The art of messaging

Harri's POV

I get home throwing my school bag on the floor at the bottom of my bed. Sitting down at my desk, I stare at my open laptop without typing a word. I sit there for what feels like hours picking off the last bits of my black nail polish with thoughts of the day running through my head. I pull out my phone to text Jazz.

"How could I be so stupid? I'm such a rookie."

I'm not sure why I am so caught up in all of this after all its just a message to what is effectively a stranger. But I still can't help feeling like a fool. I continue picking at my nails while waiting for Jazz to text back. Where is that girl when I need her?

I'm filled with relief a few moments later when my phone beeps. Unlocking the keypad my heart drops. It's not Jazz. It's a private message and I sure as heck don't want to open it. I made such an idiot of myself. Who even does that? Cringing, I work up the courage to open the message.

"Harri, that's a cool name! I'm sorry if I'm being weird. I don't usually do this kind of thing and don't really know what to write- SJ"

He thinks he's being weird? Or maybe he is just trying to make me feel better. Either way it's kind of sweet. I tighten my ponytail and write back.

"I don't usually do this kind of this either. I mean I don't even have that many friends to text with so this whole DM thing is weird- Harri."

"Btw where do you live?"

Twenty minutes later my phone rings. For a second I think that maybe it's SJ calling. I pick it up in a panic. It flies out of my hand onto the floor. I'm not sure if it's that fact that it's Jazz's name that is flashing up on the screen or if I realise that SJ doesn't have my number but I manage to calm myself down before I do any serious damage and answer the phone.

"You need to calm down, woman! Seriously though, don't stress about it. He'll reply, guys love chicks being forward," she practically yells through the speaker.

"Hello to you too, Jazz."

"Hi," she replies dryly.

I take a deep breath. "So he replied..."

"He did?"

"Why are you surprised? Didn't you just say he would?" I question.

"Um yeah, I did," she says unsure of her own words. "Soooooo, are you going tell me what he said?"

"He said he was sorry for being weird and that he doesn't usually do this kind of stuff. So I messaged back to said either do I and then asked where he lived," I say without stopping for a breath.

"You replied right back? You asked where he lived?"

"Yeah..." I answer cautiously, unsure of where this is going.

"H, you really should give it some time before you reply. And what's with asking where he lives that's like, well.... it's escalating quickly."

I make the mistake of asking why which sets her off on some tangent about playing the game. She's much more experienced than I am. Not that that is hard, I've barely even kissed anyone. That's also not to say she's been around, I mean she's had boyfriends but nothing serious. Well, if you exclude Matt that is which according to Jazz he doesn't count because he was an arse.

She's the kind of girl who commands a room. People stop and look wherever she goes. They can't help it. She has this theory about how life is boring without colour so she makes a point of wearing as many mismatched colours as possible. Today she had on her purple doc martens, black tights, a black skirt just above the knee, a forest green v-neck top and orange arm warmers. And her trademark bracelets. The girl does not leave the house without her bracelets. Somehow she pulls it off. She's quirky, carefree and makes friends easily. I guess that's why she befriended me.

When I first arrived in Chapeldown a few years back I was the quiet shy new girl who had no friends. Two months later I was still the quiet shy new girl with no friends and that's when I met Jazz. She walked into the library wearing her usual rainbow outfit. Everyone's heads turning as she walked past. She sat down at the workstation next to me and even I couldn't take my eyes off her. I mean she just had so much life. When she asked to borrow a pen I think I just stared like I was star struck and didn't answer. Well, at least not until she rattled her bangle covered arms in my face and the rest, as they say, is history.

We got talking and I found out that she was in my year level but we were in different classes. I requested a transfer, which I'm pretty was granted because they felt sorry for me and we've been friends ever since.

We must look so odd together. We're the complete opposite. Jazz in head to toe colour. Me head to toe in black. Jazz is carefree, friendly, loud, impulsive, funny, sassy and just generally happy. Me on the other hand, well I'm shy, reserved, sarcastic, grungy and just all around awkward. But for us it works. We balance each other out.

"Oh," I say taking in everything she's just said.

"You know what, H? Don't listen to me. What do I know? You. Do. You! At least then you know it's real and not because of some stupid social rules that your single friend made you follow. I mean what with societies rules anyway?" she continues with her rant.

I laugh, "are you done?"

She inhales deeply, "yeah, I mean that though, H. You. Do. You!"

"Ok, Jazz," I say sarcastically.

"Do me a favour though H, please wait for him to reply? Avoid the double text."

"Yes dear."

She laughs, "don't you sass me!"

"Yes dear."

"Well on that note, I'm gonna go. I'll see you at school tomorrow." She hangs up the phone without giving me a chance to say bye.

I hang up and stare at my reply message. My heart drops when I see SJ has read the message but hasn't replied. I try to reassure myself that's he's probably busy, rejecting the idea that he is ignoring me. Not that I can blame him really.

I need a distraction. Food. I need food.

Heading downstairs I am accosted by my brother at the base of stairs. "Was that Jazz?" He asks.

"What's it to you?" I ask defensively.

"No reason. I mean you have no other friends so it couldn't really be anyone else," he teases. "Next time she calls I want to speak to her."

"Ergh, you're such a dick. And no, you can't speak to her. Mess with the girls from school as much as you want but stay away from Jazz!" I say as threatening as possible while pushing past him.

He pretends to be hurt. "That's what big brothers are for aren't they?"

Ignoring him I head straight to the kitchen to eat my feelings but all I can find is a baby pineapple. Like what even is that?