The Real

Abbie’s Mac: If you weren’t having coffee with me, Coach, what would you be doing?

Cameron’s Mac: Running, playing basketball while talking shit about the Packers with my friend Max who thinks that Bears belong in the woods, not the NFL.

Abbie’s Mac: I hate the woods. Football fan too?

Cameron’s Mac: Fan of all sports. I don’t miss a Bears game. I have it running in a window on my screen.

Abbie’s Mac: I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended.

Cameron’s Mac: Flattered, definitely.

Dimples. Kill me.

Cameron’s Mac: What’s wrong with the woods?

Abbie’s Mac: Nothing good happens there.

Cameron’s Mac: Too bad. I love the outdoors.

Abbie’s Mac: Me too, as long as they are lined with cement and coffee shops.

Cameron’s Mac: Cute. Can I say something without you getting offended?

Abbie’s Mac: Maybe.

I got a smirk.

Cameron’s Mac: I knew that would be your answer. I’m saying it anyway. I like your freckles and I was hoping to see them today.

Abbie’s Mac: Really?

Cameron’s Mac: Really. I kind of miss the caramel on your chin too.

I lifted my cup and smeared a little from the side of it onto my chin, only too happy to oblige. I realized after what an idiotic move it was, but Cameron grinned as if all was right with the world. Neon yellow leaves swayed in the tree behind him and began to flood the ground.

Abbie’s Mac: I love the fall.

Cameron’s eyes didn’t stray from mine as he mouthed “Me too.” He hesitated briefly before he typed.

Cameron’s Mac: Want to go for a walk? Cement only, I promise.

Abbie’s Mac: Not yet.

He dropped it and typed.

Cameron’s Mac: What would you be doing if you weren’t here with me?

Memorizing the patterns of serial killers.

God, it was no wonder I lived alone. How would he ever think that was normal. Surely, I couldn’t be the only one fascinated by them. There were thousands of resources dedicated to the psychotic mind.

Fuck it.

Abbie’s Mac: Watching Snapped, reading a book about a serial killer, or buying another throw pillow for my place.

I hesitated before I hit send. But I did. While he read, his brows hit his hairline.

Cameron’s Mac: Wasn’t expecting that.