JEOPARDY: The Cursed Soldier.

23. In his head

This is foolish.

I'm a fool.

Ivan swiped at his phone screen for the hundredth time that night, stared at Kayla's phone number, and locked it again.

He'd already taken a bath, put on a fresh pair of clothes, locked the door to his room, and was currently lying on his bed locking and unlocking his phone, hoping it would give him ideas. And courage.

Ryan would laugh his ass off if he saw me.

Him, The Ivan Williams, having a hard time with texting a girl? Wonders never end.

It was ridiculous to even think about... But there he was. Alternating his gaze between intricate designs covering his ceiling and his phone, not sure what to write. Or if he should write anything at all.

He'd given her the phone just a few hours before. Was it too early to text her? Should he wait a whole week? Give her time to adjust to owning it?

He groaned and massaged the muscles of his neck. That was what Kayla did to him. She made him second-guess his every thought, word, and action. His reflex actions were always greeted with either a blank face or a scowl. While things that would have any woman fawning and worshipping at his feet had her frowning and pushing him away.

He never knew with her.

He unlocked his phone again, and this time, he clicked on the messages icon, and stared at the blank space that awaited his words. How should I start:

'Hi' sounds too casual and overused.

'Hey' feels like I'm waving at her.

'Hello' sounds too formal...

He glanced at the clock hanging on the grey wall. It was 2100hrs. Was she even awake? He knew Angela slept at 2200hrs. Did Kayla sleep before or after that? Did she guard Angela when she was at home, too?

He groaned and closed his eyes. This was more stressful than it should be. It was just texting. A girl who despite how frustrating and mysterious she was, had become his friend. The driving classes and the meals they'd shared had built a rapport of sorts between them. He kinda got her and why she felt the need to be so closed off. He'd even figured how to circumvent her walls.

What he didn't know was how well he'd fare doing that over the phone.

Ignoring his nerves, Ivan typed on his screen.

Ivan: Hey!

He hit send and got up from the bed.

He wasn't going to stare at the phone like a stupid teenage boy with a crush. He didn't have a crush on Kayla. He was just fascinated by her. And that fascination drove him to want the best for her. A better life. A life a young, beautiful, intelligent, strong, and innocent girl like her deserved.

His phone vibrated. Like there was lightning on his feet, he raced to it.

Kayla: Hey.

A wide grin split his face. She had replied in... a minute.

That was a great sign.

His hands were sweating. So he patted the one not holding the phone on his sweats while he thought of a reply.

Ivan: How are you enjoying your newest possession?

He was still kneeling on the bed as he watched the dotted lines that indicated that she was typing. A grin was still stretching his face. And of its own accord, his breath held every minute until her reply finally arrived. Ten minutes later.