The first few days of the new year felt like a strange dream. Mira hadn't expected to start it this way — talking to someone who felt like a stranger one moment, and then suddenly everything about him felt familiar the next.
Jace wasn't just some guy on the other side of the screen. They had quickly slipped into the rhythm of talking every day, at all hours. They didn't have to try too hard to keep the conversation flowing; it was easy, comfortable. But still, Mira found herself wondering if this was real, if it could be real.
It wasn't long before they settled into a routine.
One evening, after dinner, Mira found herself on her bed with her phone, her thumb hovering over the screen. Jace had just sent a message, and she smiled at it.
"What's your favorite movie?"
It was a simple question, but Mira knew that even the smallest things mattered. It was a window into who he was, how he saw the world.
"The Pursuit of Happyness," she typed, thinking about how that movie had always stuck with her. It wasn't just about the journey, but about persistence, resilience — and the constant hope that things could turn around.
She waited for his reply, tapping her foot against the floor, trying not to overthink it.
His reply came quickly:"Good choice. Mine's Inception. I like movies that make you think. Like, how real is anything? Or maybe I just like the idea of having control over reality."
Mira's brow furrowed. There was something about that response that stuck with her. It was deep, philosophical almost. Not the kind of thing you'd expect from someone who just cracked a chess joke. But it was also exactly what she'd expect from him.
"Sounds like you're a bit of a dreamer," she typed with a teasing smile.
"I guess," he replied. "I'd like to think I can make my own reality, but then I remember the real world is a bit different. What about you? Do you believe in fate?"
Mira stared at the message. It wasn't just a question; it felt like a challenge. She hadn't really thought about it like that before. Was she a fate person?
"I don't know. I mean, I believe things happen for a reason. But I also think we make our own choices. Like, maybe fate pushes us in the right direction, but we still have to take the leap."
There was a pause before he responded. She could almost hear the gears turning in his head.
"I like that. It sounds like you're the kind of person who goes for it. Takes chances."
Mira shrugged, even though he couldn't see it. She wasn't sure if she agreed, but there was something appealing about the idea of being someone who went for things.
"I guess I am," she typed, a little hesitant. "You can't be afraid of what might happen."
"Exactly," he replied. "I've always thought that. You know, when you asked me what my resolution was... I guess I wanted to take more chances this year."
The silence on the screen felt heavy for a moment, like he was opening up a little. Mira wasn't sure how to respond at first. She didn't want to press, but she didn't want to let the moment slip by either.
"What kind of chances?" she asked softly.
There was another long pause, then a message popped up.
"Well, you could say... talking to you was one of them."
Mira smiled, her heart skipping a beat. It was simple, but there was something about the way he said it that made her feel like this could be something real.
"I'm glad you took it," she replied, trying to hide the flutter in her chest. "Honestly, I wasn't looking for anything, but I guess fate did push me in your direction."
Jace's reply came almost instantly:"Good thing, huh?"
She couldn't help but laugh, feeling lighter than she had in weeks.
"Definitely."
After that, the conversation shifted to lighter things. They talked about their favorite books (she liked thrillers, he preferred historical fiction), their favorite foods (pizza for him, sushi for her), and the places they wanted to visit (Japan for her, Paris for him).
But it was the small things that made Mira smile the most — the way Jace would ask about her day even when he was busy, or the way he'd randomly send her funny memes. They had a connection that wasn't just about grand gestures or deep conversations; it was the quiet moments that made her look forward to the next message, the next time they'd talk.
On the fourth night of their conversations, as the clock ticked past midnight, Mira found herself telling him something she hadn't shared with anyone in a long time.
"You know, when I was younger, I always wanted to be a writer. But somewhere along the way, I forgot about it."
She hadn't expected to say it out loud. It was one of those things she'd tucked away, but there was something about talking to Jace that made it easier to let things slip.
"Why did you stop?" he asked quietly.
She hesitated, looking at the message before answering.
"I don't know. Life just... gets in the way. You have to make money, go to school, do all the things you're 'supposed' to do. And dreams... well, they get lost along the way."
Jace didn't respond right away. When he did, his message was simple, but it hit her in a way she didn't expect:
"You should write again."
Mira felt a warm rush of gratitude, mixed with something else. His words weren't just comforting; they felt like a spark.
"Maybe I will," she typed back. "Maybe I'll start with this conversation."
"I'd like that."
And in that moment, Mira realized something. She didn't know where this would go or how long it would last, but for the first time in a long time, she wasn't afraid to take the leap.