Catchfish

Trevor Philips. The name his friends, family and teacher would call him at school. But to his internet girlfriend, he was Thomas Powell. Trevor had created a fake Facebook profile with pictures of a stranger he found randomly. He was a tall fair skinned guy with short well groomed blonde curly hair. He had a dazzling smile and had watchful eyes you could think he could have a future as a model for Calvin Klein. Trevor however was the complete opposite of this with a face that would qualify as a zombie. At first, it was just a test to see how far he could go in a relationship but however he started to develop feelings for her. Each day, they would talk about their lives and the conversations would last longer each day. During the day he would be thinking of her and replaying the conversations in his mind. Finally the time had come when he admitted her feelings for her. His thin bony fingers danced on the keyboard and then he paused for a moment at the enter button. He swallowed hard then hit enter. “I love you Verity.”

No reply came for what would possibly have been a minute or so. His fingers drummed on the table, his lip clenched tight, eyes staring at the screen. On the chat, it said ‘Verity is typing...’ then disappeared for a few seconds then reappeared again.

“I love you too” Trevor smiled to himself, his heart beating quickly now. ‘Verity is typing...’

“How about we go out for lunch tomorrow at Starbucks at 12pm?” He nearly typed yes, but remembered that she doesn’t know who he actually is. However maybe it would be a good idea to finally come clean. His fingers rubbed his chin then he typed “Yes.”

Verity: “Can you bring me a bouquet of flowers and chocolates please?”

Trevor: “Of course, anything for you.”

 Verity: “Okay thanks and don’t be late.”

Trevor glanced around a few times at his phone. He had bought a chocolate bar and a bouquet of flowers just as she requested. Trevor thought to himself whether he was early or maybe she was late. He thought she must have been late doing her hair or stuck in traffic maybe. “Okay thanks and don’t be late.” Trevor thought to himself. It was 12.05pm. Trevor was getting worried but tried to think positive that she would show up sometime... then ten minutes passed and then another ten. He was becoming impatient he called her phone. He waited for a half a minute till it reached its voice mail which he hung up. He noticed there was a man looking at him at the table next to him. Trevor turned his head to his direction and the man immediately looked away. Trevor was about to tell him to mind his own business but decided not to. His phone then vibrated and there was a text message from Verity.

“Sorry I can’t make it to lunch today; I’m feeling a bit sick today.” Trevor sighed looking at his flowers which seem to have lost some colour from the sun. The chocolate had melted in his hands and was no longer the rectangular shape. “That’s okay, perhaps tomorrow?” he texted. He didn’t get a reply.

 He walked back to the bus stop with sunken shoulders with his head lowered. As he walked occasionally looking at shop windows something had caught his attention across the road. A girl with long black silky hair and pale complexion was sitting talking to another girl with blonde hair. The girl with black hair was no mistake, Verity Hawkins. He ran across the road, a car nearly hit him but managed to stop in time. The driver raised his middle finger and swore at him but Trevor didn’t notice him or hear it. Verity had seen him and said something to her friend, which she turned her head too. Trevor’s mouth opened wide and he stopped about a few metres away from them. The girl with blonde hair was not actually a girl but a boy. It was the real Thomas Powell.

Verity screwed her face and exchanged confused glances with Thomas. “Hello, can I help you?” Verity asked. “Verity...you said you were sick?” Trevor said. She shook her head. “I’m not sick, who are you and how do you know my name?” “You texted me, we were talking last night about our date.” Thomas immediately stood up. “What the hell is this?!” Thomas exasperated grabbing Trevor by the neck. “No listen I can explain!” Trevor choked trying to pull his hands off him. “The only explaining here is my fists going on your face.” Thomas snarled. “Wait!” Verity pleaded. “Don’t hurt him; he’s just a little kid.” “I’m not a little kid.” Trevor retorted.  “Why are you defending him?” Thomas asked releasing his grip. “You know what? Forget it.” “If you were cheating on me then take him.” “No!” Verity pleaded. “I don’t even know this guy, come back!” Thomas walked off down the street and in a few seconds disappeared into the crowd. Verity broke down into tears and dropped onto her knees.” “Well that guy was a jerk, he nearly killed me” Trevor remarked. Verity looked hard at him with her red teary eyes in a menacing way. “Go away!” she shrieked. Trevor looked puzzled. “Well are we still going to have lunch?-”“Go away!” she screamed. “Someone get this rapist away from me!” Some businessmen watching the action stood up from their coffee break rolled their sleeves. Trevor threw the flowers and chocolates at Verity and ran for his life.

Trevor spent the rest of the day on his bed looking at the pictures of Verity and reading the old messages he had with her. He thought of how Verity had got it wrong and actually hooked up with the real Thomas before he could say anything. He then decided to set it straight by telling her the truth by email. As he finished writing he seemed pleased with himself of his letter about a thousand words long. He was going to send a poem but thought it would be best to give her some time to think about it. He was about to press send when he got a message from Verity. “I’m sorry about what had happened but can you come my house” Trevor decided this would be the perfect opportunity to confess the truth about everything. The address was given at the end of the message with “P.S. Do not be late.” She then appeared offline.  

The sun was starting to set as Trevor got off the bus. There was a cold breeze which blew in his face. He clutched his jacket closer to his face. He knew the address would take about fifteen minutes to walk from the bus stop. He had also brought another bar of chocolate and a bouquet of flowers along with him. He looked at the mail box and the street post. He was sure this was the house, so he walked to the door. It didn’t bother him too much and he stopped at the front door. He knocked.

The door opened and there was Verity wearing nothing else but red lingerie which matched her crimson red lipstick. She smiled and pushed her silky black hair behind her shoulders. “Hey honey, I’d like to apologise before and make it up to you” she said. “Oh its okay, and I brought you some flowers and chocolates.” Trevor replied. She grabbed his hands and motioned with her head in the direction towards the bedroom. Trevor followed her into the bedroom which she pushed him gently onto the bed and climbed onto him. She gently kissed him a few times on the side of his neck and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. She paused and stopped. “Something wrong?” Trevor asked. “Well… you mind if I try something?”

She got off him and looked into her closet which contained whips, chains, and handcuffs. She pulled out a few pairs of handcuffs turning to him with a smile. Trevor’s heart was racing now but not because he was scared. “I’ve always wanted to do this to someone” she said shyly. “I hope you don’t mind” Trevor nodded his head. “Not at all, in fact I would love it.” She handcuffed his legs and arms to all the poles on the bed. She climbed back onto the bed. "Oh you are such a bad boy." She teased. She glided slowly onto him with their faces close together. She whispered into his ear:

“I’m actually an undercover cop. And you have just been arrested.”