Quit | a short story

how it all begun

I frowned as I found an unknown number saved in my phone, 'two-zero-two, five-five-five-seven-one-six-nine' I whispered, 'I don't remember saving this number' I said to myself. I checked my call history, message history, nothing. 'How did this number end up in my phone?' I muttered, and as soon as I was about to press the number, someone slammed my door open, causing me to get startled, 'what the- mom?' I said confused, 'what's her problem' I thought, 'what are you doing?' She asked me as she crossed her arms, 'I was... just on my phone, deleting old numbers' I said, I mean, it was the truth, 'then why are you so startled?' She asked as she came closer to my bed where I was lying down. 'What are you talking about? You just barged into my room out of nowhere, of course, I'm startled' I tried to explain as I slowly got up and put my phone down. 'Give me your phone.' She said firmly, 'What? No! I wasn't even doing anything' I tried to fight back but I, obviously, failed, she had already grabbed my phone. 'What's your password' she asked as she looked at me with angry eyes, 'zero, eight, zero, four' I said and could feel my palms getting sweaty, 'what if she does find something she's not supposed to find' I thought, but all she did was get in my phone and see what app popped up as soon as she got in. 'See, I was just deleting old numbers' I said. She dropped my phone on my bed, 'I don't care, I'm still going to tell your dad to take your door away' she said and left before leaving my door wide open. 'No way she's going to take away my door' I laughed, but not because it's funny, well, okay it kind of is, but more because I can't believe she just said that out of nowhere. 'She is crazy, I can't believe her' I shook my head and plopped down on my bed.

So, back to the mysterious number, 'should I text them? Should I call them?' I thought but my thoughts were paused by mom going down the stairs, 'great, I can finally shut the door' I rolled my eyes. I got up and shut the door and sat down on my bed this time. I put my phone down next to me and closed my eyes. I mean, I need time to make a good decision. I slowly inhaled through my nose and soon exhaled through my mouth. I did this a couple of times before ding ding, it was my phone. I opened my eyes and grabbed my phone and almost immediately covered my mouth. 'What the hell?' I was freaking out and could feel my hands starting to shake, 'okay, okay, I have to calm down' I deeply sighed and dropped my phone on my bed. 'I need a drink' I said out loud. I went downstairs and grabbed myself a bottle of water, 'what are you doing?' My mom asked. 'She is going to ask me this, again??' I thought, 'I got thirsty so I'm getting myself some water' I said and my mom just hummed in response and continued knitting a Santa hat for the half-finished doll she had been working on the past two to three days.

As soon as I got back into my room, I lied down and grabbed my phone. If you were wondering who texted me, it was them. 202 555 7169. I bit my lip in confusion, 'Who is this' they sent... What kind of question is that? I should be the one asking them. 'I could ask you the same' I replied. 'I'm Atashi, now who are you' He replied, 'Atashi...Atashi....' I whispered, trying to think of anyone named Atashi. 'I'm Yuri. I don't know who you are though, how did you get my number?' I lied down and waited for him to reply. I waited and waited but it seemed like he just left me on read. 'What? Why would you ask me a question and just leave like that after receiving an answer...' I mumbled slightly offended. I put my phone down and decided to take a shower. 'Who could he be? I don't know anyone named Atashi... is he family? is he someone from middle school? High school? No, I would remember if he were from high school...' I asked myself all kinds of questions related to the number, which is supposed to be a guy named Atashi, but it seemed like I was ignoring the bigger deal here. 'Why do I have his phone number and how did he get MY number?'

Forty minutes have passed; I got out of the shower, dried my hair, and braided it after, then I put on some black sweatpants, an oversized sweater which used to be my dad's, and some soft, cozy pink socks.

Right after I was done with everything, I checked my phone for any updates, but my phone was as dry as the desert somewhere in desert-land. I scoffed, 'How rude'. After binge-watching the last couple of episodes of Your Lie In April it was time for dinner. Great, I was starving. I walked downstairs and saw that both my parents and younger brother had already started without me. 'Hi dad' I said and sat down next to him, 'Hey honey' he responded. I haven't seen him all day long, he was at work. I started eating and zoned out as curiosity filled my body. I wonder if he replied already. 'What's wrong Yuri' my mom asked which brought me back to reality, 'Huh? Oh, nothing, I was thinking about school. I have my exams soon you know' I lied, kind of. I wasn't thinking about school but I do indeed have my exams soon. 'Shit' I thought, I should start studying soon... 'Study well and achieve great results okay?' my mom said before taking a sip of her water. 'I will mom' I looked down at my plate, 'Good, I'm proud of you' she answered which made me smile, she might be the strictest mom anyone could ever have but she is also the most supportive mom anyone could ever wish for.