Page 3 of Heartthrobs Don't Date Wallflowers
He wasn't supposed to answer. He wasn't supposed to say anything. We were supposed to both go on with our lives and pretend this didn't happen. Why would he be reaching out?
Suddenly, the phone was in my hand and I was on my back, staring at it. When had that happened? When had I decided that I was going to continue this embarrassing conversation? I'd donewhat I needed to do. I’d told him that the message wasn't for him. That's all he needed to know, right? That was all he was checking anyway. All he asked was that he didn’t have to go dig his own grave. And he hadn't.
So no need for an answer.
And yet.
Unknown Number
Okay good
But am I safe forever or am I just at the bottom of your hit list?
I promise to avoid all bleachers and life-ruining activities if you spare me
I propped myself up on my elbows and frowned down at my phone. Who answered wrong number texts like this? I stared at the message, trying to decide if this was funny or just really weird. Did people actually respond like this when they got a wrong number text? Was I being pranked?
I tapped my fingers on the side of my phone, biting my lip. Maybe this guy was just... trying to make the best out of an awkward situation? That seemed less threatening than assuming he was some weirdo. I had dragged him into my drama by accident, so the least I could do was let him have his fun, right?
Or I could just leave it alone, like I’d originally planned. But clearly, I wasn’t doing that, since I was already typing again.
Ivy
Depends. Have you engaged in those activities before?
I hovered over the send button for a second, thinking maybe I was crossing a line, but then I hit it. Sent. Too late to take it back now. The response came even quicker this time—meaning whoever this was also had a lot of free time on their Friday night, like me.
Unknown Number
Being near bleachers?
I’m afraid I have
I snorted. And even though I knew I should end this now—stranger danger and all that—I found my thumbs moving again of their accord.
Ivy
Darn, that puts you right at the top
But it was nice knowing you
Unknown Number
NO PLEASE SPARE ME
Doesn’t my honesty count for anything?
Ivy
I guess it’s a start
I’ll moveyou down the list
You can be right after my fourth grade teacher who made me stay in for recess because I didn’t color in my art project
Unknown Number
Okay okay I think I can live with that
