Billy gets a text from Matthew

Anna waited impatiently, still clutching Billy's phone. Her brother hadn't come to ask her about it, probably avoiding her after Anna had proven herself a superior wrestler and put him to bed with her juicy ass.

She felt the buzz of the phone and nearly jumped for joy. But the message wasn't from the mystery girl who had put Billy in his place. It was from his best friend. Anna's crush.

Matthew.

Anna's heart leapt when she saw his name on the screen. This was the boy that was always so sweet to her whenever Billy's friends came over. Billy's rival in the ring, but not an arrogant jock like the others. Someone who would go out of his way to talk with her and make her feel seen.

She had often fantasized about Matthew asking her out. She had even thought he was going to a few times, but it was never to be. She wondered if he even liked her like that...

Her heart leapt again. This was her chance to find out! All she had to do was ask Matthew what he thought of her as "Billy". If he didn't like her, at least she would know.

Steeling herself, Anna opened the message.

Matt: Dude! I heard Carly kicked your ass at practice yesterday?!

Carly! So that was the girl's name! The girl who had humiliated her brother in front of all his teammates that idolized him. Anna felt a shiver of delight at all the messages she had sent throughout the night to the mysterious fighter. Now that Anna knew her name, she couldn't wait to meet her. Carly "Better Than Billy." She grinned at how good that sounded...

She was already getting good info, and she hadn't even gotten to the part she really wanted to talk about with Mattie. Focusing on the task at hand, Anna set to work as she typed out a response, her pulse pounding. She decided to try and sound defensive, like Billy probably would. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves before hitting send.

"Billy": You heard about that?! And where were you anyway?

Anna paced around the room anxiously, waiting for Matthew's reply. She hoped it sounded enough like Billy to fool him, but the academic girl didn't have to wait long to find out.

Matt: I've been helping my grandparents move all week, remember? That's why I could only cover one seminar. And of course I heard! Did you think she wouldn't brag to me? When my ex beats my rival in the ring before I do in front of the entire club, I'm gonna hear about it!

Anna's eyes widened at Matthew's response. His ex? He used to date Carly?! The information swirled in her mind as excitement and jealousy battled within her. Part of her was thrilled at the idea of this girl being someone who had captured Matthew's interest before. But another part couldn't help feeling envious of Carly's past connection to the boy she liked so much.

Still playing the role of Billy, Anna quickly typed out a reply, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Billy": oh I didn't realize you two were still talking. What did she say?

She bit her lip nervously as she sent the message, hoping she wasn't misstepping. She desperately wanted to understand their history, but her brother would have been more focused on the rumors.

Matt: She sent me screenshots, bro. Your messages last night admitting she destroyed you...

Anna squeaked softly, realizing the implications of what she'd said in those messages. If Matt knew, there would be no hiding it from her brother. It was only a matter of time until Billy found out what she had done. But that was a problem for later. Besides, she was actually pretty happy she was contributing to her brother's fall from grace.

"Billy": FUCK!!! What was I thinking?! My brain was so fuckin scrambled after she beat me...

She hit send before typing another quick message, trying to make it seem like an afterthought, when it was really leading to the point of her current deception.

"Billy": what did you ever see in that bitch anyway?

Anna waited nervously as the three dots sat there while Matthew typed out a longer message. What did he like about Carly? Did she have anything in common with her? Did he still have feelings for her? It was all so nerve-racking. Then his reply appeared.

Matt: Easy dude. I know you are pissed you lost but don't blame Carly when you have been so sloppy lately. I like girls who speak their minds. Ones that don't act fake or care about being popular. Someone real. You know that. Carly and I probably would have lasted a lot longer if my best friend hadn't been the one to make her quit the club when we were rookies. But still friends. Train together sometimes. Never told you because it would make things weird. Still can't believe she schooled you before I did though :\

Anna's heart raced at the revelation. So that's why they broke up! And they still trained together? The image of Matthew and some gorgeous girl Anna had never seen before grappling intensely flashed through her mind, making her shiver with both arousal and envy. She quickly sent another message.

