Work Text:
Today
Hi!
~unknown number
hi!
Gosh I hope I typed the right number into my phone
Are you here for this texting-only-social-thingy?
~unknown number
tehehe, i’m slightly tempted to mess with you but wouldn’t that be a good first impression?
so i won’t
yes, i’m here for this “let’s make the university of leeds more social by letting people meet over phone first”
Phew
And thank you for not messing with me, I already feel weird getting to know a stranger over text, so I appreciate it greatly
But I’m happy to meet you anyway, participant 1
~unknown number
happy to meet you too, unknown number
So
~unknown number
is this awkward? it feels awkward
It is a little bit, yeah
~unknown number
feels like some sort of wrong number plot in fanfiction
You read fanfiction?
~unknown number
😬
i meant fiction in general, obviously
Obviously
~unknown number
so you know what fanfiction is then?
😬
~unknown number
putting this topic aside for later
Thank you, very kind
And I get what you mean
It *could* be some kind of wrong number plot
Just narrowed down to the very small world that is this room
~unknown number
true. so i guess it’s more like some sort of number roulette in a very safe lgbtq+ environment
Oh, yeah, number roulette defo fits better
“Do I have the number of the absolute hottie standing near the bar, smiling at his phone?
Or did I draw the number belonging to that girl with the beautifully dyed rainbow hair?”
Nobody knows
~unknown number
well, guess you’re lucky and pulled the hottie because the one with the rainbow hair is Darce… and i’m not Darce
So, you’re hot?
👀
~unknown number
i did imply that, didn’t i?
so much for a good first impression
i swear I didn’t mean it like that
🫣
So, you’re not hot?
Sorry, can’t stop
Blaming my beer
~unknown number
i’m okay-ish hot I think?
lol
can’t believe i just wrote that
i blame it on the alcohol, too
convenient excuse
Okay, now I’m *so* tempted to ask what you look like
But that’s not the point of this thing here
~unknown number
right. it’s getting to know someone *without* being distracted by looks
Okay, I’m turning away from my hottie (hopefully you) then, don’t want to be too distracted
Solely focusing on you now
~unknown number
now i’m blushing for being the centre of your attention
feels kinda nice even though i have no idea who you are
anyway
i agree, wise move. and same, need to refocus. too much gorgeousness near me
solely focusing on you now, too
Thank you 😳🤭
It *does* feel nice, even though I don’t even know if you actually mean it
Anyway
So.. is it allowed to ask what you’re hoping to find tonight?
~unknown number
sure, i don’t mind
i find this experiment interesting… matched by chance and having no idea who i’m actually talking to - only focusing on their (your) personality and texting-style. which I both like so far btw
and if it brings me a new friend i would be happy
but i’m also very single, so there’s that
you?
Same! To every word
Always open to new friends and well, also very single
Also very much liking your messages so far
And it kinda feels like the original blind date
Having no idea what the other person looks like
And, very important to me: without the anxious waiting in a restaurant involved -
Never knowing if the person will actually show up or turn on their heels as soon as they lay eyes on you
~unknown number
i like that, the original blind date
and i get it, i also always fear to be stood up because they don’t like the way i look
But didn’t you say you’re hot?
🤭
~unknown number
i’m never going to live that down, am i?
Honestly? Probably not
Too curious
👀
~unknown number
too bad you can’t see my eyeroll
just know it was impressive
Oh, I wouldn’t dare to doubt it
Okay
Another question, and please tell me if it’s already too much…
~unknown number
yeah?
No sorry, it feels intrusive
Forget what I said
~unknown number
come on, unknown number, you can ask me whatever you want
it’s not like we know who the other is anyway, right?
you can just disappear and never show yourself to me, even though we’re supposed to reveal ourselves after two hours. i would be none the wiser, at least not at this point of time.
True
But it feels so forward
And sounds kinda desperate
~unknown number
ah
i guess I know where this is heading
i don’t mind the question tho
curious myself
🤭
Okay
What are your pronouns and what would be your preferred gender to put an end to your solitary existence?
~unknown number
that’s a very sophisticated way of asking who I prefer to fuck
i’m impressed, i give you that
Well, thanks, I guess. As you can see from the time stamps, it took me an unreasonable amount of time to figure this out
~unknown number
but it does make me sound slightly lonely, lmao. i do have a social life, i’m definitely not living in solitary existence
urgh, that sounded promiscuous. i’m also *not* like that. i’m on the middle ground? preferring solitude over the other though
Thank you for clearing things up
~unknown number
lol. i’ll shut up now
Honestly, I also prefer solitude over the other
~unknown number
💛
anyway
my pronouns are he/him and i’m gay, so i’d prefer a male person
you?
