Chapter Text
Date: August 21, 2026
Fall 2024: Welcome to COMM 358!
From: Dr. Tina Lawney ([email protected])
To: <bcc: Lily Evans ([email protected])>
Dear Student,
Welcome to COMM 358: Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Establishment! I am thrilled to have you in this course and look forward to the unique journey we’ll be taking together over these 16 weeks.
As you all likely know, this is not your typical communications course. Over the course of this semester, you will engage in experimental digital correspondence with one of your fellow students. Via an anonymous messaging program developed specifically for this course, you will maintain weekly communications with your partner. Each week, you will exchange thoughts, ideas, and experiences with your anonymous partner, guided by specific prompts designed to deepen your connection.
The beauty of this project lies in its anonymity. By removing preconceived notions and the biases that often accompany face-to-face interactions, you will be able to communicate with your partner under conditions that encourage honesty, vulnerability, and genuine connection. Through these exchanges, you will develop essential skills in active listening, empathy, conflict resolution, and trust-building—core elements of any strong relationship.
As the semester progresses, the topics we cover and the conversations you have with your partner will become increasingly complex. This process will challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and to engage with your partner on a level that may be unfamiliar, but, we hope, ultimately rewarding.
Please note that your messages will be completely anonymous, and that the teaching team will not see any of the messages shared between you. Over the past two semesters of this course, we have used the honor system and trust students to let us know of any difficulties with unresponsive partners. We are aware of your pairings, and if we are apprised of any participant's failure to communicate, they will be removed from the course without credit. This course is about participation and engagement, and failure to do so will not be excused. Please see the syllabus for information on absences and all other technicalities.
Your messages are the foundation of this course, but as we cannot grade your private messages, you will be tasked with weekly diary logs to keep track of how the relationship is progressing, in conjunction with two short lectures each week.
Do not attempt to identify your partner before the end of term. On our final course date, set for December 17, we will meet in person for the first and only time, and you will be tasked with discovering your partner. This final activity will serve as both a test of your perceptive abilities and a celebration of the connections you’ve built over the course of the semester. This is intended as a fun, light conclusion to the course, so if, for any reason, you do not want to partake in the reveal, message me privately before the end of term and you will be excused. We recommend not speaking about your involvement in this class until its conclusion. This ensures that we’re protecting the element of anonymity for everyone in the class and keeping premature identification at a minimum.
On the syllabus you will find a more detailed outline of “unacceptable shares,” but in general you should refrain from sharing names, hometowns, current addresses, physical descriptors, and the names of friends, family members, or other members of your own circle. You may use aliases as needed, and I often recommend keeping a log somewhere of any/all aliases you use throughout the course.
Over two semesters we’ve run this course, we’ve seen paired students form exceptionally close friendships, find future roommates or housemates, and, yes, some have even discovered romantic partners. Others, including those who decided to remain anonymous, have reported feeling more in tune with themselves. This journey is what you make it, so please take the opportunity for what it is.
You will receive a link to your account later this week, along with the contact information for your assigned partner. This is critical, so please keep an eye out for those!
I encourage you all to approach this course with an open mind and a willingness to learn—not just from me, but from each other.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns as we begin this exciting journey together.
Stay tuned for more soon.
Best,
Professor T. Lawney
iMessage
August 21, 2026
4:05 p.m.
lily evans: holy shit i got in??????
remus lupin: ????
remus lupin: to whole foods???
remus lupin: i was not aware that was a concern?
lily evans: well yes - do you need more jalapeno chips still? grabbing marlene’s chickpea things in a sec so can grab
lily evans: but I meant that class?? the weird comms dm one???
remus lupin: oh my god????? you’re in the love is blind class????
remus lupin: and yes please my stores are critically low
lily evans: YES
lily evans: well technically it’s called interpersonal communication and relationship establishment
lily evans: and technically it’s about all types of interpersonal relationships, not just romantic ones
lily evans: but yes
remus lupin: oh my god
remus lupin: I sort of thought the comm kids were making it up
remus lupin: like how the bio guys told everyone that one professor showed them a physical human heart on the first day of class to test them?
lily evans: that’s also real, ask mary abt it, some kid in front of her threw up abt it
lily evans: but anyway, yes???? though there is other work outside of the dming it looks like
lily evans: so not quite so blow-off as people have made it seem
remus lupin: this is insane
remus lupin: do you know anyone else who got into the class?
