The day hadn't broken yet when Lina was woken by the vibration of her phone.
The night before, as they were heading back from the gala, Éloïse had tried to reassure her:
'If he'd really taken it badly, you'd have been fired on the spot. He didn't get it.'
Lina had let herself believe it.
Groggily, she fumbled for her phone on the nightstand. When she found it, her eyes immediately fixed on the message that had just come through. Short. Cold. Almost too formal.
Unknown message:
'Thank you for your service during the evening. Best regards.'
She furrowed her brow, still half-asleep. Who would send such a stiff message? Then it hit her: Tom.
He owed her. She'd covered for his absence at the gala while he was off with some last-minute fling. True to himself… always the king of good plans, but also the most disorganized of the trio. He'd probably lost his phone or borrowed someone else's.
It wasn't his usual style to be so formal, but if anyone could take a joke that far, it was Tom.
Lina smiled, amused. Yet, beneath her smile, a familiar pang of sadness lingered.
They'd been friends for years. And Tom—she knew him by heart. A player, a hopeless flirt. It was funny. Until it wasn't.
A night of too many drinks. A mistake, one of those things you're supposed to forget by morning. Except this time, she hadn't.
They had slept together. Tom had regretted it, of course. Seen it as a screw-up. And even though Lina had tried to convince herself otherwise at first, time had only shown her she was lying to herself.
They'd agreed never to speak of it. Never. And Éloïse? She hadn't seen a thing, hadn't known a thing.
But every message from Tom, even the most casual ones, even the ones that followed their usual rhythm, still sparked a small flicker of hope. Stupid, she knew. He'd never see her as anything but a friend."
Lina :
"Mister Tom, your formality touches me. However, I'd kindly ask that you sign your messages… <3"
Smiling to herself, she sent her message, sure she had figured out her friend's joke.
The morning flew by without much thought, filled with a few chores and a new round of job hunting on her computer. Her current job at the tea house covered her loan, but she was hoping for something better. One day.
When her phone vibrated again, she had almost forgotten the exchange. The notification snapped her back to reality.
Unknown message:
"Noted. But are you always this direct?"
Lina burst out laughing. Tom was taking the joke a step further. She allowed herself a break, biting her lip, entertained.
Lina :
"It depends on how much interest I have in the person in front of me."
She put her phone down, savoring the lightness of the exchange.
The day continued, marked by a few daily tasks. In the late afternoon, her phone vibrated once more.
Unknown message:
"Interesting… And what might pique your interest?"
Lina sat up slightly, surprised by the question. There was something different this time. More... direct. Her heart skipped a beat, a shiver ran through her. Was Tom trying to send a message he wasn't bold enough to say in person?
She hesitated for a moment before replying, adding a touch of mystery, a faint smile playing on her lips:
Lina :
"I like to be stimulated. ;)"
She put her phone on the table, watching it for a moment, as if her answer had suddenly shifted the conversation in a direction she hadn't anticipated.
A few minutes later, a new vibration made her jump. A strange curiosity took hold of her. This subtle game, this barely-there flirting, she was starting to enjoy it. It was like a puzzle she liked to solve. Tom knew how to grab her attention.
Unknown message:
"And what stimulates you?"
Lina set aside her job applications. This conversation was getting far more interesting. She chuckled softly, lying down on the couch with her phone between her fingers. She tapped the screen with the tip of her finger, thinking about her response.
Lina:
"You already know, sir..."
She pressed "send," biting her lower lip. Her gaze stayed fixed on the screen, waiting to see if her response would keep the game alive. Where could this lead?
Stop fooling around, Lina.
The vibrations of her phone snapped her from her thoughts.
Unknown message:
"You're bold. You seem to enjoy control."
Lina smiled to herself. Teasing, a little provocative... It sent a shiver down her spine. Too easy, but pleasant.
She paused, her fingers hovering over the screen, wanting to craft a response that kept things open but added a touch of intimacy.
Lina:
"Control is an illusion... But you're right about one thing: I hate when things slip through my fingers."
For a moment, she hesitated, then added:
Lina:
"And those who want to get to know me better... should know I'm not an open book. Every page deserves to be turned carefully."
She pressed "send," then collapsed onto the couch, her gaze lost in space. A game. A game she was in control of. At least, that's what she told herself.
Later in the afternoon, Lina met Éloïse for their usual hangout at the Ginger Twist Bar, where Tom worked. They both loved this place—it changed depending on the time of day.
By this hour, the atmosphere was mellow. The large windows let in the golden light of the day, making the heavy wooden tables shine. A few regulars sipped their coffee or beer, lost in their thoughts.
Lina sat across from Éloïse, her phone placed in front of her. Her gaze instinctively drifted to the screen. No new notifications. She took a discreet breath, as if trying to calm the dull excitement still buzzing within her. Her message was still waiting for a reply.