My pronouns are also he/him but I’m bi, so yeah, open to males and females
~unknown number
okay, good
good?
🤭
~unknown number
well yes. did I mention I’m single?
oh gosh, that sounds so desperate lol
and as if I just lied to you about the promiscuity thingy
should stop drinking drinks I guess
No, please don’t
I like how open you sound
And you’re funny, I like that
~unknown number
guess the combination of anonymity, some sort of adrenaline the unknowing brings and the atrocity that Darce calls a decent drink makes me open up. I’m not usually that straightforward with strangers.
as there’s nothing straight about me
🤣
God, I hope I didn’t give myself away with the snort I just snorted
~unknown number
🫣
sorry for that utterly bad joke
No sorries
It was kinda adorable
~unknown number
are you into bad puns and bad jokes then?
It seems like it?
Didn’t know that about myself
You bring it out in me
~unknown number
😇
so..
can *i* ask you a question?
Of course, it's only fair
~unknown number
how old are you?
I’m 21
You?
~unknown number
just turned 20 yesterday
Oh, happy birthday then!
~unknown number
thanks 🤭
You’re welcome
I hope you had a nice day
~unknown number
i did, thank you!
😊
~unknown number
is it awkward again?
i want to ask you so many questions but they all feel so basic
like in an interview
But I mean, isn’t that the whole point?
~unknown number
awkwardness?
Dork 💙
But yeah, maybe?
I mean, dates are usually awkward, aren’t they? At least in my limited experience…
The tentative checking if personalities match by asking about family, friends, jobs and uni
It’s just, you somehow need to cover the basics to get to the good stuff
~unknown number
the good stuff? 👀
Oh. That made me sound promiscuous *and* horny
Didn’t (only) mean it like that, tbh
More like: after the basics you get to discover the real character
~unknown number
agree
but
we could do it the other way around tonight?
tell me about your quirks
what makes ‘unknown number’ who ‘unknown number’ is?
Oh! I like that idea
But where do I start
Also, I’m Nick
Feels more fitting for sharing quirks than ‘unknown number’
But you don’t have to share your name of course
I can keep calling you ‘participant 1’ in my head and in my phone, no problem
Also, why are you number one?
That makes you sound so special
…or slightly desperate, ngl
~unknown number
lol
would show you a rather rude gesture if we knew each other a bit better
but alas, i won’t just yet
well
this whole thing here was my friend Darce’s idea
and she didn’t really leave me a choice and put my number down the second her plan came to motion
so yeah, nothing special and not *that* desperate
and it’s Charlie btw
hi Nick 💙
Hi Charlie 💛
Charlie
Okay, let me rephrase it: what makes Nick Nick?
lol, such a loaded question!
I feel like I want to impress you but I have no idea what you think is cool
Definitely a first date struggle
Some things never change
Charlie
well, i think you’re pretty cool so far, so maybe just keep being yourself?
whoever that is
nvm, not helpful lmao
No, you’re right
What’s the point of lying
Okay, my quirks
I tend to bake when I’m stressed. Sometimes I miss my mum and my dog way more than it’s appropriate for my age. I like rain with its sound, its smell and the softness of its drops on my skin, especially in summer. I’m a good listener and I care a lot about people I love but sometimes I’m a bit too clingy, or so I’ve been told. I like sports and I love Vans. I discovered I’m bi by watching ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ a [redacted] amount of times - I know it’s such a cliche but it is how it is. I also like Marvel but it’s mostly because of Loki, he’s hot
Ok now I feel like I’m rambling and I stop
But it’s an interesting way to think about myself, thank you
And thank you for waiting while I typed that out
Charlie
no problem, i had a good distraction 👀
even though it’s funny how a room full of students can be so quiet. i guess babyboomers are right, we’re inseparable from our phones
but
Nick, your quirks sound lovely, honestly. like, there’s no bad thing about it, at least not for me. you sound, i don’t know how to phrase it without sounding weird…
you sound wonderful, Nick ❤️
eeek, cringe, sorry
it’s just, i liked what i read about you
Good thing you can’t see me now, I can feel my cheeks burning pretty hotly, lol
But, thank you, Charlie
So, I hope you don’t mind me asking… what makes you you?
Charlie
i had some time to ponder over that question now and somehow i feel like i want to share so much about myself with you but i don’t know where to draw the line
but yeah, i’ll just start typing
Take your time, I’ll wait
Charlie
okay, my quirks
i like ancient greek history, or reading in general. probably an abnormal amount. i love listening to indie music and even play it myself on the drums, i’m in a band (nothing serious, just with my friends and the very occasional gig). i like converse. i love to run as it helps me clear my mind that’s usually in overdrive mode at any given time of day which makes me prone to overthink everything. for me, it’s always been boys. i love lazy sundays with friends and cuddling with a significant other. please never tell my friend Tao, but i have a soft spot for marvel’s Thor. maths comes easily to me and i’m what everyone thinks is the picture perfect image of a gay nerd.
okay, i’ll stop now
thank you for listening to my ted talk about a human called Charlie
It was a great ted talk, 10/10, would recommend!
