Saturday, February 6, 2021

how much should I know



 Liam decided to take his chances when Keir texted him about going out. True, there were a lot of places he never went out to eat lately. He didn't like crowds and he didn't really have the money for it. He was on a tight budget these days, but when Keir said I'm buying... Liam couldn't resist. After all, they'd got on the twenty-seventh level of some video game they played together.. They'd never met. They only knew each other online.

But he felt as if Keir was his best friend. They did actually text by phone after so many intense months of fighting zombies.  He knew some would probably find him silly. He bet even Matty who talked about his girlfriend at work nonstop would even find him kind of strange if he knew. Of course, he never told Matty anything.

"I'm finally going out," He announced in the locker room at work. Of course, there was only Matty who was tieing his sneakers.

"By yourself?" He knew Matty was smirking under that mask of his.

"No, with a friend." Liam gave him the eye. "We..." Then he found himself in a squint. "We just haven't met in person."

"What year is this?" Matty turned his head so as if Liam should know better. "Do you need someone to go with you?"

"No." Liam squinted as if he wished he hadn't told his co-worker a thing, but Matty was younger, still in high school. Liam knew he didn't really fit in with the other guys at work who were either married or in a serious relationship. And it felt every day Matty would be one of them and not like him. Liam hugged himself tighter at the thought.

"You are like the only person I actually talk to," Liam finally admitted.

"Seriously?" Now Matty looked at him blankly as if he might have a problem.

"I know, it's my own fault," Liam was even lipped. "My girlfriend, when she was with me, did enough talking for both of us and all I really had to do was nod or not."

"Well, what do you know about this guy?" Matty waited to see if Liam could come up with anything. His hands were in his jean's pockets, but Liam could see he had things to do and places to go as their shift was ending.

"A lot. Really." Liam got out his phone. He knew what Keir's car looked like. He even had a picture of him.

"He's not in love with you, is he?" Matty's question startled him.

"No," Liam yelped back. Just the thought almost made him jump. He didn't think so.

"Where are you going?" Matty wanted to know.

"Out to eat. I've never been there," Liam shrugged. "So he's driving.

"Oh, he's a driver is he?" Matty's words made Liam's eyes tense.

"Why is everything so hard for me?" Liam set down on the bench and put his hand to his forehead. He didn't want to have anxiety over this. It was just dinner.

18 comments:

  1. I hope Liam calms down and just has a good time!

    xx

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  2. Sometimes it's easiest to fall in love with an image.

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  3. Online relationships can be scary sometimes, I hope he feels comfortable and safe.

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    1. I remember the first online friend I met. My parents and siblings were with me and so were his at a book store. He looked like a Tom Cruise with very long hair. He fell in love with my Mom. He was a little crazy. Later, when I got invited to his house, I brought a long a friend. It was there he did a fashion show for us. He was a very interesting fellow.

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  4. Pobre Liam, uy lo dejas muy interesante. Te mando un beso

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  5. be careful with online things...
    nice chapter

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  6. Ooooo....just catching up with the chapters I missed! I don't remember Liam's story from before so it's good to read about his character:)

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    1. I haven't mentioned him too much. He's more of one of those side characters who is basically doing his own thing and doing his best to stay out of people's lives. Although, Matty does work with him. Liam is probably not the luckiest in love and maybe that's for the best since he's at crossroads of what to do with his life. But for the most part, he's typical with his video games, trying to release stress, yet to find only a new stress.

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  7. Your characters are so credible, and your dialogues so to the point!
    I feel as if I've always known them.
    I hope all this will someday be transposed into a book and or movie.

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  8. Interesting chapter. Nice dialogues.

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  9. Poor Liam! This part really spoke to me: "Liam knew he didn't really fit in with the other guys at work who were either married or in a serious relationship. And it felt every day Matty would be one of them and not like him. Liam hugged himself tighter at the thought." It shows why Liam's online friendship with Keir is so important, and that he's reaching out but is fragile. I'm rooting for him!

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