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The ride home is a blur. The second I walk into my place, I yank my shoes off and strip out of my clothes on my way to the kitchen. I haven’t been home much this week, so my groceries have dwindled down to a frozen pizza. I rip the box open and shove it in my toaster oven before finding a half eaten bag of chips on my counter that is going to be fully eaten by the time that pizza is ready.
I fall on my couch and turn on the TV, but I find myself on my phone with Thea’s picture staring back at me. “What the fuck?”
I hop in the shower, trying to sober myself up. By the time I get out, the frozen pizza is almost burnt. Maybe it is, but I honestly don’t care and devour the whole thing in minutes.
I head into my room, exhausted as fuck, but at the same time I’m restless. I can’t sleep. I should be doing something. The room feels like it’s starting to spin, so I sit up and grab my phone.
My thumb hovers over The Operators app, and after a few more moments of hesitation, I tap my thumb against the screen. Her profile isn’t active, and to say I’m disappointed would be an understatement.
Her status says open to text, response times will vary over the next 48 hours. I’m not really sure what that means, so I click more details.
There’s a few options.
Send a text that will be viewed in the next 48 hours - $5
Send a text that will be responded to in the next 48 hours - $10
Nudge for a call - Tip basis - callback not guaranteed.
I don’t even hesitate, clicking the second option.
Me:I need you. Now.
I immediately go to the third option and send her the larger bouquet of flowers, equivalent to a hundred dollar tip.
My phone dings a moment later, and for a second, I think she’s already responded. What I see scares me more.
Thea Marie:Are you good?
I can’t help but smile at her concern. It doesn’t matter how weird of a position we are with each other, she’s always going to be looking out for me. Just like I’m always going to be looking out for her.
Me:It’s my job to worry about you. Go have fun. I’m fine.
Thea Marie:I’m home now.
I sit up straight, and my eyes open wide in surprise. Why would she be home already?
Me:Why? Are you alone?
Thea Marie:No.
My heart drops into my stomach.
Thea Marie:Amanda is spending the night.
Me:You sent the doctor home?
Thea Marie:I didn’t say that.
Me:Yes you did. You don’t allow men you don’t know well to stay over when you have drunk friends sleeping over. You always put your friends’ safety above any man.
Thea Marie:You know you don’t have to know every single thing about me, right? I can still hold some mystery for fuck’s sake.
Me:Trust me, a million years wouldn’t be enough time to understand that beautiful brain of yours.
The phone goes quiet for a little while, so I’m not sure if she’s not going to respond or fell asleep. I jump up when my phone dings again, almost knocking it off the bed trying to pick it up.
The Operators - New notification