remus lupin: I wonder who you’ll be partnered with
lily evans: it looks like the professor is trying her damndest to make sure no one knows who else is in the class so we Do Not find out who we’re paired with
lily evans: there’s like???? a reveal ceremony at the end of term???
remus lupin: THAT PART IS ALSO REAL??
lily evans: YES??
remus lupin: someone told me that last semester this one pair just like mauled each other in front of the lecture hall
remus lupin: tongues in throats
remus lupin: hands on asses
remus lupin: the professor had to excuse them from the room
remus lupin: oh!!! maybe you’ll be paired with the Guy!
remus lupin: the one with the arms and the Disney Prince smile
lily evans: you can Not put that energy into the world
lily evans: i’d have to transfer to a school across the country if i end up sharing my childhood trauma with The Guy
lily evans: it’ll probably be someone i had, like, journalism foundations with
lily evans: or some random advertising major
remus lupin: feels like late notice for this no? didn’t we register back in like,,, march?
lily evans: yeah but this course is just blanket marked as a “waitlist” for everyone who registers for it
lily evans: i think it’s another part of preventing us from figuring out who else is in the class??
lily evans: which reminds me, i’m not supposed to tell ppl i’m in this class
lily evans: so u are the secret keeper i guess
remus lupin: amazing
remus lupin: you’re gonna keep me posted on this right????? you can’t just tell me this and not give me follow up information
lily evans: obviously
lily evans: we can’t tell marlene and mary though
lily evans: love them, they are absolutely incapable of keeping things hush
lily evans: or dorcas, the secret bit would stress her out too much
lily evans: between the three of them, i’d know who my partner is within a week
remus lupin: yeah absolutely not
remus lupin: remember when you first told them abt The Guy and they tracked down his entire friend group within two days
lily evans: GOD i sometimes see them around campus and i feel so guilty???
lily evans: like you DO NOT know me, why do i know that you went to st. xavier’s private school in wallingford, connecticut, with your friend james ‘The Guy’ potter and why do i know all of your names, first and last
remus lupin: HA
remus lupin: this is going to be so weird i’m so excited for you
lily evans: and me
iMessage
August 21, 2026
5:27 p.m.
marlene take the trash out tonight
marlene mckinnon: how the fuck have we been back for a week and not gotten drunk yet
remus lupin: little thing called we’re college students who actually have classes to go to
marlene mckinnon: says the english major
remus lupin: says the women’s studies major????
remus lupin: the english major is in, by the way
mary macdonald: dorc and i are headed to the store ! we can grab goodies :)
mary macdonald: any specific requests?
mary macdonald: lil, i’ll grab diet coke and red wine for u
lily evans: YOU GET ME!
marlene mckinnon: vom
marlene mckinnon: literally vomming rn
lily evans: you cannot say that if you haven’t tried it!!! it’s good!!! dorcas agrees!!!
dorcas meadowes: it’s not bad!
lily evans: see!!!!!!!!
remus lupin: ringing endorsement, dorc
dorcas meadowes: i do mean it!! it’s sorta like sangria!
marlene mckinnon: i will try red wine and diet coke combo when i’m dead and buried and satan’s force feeding it to me for my sins
marlene mckinnon: so good luck
remus lupin: jesus
marlene mckinnon: i want to GO OUT though
marlene mckinnon: lets go OUT !!!!!
marlene mckinnon: senior year bitches!!!!!!!!!
marlene mckinnon: we can literally just go to Urban Dream down the street
marlene mckinnon: guys plEASE
marlene mckinnon: its literally right there!!!
marlene mckinnon: PLEASEEEE
remus lupin: oh my god literally no one said no
lily evans: i’m in for urban dream!
mary macdonald: me also!!!
dorcas meadowes: last time i went the bartender gave me a shirley temple on the house just bc they thought i was brave for ordering a shirley temple
dorcas meadowes: so i’m also in! :)
remus lupin: i’ll go
marlene mckinnon: HUZZAAAAAH
marlene mckinnon: SENIOR YEAR BITCHES!
lily evans: SENIOR YEAR!!!!
dorcas meadows: SENIOR YEAR!!!
mary macdonald: SENOIR YEAR BITHES
remus lupin: senoir year bithes <3
mary macdonald: i’ll hit you with my car!
remus lupin: you don’t have a car!
