Unknown Number

Chapter 6

"M" and I had been talking for a few weeks now, and I was no closer to finding out who he really was.

I was so lost in thought thinking about him that I didn't hear the footsteps coming from behind me.

"Hey! New kid!"

I was standing by my locker when I heard it. I whipped around just in time to see Kevin and his friends approaching me. But one of the girls was gone. She must be sick.

"Hey, Kevin."

"I heard that you're after my girl."

"And...who would that be?"

"Catherine Valdes."

"Oh."

Cat and I shared chemistry together and were lab partners now since her old one transferred classes. We had become pretty good friends, but I wasn't attracted to her.

"'Oh'? That all you have to say? 'Oh'?"

"Well..."

He grabbed me by the lapel and shoved me against my locker. "Well, is it true or not?!"

"N-No! It's not true! We're just friends!"

"My source said they saw you two hanging out in chem the other day."

"She's my lab partner!"

He let me go and left, but not before giving me a warning.

"I'll let it slide this time, but if I hear ANYTHING like that again, your face is gonna be kissing concrete."

***

"M"
Sorry about that. He has anger issues. Just be lucky he didn't set Phil on you, or you would have been in a lot worse shape.

Me
How do you know so much about this kid anyway?

The reply took longer, like he was thinking carefully about his answer.

"M"
I've had some run-ins with him and his friends

Me
Oh.

"M"
I wish I could have stopped him

Me
Why didn't you?

There was no reply.