chapter 4- An unexpected connection

Natalie woke up to sunlight streaming through her bedroom window. It was the first morning in weeks that she didn't feel an overwhelming sense of dread. The emptiness in her chest hadn't vanished, but it felt a little less heavy.

She shuffled into the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee, her usual routine slowly returning. Her phone buzzed on the counter, and she picked it up to see a message from Emma.

Emma: Morning! How are you feeling?

Natalie: Still alive, so there's that.

Emma: Progress! Keep going. Let's do dinner tonight. My treat.

Natalie: I'll think about it.

After sending the message, Natalie scrolled through her phone aimlessly. Her fingers hovered over the app store, and before she realized what she was doing, she typed in "social connection apps." Emma's suggestion about meeting new people had stuck in her mind, even though the idea still felt daunting.

She downloaded a simple, low-pressure app—nothing flashy or romantic. It was marketed as a place for people to chat and share their interests. Natalie told herself it wasn't about dating, just about having a conversation with someone who didn't know her or her story.

Creating a profile felt strange. She kept it vague—just her first name, a few of her hobbies, and a profile picture of her sitting on a bench at the park. Nothing too revealing. She wasn't looking to impress anyone, just to feel a little less isolated.

Later that evening, Natalie found herself scrolling through the app while sitting on her couch. Most of the messages she received were generic and uninspiring:

"Hey, how's it going?"

"What's up?"

"You're beautiful. Let's chat."

She rolled her eyes and ignored them. She was about to log off when a new message popped up.

Adrian: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Natalie hesitated, her finger hovering over the screen. It was such a random question, but that's what made it stand out. Against her better judgment, she replied.

Natalie: Pizza. It's versatile. You?

Adrian: Solid choice. I'd go with tacos. Unlimited combinations.

Natalie: You make a good point. But tacos are messy.

Adrian: Life is messy. Might as well enjoy the tacos.

She couldn't help but smile. There was something refreshing about the lighthearted conversation. Adrian didn't ask her the usual questions, and he wasn't trying too hard to impress her. It was just… easy.

The conversation flowed naturally from there. They talked about favorite movies, childhood memories, and places they wanted to travel to. Adrian told her he was an architect who loved sketching buildings he'd probably never have the budget to create. Natalie told him about her love for books and her failed attempts at painting.

For the first time in a long while, she found herself laughing.

The next day, Natalie found herself checking the app more often than she wanted to admit. Adrian had sent her another message that morning, asking if she'd ever read a book that changed her perspective on life.

She replied quickly. "Not really. But I'm open to recommendations."

Adrian responded with a list of titles, and she promised to check them out. Their exchanges became a welcome distraction from the heaviness in her life. She didn't tell him about Jason or the wedding—it felt too soon and too personal—but she appreciated the way Adrian never pushed for more than she was willing to share.

Over the course of the week, they settled into a rhythm. Natalie found herself looking forward to his messages, his humor, and the way he managed to make even mundane topics interesting. It was like talking to an old friend, even though they were strangers.

One evening, Emma noticed the change in Natalie's demeanor.

"You've been smiling at your phone a lot lately," Emma said, raising an eyebrow as they sat at a diner. "Who's the lucky guy?"

Natalie rolled her eyes. "It's not like that. Just someone I've been chatting with on that app you suggested."

Emma grinned. "Ah, so my genius idea worked! What's his name?"

"Adrian," Natalie admitted. "But it's not serious or anything. It's just nice to talk to someone who doesn't know… you know, everything."

Emma reached across the table and squeezed Natalie's hand. "I'm glad you're putting yourself out there, Nat. Even if it's just a conversation, it's a step forward."

Natalie smiled, realizing Emma was right. Adrian wasn't a solution to her problems, but he was helping her remember that life could still be good, even after heartbreak.

That night, Natalie lay in bed, scrolling through their latest conversation. Adrian had sent her a picture of a sketch he'd done—a breathtaking drawing of a lighthouse overlooking a rocky shore.

Adrian: This is one of my favorites. What do you think?

Natalie: It's beautiful. You're really talented.

Adrian: Thanks. Maybe one day I'll take you to see it in person.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly shook her head. It was just a casual remark, nothing more. Still, the idea lingered in her mind as she drifted off to sleep.

For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of hope.