marlene mckinnon: changed the group name to senoir year bithes
remus lupin changed the group name to marlene you’re still taking the trash out tonight
lily evans: can you still grab some diet coke and red wine, mary?? i’ll venmo for whatever!
mary macdonald: got u!
mary macdonald: anyone else? I think marlene brought a handle of vodka from home???
remus lupin: oh???
remus lupin: maybe a mixer to pair with marlene’s gallon of midwestern liquor??
marlene mckinnon: i did in fact bring a handle of vodka from home!
marlene mckinnon: wisconsin’s finest <3
marlene mckinnon: you will not believe how difficult it was to fit that bitch into my suitcase
marlene mckinnon: the things we do for love!!
mary macdonald: i’ll get pineapple juice ?
marlene mckinnon: yummy!
iMessage
August 21, 2026
7:39 p.m.
marlene you’re still taking the trash out tonight
mary macdonald: what time are we leaving here
dorcas meadowes: i need another fifteen at least for makeup and another half hour for to get tastefully drunk off midwestern vodka
marlene mckinnon: rem and i are already three shots in you guys need to catch up
lily evans: i’ve got red wine diet coke going on in my room while i finish my hair if you want any dorc!
lily evans: is 8:30 too early to go to the bar
lily evans: i feel so out of touch with our peers sometimes
marlene mckinnon: thats because your predrink is diet coke and red wine
lily evans: i can’t even argue that
dorcas meadowes: lil coming to urs for fake sangria
dorcas meadowes: also i think 8:30 is good?
remus lupin: seconded
remus lupin: someone else needs to come out here and have a shot marlene’s force feeding me
mary macdonald: you guys are in a crisis, i’m on my way
mary macdonald: someone needs to tell me if my top is too booby anyway
marlene mckinnon: impossible
marlene mckinnon: nothing is ever TOO booby
lily evans: especially not at urban dream
dorcas meadowes: a bar w a disco seal (sea lion?) is definitely not questioning your tittage
marlene mckinnon: tittageeeee
marlene mckinnon: LOVE tittage
mary macdonald: too true!
lily evans: didn’t we name him last year? the disco seal (sea lion?)
mary macdonald: mmmm yes but i’m blanking
remus lupin: tyler
dorcas meadowes: TYLER!!!
mary macdonald: omfg TYLER
marlene mckinnon: he is suuuch a tyler
lily evans: i can’t believe i forgot! he’s SUCH a tyler!
remus lupin: tyler still our check in spot at 11:00?
mary macdonald: perf
marlene mckinnon: affirmative
lily evans: works for me
dorcas meadowes: yep!
marlene mckinnon: SENOIR YEAR BITHES!
iMessage
August 21, 2026
8:52 p.m.
mary macdonald, lily evans
mary macdonald: tf where are you???
mary macdonald: i don’t think i’m that drunk yet and i swear you were just at the bar ordering with me
lily evans: crisis
lily evans: hiding in bathroom
mary macdonald: oh well your drink is here
mary macdonald: should i bring it into the bathroom?
lily evans: no no
lily evans: the guy just walked in and i panicked
lily evans: i’ll be out in a second
mary macdonald: the GUY!!! oh man!!!
mary macdonald: maybe this year’s the year
mary macdonald: meaning the one where you finally say a single word to him
lily evans: ha! not likely!
lily evans: ok i’m coming, protect my spritz
mary macdonald: u got it babe
iMessage
August 21, 2026
9:27 p.m.
remus lupin, lily evans
remus lupin: i do not mean to alarm you
remus lupin: but i do believe marlene has engaged in conversation with one of the Guy’s friends
lily evans: oh dear god
lily evans: which one? the one with the cheekbones and the old money family or the one with the nice eyes that grew up on a farm
remus lupin: god they really did tell you everything
remus lupin: cheekbones
remus lupin: i’m standing close by to chaperone marlene
remus lupin: seems like the guy is doing the same for cheekbones friend? cheekbones friend and marlene are eeeeeerily similar
lily evans: oh dear goD
lily evans: jesus what do i do
lily evans: oh deat gd
remus lupin: stop all the blaspheming for one, your mother’s prayer group would be ashamed
remus lupin: for two, come here ?
remus lupin: he’s actually quite friendly
lily evans: YOUVE SPOKN TO HJM?????
lily evans: oh dear godt
lily evans: sorry judy’s prayer group
lily evans: oh dear
remus lupin: we exchanged pleasantries !