Thank you for sharing this with me, I got all excited reading it
You sound very intriguing, Charlie ❤️
I mean you play the drums and are in a band! That’s so!!! cool!
Now I feel even more like the rugby-lad from next door
I like getting to know you and I hope you don’t lose interest in me now
Charlie
you play rugby? 👀
definitely *not* losing interest
quite the opposite
call me superficial, i don’t mind
okay, seemingly back to being promiscuous
🤭😂
Charlie
but in my defence, i liked your personality *before* i learned about your choice of sport
do you play as part of a team?
Smoothly changing the topic, I see
I do, but only for fun with the rugby union here in Leeds nowadays
Went to a sports specialist school but decided against playing professionally
I want to become a teacher when I grow up
I hope you don’t mind if I ask… you mentioned Greek classics and maths.. Is that what you’re studying?
Charlie
to some degree, not really though
i want to work with books when i grow up
not sure which career path will lead me to that yet
so i study english lit
to my mum’s chagrin but oh well
i also miss my mum an inappropriate amount, but i guess it’s on the other side of the scale from what you were implying
we didn’t get along very well when i was growing up and still don’t
another Charlie-lore for your collection
i do love my siblings tho
ha, we’re in family and field-of-study territory!
cool, we’re really doing it backwards
So proud of us ❤️
And I absolutely don’t love my sibling
I have a dickhead brother who loves to make fun of my bisexuality and, well, me in general
I have a dad who doesn’t care about me so I’ve blocked him for now
Sorry if that’s too much
Did I mention that I love my mum and my dog?
>>>attachment: picture of an utterly adorable bordercollie
Charlie
thank you for giving me emotional whiplash
i went from being super angry at your brother and dad on your behalf to my heart overflowing with love for your pretty pretty dog
Sorry 🤭
But thank you for being angry on my behalf ❤️
It means a lot, even though you’re still a bit of a stranger
Charlie
well, seems like i’m a stranger who cares about you
even though that’s kinda weird, given that i only know you from texts and for a little more than an hour
but it’s the truth ❤️
christ, since when am i this sappy?
can we go back to where you thought i’m cool?
Guess I'll always think you’re *very* cool, Charlie
Still can’t get over the fact that you’re in a band. And so smart!
And another fact about me: I love sappy
Embracing the weird and the cringe here
And I care about you, too
Sounds like there is quite a backstory to your relationship with your mum
Charlie
there is
but i really don’t want to bring down the mood or scare you away and drama-dump on you
it’s more like a conversation for a fifth date and not for this very fragile state a first date stands for - where you don’t know where this whole thing will lead at all
I fully understand
So off to lighter topics
I just scrolled back, we haven’t covered friends just yet
You’re up for it?
Charlie
sure, love my friends
so, you already know of Darce, i met her in my first week at uni. then i think i mentioned Tao, he’s my oldest friend from back home, a film buff with questionable taste. then there’s Elle, an artist and Tao’s girlfriend, whom i also know from secondary school, along with Isaac who shares my love for books
Sounds like you're surrounded by a wonderful bunch of people!
Oh
Wait
Elle, like in Elle Argent?
Charlie
yes?
do you know her?
oh god, do we know each other?
but i don’t know any Nick
well, at least not-
oh god
ARE YOU TARA’S BEST FRIEND?
please say yes and also please say no
Yes, I am
Sorry?
Oh…
…your friend Darce as in Darcy?
The reason Tara dragged me here in the first place?
Oh god
Are you *the* Charlie Tara wanted to set me up with for weeks now?
🤯
Charlie
i might be?
i mean, i already know that you play rugby, but do you have freckles and are your speciality blueberry muffins when you stress-bake?
because if so, they’re delicious!!
i *almost* agreed to a blind date when Tara shared hers with me
but, you know, blind dates…
😬
Well yeah, I know… 🤝
Tara insisted in not wanting to show me a picture of you
“Don’t want to spoil the perfect surprise” she had said
Charlie
oh god, same!
Elle just said “trust me” and kept winking at me
got me curious but didn’t actually help the case
Yeah, same
We really don't like 'normal' blind dates, huh…
And now look where it brought us
But, circling back to your question
As I have some myself 🤭
Yes
I do have freckles and I do bake blueberry muffins when stressed
Charlie
Do you have dark curls and dimples and wear eyeliner when on stage?
