.

Me:

That’s fine, keep your head up D. She just wasn’t the right one for you.

Eli:

Thanks

March 30, 5:15 pm

Me:

How are you feeling?

Eli:

Sad, but a little better.

Me:

That is very fair.

Eli:

Yeah

Me:

It will get better

Eli:

I know, but right now it sucks.

Me:

Which is to be expected

Eli:

That’s stupid. feelings are stupid.

Me:

Yes. Very true

Eli:

Distract me. I don’t want to sit in my own sorrow.

Me:

Oh uhhhhh that’s a lot of pressure.

Um, tell me about yourself.

Eli:

Like what?

Me:

What’s your favorite-color, food, movie, season, tv show, and drink?

Eli:

Green, pizza, Top Gun, winter, The Office, and Pepsi. Your turn.

Me:

Purple, sushi, Princess Bride, Fall, Friends, and Coke. You would choose Pepsi over Coke?

Eli:

What about your friends?

Me:

Oof

Eli:

Do you want to talk about it?

Me:

It’s a little complicated, but to summarize I had a friend group in high school and they were all super toxic and made super insecure. Then I left the group because my mental health was declining and they started rumors about me. So I was pretty excited to get to college, and now that I’m here I’m a little scared to meet new people.

Eli:

That is complicated,  I’m sorry. You’ll find the right people.

Me:

I told you so. It’s alright, I was better off without those people in my life. I sure hope so.  What about your friends?

Eli:

I have a few really close friends from high school from playing sports, and I’ve met a few people at college who weren’t terrible.

Me:

Sports?

Eli:

Yes.

Me:

What kind of sports.

Eli:

The sporty ones.

Me:

Wow thanks, that really narrows it down.

Eli:

I wrestled and played football.

Me:

Ohhhh that’s exciting

Eli:

I guess. So, these toxic friends of yours. Did you escape them when you left for college?

Me:

For the most part. There is always social media, I will still occasionally get dm’s from them or tweets that are obviously about me. But what can you do?

Eli:

Fight them.

Me:

That sounds like a great plan.

Eli:

I know, I have good ideas sometimes.

Me:

We’ll see about that.

Eli:

Does it upset you when they do those things?

Me:

Yeah.

Well, it depends on the day. Sometimes I can just shrug it off, but others it can really affect my mood.

Eli:

Don’t let them get to you. You are most likely beautiful.

Me:

Thank you?

Eli:

You’re welcome.

How frequently do they do those things?

Me:

Maybe once a month.

Eli:

That’s pretty frequent.

Me:

I guess.

Eli:

Well, I know. Why don’t you just block them?

Me:

I don’t want to give them that satisfaction.

Eli:

I get that, but don’t you think it’s better if you keep that negativity out of your life?

Me:

Yes, but I’m also stubborn.

Eli:

That’s fair.

Me:

I know.

February 5, 10:56 pm

Me:

Hey.

Eli:

Hey, what’s going on? 

Me:

I just thought that I would tell you that I blocked my old friends after thinking about what you said.

Eli:

Ayyyyy, go you.

Me:

Thank you.

Eli:

You’re welcome. So, are you doing anything fun over the weekend?

Me:

Not really, I got some painting supplies so I’ll probably work on a few ideas that I had recently. What about you?

Eli:

Wait, you paint?

Me:

Oh yeah. That’s what I’m majoring in

Eli:

Woah that’s awesome! Could I see some of your paintings?

Me:

I don’t know, I don’t really show anyone my paintings anymore.

Eli:

Anymore?

Me:

Those friends that I blocked were the first people that I showed, and they weren’t exactly super supportive.

Eli:

Maybe some supporters of your work would help you come out of your shell?

Me:

I hate it when you’re right.

Eli:

You better get used to it, it’s not exactly uncommon.

Me:

I’m going to ignore that comment. Fine, let me find a photo of one.

Img.uploaded

Eli:

That’s beautiful, Angelina. You have a real talent.

Me:

You can call me Ang, and thank you.

Eli:

You’re welcome. Do you sell your work?

Me:

Only if you’re interested lol

Eli:

Well I just might be, but honestly you could make good money through that.

Me:

I’ve thought about it before, but I haven’t taken the time to actually do it.

Eli:

Do you post your art somewhere? Or showcase it somehow?

Me:

No no no. Didn’t I mention that you are the first person that I’ve shown my art to since high school?

Eli:

That’s fair, but I feel like you are really depriving the world

Me:

That’s a bit of an exaggeration

Eli:

Not really. I would definitely feel deprived if I wasn’t able to see your art.

Me:

Hahaha

Eli:

No jokes

Me:

Well, I appreciate it.

Eli:

You’re welcome

February 8, 3:23 pm

Eli:

Hey, how was painting over the weekend

Me:

Not terrible

Eli:

That’s a positive!

