Trial and Eros

The Text Message

It was the passing period between my first and second classes. I was rushing to my favorite class—math. AP Calculus BC, to be exact. But I digress.

As I reached the classroom, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Taking it out, I looked at the small screen. I’d received a text message.

This was no ordinary occurrence. For one, I had an ancient phone—it was at least an inch thick, it didn’t flip open, it didn’t have a camera… heck, it could barely hold a conversation on the line. I was amazed that I could even receive text messages. Plus, I had no friends whatsoever. I couldn’t even think of who would be texting me.

Since class wouldn’t start for another two minutes, I decided to open the mysterious text message. It took me a while to figure out how to do it on my ancient phone, but I managed to decipher the code and open the message.

ros u mite wanna shoot the srs connie and zack theyre definitely ready. u can earn some free points.

What?

I read the message again, adjusting my thick glasses this time. I knew Connie and Zack from my grade. Of course, I didn’t know them well, but I’d shared a few classes with them. I knew Ros, too. He was a loner, just like me, though he was popular with all the girls. I always heard his name in the giggling conversations they had in the halls.

I frowned. I wondered what the texter meant by “shoot” and “free points.” But I couldn’t muse for long. My teacher walked in.

“Put that phone away, Mari,” he chided. “You know they aren’t allowed during the school day.” I nodded, my face turning red. I stuffed the phone into my bag and slunk down in my chair. My teacher shot another look at me before uncapping the Expo marker and beginning his lecture.

-

It took two days for my shy self to muster up the courage to approach Ros. I decided to talk to him toward the end of lunch—if the conversation got awkward (which I was sure it would) I could easily find a way to escape certain humiliation.

Anyway, I effortlessly found him in the cafeteria, eating in his corner. There were a few girls at the table next to him, giving him flirty looks, whispering, and giggling. He seemed to be oblivious. The only apparent interest of his that I could see was his turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich.

I took a few deep breaths, before walking slowly over to his table and sitting down. The girls next to us were silenced.

Ros looked up, mid bite. He closed his mouth and put the sandwich down.

“Hi… um… hi…” I stammered, my mouth suddenly dry. I could hear the girls next to us start giggling again. I blushed and swallowed air.

He looked at me with golden brown eyes, his hands still glued to his sandwich.

“Hi,” he replied. “Why are you here?”

“Uh, what?” I asked, feeling the sweat breaking under my arms. “I… uh… wanted to talk to you… um… about…” Again, the giggling.

Suddenly realizing I hadn’t pulled out my phone, I started frantically searching through my stuff. Papers flew out of my bag and onto the table.

“Uh… one sec,” I stuttered, feeling my face growing redder for each paper that flew out. “Hold on… I… I’ve got… something… here…”

There! I spotted the phone at the bottom of my bag. I thrust my hand down to get it and pulled it out with a triumphant air. I accessed the text message with amazing speed and shoved it toward him, panting.

Ros looked at me questioningly as he took the phone from my fingers. He read over the message, his eyes growing wider with each word.

“Where… how did you get this?” he asked. Was that… nervousness in his eyes?

“Someone sent it to me,” I shrugged. “But really, could you tell me what’s going on? This text is a little weird and I’d really like to know that you’re not some sort of murderer or something… if you don’t tell me, I’ll be forced to tell one of the faculty members about—”

“No, no, no, shhh,” he hushed me hurriedly. “How about you come with me to the mall after school today? I’ll explain it all then. I’m not a murderer, it’s just… I can’t tell you anything here.” I looked at the girls next to us, who were now staring our way. I snatched the phone back.

“Sure,” I said. “Right… so I’ll meet you near the front doors after school.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Ros replied. “Just… please don’t tell anyone.”

I laughed.

“Really, though, who would I tell?”

Ros just smiled and picked up his turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich. He took a bite.

Finally, after much down time, I’ve reemerged with a new romantic comedy! As always, I am looking to improve my writing and storytelling skills, so any constructive criticism or questions you leave for me are greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading!

-Lefty