Charlie
specific questions but yes, i have and yes i do
is that what Tara told you about me?
Well, amongst other stuff, but this stood out to me
Oh christ, she and you both mentioned being on stage!
And your name is Charlie
How did I not connect the dots until now
Charlie
well, I’m most certainly not the only Charlie at leeds university with a passion for music
and you’re not the only Nick who plays rugby, has a dog and stress-bakes muffins
okay, now that i put it like that..
i *could* have connected some dots, too
Oh wow. This is kinda hilarious, lol
If Tara and Elle only knew that their blind date finally took place
Charlie
Elle will have a field day when I tell her about this here
So will Tara
Yay to having friends affectionately yelling “told you so!” at you
God, or is this part of their plan?? Could that be?
Charlie
i actually don’t think so. i mean, Elle isn’t even here. and you drew my number from a pot..
both Elle and Tara are great, of course, but they aren’t *that* capable in meddling i’d say 🤭
Oh. Yeah, you’re right
Got carried away a bit lmao
Charlie
all good, i’m also currently trying to make sense of it all
How long until we’re allowed to reveal who we are without ruining this experiment?
Oh god, looking around, I just connected some more dots
Well, I hope I connected them correctly in my excitement
Charlie
yeah?
i can’t stop my head from doing the same
but don’t think they’re the same dots. or maybe they kinda are? 🤭
geez now I’m even more nervous
you know, we still have the opportunity to forget about this and keep Tara and Elle off our chests with a carefully plotted excuse
Is that what you’d want?
I would respect that
And I can totally understand it
But I’m leaning more into *needing* to know who you are
Because
And that might sound even more crazy because it's far-stretched but also...
My long time crush is here in this very room
And he has curls and dimples
No eyeliner tho
Charlie
no, i actually don’t want to forget about this either
because my crush is here too
i know he plays rugby as i watched him play one or two or ten times
so yeah, i kinda need to know who you are too
But what if we’re not who we maybe hope we are?
Charlie
then we wave at each other awkwardly and leave this room to never return
thankfully, leeds is huge
Okay, deal
Charlie
but what if it’s only the phone-crush and campus-crush and accidentally-successful-meddling-by-friends for *one* of us?
...crush and crush?
Charlie
ummmmmm
good thing you can’t see me and my blush just yet
Charlie, relax, I’m just messing with you. Definitely crush and crush
God, at least I really really hope so
If it’s only true for one of us, the other promises to never bring it up and never tell anyone about it
Okay?
Charlie
sounds fair. still hope like super very much that it won’t be the case tho
Yeah fuck, same
And - if it's really you - you were right from the very beginning..
I *did* pull the hottie
Charlie
thanks for making me blush without even knowing if you *actually* mean me
so, we'll see about that
still need to wait another 30 minutes until this thing is over
Or..
Charlie
👀
Can you see your crush?
Charlie
yes?
i’m currently trying to find out if he has freckles. i’m not completely sure as i’ve only ever admired him from afar. never found the courage for ‘up close’
and now the light in here and from his phone is too dim to be sure even though i stand pretty close to him. if only he’d look up and turn his face towards the light of the bar
oh. he just did that
shit, did *you* just look up and turn your face?
Yeah
Charlie
omg fuck
my crush has freckles!
or, you know... you
Shit
Is this really happening?
I can see my crush too
Or… you
Still trying to connect more of those damn dots
Fuck, I can barely type anymore
Charlie
then you should focus on your phone instead of staring at people
Takes one to know one!
Charlie
😉
Did you just wink at me?
For real I mean?
Charlie
…
yes i did
fuck my life
Hard relate
I mean, it's kinda so obvious that we are who we think we are but I can't wrap my head around it
And now I just have to ask because I can’t really see it with this damn low lightning…
…do you have blue eyes?
Because my crush does, he has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen
Charlie
i have blue eyes, yes. not sure about the beautiful part but yeah, blue eyes
really can’t believe this is happening
Fuck, same
I need to remember how to breathe properly
It's too good to be true
Maybe my real-life-crush is just staring back at me because he thinks I’m a weirdo
And isn't really my crush-crush
So what about… at exactly 9.33pm, we look up and wave
I just need to be completely sure
❤️
Charlie
okay ❤️
pretty sure your crush-crush isn’t staring at you because he thinks you’re a weirdo
definitely the opposite
if - you know
I know...
Charlie
another minute
watching the clock with eagle eyes and baited breath
christ on a bike, i’m nervous
butterflies in my stomach going rogue
siri: how to tame raging hope
So very fucking much same 🫣
Fate, please let you be *my* Charlie
✨🙏💫
10 seconds
Charlie
3..2..1