*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2324007-A-Summer-Of-Lost-Connections
by Quesha
Rated: E · Short Story · Romance/Love · #2324007
Shy Myra and Nautica text, miscommunicate, and regret.
Myra was a short girl with a rich, chocolate complexion and expressive eyes that seemed to capture everything around her. Her classmates often called her “Monkey,” a nickname she had grown accustomed to, but deep down, she longed to be seen as more than just her outward appearance. One day, while glancing around her classroom, her eyes landed on Nautica, a short, mixed-race boy who always sat at the back. His light brown skin, curly hair, and thoughtful demeanor intrigued her. They had always seen each other but this time was different there was something about him that drew her in.
Despite their mutual curiosity, neither Myra nor Nautica could muster the courage to speak to each other about their feelings. The school year ended with nothing more than fleeting glances and silent wishes. As summer break approached, Myra wondered if she would ever get the chance to know him.
One hot summer day, Myra’s phone buzzed with a message from an account number. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized it was from Nautica. “Hey, it’s Nautica from school. How’s your summer so far?” he wrote. Myra’s hands trembled with excitement as she typed a response. They quickly fell into a rhythm of daily texting, sharing stories about their lives, favorite movies, and dreams for the future.
Their conversations were easy and natural, filled with jokes and shared interests. Myra couldn’t believe how much they had in common. Each message from Nautica brought a smile to her face, and she found herself eagerly waiting for his texts. Unbeknownst to Myra, Nautica’s friend Amatuta was the one who had encouraged him to reach out. Amatuta, with his bald, charismatic presence and intuitive understanding of people, knew that Nautica and Myra would make a great pair.
Amatuta took it upon himself to act as the unseen hand guiding Myra and Nautica closer together. He frequently texted both of them, offering advice and encouragement. “Just tell her you like her, man!” Amatuta urged Nautica one evening. Nautica, despite his growing feelings for Myra, was unsure and nervous. He appreciated Amatuta’s support but wasn’t sure if he could take the leap.
Meanwhile, Myra confided in her best friend, Kari, about her blossoming feelings for Nautica. Kari, with her boundless optimism and supportive nature, encouraged Myra to keep talking to him. “He’s definitely into you, girl! Just give it time,” Kari reassured her. Their late-night conversations were filled with hopes and dreams, and Myra felt a warmth she had never experienced before.
One evening, after a particularly encouraging pep talk from Amatuta, Nautica decided to confess his feelings. His hands shook as he typed out his message: “Myra, I really like you. Do you want to be my girlfriend?” He hit send and waited anxiously for her response. Myra’s heart pounded as she read his words. With a beaming smile, she replied, “Yes, I’d love to!”
Amatuta’s plan had worked, and the two were officially dating. Myra couldn’t wait to tell Kari, who squealed with delight at the news. “I told you it would work out!” Kari exclaimed. Myra felt like she was on cloud nine, envisioning a summer filled with sweet messages and romantic dreams.
Myra and Nautica’s relationship flourished through their phones. They texted each other constantly, from the moment they woke up until they fell asleep. Late-night phone calls became a regular occurrence, filled with laughter, shared secrets, and plans for their future together. Myra felt happier than ever, believing they had something truly special.
Their conversations were filled with playful banter and deep talks about their hopes and fears. Nautica loved how Myra could make him laugh and feel understood at the same time. Myra adored how Nautica always knew the right thing to say to make her feel better. Amatuta and Kari continued to cheer them on, thrilled to see their friends so happy.
As time went on, Nautica’s texts became less frequent. He believed that being nonchalant would make him seem cooler and more mature. Nautica thought that girls didn’t want a guy who was too eager or clingy. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize that Myra needed constant communication to feel secure in their relationship.
Myra noticed the change almost immediately. She began to feel a growing sense of unease as Nautica’s messages became sporadic. “Is everything okay?” she would text, only to receive short, delayed responses. The conversations that once flowed so easily now felt stilted and forced. Myra confided in Kari, who tried to reassure her. “Maybe he’s just busy,” Kari suggested. But Myra couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Myra’s anxiety grew with each passing day. She spent hours staring at her phone, waiting for Nautica’s replies. When they did talk, the conversations felt different. Nautica seemed distracted, and Myra felt like she was losing him. Her friends noticed her distress, but she kept her worries to herself, not wanting to burden them.
Meanwhile, Amatuta sensed something was off with Nautica. “What’s going on, man? You barely talk to Myra anymore,” he confronted his friend one day. Nautica shrugged, unsure how to explain his behavior. “I don’t want to seem too clingy. I thought girls liked guys who play it cool,” he admitted. Amatuta shook his head, realizing that Nautica’s attempt to be nonchalant was driving a wedge between them.
The breaking point came when Nautica left Myra on read for 48 hours. Myra felt a sharp pain in her chest as she stared at the unanswered message. She couldn’t understand why he was acting this way. The pain of feeling neglected and unimportant weighed heavily on her.
Desperate for answers, Myra turned to Kari. “I don’t know what to do. He’s barely talking to me,” she confessed. Kari talked to her, trying to offer comfort. “Maybe you should talk to him about how you’re feeling,” she suggested. But Myra was too hurt and scared to confront Nautica directly.
Myra couldn’t take it any longer. Instead of confronting Nautica about her feelings, she decided to end things. She sent a message not sharing her feelings saying, “I think we should break up” Her fingers trembled as she hit send, knowing this was the end of their relationship.
Nautica was devastated when he read her message. He hadn’t realized how much his behavior had hurt her. Despite his sadness, he didn’t express his feelings to anyone, not even replying to her message asking why. When Amatuta asked what had happened, Nautica shrugged it off, pretending he didn’t care. “It wasn’t meant to be,” he said, hiding his true feelings.
In the aftermath of the breakup, both Myra and Nautica felt the weight of their lost connection. Amatuta tried to cheer Nautica up, but nothing seemed to lift his spirits. Myra, too, felt the sting of their breakup, confiding in Kari about her heartache. “I thought he really liked me,” she said, wiping away tears.
Both Myra and Nautica were left with unspoken regrets and unanswered questions. They wondered if things could have been different if they had just talked openly and honestly with each other. Their story, marked by misunderstandings and missed opportunities, served as a poignant reminder of the importance of communication and honesty in relationships. Despite their sadness, they both learned valuable lessons about love, trust, and the need to speak their hearts.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY
© Copyright 2024 Quesha (sohwaskz at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates have been granted non-exclusive rights to display this work.
Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/2324007-A-Summer-Of-Lost-Connections