remus lupin: he made a joke at his friend’s expense that was p funny
remus lupin: and now he’s standing off to the side and just sort of just checking over his shoulder a ton
remus lupin: sorta suspect behavior actuallly
lily evans: god fine
lily evans: im comig
lily evans: this is only because i’ve had enouhg to drink to not think about this too hard
remus lupin: is that what all those “oh dear gods” were then?
lily evans: taking a shkt w marlenee first
remus lupin: bring me one?
lily evans: better yet ill bring me one
iMessage
August 21, 2026
9:39 p.m.
marlene mckinnon, dorcas meadowes
dorcas meadowes: is it just me
dorcas meadowes: or is lil standign in the same circle of peple as thae guy
marlene mckinnon: HAahah u mean james?
marlene mckinnon: The Guy is Jams
marlene mckinnon: we all know that do’t we??
marlene mckinnon: idk why never say it????
dorcas meadowes: bc it Scares lily
marlene mckinnon: righhhhhhht that
marlene mckinnon: fear of a name only increases fear of a thing itself
dorcas meadowes: wtf ???
dorcas meadowes: markene wtf was that
marlene mckinnon: wtf was what
dorcas meadowes: the ominous thjng you just said???
marlene mckinnon: m just ponderinng
marlene mckinnon: dont worry abt it
marlene mckinnon: anyway yeayes she standing wit him
dorcas meadowes: do we think shes okay?
marlene mckinnon: youll have to define okay
marlene mckinnon: he said one thing about te panda xpres in the student union and she buRSSTed out laughin
marlene mckinnon: like harder than she laughs at i think you should leave with tim robnnson
marlene mckinnon: and u know how she is abt the bones money skecht
dorcas meadowes: oh,,, oh no
dorcas meadowes: poor sweet lovesick babe
marlene mckinnon: meet me at tyler? I canot finish this long island need reinforcement
dorcas meadowes: oh FUCK yeh m there
iMessage
August 21, 2026
9:45 p.m.
mary macdonald, remus lupin
mary macdonald: have u noticed
remus lupin: the Guy is obsesssed with lily isnt he
mary macdonald: YES thats what i was going too saay !!!!!!!
mary macdonald: everytime i look over hes like STARIGN at her !
mary macdonald: i s aw his friend hjt the back of his head one timee
remus lupin: he spit his dirnk out whne she came up did uou see
remus lupin: got pink in the cheeks
remus lupin: said something abt orange chicekn and lils lost her shit
mary macdonald: oh my GOD
mary macdonald: oh my GDDDDDd
mary macdonald: lily loVEsss orang chickcne!!!!!!
mary macdonald: theyre gona get marrrrreid
mary macdonald: nd serve orange chickewn at rge receptiiohn
remus lupin: hed be so luckky!
mary macdonald: rewteet
remus lupin: u wan shot
remus lupin: ?
remus lupin: marls and i going for round
mary macdonald: yer meet u under the disco seal lion
remus lupin: TYLER!
iMessage
August 21, 2026
10:22 p.m.
remus lupin, lily evans
lily evans: where ARE YOU
lily evans: he SMILED AT ME and i am NOT NEARLY DRUNK ENOUGH TO HANDLE IT
lily evans: dear god im gonna pass out
lily evans: you disappeared and i just stood there for ten minute s before yelling rhat i needed to call my mom??????? which just wass not true?????? nor a good excuse????????
remus lupin: gren teaa shos at tyler right noiwish
lily evans: thank fuck get me four
iMessage
August 22, 2026
10:12 a.m.
tyler did not save us
mary macdonald: which one of you mfs is awake rn
lily evans: i’m grabbing a massive mcdonalds ubereats from the front door
lily evans: i got black coffees, mcgriddles and like a thousand hashbrowns whenever y’all are feeling brave
lily evans: will set everything (sans coffees) in the oven on low to warm
mary macdonald: first - i apologize for my tone
mary macdonald: second - i will marry you today lily evans you absolute fucking saint
marlene mckinnon: oh my god fucking HUSSSSSHHHHHH
mary macdonald: put your phone on do not disturb babe
marlene mckinnon: right ok see yall in a few
remus lupin: she means a few hours doesn’t she
dorcas meadowes: almost definitely
dorcas meadowes: thank u lils! gonna attempt to shower my glitter off and then will be out
remus lupin: we’ll be on the living room floor, watching twilight on mute for the foreseeable future
dorcas meadowes: i love living here
mary macdonald: crawling out of my cave be there in a few
mary macdonald: god i hate living upstairs
mary macdonald: i’m going to roll down i think
mary macdonald: beware
dorcas meadowes: idk if y’all heard that but she def just rolled down the stairs
remus lupin: oh we heard
lily evans: you ok mare?
