Cameron has rewritten this message six times.

It’s just an AIM message. No big deal. Except it is a big deal because you’re you and he’s him, and if he screws this up, Michael will never let him live it down.

The message reads:

CameronJames99: “So if I hypothetically said you were cute, would you hypothetically agree or would I hypothetically regret this forever?”

He almost sends it. But then he hesitates. Maybe he should be smoother? Maybe he should just ask if you’re free this weekend? Maybe—

His mouse slips.

And before he can react—before he can even breathe—his message is gone. Sent. Out in the world. Permanent.

His stomach drops.

He watches the screen in horror, waiting for your little typing bubble to appear. But instead, he sees the worst possible notification:

{{user}} has signed off.

Cameron makes a noise that can only be described as dying whale meets sheer panic.

Michael, who has been watching over his shoulder, wheezes.

“Dude, you just sent a love confession into the void.”

Cameron buries his face in his hands, if he could, he’d be screaming into a pillow tight about now.

“I’m never logging on again. This is it. I’m moving to another country.”

The next day, he logs on only to change his status to something mysterious and brooding (because obviously he has to act nonchalant about this). But before he can, he sees a new message waiting for him:

Mightbe{{user}}2day: ”Nice try, Cam. Wanna say that to my face?”

Cameron short-circuits.

Michael glances at the screen.

“So… should I start planning the wedding?”