Sunday afternoon sunlight filled her room.
Ariana was helping her mother clean shelves before finally escaping upstairs.
She didn't open the app immediately.
But when she did—
He was there.
UnknownUser: You disappeared.
She raised an eyebrow.
SilentStar15: I was cleaning.
UnknownUser: Responsible as always.
She smirked.
SilentStar15: You talk like you've known me for years.
Silence.
Long.
Then—
UnknownUser: Maybe I have.
Her breath paused.
She typed slower this time.
SilentStar15: Then tell me. When did you start noticing me?
Another long pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: Before you noticed yourself.
Her heart reacted.
That line felt different.
Softer.
Almost romantic.
But she forced a teasing tone.
SilentStar15: That's such a dramatic answer.
UnknownUser: It's honest.
She swallowed lightly.
SilentStar15: What did you notice?
This time, the reply came quicker.
UnknownUser: You pretend to be strong when you're nervous.
Her chest tightened.
UnknownUser: You hold your pen too tightly during tests.
Her fingers stilled.
UnknownUser: And you look at the window when you're thinking too much.
Her breathing slowed.
How did he know that?
Those weren't random guesses.
Those were observations.
Real ones.
She typed slowly—
SilentStar15: You really were in my class.
UnknownUser: I was.
She stared at the screen.
SilentStar15: And I never noticed you?
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: No.
That reply felt soft.
Not bitter.
Just… factual.
For some reason, that made her feel slightly guilty.
She quickly typed—
SilentStar15: Maybe I was distracted.
Three dots.
Then—
UnknownUser: Maybe.
There was something unspoken there.
Something hanging between lines.
She decided to lighten it.
SilentStar15: So what now? Are you going to reveal yourself dramatically?
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: Where's the fun in that?
She laughed quietly.
SilentStar15: You're impossible.
UnknownUser: And you're curious.
Her cheeks warmed slightly.
Before logging off, he typed—
UnknownUser: Don't worry. I'll let you figure it out.
She raised an eyebrow.
SilentStar15: And if I don't?
Pause.
Then—
UnknownUser: I'll make it easier.
Her heart reacted again.
Not full love.
But something softer.
More personal.
And that night—
She didn't feel confused.
She felt close.