The Other Line

"Why can't you just tell me your name?" I asked, his story having instantly grasped my attention; my curiosity continuously growing as he continued to open up to me.

"Isn't this supposed to be anonymous anyways Alice? Why does it matter to you so much?" He sighed, his voice sounding like music to my ears although his words were far from what I wanted to hear.

"I want to know if I know you." I whispered, imagining the face that belonged to the voice.

"You do. But once I'm done telling you my story you're going to wish you don't." He said, his voice a mixture of pain and guilt as I held the phone to my ear.

"Please just tell me who you are." I begged, knowing that he wouldn't but praying that he would.

"Can't do that darling." He said, the nickname making my heart swirl with excitement.

Alice Harvey is the daughter of two of the most recognized people in the world; and the richest. At first, she was everything they wanted and more. A perfect girl; conservative, and an excellent role model for all who looked to the Harvey family for example. She soon falls into the 'wrong crowd' as her parents would define them, but the right crowd for her. When she is caught vandalizing public property; Alice's family is completely embarrassed, and accept the Judge's offer of community service, much to Alice's distaste. She is sent to work as a volunteer at the Teen Help Phone; a service which provides care and advice to suicidal teens as well as distraught young adults.

After beginning to enjoy her new position as a volunteer, Alice receives a phone call from a mysterious boy who claims his story is too long to tell in one sitting; promising to call her back every day and give her his story piece by piece. What she once thought would be an easy year of community service, soon turns out to be something much different.

Everyone has a story, and it's her turn to unravel the story of the boy on the other line before it's too late.