The Exchange Student

Chapter 5

The school bell rang and everybody started leaving but here I am, stuck in the library finishing my book report which is supposed to be passed in 15 minutes. I checked my phone for the time and realized that I only have 8 minutes left to finish this and to get to Mrs. Williams. I sighed as I settled my phone on my left and continued to write my veins out. I was relieved when I finally finished. I gathered all my things as quickly as possible and ran outside to Professor's office. I arrived just in time.

"Congratulations for making it on time, Miss Wakefield."

I hurdled to catch one deep breath. "Sorry for the wait, Professor."

She smiled. "I didn't wait that long."

I gave her a sweet smile and felt that something was missing. I shrugged the thought off. I excused myself to call Riven that I would be 10 minutes late for dinner. I reached for my pockets but my phone wasn't there. I searched my entire bag and it wasn't there either. Then it dawned on me that I left it at the library. I thwacked my forehead for leaving it carelessly. I excused myself again and ran as fast as I could. I almost slipped outside the double doors of the library when I reached it. Frustration, disappointment, fear, and nervousness flooded through me when I went to the table where I was sitting before and saw that no phone was there. The book I read was the only thing on top of the table. I scanned top to bottom but nothing. Asking the librarian was a total waste of two minutes. Shit!

The last school bell rang and the school was now empty and I'm the only one inside the campus. Riven is going to kill me if I lost my phone. He gave it to me for my birthday last year.

Running through the corridors was easy for me. Students were no longer here and I needed to get to my car as quickly as possible. When I arrived, Riven was waiting, sitting on the hood. I slowed my pace down, cursing a few words under my breath.

"Hey." I say. "Why are you still here?"

"I saw you running by while I was at the gym and thought I should go home with you today." He says.

I scratched my head. "There's a little problem. I left my phone at the library and I can't find it anywhere. The librarian said she didn't see anything."

Riven sighed deeply in disappointment. "God, Kiley. Please be careful next time. I saved all year for it."

"I know and I'm sorry. Take my car and go. You have to cook dinner tonight. Might get home a little late." I dangled the car keys to his palm.

"Don't be too late. School's curfew bell rings in half an hour." He tapped his watch. "Be careful out here. And if you can't find it, I'll help you out tomorrow."

While Riven was starting the car, I made a list in my head of all the possible places and people I could ask or go at this time in the afternoon. First, I searched for the classrooms on the ground level. Next, I wandered through the gym and field. No luck. I went back to the library to try again but this time my eyes were not deceived. I saw my phone. Right there, glittering under a table lamp nearby. I ran to it. Finally. My hands were longing for it the whole time I discovered it was out of my sight.

Happiness spread throughout me. I scanned my phone just in case some douche bag made fun of it. To my surprise, most of the phone numbers were gone except for my family's. Even my friends' numbers were delete.

"What the hell?" I said as I continue to scan. There was one number that caught my attention. An unknown number.

~ ~ ~

"I'm home." I say, placing my bag on the couch.

"So, any luck?" Driven asks, settling the food he prepared. Tonight, he had made potato salad with home made fries on the side. My favorite.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I found it right where I left it. It sounds like bullshit but it was there. So unbelievable."

He untied his apron and hung it on a hook beside the door. "Really? That's great. No need for us to worry about something for tomorrow. Have practice."

The dinner went well than I expected it. Although it was a little lonely, away from our parents, the conversation never ended. We talked about our funny and embarrassing moments.

"Before I forget, have you asked someone to move in yet?" I say, putting the used plates in the dishwasher/

"As a matter of fact," he says, turning on the little television set we have. "Yes. You'll meet him tomorrow."

Him? So it's a boy. Damn.

"Let me guess. Brandon?"

"Nope" he says, popping the P. "Not even part of the jocks."

"Then tell me already."

"You'll know him by tomorrow. Patience."

A call from my phone interrupted us. "Wait a sec."

I cradled it between my ear and shoulder while I ran to my room. I opened my closet to pick an outfit for tomorrow's school event. "Hello?" I say.

No answer.

"Hey? Are you there?" I ask.

"Yeah." A male voice answered. I know I've somehow heard his voice before but at the same time I don't think I do.

"Who's this, please?"

"It's a secret." I heard him smile.

It sent shivers down my spine. "I'm not in the mood for games, Brando--"

"Relax," he chuckled. "You know me. This isn't Brandon, by the way. Now, I want you to wear something purple tomorrow." he instructed.

"And why is that? Purple is an ugly color." I said. At first, I thought purple was ugly, then when I saw the new student today with a purple hoodie, I'm starting to love the color.

"On the following days, I will wear a color that's opposite of purple." And with that, he just ended the call right away. Talk about weird stuff.