Avery sat cross-legged on her bed, laptop shoved aside, phone glowing in her hands. She should've been reviewing notes for tomorrow's client pitch, but instead she was rereading the chat with Summer.
Every bubble felt like a spark.
Summer:So, coffee or sunset first? Avery chewed her lip before replying.
Avery:Coffee. Always coffee.
Her phone buzzed instantly. The girl was fast.
Summer:Good answer. Do you have a secret spot? Somewhere only locals know?
Avery smiled despite herself, tucking hair behind her ear. She thinks I'm local. That I belong here.
Avery:Maybe. But it's classified information.
Summer:Guess I'll just have to earn your trust then. 😉
Her cheeks warmed. Archie would've teased her mercilessly if he saw her grin.
Day 1 – Night
By the time she crawled under the sheets, Avery still hadn't put the phone down.
Summer:Right now I'm just hiding from my laundry. What about you?
Avery:Office. I should be working, but this is more fun.
When Summer replied, Avery laughed out loud, clapping a hand over her mouth.
Summer:So you're telling me I'm more interesting than spreadsheets? High praise.
She typed back quickly.
Avery:Don't get cocky, Summer.
She whispered the name once aloud. Summer. It felt like saying a secret.
Day 2 – Morning
Archie caught her smiling at her phone in the office. "Who's that?"
"No one," Avery muttered, but her ears burned.
When she showed him the photo of the pancakes Summer sent, Archie raised a brow. "That's not no one. That's a breakfast flex."
Avery shoved him. "Shut up."
Day 2 – Afternoon
Her chest tightened when Summer finally dropped the line:
Summer:Then you'll have to join me sometime. We should try that together.
Avery:Together?
Summer:Yeah. Show me your favorite spot. Maybe we can meet up soon.
Avery froze. The cursor blinked. Her pulse drummed.
Meet?
Her scars still shone raw in the mirror some days. Her chipped tooth showed every time she laughed. What if Summer saw her and.. pulling back cause She is not the same as her profile picture the one she take before the accident that change her whole life.
Avery:work's crazy right now,I'm not sure I can slip away,maybe later.
She winced, already regretting how flat it looked. But she couldn't take it back.
That night, sprawled across her bed again, Avery scrolled back through the chat. Pictures of pancakes, messy rooms, sunsets. The little details she'd been starving for since Phoebe left.
It felt so normal. Easy. Like she'd known this girl for years.
But every time Summer nudged the conversation toward meeting, Avery pulled back. Not yet. Not until she felt ready.
She set the phone on her chest, whispering to the ceiling.
"God, please… don't let her disappear before I get brave enough."
***
Avery sat slouched in the lobby lounge, the minute hand dragging toward two o'clock. The client meeting wasn't until three, but already the waiting was gnawing at her. She'd finished her coffee, skimmed the news, even refreshed her inbox twice. Nothing.
Almost on instinct, she opened the dating app. Summer's chat window lit up the screen, her last message still glowing: Survived class today. Barely. Tell me office life is less boring.
Avery smirked, thumbs flying. Office life is never less boring. I'm stuck waiting for a meeting, slowly dying inside.
Her finger hovered, then typed something she didn't think through: You should come rescue me. Lunch on me?
Send.
The word hit her chest like a punch. Avery froze. "Oh, no. No no no"
Archie, lounging in the next chair, peered over. "What did you do this time?"
"Nothing!" Avery squeaked, shoving the phone against her chest.
Oakley raised a brow. "You didn't just invite her to lunch, did you?"
Avery's jaw tightened. "Maybe."
Archie's grin spread wide. "Oh my god. You did. You finally grew a pair!"
"I wasn't..." Avery groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "It just… slipped. I didn't mean it."
Her phone buzzed. She yanked it up, stomach in knots.
Summer: That sounds tempting. Where are you?
Avery's breath caught. She typed with shaking hands: At the mall, waiting around. Bored to death.
Almost instantly, another reply: Perfect. I'm nearby. Tell me where and I'll meet you. But only if you let me split the bill 😉
Avery's heart flipped, her pulse hammering in her ears. She whispered, "She said yes. She's coming. Oh my god, she's actually coming."
Archie laughed so hard heads turned. "Look at you! You've been manifesting this moment since you downloaded the app."
Oakley stayed level, but her eyes softened. "Avery, you've got an hour before the client. You can do this. Just breathe, okay?"
"I can't," Avery said, clutching her phone. "What if she hates me? My scars, my tooth, my everything.."
Another buzz cut her off.
Summer: Fifteen minutes away. Where should I meet you?
Avery's panic spiked. "She's almost here!"
Archie pointed toward the food court. "There. Easy. Glass windows, lots of light. Romantic, even."
Avery swallowed hard and typed: Food court by the glass windows. I'll wait. Lunch is still on me.
Her thumb hit send before she could chicken out.
And then her whole body went into freefall panic.
***
Avery nearly sprinted to the restroom, her pulse racing ahead of her. She locked herself inside, tossed her tote onto the counter, and leaned close to the mirror.
Her eyes went first, as always, to the jagged scar running across her forehead. She touched it lightly, fingers tracing the uneven line. Then the one at the corner of her mouth is still pink, still raw-looking in the harsh bathroom light. She pulled her lips into a smile, testing it. The chipped tooth ruined it, or at least that's how it felt. Every angle looked wrong. Every attempt felt fake.
She grabbed her comb, ran it through her hair with trembling hands, then pulled out her tiny bottle of perfume. One dab to her neck. Another to her wrist. Anything to feel human, presentable.
Behind her, Oakley's voice carried across the tiled room, gentle but firm. "Avery, stop. You look fine."
Archie came up next to her, leaning on the counter with that teasing grin. "More than fine. You're..." He gestured dramatically. "already a ten. The scars don't erase that."
"They make you real," Oakley added, softer now. "And if she's worth it, she won't see them as flaws."
Avery's throat tightened. She bit her lip and gave a shaky nod. "Okay. Okay."
Her phone buzzed against the counter.
Summer: I'm here.
Avery's stomach dropped. She typed back fast: Where?
Summer: Just dropped at the entrance with my friend, she is gonna go somewhere.
Her heart thundered so loud it nearly drowned out everything else. She grabbed her tote, shoved the perfume and comb inside, then braced her palms against the counter, whispering to herself: "You can do this. Just… breathe. Smile. Don't be weird."
Archie grinned, nudging her shoulder. "Go get your girl."
Oakley smirked. "And don't faint."
Avery rolled her eyes but her insides were jelly. She left the restroom, walked down the corridor, each step heavier than the last.
And then...
She froze at the railing overlooking the atrium.
There. Just coming through the mall's glass doors, sunlight spilling across her, was her.
Long black hair that moved like silk. A striped blouse tucked into neat trousers. A simple handbag slung over her arm. Not smiling, but serious, calm but Avery could see it anyway. The beauty. The cuteness tucked beneath the poise. It was mesmerizing.
Her chest locked. Her lungs refused to work. She couldn't move.
Her thumb swiped across her phone, typing almost without thinking: I guess I see you.
She hit send.
And instantly panicked. Her heart skipped and stuttered, her grip on the railing tight. "Oh god, oh god, why did I say that..." she whispered under her breath.
But it was too late. The message was out there.
And Summer, whoever she really was.. was here.