It's now the next evening, still no sign of Jasper...
7:30pm, Isis is just now finishing up her work shift, so she closes up the café and goes to her car.
She keeps checking IMVU every 15 minutes until....
9:03pm JxAshbourne has logged on
LostxGurl: You alive, or you just ghosting me?
JxAshbourne types then deletes, types then deletes
LostxGurl: Are you just done talking to me?
LostxGurl: Could you at least answer me?
LostxGurl: WHAT DID I DO??
JxAshbourne: I am sorry, yesterday was my brother's birthday, I went to his grave site. I was not in the right headspace and I didn't feel like bothering anyone.
JxAshbourne: I'm still here, you did nothing wrong. I'm sorry if I made you feel like you did.
LostxGurl: I'm so sorry, I didn't know...
JxAshbourne: How could you? I didn't tell you.
LostxGurl: Next time could you at least just give me a warning? Otherwise I feel like it's something I did...
JxAshbourne: My mind gets really dark... and then I just shut down. It really isn't about you, it's something I'm still trying to fix.
LostxGurl: How are you today?
JxAshbourne: I'm here. Are you okay? How was work?
LostxGurl: No but I'm never really "okay" so nothing new. Work was work, cleaned the store, made coffee, sold coffee, sold books, prepped the store to do it all over again tomorrow.
JxAshbourne: Sounds about right.
IMVU Chat - night 40 7:47pm
Isis logs on IMVU after her work shift.
JxAshbourne: There you are
LostxGurl: I'm always here, you're the one who disappears
JxAshbourne: Not tonight. I'm here, I've been thinking about this all day.
LostxGurl: Thinking about what?
JxAshbourne: About how we talk like ghosts. It's been over a month and I still don't know your name? But you obviously know mine.
LostxGurl: Maybe I like being a mystery.
JxAshbourne: I want to know the girl behind the screen. You don't have to be lost anymore.
LostxGurl: Okay....
LostxGurl: it's Isis
JxAshbourne: Isis?
LostxGurl: Yes, Isis.
JxAshbourne: That suits you well. It's soft but sharp, just like you.
LostxGurl: That's weirdly poetic
JxAshbourne: Okay, Isis, can I tell you something?
LostxGurl: Anything
JxAshbourne: IMVU is just getting annoying.I want to talk to you... like actually talk to you.
LostxGurl: You mean like, text?
JxAshbourne: Yeah, unless that's weird.
LostxGurl: It's not, I've actually been waiting for you to ask.
JxAshbourne: Drop your number
[Isis sends her number to Jasper, a few minutes ter her phone buzzes]
[Text message comes through from unknown number]
"It's Jasper, I told you I'm not a catfish."
Isis: "I'm still not convinced"
Jasper: "Want proof?"
Isis: "Send a voice note. Bet you sound like a girl!"
[Moments ter, a voice note pops up, Jasper's voice comes through - deep, smooth, a little tired sounding but real]
Jasper: *Through voice note: Alright, Isis, here's your proof. I'm real, and definitely not a girl by the way*
Isis stares at her phone; heart in her throat.
Isis: "Okay...that was something."
Jasper: "I bet you're blushing right now, aren't you?"
Isis: "Shut up, Jasper."
Jasper: "Call me."
Isis: "Right now?"
Jasper: "Yeah, unless you're too scared."
[Isis hesitated for a few minutes but then hit the call button]
Jasper: "Hello?"
His voice was richer over the phone, no typing dey, no screen between them. Just breaths, nerves, and warmth.
Isis: "You sound exactly like I imagined you would!"
Jasper: "You sound even better than I imagined you would."
And just like that, silence filled the spaces that once felt so empty and hollow. Isis and Jasper, two broken souls finally able to connect with more than just usernames.
