Chapter 6
Okay. Calm down, James. Just breathe. A handsome man has given you his number. It’s no big deal. Oh, who am I kidding, it’s a huge deal! What the fuck do I write?
After writing and deleting messages for about an hour, James finally sends one.
J: I must have done something right to get a handsome stranger’s number just by looking at him.
There. Flirtatious, but not overly so. But is it flirty enough? Fuck, fuck, fuck. His phone buzzes. He only took a minute to respond to James’ text, he is not hiding how keen he is.
Surely anyone would be willing to give you their number. And I am certain you are the handsome one.
He called James handsome. The handsome stranger called James handsome.
J: Well, does the handsome stranger have a name?
Now where’s the fun in that?
You can call me anything you like, mon amour.
He’s French. Of course, he is French. French people are gorgeous.
J: Then I guess you’ll hereby be known as ‘handsome stranger’.
Does that mean that I can call you mon amour?
J: You can call me anything you like, handsome stranger.
Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?
Butterflies flew around his stomach. What was he supposed to say to that? And how does the handsome stranger know exactly what to say to get his heart racing?
J: Unless you mean my mum, then no
Someone ought to. You are beautiful, mon amour.
James thinks he’s falling in love already. And he thought Sirius had attachment issues.
Do you want to play a game?
J: It depends
Do you want to play 20 questions?
That’s a good way to get to know each other. Maybe James can distinguish between the person he has made up in his head, and the person on the other end of the phone.
J: OK
What is your favourite colour?
J: Red, and yours?
Dark blue, like the night sky.
What is your favourite season?
J: Summer, but I do love the rain.
J: What do you study?
History.
History. He must be smart. Obviously, he likes reading.
Why did you decide to text me?
J: Like you said in your note, I have also been thinking about you since I first saw you. Probably too much if I'm being honest.
J: Why did you give me your number?
Because I wanted to know if you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside.
J: And?
And you need to wait your turn.
What do you want to want to do in the future?
J: I’m not sure yet
J: What are your first impressions of me?
I do not know you well enough to give you an honest answer yet.
James and the stranger talk for the next few hours, not once getting bored. Not moving from his bed. He’s smiling at his phone as Sirius comes back and collapses on his bed. They continue texting well into the following morning. James is in awe at his good fortune. How on earth can he have met someone so fucking perfect?