Electronic Ecstasy: Love Unlocked

"Sexting...is a relatively new phenomenon."

"It's not a phenomenon! It's a way to describe the act of sending sexually suggestive texts, images, or videos. The word "phenomenon" doesn't apply here. There's nothing new about it!"

My mother and I were sitting at the kitchen table, both of us staring intently at our phones and occasionally making a face that implied we were reading something horrible. I had been sent yet another sext when my mother interrupted me.

"I'm just saying that the time period in which it's used has only been around for a few years. In the future, this will be considered a historical term."

"Fine. Whatever. Just tell me what you want."

She set down her phone and looked at me with an expression that would have made most people flinch. I was used to it by now, though; she always looked like she was about to give me a lecture whenever she spoke to me these days. She seemed to think that if she looked disappointed enough, then I would somehow get my shit together and stop acting like such an idiot.

"Look, I know you don't want to hear this, but...what are you doing? What is all this sexting? And with so many people?" She gestured towards my phone. "What are you thinking!?"

I rolled my eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "Mom, the sex part is all just implied in the context of whatever we're talking about." For instance, the message from earlier was from Lina about what movie we should watch tonight: "So should we watch *Fifty Shades Darker?* You know I'll do anything for you ;)."

Mom made a noise as if she was going to throw up her hands in exasperation but then thought better of it. "Are you trying to tell me you're not having sex with people?"

"That's not what I said..."

"Whatever," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand and shook her head before picking up her phone again. Clearly she didn't want to talk anymore and she didn't seem at all interested in what I was really trying to say with my stupid sexts anyway, so I hopped off my stool and headed upstairs to my room.

**

Lina and I had decided to watch Fifty Shades Darker tonight because she'd heard through the grapevine that it wasn't nearly as bad as everyone made it out to be; apparently Dakota Johnson has really good acting skills! Ugh...that name was so annoying; luckily most people knew her as Anastasia Steele now or else we'd probably never be able to escape that awful nickname behind our backs. It was bad enough when everyone tried calling us Analise and Christian when they thought we couldn't hear them! They got away with that because our last name is Sørensen (which is pronounced 'Sorenzen' by most Americans), but no one ever calls Lina 'Lamina'. Why would they? Not even Lina herself calls herself Lumara or whatever else supposedly cool people call their best friends these days. Anyway...we were watching Fifty Shades Darker together because we wanted to see how well it really held up against everything everyone kept telling us about it being terrible (except for Jessica Stone who told us it was awesome), so we streamed it online right after dinner while we waited for Christian Grey himself (AKA Jamie Dornan) to show up on our doorstep just like he did in the books! We had decided to start without him because he could take his time if he wanted; he wasn't paying us any mind after all!

Well, not until he finally showed up anyway; we hadn't actually been waiting for him ourselves! Anyways...the movie started playing, and we sat down on either end of Lina's bed together with her laptop resting on her lap between us so that we could watch it together! One thing led to another, and soon we were holding each other pretty tightly on her bed while Dakota Johnson did stuff with Jamie Dornan on screen!

So far, so good! And then...and then...oh god...and then there was a knock on the door! Oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god oh god OH GOD!!! We jumped apart so fast it was unbelievable--or maybe it wasn't at all since we were both pretty high--but so far Lina hadn't even made a peep!

I froze right where I sat on the edge of her bed staring at the door while some guy knocked again! His voice came through loud and clear: "Anastasia!? Are you home!? We need to talk!" OH MY GOD IT WAS JAMIE DORNAN AND HE WAS AT THE DOOR AND HERE WE WERE SO CLOSE TOGETHER ON HER BED AND HE COULD

see us! Lina finally broke the silence with a hushed whisper, her eyes wide with panic.

"What do we do, Ana?"

I frantically looked around the room, searching for a hiding spot or an escape route. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. We couldn't let Jamie Dornan see us in this compromising position; our reputations would be ruined forever!

"Quick, Lina, hide under the bed!" I whispered urgently, motioning towards the space beneath the bed frame. "I'll handle Jamie."

Lina nodded, her face pale, and scurried under the bed. I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself, and walked towards the door. As I reached for the handle, I braced myself for what lay on the other side.

I swung open the door to see a man standing there, his deep blue eyes narrowing at me in confusion. It wasn't Jamie Dornan. It was his bodyguard, a tall and intimidating figure.

"Miss Steele?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he glanced behind me into the room.

I swallowed hard and tried to gather my thoughts. "Uh, yes, I'm Anastasia Steele. Can I help you?"

The bodyguard's gaze shifted back to me, his expression unreadable. "Mr. Grey would like to see you. He's been waiting outside for quite some time."

My heart pounded in my chest as panic coursed through my veins. What was Christian Grey doing here? And how did he know where I lived?

"Tell him...tell him I'll be right there," I stammered, desperately trying to buy some time.

The bodyguard nodded curtly and turned to leave. But before he stepped away, he cast a lingering look over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing once again. Something told me he knew more than he was letting on. With a final nod, he disappeared down the hallway.

I closed the door slowly, my mind spinning with a million thoughts and questions. What did Christian want from me? Why had he sought me out? And why now?

I turned to face the room, panic still etched across my features. Lina emerged from her hiding spot, her eyes wide with concern.

"Ana, what's happening? Who was that at the door?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "It was one of Christian's bodyguards. He said Christian's been waiting for me outside."

Lina's face mirrored my own fear and anticipation. "What do you think he wants?"

I shrugged helplessly. "I have no idea. But something tells me we're about to find out."

We hurriedly made our way downstairs, our footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. As we reached the front entrance, the nerves I had been trying to hold back intensified. Christian Grey's imposing figure came into view, standing by a sleek black car, his eyes locked on mine.

"Anastasia," he greeted, his voice a low, commanding whisper.

I walked towards him, my heart pounding in my chest. Lina stayed a few steps behind, silently offering her support. Christian's gaze shifted momentarily to her, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.

"Ah, Lina, isn't it?" he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I remember meeting you at that charity event last month."

Lina nodded, her excitement and apprehension evident in her eyes. "Yes, that's right. It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Grey."

Christian turned his attention back to me, concern etched on his chiseled features. "Anastasia, we need to talk. There's something important I have to tell you."

I swallowed hard, my mind brimming with questions and uncertainties. But amidst the fear, a flicker of curiosity and a glimmer of hope ignited within me. And so, with a nod of assurance to Lina, I followed Christian Grey into the unknown, ready to uncover the secrets that awaited me.

Little did I know, this encounter would change everything.