Miles Away Within One Day

"I can't believe this."

Read: 1:30pm

"What could we expect? We've never had to deal with something like this before."

Read: 1:30pm

"You realize we're going to have to deal with our families for months now. If we start having political conversations it’s going to be a two against one here and I’m not in a fighting mood."

Read: 1:35pm

"I mean in the summer we were going to end up doing so anyway."

Read: 1:37pm

"Yeah but this is different, Ry."

Read: 1:46pm

"I know, Mags. I’m not exactly fond of this either. But at least the university was willing to pay for our tickets home.”

Read: 1:57pm

“After giving us only one day of warning. But Ryan, I was just feeling like my life was finally falling into place. We were getting so close and I...I don’t know. I’m still numb to most all of it.” 

Read: 2:07pm

“I was too. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do for any of my midterms now. Plus I’m on the west coast and classes are in Eastern Time.”

Read: 2:11pm

“If it helps, I’m in Mountain Time.”

Read: 2:13pm

“Isn’t that just a one hour difference?”

Read: 2:14pm

“Yeah.”

Read: 2:15pm

“Okay. It helps a bit. We’ll suffer together.”

Read: 2:26pm

“LOL. Well good then. Hey can you Facetime me later?” 

Read: 2:27pm

“Is that even a question?” 

Read: 2:37pm

“Ha, well thank you. Everything just feels so foreign right now. WAIT! I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING!” 

Read: 2:38pm

“WHAT?!” 

Read: 2:43pm

“I forgot your hoodie!”

Read: 2:45pm

“LOL. Which one?”

Read: 2:56pm

“Your baseball one! I brought the blue one with me. I just realized I also took Jen’s travel mug but I don’t feel bad about it; I use it more than she does.”

Read: 3:01pm

“Mags it’s okay. I’m pretty sure I packed a pair of your sweats in my bag.” 

Read: 3:06pm

“Wait, which ones? I thought they didn’t fit you.” 

Read: 3:11pm

“Your warm-up ones for track.”

Read: 3:16pm

“Ooohhh.” 

Read: 3:21pm

“But Ryan I’m so sorry! I thought we’d have more time before we left and I must’ve left it in one of my baskets under my bed. I was going to give them back since I knew you had that baseball game coming up.”

Read: 3:24pm

“Mags. Global pandemic.” 

Read: 3:27pm

“And since we’re not going to be on campus for the rest of the year and California’s gone into shelter-in-place, how am I supposed to get it to you?” 

Read: 3:30pm

“I get the sense that you’re panicking.” 

Read: 3:34pm

“Cause I am!” 

Read: 3:35pm

“Mags! We will figure it out! We’ll come back next year, it’s not like we’ll never see each other again. I’m not being shipped off to Norway!” 

Read: 3:36pm

“I know! I know...I’m sorry.” 

Read: 3:44pm

“It feels like I’m grasping at straws.” 

Read: 3:44pm

“It’s okay. I understand. I wish I could be there to help you right now. We will get through this. I promise you that much. Drink some water. Put on a playlist. Breathe.” 

Read: 3:46pm

“Ryan, how are you calm with all this? Everyone just got shipped home without much warning and we’re separated from all our friends, our teammates! All our classes just switched online and our junior year just got cut off.” 

Read: 3:47 pm

“If I’m honest I don’t think it’s settled with me just yet.” 

Read: 3:50pm

“When it does, please remember I’m here to talk.” 

Read: 3:50pm

“I thought I was supposed to be the one comforting you right now.” 

Read: 3:52pm

“Ryan.” 

Read: 3:52pm

“I know, don’t worry. LOL. You’ll be the first person I talk to. But I have to go, my mom’s calling a family meeting soon. Oh joy.” 

Read: 3:56pm

“Oh that sounds like fun.”

Read: 3:56pm

“Glad to see your sarcasm is still intact.”

Read: 3:56pm

“You know I can’t help it.” 

Read: 3:57pm

“I’m actually pretty sure you can but you choose not to.” 

Read: 3:57pm

“Well I mean...that is why you started dating me.” 

Read: 3:57pm

“Among other reasons.” 

Read: 3:58pm

“Of course, love.” 

Read: 3:59pm

“Well I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.” 

Read: 4:00pm

“My little brother just came into my room, threw a chocolate bar at me, called me a weenie, and left.”

Read: 4:01pm

“Well, I’m glad he listened to my text.” 

Read: 4:03pm

“You didn’t tell him to do that...did you?” 

Read: 4:03pm

“I will neither confirm nor deny.”

Read: 4:04pm

“Well, thank you either way. Honestly, good luck at that meeting. Call at 8pm your time?”

Read: 4:09pm

“I’ll be here.” 

Read: 4:10pm

“Okay. Be careful please. I miss you.”

Read: 4:12pm

“I miss you too, Mags. Don’t do anything crazy without me.” 

Read: 4:13pm

“You realize how tempting that is.” 

Read: 4:15pm

“Oh believe me, I’m aware.” 

Read: 4:16pm

“Just make sure your Playstation is on. We may be under quarantine but I still need to remind you whose best at GTA.” 

Read: 4:16pm

“I worry for you sometimes.” 

Read: 4:17pm

“Worry for your pride, son. You’re gonna get smacked.” 

Read: 4:18pm

“I love how this conversation went from you worrying about me to trash talking me.”

Read: 4:19pm

“I have a sporadic mind.” 

Read: 4:20pm

“Oh I know, babe. But I really got to go now. I’ll text you when it’s over.” 

Read: 4:20pm

“Fine, I guess.” 

Read: 4:21pm

“Don’t start pouting.” 

Read: 4:22pm

“I’m not! I’m trying to think of things to do while you’re away.”

Read: 4:25pm

“How about you go mess with your brother. Beat him up or something.”

Read: 4:30pm

“I like that idea!” 

Read: 4:30pm

“Oh god, no I was kidding!”

Read: 4:30pm

“Mags?”

Read: 4:30pm

“Mags, don’t kill your brother!” 

Read: 4:32pm

“I’m not going to kill him...more like seriously maim him.” 

Read: 4:35pm

“Maggie.” 

Read: 4:35pm

“I’m not going to actually kill him. He’s a six foot tall, 215 pound linebacker. I’d have to be hopped up on some serious caffeine to have a chance at killing him.” 

Read: 4:36pm

“Knowing how much coffee you drink regularly? That isn’t a far-fetched idea.” 

Read: 4:38pm

“Aw thank you!”

Read: 4:39pm

“I don’t think I’ve ever face-palmed myself more than I do talking to you.”

Read: 4:41pm

“But in a good way, right?”

Read: 4:43pm

“Absolutely. Talk to you later, babe. I love you.” 

Read: 4:45pm

“Love you too.”