TextPal

1

Staring at the board in front of him, Virgil wanted nothing more than to disappear. It was hard enough dealing with the overly peppy classmates now he had to go through with this stupid assignment. 'Textpal' is what their calling it. Basically a phone version of a pen pal. Mx. Jones got a bunch of phone numbers from random people to give to their students with permission for us to be able to text them. Already Virgil could feel his anxiety spiking up. Why would he willing text a stranger? Plus say that persons a creep, now they have your number and... Uggh! This was way to much for him to handle.

The problem was he ducked out of to many assignments as it was and this one had extra credit on top of it. The assignment is to get to know the person and all that. You then have to write an essay about everything you learned and present it. If the essay is good enough they may just publish it in the school newspaper. Think... Reporter type essay.

Already he could see that nearly everyone decided to participate. Mx. Jones had said they didn't get enough for everyone knowing full well that there was some who wouldn't. Virgil could feel the anxiety knawing at him. He needed the extra credit. Even if he didn't want to do this...

He had to.

“Oh, hello, Mr. Grey is there something you needed?” The poor boy shook as he looked around.

“A-are there any n-numbers left?” The teacher teacher frowned as Virgil started to fidget with his fingers. He could see the paper was pretty much blacked out and he sighed, feeling only slightly relieved but upset at the same time. “I guess not. That's o-ok. I'll just, uh...”

“Wait a sec, Virgil.” Virgil narrowed his eyes in confusion as the Teacher rummaged around their bag only to pull out this book. Their eyes skimmed through the pages until they stopped and narrowed. “I think I do have one for you.”

“O-Oh... Ok... uh, thank you?” The teacher smiled as they wrote down the number passing it over on a sticky note. “A-Are you sure it's ok?”

“Yep. This number was used two years ago but he still has the same number. I would just let him know that I gave it to you. It is his personal number after all.” Virgil frowned as he looked the paper over ignoring the bell that rang through the room. “He doesn't give this number out to many.”

“Maybe I should use a different...” The teacher only shook their head as Virgil sighed clutching the note tightly before returning to his seat to pack up. This assignment was so stupid. But if he wanted to pass the class, he had to to do it.

“Hey, kiddo.” Virgil smiled as he looked over to find his only friend beside him. They were currently in the ACC and Virgil was trying hard not to throw up the pizza he just ate. His nerves were killing him. Patton had paint still on his cheeks so that means he must have just left his painting class. “Whatcha up to, Virgy?”

“Trying to either talk myself into or out of texting someone.” Patton's eyes narrowed as he sat beside Virgil with a smile. Virgil just laughed. “You took Sociology a few years back didn't you?”

“Oh, I forgot your taking that class. Yeah I did.” Patton giggled a bit as his phone started going off. “Let me guess you started the Microsociology portention?”

“Yeah and Jones is making us to this Textpal thing.” Patton only nodded as he red what Virgil assumed was a text.

“Well, I can see you've already got your numbers.” Patton giggled again as he turned the phone to reveal from an unknown number. “I gave mine to Jones to help out since my experience with it 2 years ago went pretty well.”

“Wait you did it too?”

“Yep, still have his number too. I made a life long friend from that assignment kiddo. Who knows maybe you will too.” Virgil could only groan as he glanced down at his own phone and sighed. “Anyway I got to run. I've got another class.”

“See ya, Pat.” Virgil smiled as he watched his friend run off to where ever he going and he sighed. “Yeah... A life long friend... sure, I will.” Virgil rolled his eyes as he started to put the number in annoyed at how his hands shook.

Anx: Hey

It was all he wrote and to be totally honest he didn't care. All he had to do was say something. He may not pass but right now his nerves were way to shot to do anything about it. So instead he went home.

Unlike Patton, Virgil commutes to school. He doesn't live far so he didn't see a reason to dorm, plus he practically lives there for free so why would he give it up. He got home and collapsed on his bed only to freeze hearing his phone go off. It was like a sudden drop in the room. There was only two people who had his number... Patton who was in class... and the man he just texted.

Unknown: Uh... hey.
Unknown: Sorry but who is this?
Anx:Right. Just uh... call me Anx, I guess. Got ur number from a mutual and unfortunately they kinda forced me 2 text you. Sorry about that. U don't have 2 respond.

Virgil wanted to die. There was no way in hell he was giving this stranger any of his information. Plus if he told him about Mx. Jones then he'll know where he goes to school since he knows them. NOT GONNA HAPPEN! He shouldn't have texted to begin with. Forget passing!

Unknown: Oh... Ok then. Sooo you don't know who I am?
Anx:Nope
Unknown: So you're just... texting a stranger then?
Anx:Yep
Unknown:...
Unknown: Honestly, I've been there.
Unknown:I actually made a friend doing that so... Wait, why did you say your name was Anx?
Anx:Cuz I'm talking 2 a stranger. Why would I just give my name up?
Unknown: Ok, fair point. So tell me stranger... why text me?
Anx: I told u. Our mutual forced me into it.
Unknown: I can understand that but your still texting me. You could have ignored my reply or stopped at any time.
Anx:...
Anx: U're smirking right now rn't u
Unknown: Lol. Am not!
Anx: U R! Well, I am done here
Unknown: Wait... I uh... I actually didn't mind this break from reality.
Anx: Break from Reality?
Anx: What are u playing some sort of game...
Unknown: ???
Anx:...
Anx: Of thrones.
Unknown: I am so stupid! I should have seen that coming. I watch the show!
Anx: Sorry couldn't help it. Guess my friends rubbing off on me a bit. He's obsessed with dad jokes and puns.
Unknown: No worries I got a friend like that too. I actually really love jokes. Especially Disney ones. Lol.
Anx: A fellow Disnerd... Alright. I concede a point 2 our mutual.
Unknown: ???
Anx: Lolz. I merely meant that it wasn't... 2 bad texting u. Gtg...
Unknown: Hey uh Anx?
Unknown: I wouldn't mind texting you again...
Unknown: Just... uh, thought I would say it...
Unknown: You don't have to though.*Read*