Page 5 of His Shy Girl

Dang. That’s a fun way to celebrate your eighteenth. Getting dressed up, going out with friends, partying the night away.

Me:That’s cool. Do you always have a big Halloween bash?

Will2025TE:No. I’m not much of a partier. I usually just stay home and watch horror movies.

That’s another win. Means he won’t be throwing keggers every weekend. Though, I still haven’t asked if he wants to live together next year. I need to do that.

Me:I’m not a huge partier either. But I’ll be ready to party after the Devils win!!! Bet the team throws one heck of a bash after a game.

Will2025TE:Don’t you have to be invited to those?

You may need an invitation if one of the guys is throwing a private party at his place, but I’m sure that after the games, the team celebrates together.

Me:I don’t think so. Besides, once we get to know everyone, I’m sure we’ll be invited.

Will2025TE:You can count me out. Crowds are not my jam. Neither is hanging out with a bunch of football players.

The fuck? How does that translate? He plays for the team but doesn’t like to hang out with any of the guys after? I know some of them can be douchebags—Keginator is the prime example—but it’s part of showing your team spirit.

Me:If crowds are not your thing, how do you handle the fans swarming you after a game?

Or even being tackled on the field? Or traveling on busses to the away games? I’m sure his school is like ours. We’re all crammed in like sardines. And next year, at the college level, I imagine it’s going to be even worse. We’ll be swarmed by fans and reporters.

Will2025TE:I don’t go to the games. I just watch them from home.

What the hell? Does he not play football? This entire time I’d assumed he played for his team. I’m so fucking confused. We talk ball all the time. Analyzing plays online and discussing errors that were made during the games, strategizing what the team should’ve done differently. With how knowledgeable he is, I’d just assumed he played. But his comment is throwing me.

Me:Don’t you play for the team?

Will2025TE:Are you talking about the football team? Sorry, can’t tell if that’s a joke or not. I’m only five-two, so I’m pretty sure I’d be crushed by all those huge guys. Besides, last I checked, they weren’t taking female players. No, I don’t play any sports. What about you?

I stare at the screen. Reading the message over and over. Making sure I’m not seeing things wrong.Five-two. She’s a five-two female. A girl. All this time I thought I was talking to a dude. Picturing him being a six-foot, muscular jock in a football jersey, tearing down the field, slamming the ball down into the end zone. But Will’s a girl. Even her name had me fooled. Who names their daughter Will?

I lift my heavy fingers, feeling them slowly slide over the keys. The clamminess making them stick to the send key as the shock settles in.

Me:Yes, I play sports. I’ll be the new running back for Arizona next year. I’m sorry. I just assumed TE meant tight end. And I was thrown by your name. This whole time I thought you were a guy.

Never in a million years would I have thought someone as cool as him—I meanher—would be a girl. For starters, I don’t know too many girls who love Kanturia. It’s rare even to find them in the game. Then there’s the fact that he—I meanshe—loves football. She knows the lingo, the plays, even her damn fantasy football team is better than mine. And she’s funny as shitand can dish it out like all my buddies can. I feel like I’m being punked right now. Maybe he’s pranking me.

Me:What’s your name, Will?

He never corrected me on it, which leads me to believe this is a joke. Although, Will could be short for her last name Williams.

The silence ticks on. That’s two messages now that have gone unanswered, and my stomach is starting to knot up. I can see that she hasn’t logged off. The icon is still glowing green in the corner of my screen.

5

Willow

My eyes read over the words. Reading and rereading. Hoping that I’m wrong. For three weeks, I’ve been thinking she was a girl. HE. I’ve been thinkinghewas a girl. I just assumed. I just…

Bren2025RB:Will? You still there? Feel like you’re over there cracking up, about to tell me you just pulled one over on me.

No. I am definitely not over here cracking up. Nor is this a joke. I’m sitting here in complete shock. My heart feels like it’s going to pound out of my chest. I don’t have a clue as to how to respond. All this time, I thought I was talking to a girl. But he’s a guy. A football player who’s going to be playing for the Devils next year, which means he’s talented, no doubt popular, and probably cute. And I am freaking out.

I can’t even form any words to type. What am I supposed to say?Yes, I’m a girl and I’m totally freaking out right now.Gotta go because I can’t talk to boys. Like actually can’t get any words past my mouth. I can’t even get any words past my fingertips right now. My nerves are even muting my thoughts.

But his little avatar is glowing green, still logged on. Still waiting for me to respond. I just need to remember that I’ve been talking to him every day for the last three weeks without issue. I need to relax and take a deep breath. I’m in my room. He’s not here. He can’t see me. Or hear me. I don’t actually have to speak to him. All I have to do is type. Typing is easy.

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