She Traded Away Her Own Secret Crush

I was just scrolling, ready to call it a night, when I saw the post from the campus queen bee: [Im three months into an online relationship and meeting him next week. What do I do if hes a 300-pound absolute unit?]

The top-rated comment was viciously brilliant: [Gift the account and the guy to someone you hate. Let those two hot messes internally combust.]

The queen bee was thrilled with the idea and went through with it.

I shook my head, silently thanking my lucky stars that my girlfriend wasn't like that.

Not long after, I was on a sweet date with my girl when the queen bee tracked me down, pointing at my girlfriend and screeching:

"You bitch! I was supposed to be Silas Archers girlfriend! Hand him and that account back right now!"

I was about to crash, but the post grabbed my attention instantly.

I recognized the poster: Madison Hale, the reigning queen bee of the whole university. Seriously, she was dating someone online?

Madison was currently melting down in the comments:

[I swear to God, he told me he was six-foot-one and looked like a Greek statue. I bought it for three solid months!]

[But I forgot to ask about his weight!]

[I had a delivery guy scope him out today. He said a giant stepped outa mountain of a man with a belly bigger than his chest, like a walking water heater. I want to die right here just thinking about calling a water heater "Baby" for three months!]

The replies were a joke-filled disaster zone:

[When the destiny drama hits hard and youre a total looks queen.]

[A guy gets hot for someone online and a photo drop brings him back to reality.]

Madison was clearly losing it:

[This isnt about being messed with anymore! Im supposed to meet this guy next week. I want to run over every single Orc on the planet!]

Huh. Funny coincidence. My girlfriend and I were also set to meet next week.

I flipped to our chat. The last message was from earlier in the evening.

X: [Headed to the lab tonight. Don't wait up for me.]

It was nearly ten now. I shot her a quick message:

Me: [Baby still swamped?]

Me: [Seriously, I just saw this post that is so messed up!]

She must have been busy; no reply came for a while.

I knew she couldn't carry her phone around in the lab, so I wasn't worried. I went back to the thread.

In the meantime, Madison had added several more updates, each more brutal than the last:

[Ugh, the Orc never quits. He just messaged me again.]

[Just seeing his avatar makes me nauseous, let alone chatting with him.]

[I need to go throw up.]

The thread was mostly people gloating, though a few defended the guy. Madison shot them down without mercy:

[Oh, you're so noble? You talk to the Sasquatch then.]

[He looks like that and has the nerve to date online? Has he apologized to me? Im being nice just by not ripping him a new one!]

More suggestions were pouring in. I skimmed through them, losing interest, and switched back to the chat.

Still nothing. What was going on?

Shed never gone this long without replying. Was she pulling an all-nighter in the lab?

I couldn't stay up. I sent her a quick goodnight, turned my phone off, and passed out.

First thing the next morning, I checked my messages.

Still radio silence. What the hell?

But Madisons thread had new updates.

I frowned at the top comment: [This is super easy to solve. Poster, you can give the account and the boyfriend to someone you hate, let those two hot messes internally combust!]

Seriously? That was dark.

A lot of replies agreed the idea was shady, but Madison loved it:

[Brilliant, sis! Im so over my cousin, the drama queen. Done!]

Madison had a cousin? Never heard of her.

Whatever. That was their drama. My main problem was why my girlfriend hadn't messaged back.

I scrolled through our chat history again. Nothing bad.

Shed sent me a sushi delivery and proactively told me she was heading to the lab.

So why no message?

Just as I was considering calling, my phone buzzed.

Her: [Good morning, Baby.]

I immediately relaxed. Me: [Whyd you ghost me all night?]

Her: [So sorry, Baby. Lab got a little intense.]

Okay. Just the lab being the lab.

I was completely relieved. Me: [Fine. I'll let it slide, barely.]

Her: [Don't let me off the hook so easily. You can throw a fit if you want, Baby.]

I actually blushed a little at the repeated use of "Baby." Me: [Whats with the sugar rush today?]

Her: [Missed you.]

I felt my cheeks warm. Me: [We talk every day. You still miss me?]

A few seconds of silence before she replied:

Her: [So much.]

Her: [I cant wait to see you, Baby.]

She was on fire today!

A flicker of strangeness crossed my mind, but my heart was racing. I quickly switched apps to scroll and calm down.

Wed been dating online for almost four months. She was usually the cool, pulled-together one. She used terms of endearment, but rarely this mushy.

Something was off. Seriously off.

Was she hiding something? Had she done something bad?

The previous night's thread flashed in my mind. The warmth Id just felt evaporated, replaced by a cold knot of suspicion. I sent a serious message:

Me: [You're acting weird. Spill. What did you do?]

The chat went silent for a moment. Then, a voice message came through:

Busted, huh, Baby? I bought you a coke. Looks like Im derailing your diet plan today.