dorcas meadowes: ????
lily evans: she made it, getting her hashbrowns now
mary macdonald: sometimes i feel like lily single handedly holds this apartment together
lily evans: i work hard to make this house a home!
remus lupin: owner of the uber one acct we all leech off of 🧎
mary macdonald: 🧎
dorcas meadowes: 🧎
lily evans: hate that! thanks!
Date: August 24, 2026
COMM 358: CONFIDENTIAL: Account Information and Partner Assignment
From: <Dr. Tina Lawney ([email protected])>
To: <Lily Evans ([email protected])>
Dear Lily,
Professor Lawney here! I am so glad to officially, personally, electronically meet you and to have you in this course! I know it’s a strange experience, so I truly hope you’ll feel open to reaching out if you need anything, have any questions, or just want to chat about the materials.
As mentioned in my previous message, below you will find a link to download our messaging software, your login information, and your partner’s account name. I’ve also attached a more extensive guide to working the messaging platform, although it should be fairly simple.
Consider this the official beginning of the course! Barring complications, we’d like for you to begin correspondence by the end of this week. We won’t be sending prompts until next week, so please take this time to ease in and connect on your own terms.
LINK TO DOWNLOAD
Account Name: Aurora1
Password: XF87RR2Y
Partner Account Assignment: Milwaukee1
Let us know if you have any trouble accessing the program, and good luck!
Sincerely,
Professor T. Lawney
[Anonymous Message: Aurora1 + Milwaukee1]
August 24, 2026
11:08 a.m.
Aurora1: hi! did i do this right? is this Milwaukee1?
Milwaukee1: yes! thats me!!
Milwaukee1: i mean APPARENTLY its me
Milwaukee1: i fear dr tina hates me a bit maybe??
Milwaukee1: why do you get AURORA??? a literal disney princess???
Milwaukee1: and i get the state capital of wisconsin???
Milwaukee1: actually is it the capital? im not even entirely sure thats correct
Aurora1: it’s madison!
Aurora1: the capital of wisconsin^
Aurora1: aurora’s also a mid-sized american city though! in colorado! so i bet that’s the theme
Milwaukee1: okay geography wizard!
Aurora1: hahah no, i have a friend from wisconsin
Aurora1: and i looked up “aurora USA” after seeing your name lol
Aurora1: had a hunch
Milwaukee1: ah well
Milwaukee1: still smart!
Aurora1: wait am i allowed to say that i have a friend from wisconsin?
Milwaukee1: i think so?? unless it’s code for YOU’RE from wisconsin
Milwaukee1: dr tina might remove you from the course for that
Aurora1: it is NOT code! i am not from wisconsin, dr. tina!
Aurora1: shit i probably shouldn’t say that either
Aurora1: i’m not not from wisconsin???
Milwaukee1: hahahah
Milwaukee1: good save
Milwaukee1: you don’t think dr. tina was lying about not being able to see our messages do you
Milwaukee1: not that i’m planning to admit to crimes or something in here
Aurora1: a lot of crimes to confess, milwaukee?
Milwaukee1: i will not be answering that question in the case that you use it to riddle out my identity
Milwaukee1: or in the case that this class is just a sting operation searching for young men who stole a book of car stickers from CVS when they were five
Milwaukee1: young men who ALLEGEDLY stole a book a car stickers from CVS when they were five
Aurora1: we got him boys
Milwaukee1: you’re joking but my heart dropped a little!
Aurora1: LOLL
Milwaukee1: lollll (only sort of joking)
Aurora1: i actually think they’re being honest abt the anonymity stuff
Aurora1: it feels pretty central to the course right? for the authenticity or whatever
Milwaukee1: you’re definitely right
Milwaukee1: i just had a really weird dream last night abt this class?? and it’s messing with me i think
Aurora1: …
Milwaukee1: ???
