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Chapter 8 - On the Sly

—New Message ✉ 'Unknown Number'—

@Unknown: [Hi ≧◠◡◠≦]

[Who are you?]✓✓

@Unknown: [Can't you guess?]

[I'm not good at guessing. If you don't tell me who you are, I'll block you.]✓✓

@Unknown: [I'm fulfilling the promise I made to you.]

Oh, fuck.

I sit straight on my bed and plug my phone into the charger to keep it from turning off. I take a few breaths, I've never been so nervous at talking to someone before, I just hope that doesn't cause me to write some bullshit that will scare him off. I save his number as a new contact in my phone and get ready to reply.

[You are a man of your word, I like that.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [I am. I always keep my promises.]

[Just to confirm: Are you James Gibbs?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Yes. That's my name.]

[Nathaniel's younger brother?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [If you mean the tough football player with dimples on his cheeks... Then, yes ≧ω≦]

[I'm going to need proof. I'm still not convinced that you're really him.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Of what kind?]

[A picture?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [I hope it's not the kind I'm imagining. (ಥ.ಥ)]

[Do you really think I'd ask you to send me erotic pics?]✓✓

Although the idea is very appealing.

@Jimmy: [I don't know, would you?]

[Of course not... At least not now.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Not now, not ever, I'm not that kind of guy. ¬¬]

[Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Just send one where you aren't alone, if that makes you feel more comfortable. One with Nate, maybe?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Okay. Wait, I have a lot of them in my gallery.]

[Take your time, supposedly James Gibbs.]✓✓

I block the phone and wait. My feet are waving rapidly under the sheets, anxious to get a prompt response from him. Luckily, it arrives only a couple of minutes later.

@Jimmy: [Here it is: IMG_20190822_182845.jpg. Did I confirm my identity?]

In the picture, the brothers are standing next to each other, with big smiles of happiness. Nate with an arm hanging over Jimmy's shoulders, whose two-toned eyes shine brightly in the sun. The background appears to be a pier or something similar.

I assume it must have been quite cold because their cheeks were flushed, the pair wearing heavy winter coats, and the breeze rising and swirling the locks of both of them in all directions. James looks beautiful, not Nate, he doesn't matter now.

[Yes, I'm satisfied.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [And what assurance do I have that you are the real Jasper? (￣￣|||)]

[Do you want a picture too?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Would that be too forward of me?]

[I asked you for one too, it's only fair. Here you go: IMG_20190822_896384.jpg. I'm sorry about the lighting, I prefer the darkness.]✓✓

My capture is much more elaborate, to say the least. Me, standing in the middle of the field, my uniform full of mud and grass after a tough game with another university team, just six months ago.

Hair was wet from the sweat adhering to the forehead, the helmet under my right arm and my left fist in the air as a sign of victory. If I remember correctly, the photo was taken by Steve.

@Jimmy: [You look good.]

[Just good? ಥ_ಥ Come on, you can do better than that.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [All right. You look... Attractive? (//ω//)]

[Hey, but if you do it in the form of a question, you invalidate it. ]✓✓

@Jimmy: [It makes me feel embarrassed (//ω//)]

[Jimmy, come on, tell me how handsome and good-looking I am ~]✓✓

@Jimmy: [But if you already know, why do you need me to confirm it?]

[I just want to know if you think so too.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [I do...]

[What?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Think the same.]

[About...?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Jasper! >:(]

[I'm sorry, I won't insist anymore.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [It's only... I'm shy. I'm not used to speaking my mind.]

[Do I make you nervous?]✓✓

After that message, I wait for the reply for a couple of minutes. The three dots indicating that he is writing appear and disappear several occasions, which gives me to understand that he is either typing a very long text, or that he has erased it many times, but in the end, can't decide.

If only this boy knew how restless he drives me too. I feel my phone vibrating and I pick it up so I can check the new message, just one word decided to send finally:

@Jimmy: [Yes.]

[Is that good or bad for you?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [I still don't know. I guess I need to talk to you longer to figure it out.]

[I like that idea.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Will you have practice tomorrow?]

I don't overlook his drastic change in conversation, but I choose to give him a break and play along.

[Yes, it will be quite intense in the next two weeks. There's a big game coming up with the University of Louisiana.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [I heard they're very good. ( ◕0◕ )]

[Nothing we can't handle, baby.]✓✓

Baby? Bravo, Jasper. You couldn't have done better.

[You can come and see us, if you like.]✓✓

I hurry to continue. His answer is slow in arriving again, but it pleases me.

@Jimmy: [Sure, I can do that (-̪◡-̪). Tomorrow, if I'm not mistaken, we'll share a Spanish lesson.]

[How are you doing in that class?]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Um, I believe quite well. (⁄ ⁄-⁄ω⁄-⁄ ⁄)]

[Really? Because I'm doing terrible. I think I need help urgently.]✓✓

It's not entirely true. I always make sure to maintain my grades stable because, if my average drops, Coach will most likely not let me play or kick me out of the team, and I can't let either happen. But I find it like a good excuse to spend more time in person with him.

Phone conversations are great, to some necessary extent, especially with a kid as shy as James, but I won't settle for just that. I also want to spend time with him personally, and if making up this pretext will help me do that, then that's all there is to it.

@Jimmy: [That bad? ⊙_☉]

[Well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit.]✓✓

I don't want him to think I'm an idiot either.

@Jimmy: [I thought so ¬.¬. But it's okay, I can help you if you need it.]

[That's excellent, Jimmy. We'll discuss how I can pay you later. ]✓✓

@Jimmy: [But I don't need any payment, Jasper. I want to help you.]

Nate was right, he's adorable.

[Okay, let's just leave that option open for another conversation.]✓✓

I can take advantage of that later.

@Jimmy: [Not that I like it, but fine. I have to say goodbye now, Jasper. =^.^=]

[Call me 'Jas'. It's only fair since you let me call you Jimmy.]✓✓

@Jimmy: [Good. See you tomorrow, Jas. Sweet dreams ❤]