Me:

Yes it is, and I have another thing that could be a positive. Guess what

Eli:

What?

Me:

There is an art show being held at my college at the end of February.

Eli:

Ohhhhh are you going to show your art?

Me:

I’ve been thinking about it.

Eli:

You should, it would be a great way to get your name out there.

Me:

Yeah, but also…scary.

Eli:

Oh yeah that too.

February 13, 7:23 am

Eli:

How did the arting go?

Me:

I don’t think that’s a word

Eli:

It is, don't look it up.

Me:

Hmmm sounds suspicious, and the arting went great.

Eli:

That’s good

Did you decide if you’re doing the art show?

Me:

I think I am, not for sure yet though.

Eli:

That’s exciting

Me:

Yep. So how are you, have you talked to Carol since the thing happened?

Eli:

I’m a lot better than I was, not really. We’ve only talked once and it was super awkward, but I don’t mind us not talking. It is making it easier for me to move on.

Me:

It’s good that you are getting better.

Eli:

Yeah, it is great.

February 15, 2:33 am

Me:

Hey

Eli:

Why are you awake?

Me:

You’re the one that answered the text

Eli:

Touche

Me:

:D

Eli:

So why are you texting me this late?

Me:

Because I’m bored.

Eli:

And I am the person you chose to talk to? I’m flattered.

Me:

Don’t be, the rest of my friends are usually asleep by now.

Eli:

Oh come on, we both know that I was your first choice.

Me:

You have no proof.

Eli:

That is true, but we both know the truth deep down.

Me:

You can believe that if you want

Eli:

I will, thank you

Me:

I’ve been meaning to ask, what college do you go to?

Eli:

Gonzaga University, what about you?

Me:

North Idaho College.

Eli:

Oh wow, we’re pretty close

Me:

Yeah, only half an hour

Eli:

Since we’re that close, we should hang out in person sometime

Me:

That’d be fun, but  you could also be planning my demise

Eli:

Yes that is possible

Me:

Are you?

Eli:

Well, it would be no fun if I just told you. But between us, no.

Me;

Phew, I was a bit worried for a second.

Eli:

Now I’m a bit worried. What if this was all a scheme for you, who has been planning my demise all along?

Me:

I wouldn’t worry about that, I don’t plan that far ahead. I don’t even know what I’m going to have for lunch tomorrow.

Eli:

That does relieve my worry.

Me:

I’m glad, but I would love to hang out. You haven't been super annoying over text.

Eli:

I think I’m going to take that as a compliment.

Me:

You can take it however you want

February 18, 4:32 pm

Eli: 

Are you busy I’m Saturday?

Me:

Yeah I’m working and I’m finishing my painting for the art show. Why?

Eli:

Oh well, a local coffee shop was having a karaoke night and I thought that it would be fun for us to go together.

Me:

That sounds like so much fun, but I’m too busy. We should definitely do that another time though.

Eli:

I agree

Me:

I’m free Sunday afternoon though. 

Eli:

But, I am not. I am playing some games with a few friends of mine.

Me:

Well, then. I guess we'll just have to try again another time.

Eli:

Are you free next weekend?

Me:

Well I have my art show on saturday at 8 pm, so we could hang out that afternoon.

Eli:

I’m busy during the day. Wow, our schedules do not line up.

February 21, 11:56 pm

Me:

Okay, I know you’re probably asleep but I finished one of the painting that I am going to put up on display for the art show.

Image.jpg

Eli:

That looks amazing! 

Me:

Thank you

Eli:

What else are you going to put up?

Me:

I’m not sure yet, but probably something that I’ve already made

Eli:

Sounds amazing. Now I am so proud of you, but I am exhausted.

Me:

That’s fine, sleep well

February 25, 3:23

Eli:

Carol and I are finally talking again, and I am completely over her.

Me:

That’s great! 

Eli:

I know, and I’m pretty happy with how my life is going. I think I might even be interested in someone else. I’m not sure yet, but they seem pretty cool

Me:

That’s so exciting, look at you go.

Eli:

Thank you

Me:

You’re welcome

February 28, 7:30

Me:

I just finished setting up my booth and I am so stressed. I just have to sit here for half an hour wallowing in my own anxiety and stress until they open up the doors.

Eli:

Deep breathes, it will be fine. Your art is amazing, so no need for stress.

Me:

Thanks

Eli:

So, who’s all coming to see you?

Me:

One of my friends said that they would try and come after work. My family was busy and my friends all had other plans.

Eli:

Oh, I wish I could come.

Me:

Me too

Answer your phone I’m bored

How dare you ignore me 

The doors open in ten minutes and I’m stressing out again

Eli:

Turn around



Me:

Are you behind me?

Eli:

You’ll just have to turn around to see.