..Chapter One..

betweenthebars: hello?

betweenthebars: please answer me iza.

betweenthebars: i’m sorry.

Two Months Earlier

betweenthebars: anyone out there?

 

                The computer screen was blindingly bright and I figured that staring at it waiting for a reply that was never going to come was a waste of time. I set my laptop down on my bed and went downstairs to get a snack. I grabbed a bag of salt & vinegar chips and a can of soda before heading back up to my room. Maybe if I didn’t have a response I could actually do the paper for English that was due tomorrow that I should have started a week ago. But to my surprise, there was a reply.

 

afondfarewell: hi. does your screen name have anything to do with elliott smith by any chance?

 

                I popped a chip in my mouth before responding.

 

betweenthebars: yeah it does. it’s just a fond farewell to a friend. :)

afondfarewell: you, my friend, are clever.

betweenthebars: i know. it’s one of my many talents.

afondfarewell: ha ha. very funny. i’m iza.

betweenthebars: nice to meet you iza. i’m aaron.

afondfarewell: nice to meet you as well. what’s your favorite elliott smith song?

betweenthebars: between the bars duh. i’m guessing yours is a fond farewell.

afondfarewell: nope. it’s angeles.

betweenthebars: then why is your screen name a fond farewell?

afondfarewell: 1. it sounds better. 2. angeles could mean many things. 3. i’m more likely to be recognized as an elliott smith fan.

betweenthebars: valid points. what other bands do you like?

afondfarewell: sew intricate, the artic monkeys, twenty one pilots, and um taylor swift.

betweenthebars: taylor swift? interesting choice. I agree with twenty one pilots and the artic monkeys, but i’ve never heard of sew intricate.

afondfarewell: you should really check him out. i’ve got to go. talk to you later?

betweenthebars: yeah. talk to you later. farewell. ;)

afondfarewell: a very fond farewell ;)

 

                A notification popped up on my screen saying that Iza had logged off. Throughout the whole conversation I was smiling like an idiot and didn’t realize until now. I continued smiling even though my cheeks hurt. A friend. I finally had a friend. Don’t get yourself so excited yet, Aaron. This was only one conversation, a short one at that. Still I grinned at the thought of Iza. That night I fell asleep listening to Sew Intricate, who I admit is really good.