The Boy Next Door

Chapter 1: Who are you?

[Atthaphan]

Living alone, far away from my family, means freedom to me.

"Mom, let me live by myself, I'm a grown up man now"

"Gun Atthaphan, please have care with my nerves"

"Mom, I need this for myself"

"Does this mean you don't need me anymore, Atthaphan?"

"Mom, I love you, that's why I am asking you to let me discover more of myself and the world. You know that since I was young, I have been so ambitious. I want bigger things mom. Bigger things. I don't settle with mediocrity, and staying in our island will just hinder me to chase my dreams, my big dreams"

"Enough with this conversation, Gun Atthaphan"

"Don't cage me. Let me, Mom. I'll prove to you that I can"

The next morning, I received a call from the university I was applying to. I happily went to my mom to tell her that I did pass the exam, finally. But my smile slowly faded when I saw my mom cry--it broke my heart.

"Atthaphan, you understand me, right? You are my only son, that's why it's really hard for me to say yes. I've dreamed with you, I was there when you first had a dream, and I don't want to be the first person who will stop you from achieving those dreams. I love you, Atthaphan. Tomorrow, I'll book a ticket, we will go to your university. I am so proud of you"

I've fought hard for this freedom; it took me so much time and words just to convince my parents, especially my mom that I deserve this. The first few months I was proving them, I did it with much eagerness. But now, after 6 months of living alone, the only thought that I have is that I want to go home.

I cannot do this anymore.

I miss my family.

I miss my mom.

While most people are already enjoying the rest hours of the day, here I am hugged by my bed as I silently sob my heart out. I have had a severe headache since this morning. In the afternoon, my temperature went up, my bones weakened making me unable to go to school. It's already past 6 in the evening, and I haven't eaten my lunch yet. I want to cry. I want to go home. I want my mom, but then I still need to prove to her that I can be independent. So, I opened my phone- I was dying to call my mom, but my pride didn't allow me-- I just typed my best friend's phone number.

Rule#1. Do not save each other's phone number. It must be MEMORIZED.

My hands are already trembling, my eyes are too heavy and teary to vividly see my screen. Thankfully, I am able to dial her number. With a raspy voice, not the sexy one but the raspiness of the voice when someone's sick, I begged her to come and look after me.

"Hey, can you come to my place? I am really dying. Please?," I told her over the phone. I haven't heard her reply, for my eyes betrayed me and retreated.

I slept, and that sleep was the best one so far. 14 hours really is a good sleep. I stretch my body, feels so relieved. I then roamed around my eyes to look for my best friend, but my condo has no sign of her at all. Confusingly, I sigh as I look at the meds at my side. Maybe she has classes.

I grabbed my phone- the first thing I always do as I open my eyes. I texted my best friend, Lizzy, "thank you, my forever savior" and added a kiss emoji like I always do.

My phone buzzes, halting me from going to the cr.

Lizzy: thank you for what? where are you? miss gomez's looking for you.

Me: home. i had fever last time. don't you remember?

Lizzy: what?! why didn't u tell me?! your mom will absolutely kill me, ATP.

Me: i called you yesterday, you took care of me... dont tell me... who came here yesterday?

Lizzy is calling...

The call ended. I grabbed the sharpest thing I have beside me; I found a pen. The pen the stranger used in writing the note on the meds saying, "drink this when you wake up, get well soon"

I read the note again; I knew it, the writing style is sus. It seems like Lizzy's handwriting, but it isn't. When Lizzy leaves a note, she always adds "Lizzy ♡♡♡" at the end. This note, I am holding, doesn't have it. I am so nervous right now that I want to cry. I then start to overthink my situation-- what if he is a serial killer but has a little mercy to not kill me because I was so sick and that he/she will come back at me and kill me.

I inhaled, trying to calm myself.

Regretfully I thought, I should have listened to my intuition telling me that something's fishy.

I sighed.

I tried to summon the bravest version of me as I left my bed. With the sharpest thing near me, I started to inspect my whole place --from my living room, dining and kitchen area, to the extra room I have-- no sign of any existing creature at all.

What the hell is going on?

I rushed over to my bed, grabbed my phone, and texted Lizzy: No one's here.

I checked the number I called yesterday, and to my surprise, I accidentally called another person and not my best friend.

I grabbed the note once again, who are you?, I asked.