Forbidden text

I stared at my screen like a caveman transported to the modern world who had never in his life seen an electronic device. My fingers were frozen, and so were my eardrums. I didn’t hear when Henry called, or Erica. I didn’t know how long they’d been calling. What I knew was that they were both staring at me, their gazes so intense that the ice in my ears melted and their voices dissolved in—first as human sounds, then clear and sharp, so loud that my body shook.

“Honey, are you okay?” Erica’s brows were tied together with concern.

“Yeah—it’s just a—” I waved my hands in the air as if to brush it off, “—slight headache.”

“I know what this is…” Henry squinted at me. I subconsciously folded my hands across my screen as though he could see through it. Heat rushed up my face.

“…Alfie's. Had. Sex.”

“What!!!!!!!” Erica and I screamed in unison.

“What?” Henry flared his hands in the air as if to prove his innocence. “I’m just saying—”

“—You know what, maybe those jerks were right about one thing. Pervert,” Erica sneered at him.

“Well, if they said it to me, there wouldn’t be a problem. But my virgin Alfie potatie—”

“—Hrughhhhh!” I groaned, burying my face into my palms. I shoved my phone into my pocket. It felt unusually heavy… or maybe I had gotten lighter.

Everything felt dreamy, and it was annoying how a single message had the same ability as alcoholic wine.

The best way to describe it was feeling like Spider-Man. I was too aware of everything going on around me. A boy was chewing nastily on his food. Two girls a table across were having an argument about what was more attractive—abs or biceps. I thought it was a weird argument topic, but there it was, and they were arguing about it.

Lunchtime passed me in a daze. I didn’t remember if I had eaten my food or not, or what the last thing Erica and Henry said to me was before they disappeared. All I could think of was one message—a small and simple “Hi”—that had wreaked chaos in my mind.

I pulled my phone from my pocket, holding it in both hands so it wouldn’t fall, because I was a little shaky.

'Hi'

I replied.

And immediately, three dots appeared, jumping. I didn’t expect such a swift response. I felt tight in the bladder and badly needed to take a piss.

'Alfie, I’m really sorry for what happened earlier. That was really shitty.'

I stared at the message in disbelief. His account had surely been hacked. Riley Beaumont. The school’s star player, the richest, most famous, most powerful student had no business apologizing to some blonde kid who came here on scholarship. Even if I reported the case to the authorities, as long as Riley was involved, I would be the one apologizing—probably alongside the person I reported it to. Even the principal licked his boots. His father had invested so much into this school, they were almost entirely dependent on him.

'Okay'

I replied, and even as I did, I regretted it. It was too simple, just sitting there. I should’ve written something like “it’s fine” or something more enthusiastic like “Oh, no worries, I’m not angry.” But I had already sent it, and he had seen it, and the three floating dots showed he was typing a reply. Then it came.

'If you’re free tomorrow after class, I’d like to make it up to you. Come to my room.'

If someone saw me, they would think I had just seen a ghost with how pale I felt.

I brushed the hair out of my face and took in a deep breath, closing my eyes. When I opened them, there was a girl with red hair almost running. Surely I was late for class. I looked back at my screen slowly, hoping I had imagined it and that it would disappear when I looked down again. But it didn’t. It was still there, staring brazenly at me. Like a knife with its sharp edge placed against my throat. I gulped.

'Okay'

I sent again. That same generic four-letter word. I should’ve turned him down. I should’ve said no. Could I still say no? I was breathing like oxygen was scarce. My chest heaved up and down.

'Kk, see you ' he replied.