Ping

Luna stared at the screen, blinking like she’d just imagined it.

CJ_Offline: “Oh! Someone’s online, how are you.”

The message sat there, simple, almost innocent. But it didn’t make sense. She didn’t remember downloading this app, much less using it. The logo looked old, like something designed before sleek UIs became the norm—chunky buttons, retro typeface, dark background. There was no indication of a server, no logo from a tech company. Just Offline.

Her brow furrowed. “Okay... weird.”

She leaned forward, fingers hesitating above the keyboard. Against her better judgment, she typed a response.

Luna: Uh... hi? I didn’t think this app even worked

A pause. She watched the screen, unsure why her heart beat faster with every second.

Then—

CJ_Offline is typing…

Her stomach did a little flip.

CJ_Offline: No way. You’re real? Thought I was shouting into a void.

Luna: You probably are.

CJ_Offline: Rude.

CJ_Offline: I’m CJ. And clearly, I have excellent timing. Who are you?

Luna smirked despite herself.

Luna: Luna. And I don’t remember installing this app, so... either you’re a very persistent ghost or I’m going crazy.

CJ_Offline: If I’m a ghost, I’m the charming kind. The ones you fall in love with in sad indie movies.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.

Luna: That’s exactly what a ghost would say.

CJ_Offline: Sh*t. You caught me. Boo.

She laughed softly, staring at the flickering screen. There was something oddly comforting about the conversation, like finding an old diary you didn’t know you needed to read.

Luna: So… how’d you end up on here?

CJ_Offline: Boredom. Curiosity. The usual. It was just sitting there on my computer, and I figured, why not? Didn’t expect a reply though.

Luna: Same. I found this laptop in my attic today. It’s ancient. I didn’t think it’d even power on.

CJ_Offline: Well, thank god for ancient tech, huh?

Luna: Don’t push it. I might ghost you.

CJ_Offline: Please. You’d miss me in five minutes.

Luna bit her lip, trying not to grin like a fool. The conversation flowed so easily it was almost unsettling. She didn’t even know this guy—CJ—and yet, it felt... nice. Like finding an old friend in the middle of nowhere.

Just a fluke, she told herself. Just a random chat on a forgotten app. Nothing weird.

Nothing magical.

She closed the laptop halfway and rested her chin on her knees, thinking.

Maybe she’d message him again tomorrow. Maybe not.

But when the screen dimmed, she already missed the little blinking text:

CJ_Offline is typing…

She closed the laptop halfway and rested her chin on her knees, thinking.

Maybe she’d message him again tomorrow. Maybe not.

But when the screen dimmed, she already missed the little blinking text:

CJ_Offline is typing…

She sighed and leaned back, arms wrapped around her legs. There was something odd about this whole thing, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. The way he typed, the way he spoke—it didn’t feel like a bot or a troll. He felt... real.

Too real.

And something about that made her stomach twist—in a good way.

Luna didn’t know what she had just stepped into.

But part of her already wanted to dive deeper.

Just one more message couldn’t hurt… right?

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