Aurora1: “really weird dream about this class”?? you can’t leave me in all this suspense
Milwaukee1: hahah ok ok sorry
Milwaukee1: basically
Milwaukee1: well do you know what dr. lawney looks like ?? bc that is a major part of this dream, so if you don’t i suggest giving her a google
Aurora1: i don’t think i do actually
Milwaukee1: i’ll hold for a moment while your life is transformed
Aurora1: oh! her hair is… long??
Milwaukee1: there it is
Aurora1: like very long
Milwaukee1: very long
Milwaukee1: dangerously long, even
Aurora1: hazardous for sure
Milwaukee1: if you ever find her in the wild on campus, you will notice the way it catches in the breeze behind her
Milwaukee1: and then flies into the faces of whoever’s behind her
Aurora1: harrowing visual thank you
Milwaukee1: so anyway i dreamed that she made me braid it as payment for getting her to make my partner someone specific and it kept flying into my face and getting in my mouth and there were bugs involved and i can’t stop thinking about it and that is why i’m scared of her
Aurora1: that is…
Milwaukee1: yeah
Aurora1: yeah
Aurora1: it looks like it’s one faulty step away from getting stuck in her birkenstocks
Milwaukee1: that sentence made my skin crawl thank you aurora1
Aurora1: at your service!
Aurora1: imagine she CAN actually see these messages and she shows up to campus next week with a bob
Milwaukee1: i think i’d be forced to remove myself from this course! good knowing you!
Aurora1: ahahahah
Aurora1: who was it??
Milwaukee1: who was who??
Aurora1: the person you wanted to be your partner so badly that you braided our professor’s hair in your sleep
Aurora1: i mean not specifically bc that would definitely be an “unacceptable share”
Aurora1: unless it’s just someone famous
Aurora1: was it ryan gosling
Aurora1: taylor swift
Milwaukee1: both also options i would absolutely braid tina’s hair to anonymously communicate with for a semester
Milwaukee1: but no
Milwaukee1: a little tamer than that
Milwaukee1: just this girl i’ve had a crush on for a bit
Aurora1: a CRUSH!!!!
Aurora1: wow
Aurora1: look at us, already getting vulnerable
Milwaukee1: overachievers
Aurora1: you must really like her if you’re willing to braid dr. tina’s hair to talk to her
Aurora1: alternatively: couldn’t you just ask for her number and take dr. tina out of the equation?
Milwaukee1: i do :/
Milwaukee1: and i coooould
Aurora1: but?
Milwaukee1: but! i do not know how to be chill around her
Milwaukee1: i’ve been low-grade obsessing over her for three years now, so there’s just no way any interaction i have with her will go smoothly
Milwaukee1: UNLESS it’s completely anonymous
Aurora1: ok i get that
Aurora1: crushes are scary
Aurora1: i saw the guy i like out in public recently and i hid in the bathroom for fifteen minutes :)
Milwaukee1: SEE! ive barely spoken to her and every time i do it’s like i forget how to be myself?
Milwaukee1: and i swear i am typically a very charming boy! im very personable! i did debate in high school! and student government!! AND theater!!! ANDDD swim and basketball ok!!! i know how to talk to ppl!
Aurora1: have you tried giving her your resume?
Milwaukee1: stOPPP
Milwaukee1: i’m trusting you with my SOUL here aurora
Aurora1: sorry sorry yes i believe you!
Aurora1: you’re a charming boy!!!
Aurora1: i have minimal information about you but i can already tell you’re personable!
Milwaukee1: well yeah my high school extracurriculars ARE really all there is to know about me
Aurora1: ahahahah
Milwaukee1: lolll
Aurora1: class complete i guess!
Milwaukee1: no you have to share yours! you have an unfair advantage now!! you know WAY too much and i know nothing except that you have a “friend” from wisconsin
Aurora1: hahahah ok ok
Aurora1: i played tennis, was on newspaper and yearbook staff, orchestra, ALSO student government (treasurer /secretary then vp), and ASL club
Milwaukee1: oh jesus
Milwaukee1: you were one of those kids
Milwaukee1: now i feel embarrassed
Aurora1: “those kids”?
Milwaukee1: the ones who do EVERYTHING and do it all super well and you’re also probably super nice and smart and popular on top of everything else
Milwaukee1: like i bet you were top of your class
Aurora1: …
Milwaukee1: STOP
Aurora1: i was salutatorian so not, like, TOP
Milwaukee1: oh my god that is exactly what someone who was salutatorian would say
Milwaukee1: brb going to salutatorian.net to track down your identity
Aurora1: HA
Aurora1: well it seems like you were one of “those kids” too
Aurora1: be honest were you prom king
Milwaukee1: …
Aurora1: HAH
Milwaukee1: it was an accident!!