The Ginger Twist Bar had this strange ability to transform. By day, it was a peaceful refuge. The windows filtered in light, illuminating the heavy wooden tables where a few regulars enjoyed their coffee in a subdued atmosphere. But once night fell, the place changed. The R&B and pop music of the 2000s picked up the pace, neon lights bathed the counter in vibrant hues, and the dimmed lighting gave the place a more electric vibe.
Lina and Éloïse had settled into their usual table. Tom was off and hadn't planned to join them. Between anecdotes, the conversation naturally shifted to the strange messages.
"What do you mean by 'weird texts?'" Éloïse teased, sipping her coffee.
Lina shrugged, a half-smile on her face, pretending to be detached.
"Well... let's say the first one was kind of like that. I'm sure he's just messing with me."
Éloïse narrowed her eyes, skeptical. She knew Lina too well. And when it came to Tom, Lina always downplayed it.
"You know it's not that innocent, right?"
Lina stayed silent, staring into her coffee as if the foam could offer an escape.
"You can try to make me believe it's just a game between friends… but I can see what you feel for him."
Lina felt a twinge of irritation tighten her chest. Her smile became more nervous. Honestly, she could do without the know-it-all routine...
"Chill, Elo, I know what I'm doing. It's just... we're messing around."
Éloïse sighed, lowering her eyes to her cup.
"You're fooling yourself believing that. Tom... well, Tom is Tom. He doesn't get attached."
Lina bit her lip, annoyed. She'd already paid the price for it, but admitting it? No way.
"It's nothing," she muttered before taking a long drag from her cigarette.
She tried to downplay it with a smile, but Éloïse wasn't fooled.
"I love Tom, but he's just a kid."
Lina shrugged, a small nervous laugh escaping her.
Stop with that, Elo.
"I'm fine. Really."
But she knew it wasn't true.
Éloïse nodded, sighing lightly.
"Just be careful, okay? If it's not him, you don't want someone else... like a creep…"
Lina waved away the concern with a flick of her hand.
"Seriously, Elo? It's nothing, just a joke."
Éloïse studied Lina for a moment, her sharp gaze trying to pierce the mask she wore, but she quickly looked away. Lina seemed off, but Éloïse knew pressing wouldn't help for now.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, her tone softening, becoming more measured. "You seem... distant."
Lina sighed, feeling the persistent pain in her stomach. A dull ache that mixed with the fatigue from the day before. She could've pretended, but the pain wasn't about to go away anytime soon.
"I've got my period, and I'm wiped out. But don't worry, I'm not working today, I'll go home and sleep."
She forced a smile, but it faded almost immediately.
Éloïse set her cup down carefully, watching her without looking away this time, as if every detail of her face could tell her more.
"Lina… You know I hate it when you put off your gynecologist appointments."
Great, here she goes again...
Lina hated that subject. She kept pushing it away, but Éloïse's pressure was always there, ready to catch up with her.
"I'm fine, Elo…"
But Éloïse didn't let go.
"No. You know just as well as I do that it could be more than just painful periods. A check-up, just to be sure."
She stared at her, gentle but firm.
"I'll go with you if you want."
Lina frowned, a little irritated. She didn't want to talk about it, not now.
"No, Elo, I can make an appointment on my own."
She tried to brush off the conversation with a touch of humor, but her tone betrayed her unease.
"Promise, Mom, I'll do it."
Before Éloïse could react, Lina switched topics, a reflex to escape the pressure.
"What about you, then? Any news with Maxim?"
Éloïse let out a long sigh, her gaze hardening instantly. She clearly wasn't ready to talk about her ex, but the question had been too direct.
"It's over. For good. He's driving me crazy."
Lina raised an eyebrow, amused by Éloïse's determination.
"For good… until when?"
Éloïse crossed her arms, looking even firmer, more determined.
"Seriously, Lina. It's been over a year, and he's done nothing. I'm not sticking around with a lazy guy."
Lina shot her a teasing smile, as if trying to lighten the mood.
"Motivate him, like you do with me!"
Éloïse rolled her eyes, exasperated but amused.
"I'm not his mom. And at least you're working. It might not be your dream job, but it's a job."
Lina frowned, feeling stung by the remark, but a slight smile appeared despite herself.
"Forgot I got promoted to manager, huh?"
Éloïse raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Manager of a team of three, two of which are students…"
She paused, savoring the effect before adding, mocking:
"On paper, it sounds impressive. In reality… well, we both know what it's worth."
Lina opened her mouth, ready to retort, then closed it. Not wrong. But still… she did like her job.
Later that evening, comfortably settled at home, Lina felt her phone buzz.
Unknown number:
"I'd like to learn more about you."
A warm flush crept up her cheeks. Such a simple phrase, and yet... there was something intriguing about it. This time, Tom seemed to want to say something real.
Lina:
"We'll talk tomorrow, Tom. xoxo"
A few seconds of silence. Then another buzz.
Unknown number:
"Tomorrow?"
Lina smiled to herself. The uncertainty, the silent dance… She loved it too much.
Without responding, she set her phone down on the table and sank deeper into her couch, her smile lingering on her lips.