I had always imagined our first meeting would be like an episode on Catfish: The TV Show, only Max and Nev weren't there with their camera crew ready to detail every moment of this meeting of virtual strangers who had supposedly fallen in love over the internet.
And so it was that he and I stood awkwardly assessing each other. I wish Nev were here, he might start with the introductions, maybe tease out our feelings at that moment. Wait... it depended on who the camera crew originally came with though, didn't it? Was I the catfisher or the catfishee? It was true I had gone overboard with preening myself before every video call... maybe even.... I sighed and tried to focus. None of us had said a word. His face was expressionless. 'What are you thinking?' I screamed internally. Still, neither of us spoke. We just stood there... just stood there.Then he spoke and extended his hand as well, "Nice to meet you". His voice sounded cold, distant. At that moment, I felt what he felt. Disappointment. Even anger.
I took his hand. They were as cold as his voice. I wish my hands weren't so limp. I sniffed back the tears and managed a a shaky smile. I didn't trust myself to speak.
"So, I guess we go inside now..." he sounded unsure, like he wanted to just go back home straight away and weep his eyes out.
I wondered what it was that he didn't like about me. Was I too short, too ugly, too imperfect? Too insecure? Meanwhile, there he was, this tall, handsome hunk who could sent hearts flying to the skies, just by borrowing wings from
the fluttering of his eyelashes.
"I guess..." I said after what seemed like an eternity.
It was over. All our plans for the summer, for the rest of our lives together.
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