Aurora1: oh my godddd of course you were
Aurora1: i cannot believe i get to talk with THE prom king of redacted high school in redacted city, redacted state
Milwaukee1: not many people get to say that!
Aurora1: i’d argue no people have ever said that before actually
Milwaukee1: hahahaaha
Aurora1: hahaha
Milwaukee1: anyway i’m heading into class, but we’ll chat more later?
Aurora1: same! sounds like a plan, milwaukee!
Milwaukee1: HA bye aurora!
iMessage
August 24, 2026
11:26 a.m.
lily evans: dude
lily evans: dude what the fuuuuck
remus lupin: dude
remus lupin: context?
lily evans: just walked into my editing techniques class
lily evans: the one that i didn’t have last week bc it’s mon/wed right
lily evans: it’s like fifteen of us and there were only a few seats left in the room, and i wasn’t fully paying attention bc i was chatting w alice right?? and we grabbed the only two seats left next to each other
lily evans: so anyway guess who’s sitting on my other side right now
remus lupin: oh my god
remus lupin: no way
remus lupin: hahahahahahah
remus lupin: i didn’t even know he was in journalism???
lily evans: me EITHER and i’ve been in the damn major for three years!!!!
remus lupin: how are you texting me rn if he’s next to you
lily evans: i’m fully leaned over into alice’s side basically in her lap at this point
lily evans: she says hi btw
lily evans: she also says i should introduce myself
lily evans: o oh godwait
remus lupin: lily???
remus lupin: lils??
iMessage
August 24, 2026
11:28 a.m.
alice fortescue: hey, he started talking to her lol
remus lupin: oh god
remus lupin: is she doing ok
alice fortescue: yeah actually being very normal!
alice fortescue: he just turned to her and was all “lily, right?”
alice fortescue: and she was just yes! james, yeah? good to see you
alice fortescue: they’re talking journalism now
alice fortescue: hometowns now
alice fortescue: shockingly tame really
remus lupin: i am amazed at them
remus lupin: you should have seen them at the bar on friday
remus lupin: two feet apart and not a WORD was spoken directly to the other
alice fortescue: see that sounds more like lily
alice fortescue: not in most situations, i’ve seen her chase down football players for quotes
alice fortescue: just this one dude for whatever reason
alice fortescue: ok ok prof here bYEEE
remus lupin: bye!! remind me but we should knitting circle soon!!
alice fortescue: GOD YES knitting circle! will text!!
iMessage
August 24, 2026
1:02 p.m.
james potter: ok so im absolutely motherfucking screwed
sirius black: fifteen shots of tequila absolutely motherfucking screwed or a call a lawyer absolutely motherfucking screwed
james potter: tequila absolutely motherfucking screwed
james potter: and also a sturdy wall i can run through
james potter: i just got out of class
james potter: lilys in it
james potter: sat next to her
james potter: spoke to her
james potter: sounded like an absolute douchebag
james potter: “where are you from? colorado? no way!” jesus fucking christ
sirius black: i cannot talk to you when you’re like this, man
sirius black: you have GOT to get a grip
sirius black: did she speak back to you at all or was this a one-sided conversation??
james potter: obviously she spoke back shes perfect and wonderful and kind and she laugheddddd
sirius black: i’m not really seeing the problem
james potter: im not going to be able to be chill for an entire semester
james potter: somethings gotta give
sirius black: thank you diane keaton
sirius black: you were doing just fine talking to her at the bar? i thought we were making progress
james potter: i barely talked to her at the bar
james potter: i stood and spoke in her general vicinity at the bar
james potter: and i was drunk at the bar
james potter: i cant be drunk in class
james potter: thats called alcoholism
sirius black: i’m leaving this conversation now!
james potter: NO dont i need to talk to someone so i dont do something terrible like throw myself in the fountain
james potter: youd feel so guilty if i drowned in the fountain
james potter: and how would you tell mom
sirius black: the fountain is barely one foot deep and it’s like 60% beer
sirius black: i think you’d make it, maybe even get a buzz out of it
james potter: sirius brother mine what do i do
sirius black: fucking god i gtg