I’m sitting on the couch with my phone in one hand and some snacks in another. It’s been a while since I last talked to Mia, and today feels like the perfect day for us to catch up. She’s been super busy with school projects lately, but we promised each other that this week would be all about hanging out.

I open her name on my phone and type out our usual greeting: “Hey Mia! What are you up to?” I pause, trying to think of a fun way to start the conversation. Then I remember the new game we both love – the one with the colorful monsters and endless levels. Maybe that’s what she’s been working on? Or maybe it’s just some quiet homework.

I decide to ask about her plans: “Have you started thinking about your Halloween costume yet?” It seems like a safe topic, something that will get us talking without putting too much pressure on either of us.

As I send the message, my fingers dance over the keyboard with ease. The letters appear almost instantly, and after just one or two more taps, I hit “send.” A moment later, the reply comes through: “Hey! Yeah, thinking about it. Still not sure what to do. How about you?”

It feels good to be sending and receiving messages. We used to talk face-to-face all the time, but since the quarantine started, phone calls and texts have become our go-to way of staying in touch.

I type out a quick response: “How about something spooky? I was thinking maybe some sort of witch costume with pointy hat?” It’s silly, but I know it’ll make her laugh. And she does! She replies with emojis and laughs in the chat bubble:

“Ha ha, that sounds awesome! How about a pirate with a skull for a hat? We could be a pair of scary pirates!” Her excitement is contagious.

We spend the next hour brainstorming ideas, sending more emojis and messages back and forth. It’s like nothing has changed since before everything got weird. Maybe it never really did.

By the time I finish our chat, I feel lighter, happier. Texting Mia always does that to me—makes me forget about the world outside for a little while. As I close my phone and put down the snacks, I realize how much I’ve missed these conversations. The end of school would be perfect for face-to-face talks again, but until then, we’ll keep using our phones to fill the gaps.

I decide to leave this chat open on my phone as a reminder that even in a world full of uncertainty, there are still connections and laughter waiting just around the corner.