We Met Online - Chapter 4 First Impressions

Daniel scrolled through that mess of a bio. He would be lying if he said that he read it all. He wasn’t interested, just curious. Curious to see how long it will take her to drop her ‘hard to get’ act. To him, she seemed unfriendly and annoying.

“She seems so full of herself and the type that’s a pain to deal with. ” he thought to himself, whilst starting the chat.

“This won’t take long.” He said to himself, certain that she would cling to him, just like the others did.

-texting through XYZ app-

D:

Hi.

A:

Hello.

How are you doing ?

D:

I’m alright.

How about you ?

A:

Could be better, not gonna lie.

D:

Haha, aren’t you supposed to say “I’m ok thank you” ? We’re just strangers after all.

A:

Aren’t you supposed to ask

Why I am not doing well ?

D:

Well, I bet it’s because you’re tired from writing all that bio.

A:

Although it IS one of my biggest accomplishments, I AM tired, yes.

Matter of a fact, I wasn’t even going to talk to you. I thought you would scroll past me.

I’m surprised you texted.

D:

I can say the same about you.

I was going to swap.

I’m surprised you replied.

So, did you mean all you said in there ?

A:

Why would I waste my time writing it if I didn’t?

D:

Why would you waste your time getting the app in first place?

Let alone, write that essay.

A:

Got me there haha

It’s a long story.

D:

I have the time.

A:

I thought you were going to swipe off me, sir.

D:

Dan.

A:

What?

D:

You can call me Dan.

Sir is too formal.

I already feel like I’m applying for a job with all them rules you have.

A:

Hahaha fair enough.

And you can call me Anya, Dan.

D:

Nice meeting you then, Anya.

A:

How would you know?

D:

How would I know what?

A:

That it’s nice meeting me.

D:

Hahaha, is it a habit of yours to decline basic courtesy ?

Or are you insinuating that it’s not nice meeting you ?

A:

No, I don’t mind courtesy. I just feel like being annoying to you for some reason.

Plus, I could be a psychopath for all you know. In which case, knowing me wouldn’t be so nice.

D:

True, very true.

But what would a little stubborn girl like you do to me, realistically speaking?

A:

Who are you calling little girl ?! I’m 18 !

You, on the other hand, could be an old creep for all I know.

D:

I love how you didn’t deny the “stubborn” part.

I’m 19. I am no creep.

Just someone who can’t bring himself to sleep despite being very tired.

Where are you from, anyways?

A:

Means you’re just 1 year older than me, so I can still beat you up.

I wouldn’t deny being stubborn. It is one of my best qualities, after all.

Why you ask ? are you planning to come murder me ?

D:

You threaten to beat me up, yet won’t share where you’re from ? Haha.

A:

I live in France.

And your location indicates uk-London.

So not like you would do anything even if you wanted to.

I was just teasing.

Are you British?

You don’t give a vibe or a British.

D:

For someone who wrote such a bio, I never thought you’d come off as the talkative type haha.

And no, I’m not British.

I moved here 3 years ago.

Are you French?

A:

Haha. Yes, I am very talkative. And that bio was an act.

I’m half French, my father is French and my mother is algerian.

D:

Why would you deceive people, then? Why put an act ?

Interesting ethnicity you have there.

A:

Long story-short. My friend made me download this app and talk to people.

(She’s very convincing –‘ )

I could lie and say I got it and didn’t like it, but I thought I’d at least try it out.

And not really, many people have same ethnicity as me, here.

And where would you be from?

D:

Sounds like an interesting friend you have there haha.

I’m turkish.

A:

Niiice. I love Turkey. Such a beautiful country.

But a Turkish guy named Dan ?

D:

My actual name is Daniel. Everyone calls me Dan.

No one calls me Daniel, anymore.

And my mother is half german. They named me after my grandfather.

A:

Wouldn’t you be 3/4 turkish and 1/4 german, then ?

D:

Haha I guess you are right.

But “turkish” is less complicated.

Plus, I lived most of my childhood in Turkey.

My best memories are there. So I just stick with it, since I can’t speak german.

Can you speak arabic besides french ?

A:

I see, I see.

Oh wow, you’re the first person, I talk to here, who knows what Algeria’s first language is.

And no, I don’t really speak arabic. But I understand it mostly.

D:

I know Algeria. There are some good football players from there.

A:

You know it because of football? And here I was, thinking you were an intellect haha.

What do you do in life, Daniel ? Work ? Study?

D:

Haha my favorite topic… studies.YEY.

Well, I graduated from college this year. I’ll enrol in university this October. Although I’d gladly not.

What about you ?

A:

my first lecture is tomorrow actually. I’ll begin my 2nd year in med school.

D:

Look at you, doing smart people stuff. Not bad for a neanderthal.

A:

HEY ! it was my mother’s dream that I become a doctor, idiot !

And what even is that?

D:

you don’t know what neanderthal means yet, I am the idiot?

You have some guts, no one ever dared call me idiot.

A:

People never stop learning. I don’t see any shame in asking.

And so what if I call you idiot? You’ll beat me up ?

D:

You talk alot about beating up, for a girl.

Fortunately for you I don’t hit girls, neanderthal. A stubborn neanderthal none the less.

A:

You call me Netherlands ONE MORE TIME !

D:

HAHAHA… it’s neanderthal !

I bet you’re tiny with a big mouth.

A:

It was auto correct.

And I’m 1.72 cm, thank you.

D:

yeah yeah. Whatever you say, stubborn.

A:

Aren’t you going to tell me what that neanderthal thing is ?

D:

Hahah I can’t believe that I’m gonna give a med student, a lesson about evolution.

A:

You believe in evolution?

D:

Yes, don’t you ?

A:

I do, I mean, as a student in the scientific field, I have to.

But what do you think about religion?

D:

Hm.. nothing in particular, I’m not against any religion but I don’t consider myself a religious person. Neither do I consider myself an atheist for the matter.

How about you ?

A:

I’m pretty much the same. But I like to think that there is something greater. Something… fair and just.

It gives me hope. makes me move forward. You can laugh at me if you want.

D:

To each one their own conviction. I am no one to judge such personal choices. I am scared of death, myself. that’s what makes me think of (and hope for) the existence of a higher power.

I guess that makes me a coward.

A:

It doesn’t, I understand what you mean.

I think religion or beliefs don’t really matter, as long as no one is hurt in the process. They’re personal stuff.

D:

I think so too. That’s not what defines a good person from a bad person.

A:

Exactly.

But tell me, what did you say about evolution, I’m interested.

D:

Well…

~

Just like that, Daniel and Anya spent the entire night texting … talking about the universe, beliefs, theories, love …

They talked about life.

And to their surprise, they both enjoyed it. They didn’t feel the time flying by. They talked through dawn and didn’t even notice the first ray of sun, shining through the fabric of their closed curtains.

It was not less than 9:00 am, When both of them agreed to finally go to sleep.

And so, they slept.

Their hearts lighter and their minds content.

With no promises for tomorrow.