Until the End

Maria's phone buzzed loudly from beneath her pillow, waking her from her peaceful sleep. She answered it lazily, not even bothering to check the caller id. "Hello?" Sitting up, she ran her fingers through her thick burgundy colored hair, her voice sleepy.

"Hi..." the voice replied. It was unfamiliar but, in her still dream-like state, it was undeniably sexy. Still, she had to wonder who was calling her.

"Who is this? And why are you calling me at-" She checked the clock that was positioned on her nightstand. "1:27 in the morning?" She leaned her head into the palm of her hand, tempted to fall asleep while talking to this stranger. Just as she closed her eyes, the stranger's voice interrupted.

"I'm a-um..." he hesitated before chuckling lightly. "I'm your secret admirer." Amused by this, Maria snickered.

"Really?" She rolled onto her back and placed the hand that wasn't holding the phone on her stomach. "What's your name?"

"Well, if I told you that," he answered teasingly, "it wouldn't be a secret...would it?"

Giggling: "No, I suppose not." There was a short pause before she spoke again. "Seriously, who is this?"

There was an even longer pause, and then he spoke. "I've loved you since the first time I saw you. I think about you everyday...I think..." he stopped, searching for the words to say. He continued bemusedly. "I feel like you're my soul mate...like-we belong together."

"Wha-"

"We met once..." he interrupted excitedly. "Yeah, we had Biology together freshman year. And-and Geometry and Algebra sophomore year." He added thoughtfully, "I don't think you remember though."

Maria was stunned. "If this is some kind of joke-"

"I cut myself," he exclaimed. "Everyday, I cut myself-because the pain takes away my feelings for you." His voice faded as he spoke those last few words. The atmosphere was silent for a long time. "Please, say something." He pleaded.

Maria hung up and for a long second, she just sat there. Her mind was somewhere else, somewhere far away. So, when her phone buzzed again, she leaped six feet in the air. Fearful of what would happen if she didn't answer, she answered and slowly placed the phone to her ear, completely still. "Did we get disconnected?" The stranger inquired.

"Look you sick freak," Maria shouted. "I don't know who you are or what kind of sick joke you think this is but I am warning you: stop calling me!"

This time, when the stranger spoke, his voice was harder. "This is no joke, Maria." His voice lightened. "But no need to get excited. If you really want to know who I am, I won't keep you in suspense...you'll see me later tonight."

Maria fell silent.

"You still there, love?" No answer. "Oh, come on love, don't fret! You know I'll take very good care of you..."

Click.

Dial tone. Maria launched her phone across the room and sank to the floor, tears rolling down her face, a sob escaping her lips. The phone hit the wall and shattered, pieces flying everywhere.