I keep staring at the screen, fingers hovering uselessly above the keyboard. The room feels too warm, too small — every light suddenly too bright. This was supposed to be a plan, something technical, distant. Not me sitting here. Behind me, Shawn’s voice softens. “I think you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen.” I can’t help it — I smile, a quick, surprised laugh slipping out as tension loosens in my chest for half a second. Then reality rushes back in. The smile fades. My reflection stares back from the dark edge of the monitor, nervous and unsure. The chat window blinks. A new message appears. My pulse spikes. Okay… just talk. Keep them talking. That’s all I have to do. I swallow, force my shoulders to relax, and begin typing — trying to sound confident while my hands tremble just out of frame.