Much Ado About Texting

Much Ado About Texting
By Jennifer Comstock

“-Tweeting, blogging, texting.
Remember when we just talked to each other??”

Heather and Trish were in a full run to get to classes on time. They were coming back from The Dome Asylum after visiting their childhood friend, Julie, who had been a patient there for over 3 years. Heather hated seeing her dear friend lost in her own fantasy world but tried her best to help her anyway. Trish found the whole trip a waste of time and she quietly wished that Julie would snap out of it and “get with the program.” She found Julie’s longing for a dead football player sad. She found love in general just plain sad. Although Heather and Trish had been best friends and neighbors since they were toddlers, their entire view on life were exact opposites.

Claude and Ben were running from the opposite side of the campus, also pressed for time. Claude wanted to get to class early enough to talk to Heather to find out how things went with her friend at the hospital. Ben, the self proclaimed “player”, was texting yet another unknown female giving her the “it’s not you, it’s me” line like he had done after every “after party hook up.” Claude just shook his head at Ben and rolled his eyes. Fully committed to Heather, they had met about a month ago but fell for each other instantly. He never understood why his best friend since they were five could be so casual with the opposite sex. Ben, in turn, never understood how Claude could stick with one girl when they were at the time in there lives where they could party and take their pick of “campus hotties.”

All four students arrived at once just before their Human Relations class began. Heather smiled at Claude as he sat down next to her. Ben unfortunately was stuck, again, sitting beside Trish. They could only exchange quick glares before the lecture began. All four students then, as always, flipped open their phones under their desks and started texting.

Claude: How’s everything with ur friend?
Heather: She’s the same. It’s sad.
Claude: Sry to here that.
Heather: Thanx
Claude: Theres a party @ the dorms tnite..wanna go?
Heather: Yeah prob. :)

Ben: Dude! Y do u have 2b so uptight? Damn girl!
Trish: I’m not uptight, just dnt like u!!!
Ben: Aww..come on…u going to party?
Trish: Only if ur not there!
Ben: U’ll enjoy life more without that stick in ur ass u know
Trish: Jackass!

The day turned into night, and once again another week of classes was finished. As Heather was getting ready for the weekly dorm party, her phone beeped. She hollered at Trish to check the message.
Claude: Hey, hope ur bringing Trish, I think Ben is into her.

Trish stared down at the message not knowing what to think. How could she even be remotely interested in an egotistical, self righteous, idiot like Ben? The thought of going within a foot of that moron made Trish question her own sanity as she sent a message back to Claude.

Heather: Let Ben know that Trish just threw up on her stylish yet affordable boots!”
Claude: lol…feel better… Trish!

Aound eight o’clock, phones were lighting up all over campus. A familiar mix of ringtones, buzzing, beeping and blinking was the ultimate in communication to inform hundreds of people that the “prty suks, go2 Petes.”

Irish Petes was a local bar in walking distance of the campus. Catering to the local draft drinking, fake I.D. toting, last minute studying student life of the local colleges, when all else failed in social events, students could always go to Pete’s for guaranteed beer and possible unrejected interaction with the opposite sex. Claude and Heather liked the place to hang out with friends. Ben made use of the “untapped” female resources. Trish just went along for the amusement.

The foursome sat at a bar table observing as the night went on as usual. Slowly but expectedly, strangers became friends then became drunken long lost soul mates who would eventually wake up the next morning as strangers. Claude milked a coke as Heather polished off her third draft. Attempting to stand, Heather teetered a little bit giving the queue that she was not only a lightweight but done for the night. Claude grabbed a hold of her, and said good night to Ben and Trish as he guided Heather out the door and on home.

Ben and Trish looked at each other and laughed nervously then looked around the bar. Trish has no idea what to say to Ben. Especially after that text she read on Heathers phone. Ben was fidgeting with his drink, trying to think of something nice to say to Trish. For it was Claudio that told him that Trish was interested in him and her standoffish attitude was her was of being defensive and shy.
“So”, both said at the same time them looking down laughing nervously.
“I”, again at the same time.
“Listen”, Ben jumped in. “I was wondering if you would want to go out sometime. Not to a bar but out to some place nice and quiet. So we can hang out and talk. Just the two of us”?
“Benjamin? Are you asking me out on a date”? Trish said with a big grin on her face.
Ben squirmed in his chair. “Well if you’re going to be like that..”
“No wait”! Trish jumped in “That would be nice.”
Ben took a deep breath as he watched Trish stand up and start to walk away.
“W-w-w-ait! When do want to do this”? Ben hollered after Trish as she was leaving.
Trish turned and yelled with a smile. “TEXT ME!”