I felt a rush of satisfaction listening to it.

Shed sent me voice messages before, but they were always a sort of overly sweet, affected "girly" voice. This one, though, was clearer, warmer, and totally melodic.

I saved the clip and sent a voice message back: You are so strange today. Your vibe is strange, your words are strange, and your voice is strange.

She replied quickly: And this strangedo you hate it?

Of course not!

I'm a total sucker for softness.

I cleared my throat and held the record button: "I don't hate it. Keep it up."

She laughed instantly: Okay, Baby. Come downstairs and grab your tea.

coke first thing in the morningpure sin!

I mentally chastised myself while sprinting out of bed to brush my teeth.

"Silas, you're up early today," my roommate, Nolan, said, sounding amazed.

I grinned. "My girlfriend sent me a coke. Need me to grab anything for you?"

Nolan waved me off. "I'll go get my own."

I frowned. "You grabbed mine yesterday. It's my turn."

Nolan was already standing up. "Let's just go together. I use the stairs as part of my workout."

He was dealing with some health issues and medication that caused weight gain, and he was always quietly trying to lose weight.

Since he insisted, we went down together.

Deliveries were on shelves near the dorm entrance. It was early, so few people were there. I quickly found the drinksfour of themwith a clear note:

[One for my Fawn Baby, three to treat The Fawn's roommates.]

I stared at the note for two seconds and laughed, showing it to Nolan. "My girlfriends treating everyone."

Nolan took the bag and whooped. "Thanks, Archer and his lady! Is this an anniversary? Did we just hit the jackpot?"

I was surprised, too. She rarely sent me food, and never to share. Did her all-nighter in the lab result in some breakthrough? Was she just ecstatic?

I was about to text her when someone called my name up ahead: "Silas?"

I looked up, stunned. "Madison."

It was Madison Hale. She walked over, her gaze drifting casually to Nolan beside me. A faint look of disgust crossed her face.

Then she glanced at the coke in his hand, and I saw a flash of

Schadenfreude?

I hated her look. I cut her off. "Something I can help you with, Madison?"

Madison snapped back to attention and cleared her throat. "My club is having a big retreat next weekend. It's actually really cool. Want to come?"

I frowned slightly.

Didn't Madison have a boyfriend? Why was she inviting me?

Wait.

I paused, remembering the post and the comment.

Madison had handed the account to her cousin, the one she hated. So, she was... single?

A cruelly single person.

I rejected her immediately. "Sorry, Madison, I cant. Im meeting my girlfriend next weekend."

Madisons face froze. "You have a girlfriend??"

I held my patience. "Yes. We've been dating for a while now."

Ignoring her deep frown, I pulled Nolan along and walked away.

"Archer, you don't seem to like Madison much."

Nolan nudged me. "Didn't she low-key try to flirt with you last semester? Posted those cryptic messages on the confessional wall?"

Sending a few vague messages counted as flirting?

Plus, she had an online boyfriend while hitting on people in real life. Her character was definitely lacking.

Back in the dorm, I took a picture of the coke and sent it to her.

Me: [Thanks for the treat, Wife!]

She replied almost instantly, focusing on a peculiar detail: Her: [Wife?]

I smiled and held the voice key: "My bad. Thanks for the treat, Girlfriend."

Her: [Say it again.]

I indulged her. "Giiiiirlfriend."

Silence for a few seconds. Then, a shower of Venmo notifications hit.

I watched a string of transfers$500, 0-0000, $999. I was shocked. Me: [Are you insane? Why so much money?]

To be clear, in all the months wed talked, she'd only sent me money once for my birthdaya $5 and a $20, the most awkward $25 ever.

Her: [So happy. My Baby needs to be happy with me.]

I couldn't help but laugh. I was about to reply when another message popped up:

Her: [Baby, I want to come see you sooner. Can I?]

My heart leaped, and the corners of my mouth curled up. Me: [Sooner as in?]

She sent a screenshot of a train ticket: departure this Saturday, destination my city.

I noticed the booking time: 6:03 AM today.

Shed bought the ticket the second the booking window opened.

My heart felt warm and fuzzy, but also a little nervous.

I looked again at the passenger name:

Jocelyn Reid.

A beautiful name.

Seeing I hadnt replied, she started to worry:

Her: [Baby?]

Her: [Was that too sudden?]

Her: [Let's stick to next week then, okay? Don't be mad...]

Mad? How could I be mad?

I quickly typed:

Me: [Not mad. Just surprised.]

Me: [Come! I'll pick you up at the station! (pRwQq)]

Jocelyn immediately relaxed and copied my emoticon: Her: [Yay! (^o^)/~]

She was such a dork.

I scoffed good-naturedly, but I was smiling.

I thought for a moment and asked: Me: [Should we swap photos first? Just so we don't miss each other.]