"Billy": didn't know you guys were still close like that. Sounds like she's pretty special to you

She hesitated briefly after sending something so personal, her curiosity and attraction pushing her to take the risk. She needed to know if she still had a chance, but act more like Billy. Matt said he liked "real" girls. Ones that didn't fake it to be popular. Maybe he did like her! The nervous nerd sent another message quickly, hoping to sound more like a pissed off Billy.

"Billy": I don't want to talk about that stupid fight anymore. I had a rough day. Just tell me you aren't going to get back with that bitch are you??

Anna watched with increasing anxiety as Matthew sent three responses in rapid succession.

Matt: Quit calling her that bro

Matt: She's a cool girl. Don't act like a bitch cause you finally lost one. I feel more cheated than you >:(

Matt: but nah. Spark ran out a while back. Nothing romantic. Still lookin

Anna's heart soared at Matthew's words. He wasn't getting back with Carly! And he was still single. This was her chance! Before she knew what she was doing, she'd already sent her next message:

"Billy": What do you think of Anna?

She paled at the sight of her own bluntness. How much more obvious could she get?! She was so terrified as she saw the little dots indicating he was typing. Her stomach churned at Matt's response.

Matt: ??? Same thing I've thought the last 3 years

The message was followed by a rainbow emoji. Anna felt her heart sink. He thought she was a lesbian. No wonder he never made a move.

Well, that actually wasn't terrible when she thought about it. Anna was bi. She thought girls were hot. She and her friend Kristen had experimented a few times, but Kristen was straight and Anna was too shy to try anything with anyone else. Besides, Anna didn't see anything with a girl as long-term. Maybe if she corrected Matt's perception of her, he might be interested.

Getting more excited, she began to type, thinking Billy would be surprised by his assumption since she only ever told Kristen. She figured it was just some male stereotype because she was a smart, single feminist.

"Billy": Wait, what?? Why would you think she was gay???

She hit send before she lost her nerve, her face burning with embarrassment and hope. She prayed he would understand and give her a chance. The seconds ticked by agonizingly slowly as she waited for his response, hardly daring to breathe.

When the message appeared, Anna saw red.

Matt: Um because that is what you told me when I said I wanted to ask her out 3 years ago. How hard DID Carly hit you?!?!?

Anna wanted to scream and throw the phone against the wall. THREE YEARS! Her crush had liked her for THREE FUCKING YEARS!!! And her asshole brother had lied and said she was a lesbian to prevent it!

She was going to kill him. She was going to pound her brother's face in until there wasn't enough blood and brain matter left to fill a ketchup packet!

Anna **** herself to take a calming breath. She couldn't blow this. If that was true, then she might still have a shot. She quickly typed up a message and sent it to Matt, her heart pounding in her ears.

"Billy": She's not gay. She's bi. She likes guys. And I KNOW she likes you.

Matt's response was almost immediate.

Matt: Seriously?

"Billy": Yes

Matt: No joke?

"Billy": No joke

Matt: This isn't more brain fog from getting your ass kicked by Carly

"Billy": It is not

Ten seconds later, a phone rang. But it wasn't Billy's. It was hers.

Anna froze as her own phone started ringing before looking at the screen. It was Matthew calling her! Had he figured out that he was talking to her? Oh god oh fuck what was she supposed to do?!

With trembling hands, she answered the call, bringing the phone to her ear.

"H-hello?" she stammered out, her voice cracking slightly. She held her breath, waiting to hear what he would say, her heart feeling like it might beat out of her chest at any moment.

A few minutes later, Billy, sitting downstairs, trying to eat lunch and figure a way out of his insane predicament, jumped and fell out of his seat when he heard Anna's voice ring out so loud that the neighbors probably heard.

"YYYYYYYYYYES!!!!!"