THE BLACK PHONE IMAGINES/PREFERENCES

𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐞 | vance hopper

You watched as your friend, Vance Hopper, played pinball. He's been playing for the past two hours, and you were this close to getting up from your seat and leaving.

Vance's eyes were glued to the machine. He was always so focused while playing pinball; it was something you found odd about his character. He couldn't pay attention to anything for more than five minutes, but he could play for hours straight.

As time passed, Vance got more frustrated after every ping, and Vance suddenly slammed the machine, startling everyone in the Grab n Go. "Fuck! This is bullshit," he yelled, kicking the game repeatedly. 

"Want to leave?" You offered, holding up a bottle of coke. Vance sighed before grabbing the bottle and walking by you to the cashier. 

There was another peculiar thing about Vance Hopper. He hated everyone except you. After three years of knowing him, you were the only one he tolerated. Was it because you were never scared of him? Or you didn't mind staying by him and watching him play pinball for hours? You could never figure it out. 

When you look at Vance, his facial expression is the first thing you notice about him. He looked mad most of the time; he wasn't always angry. He was only tense. When you and Vance were alone, it was the only time of day when you would see him smile. 

-

A new cashier was working at the Grab n Go since Vance drove the other one to quit her job. The boy was around your age. He was sitting by the register, writing in a blue notebook while bopping his head to the rock music on the radio next to him. 

You impatiently clear your throat. The boy's gaze went to you as a minor but recognizable smirk appeared on his lips. He gets up, revealing a name tag. You couldn't read it since the boy's handwriting was horrible.

"Welcome to the Grab n Go. How can I help you?" He greeted, taking the bottles from Vance's hand and punching the keys on the register. 

While he was doing that, he kept glancing at you. You get a bit uncomfortable, adjusting your posture nervously. You looked over at Vance, who was busy looking at the candy boxes on the counter. 

"Your total will be $4.85, beautiful," he said flirtatiously. You recoiled at the nickname as you aggressively handed him the 5-dollar bill.

The boy continued to gaze at you as you looked down, tapping your fingers nervously on the counter. God, you wanted to leave so fast. 

"Hey, shithead. Stop staring at her and give us the fucking coke," You looked up at Vance, who was more upset than he was while playing pinball. He said that rather provocatively; his eyebrows furrowed as he glared at the boy. The cashier nervously handed you the change and the bottles before hiding behind the counter.  

"You got some fucking nerve looking at her like that," The blonde spat, giving you the bottle. You give him a strange look as you exit the Grab n Go.

After a few moments of silence, you burst into laughter as Vance only looked at you. "What?" he mumbled. 

"Earlier," you mentioned, sipping your bottle of soda. "You were fucking pissed!"

"Well, he was looking at you weirdly," Vance responded.

"So? It's not like you're my boyfriend or anything."

Vance stayed silent at the comment, taking quick sips of his coke, thinking of a way to avoid that conversation. 

"Besides, I can handle myself. It was just weird at first," you continued, chuckling. 

Vance pursed his lips. "It doesn't matter. I'll make sure no one does that to you again."

"Whatever," you respond, grinning. You nudged him playfully as Vance gave a slight but noticeable smile. The two of you laugh together as you walk down the pavement.