Identity

Chapter 11: Return of The Unknown Number

Sunday, July 16th. . . .
*First Draft*

I perch on the edge of the barstool, tapping my pencil on the countertop as I read over the math equation again.

Hey, it may be summer break, but I'm not letting my grade slip.

Lifting my small forkful of my Mom's very own homemade cheesecake to my mouth, I bite it, chewing probably much too quickly before swallowing it and preparing to stab my slice for another bite.

Okay, so maybe I'm more like stuffing my face. Don't judge that I eat like 24/7. Food is my comfort, my pleasure I like to enjoy....a lot.

Now I just sound like a glutton monster.

I look over to my right as my phone gives a quick buzz, the screen lighting up with the words, 'unknown number' there on a box.

Geez, I seem to be getting a lot of these lately.

Laying my fork down on my plate, I push my stack of books away, grabbing my phone. Leaning my elbows on the bare counter, I settle the phone in front of my face as I type my password in. And, once again, what does the message say?

Unknown Number < "Hey."

I stare down at the screen, completely unsure as to who this may be this time. I'm out of ideas. Long lost uncle? Aunt? Second cousin removed? Chris Evans?

Okay, that last one was just wishful thinking on my end.

My fingers move over the keyboard before I even realize I'm doing it, and my thumb hesitates a split second before I hit send.

Me < "Who this?"

Unknown Number < "I'll give you a guess. It starts with an E."

I blink, nothing coming to mind. How is one simple little letter supposed to help? Okay, but definitely not Chris Evans then. Drat. Unless he's using his last name.....

Me < "I've got nothing."

Unknown Number < "Really, Nik? Why do you make things so difficult?"

A smile instantly brightens my face as I read the nickname I was tagged with when I was five years old, one person coming to mind now. And wow, looks like the brothers' think alike after all. Déjà vu anyone?

Me < "Maybe I'm evil?"

Unknown Number < "Nah. The kid I knew wouldn't even squish a bug."

Editing the number and saving it to my contacts, something I find I'm doing a lot these days, I quickly type up another message as I unconsciously begin to swing my barstool back and forth.

Me < "How'd you get my #?"

Eddy < "I fought Drew for it once I learned he had it. Put up quite the fight too."

Oh god. This guy is a numskull.

Me < "Please tell me you didn't? 🤨"

Eddy < "Jk."

There's a pause.

Eddy < "I actually stole his phone and broke into his contacts."

Me < "You're ridiculous."

Eddy < "Already knew that. ;)"

I can't help the small chuckle that breaks free from my mouth, and I suddenly realize just how much I've missed him.