Jocelyn and I met through a game. We'd only added each other's secondary accounts; neither of us had photos posted.

Jocelyn didnt reply.

Minutes ticked by. I started to worry. Was she going to beunconventionally attractive?

After a moment of panic, I sent another message: Me: [At least tell me your height? To narrow down the search?]

Still nothing from Jocelyn.

I was beginning to understand Madisons frustration!

Just as I was about to give up and make a video call, my phone vibrated. Jocelyn had finally replied.

A straightforward selfie.

White shirt, long dark hair, a look that was both pure and sultry, and a tiny beauty mark near the corner of her eye.

I stared at the face for one stunned second, then slammed my phone face down.

Holy hell, she was gorgeous!!!

How did I, of all people, end up with her?

My phone buzzed again:

Her: [Baby, Im not really pretty... My roommates say I look cold QAQ]

Her: [Baby, I promise I'm not cold.]

Her: [Baby, you can boss me around.]

Where was my oxygen tank?! Where was my oxygen tank?!

I let out a groan of disbelief before forcing myself to calm down, replying with forced nonchalance: Me: [Not cold. Very beautiful.]

Then a new wave of anxiety hit.

She looked like that. What did I look like next to her?

As if she knew my thoughts, Jocelyn sent a comforting message: Her: [Baby just knowing what I look like is enough. Ill love whatever you look like.]

That made me sound even more shallow.

I wanted to defend myself, but Jocelyn shifted the topic: Her: [Baby, I have my final exam for this class now. Gotta go.]

I sent back an 'OK.'

Looking at the little cat-kiss emoji she sent last, I sighed deeply.

I deserved the best, sure, but landing this best made me seriously nervous!

After some thought, since I had a light class schedule, I dragged Nolan to the mall.

New clothes, haircut, styling...

When I was finally done, Nolan squinted at me. "Is the Mr. World competition happening on campus soon?"

I laughed. "No, I'm just about to meet my girlfriend!"

Nolan shook his head. "Man, you should just wear gym shorts and show her your profile from the balcony."

We were joking around when I accidentally bumped into a passerby.

I apologized immediately. "Sorry about that... Madison? Youre shopping, too?"

Behind me, Madison Hale had the weirdest expression.

She looked me up and down, her brows knitting together. "Silas, are you online dating?"

"Are you and your girlfriend... meeting, too?"

What the hell? She was eavesdropping and connecting it to herself?

My girlfriend was nothing like her!

I gave her a quick, vague answer and hurried away with Nolan.

Back at the dorm that night, Jocelyn was in an evening class, which she'd warned me about.

Bored, I lay on my bed scrolling the university forum. Madisons post was even hotter, with everyone curious about the outcome.

[Poster, whats the situation?]

[You gave the account away, why the silence?]

[Did the cousin get busted? Do you need a GoFundMe for her hospital bills?]

Madisons reply was smug:

[My cousin is such a thirsty idiot. I told her he was a six-foot-one hottie, and she just nodded along.]

[They've been talking so much. Calling each other 'Baby' constantly. I heard they're actually going to meet up!]

[Damn, my professor just called. I can't witness the carnage, but it makes me feel so good, hahahaha!]

I cringed at her continuous use of the word "Orc."

Id been a chubby kid growing up, and my grandmother indulged me, making me anything I wanted. In elementary and middle school, I hadnt thought much of it. It wasn't until high school that I faced some isolation and bullying because of my size. Thats when I realized that in the teen world, fat guys are definitely not popular. I started desperately trying to lose weight.

Though I did slim down, I was still sensitive to those kinds of insults.

Disgusted, I was about to close the thread when the page updated. Madison had posted a new comment, but this time, it wasn't smugnessit was confusion:

[I ran into my crush tonight. Hes also online dating and about to meet his girlfriend. What are the odds?]

The comments section was full of people laughing:

[My dog just took a giant dump. Want to taste-test it?]

[Who cares who he dates? Mind your own business!]

[Did the Orc crash into your head? You seriously think your crush is your online date?]

I narrowed my eyes and coldly logged off the forum.

Saturday arrived quickly. I woke up early, got ready, and headed straight to the train station.

When Jocelyn booked the ticket, I saw her departure point was just a few hours away within the state.

I reached the station just after nine. I clutched the bouquet in one hand and my phone in the other, my heart pounding as I constantly checked the clock.

9:20 AM. Another crowd poured out of the arrival gate.

A girl in a white coat instantly caught my eye.

She was tall and slender, wearing a white baseball cap pulled low, hiding half her face. But her presence screamed "stunning."

I instinctively took a few steps forward, and our eyes met.

She visibly froze.

Oh no. Did I get the wrong person, or was she already disappointed?

Just as I panicked, a hand clapped my shoulder. That annoying voice came from behind me:

"Silas! What a coincidence. Are you here to pick someone up, too?"