BBUGirl: I know what you mean
BBUGirl: I need the gas pedal and brake so I can pick exactly when to speed up and slow down
SoloSurfer: That’s exactly what I need too
SoloSurfer: We need to make that happen.
BBUGirl: I’m a science major, but not that kind of science major
SoloSurfer: And what kind would that be? The ass-kicking kind?
BBUGirl: I wish. Nah, just the boring, regular kind that studies physiology and anatomy
BBUGirl: Not the super cool inventor, science kind
SoloSurfer: Never sell yourself short BBUGirl. You are amazing and can do anything.
SoloSurfer: I believe in you!
I tuck my phone in my pocket as I walk to the library with thebiggest smile on my face. At least, that makes one person who does.
Chapter Three
Ella
My head hits the pillow close to midnight. As soon as I close my eyes, my phone vibrates on the small stool serving as an end table next to me.
Crap. What does Vienna need now?
I grab my phone, but it’s not the stepmonster. It’s my secret pen pal.
SoloSurfer: How was your night?
BBUGirl: Long
BBUGirl: How was yours?
SoloSurfer: same
BBUGirl: You’re up late
SoloSurfer: I could say the same for you
I first met SoloSurfer in an online community for Bristol Bay University students and then in an offshoot group for hockey fans over the summer.
I was nervous, okay, extremely nervous about enteringmy freshman year of college without knowing many people. Someone at my work suggested that I join a group at my college. I think they meant a club or an organization, and not an online discussion board. But hey, this way was a lot less intimidating.
We also bonded over everything hockey, including the Bristol Bay Harbor Seals. The players are more fierce than their mascot. You’ll have to trust me on that one.
I find myself chatting with SoloSurfer more each day. We started messaging on the app here and there, which then moved to daily, and then exchanging numbers, to where we are now—texting first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.
I’m not complaining.
Is it weird that we haven’t exchanged actual names yet?
In my head, he’s SoloSurfer. A loner with shaggy blond hair who would rather surf in suboptimal temps than pay attention in biology class.
That’s only in my imagination, though. The only actual information we’ve exchanged is our usernames and phone numbers.
