CHAPTER 4: Stranger Danger?
1745 Words
LIAM
“What’s with you?” Jonathan grabs his root beer off the tray.
“I thought I saw someone I knew.” I remove my straw from its wrapper and I try to keep calm.
I’m not sure if Vecker really doesn’t know me or if she’s pretending. But as I watch her bring our food then clear the table before bringing dessert which is a slice of pie. It actually looks like she doesn’t know me.
Which could only mean, I’ve been…catfished? Me?
No.
I stare at her behind the counter as we prepare to leave and either she’s a really good actor or the worst thing just happened to me.
Not a catfish. It can’t be.
I try to let it go but when we get home and her cell starts going to voicemail. My calmness begins to chip away.
Normally I wouldn’t text or call her at this time because she’s usually busy till 11pm and I’m never this irrational but this can’t wait. I call and call till eventually I’m in my car driving back to the diner.
“Hey. Did you leave something behind earlier?” Vecker greets when I sit at the counter stools.
There’s only one customer left so they must be closing soon.
“No, I—I” I stutter when the other customer calls for her.
“How about I give you time to decide as I get his bill,” she smiles politely and I nod like an i***t.
Four months.
I’ve been talking to this girl, thinking about her for 4 months. Now there’s a possibility she might be a catfish?
No!
“So, Liam right?” She pours coffee in a mug and pushes it to me. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m not sure.” I tap the handle as she puts a pot of sugar and creamer next to it. “Can you answer a few questions?”
I must sound desperate because she walks around the counter and sits next to me after pouring herself a cup. Two spoons of sugar and a lot of milk, is the way she likes it.
“Shoot.” She crosses her legs as the other customer leaves.
“Do you attend Oakwood University?”
“I do, I’m a junior.”
“Are you Russian? I can’t help but catch the way you pronounce certain things like your name.” I point at her name tag. “Your accent slips a little,” and it’s adorable.
But who knew the other ‘s was silent?
“I am. I lived there till I was 8.”
My heart sinks.
“Do you have a twin? And are you a music major?” I push my cup away.
My body is heating up on its own.
“Yes, to both.” Her voice shakes a little, “may I ask why you’re asking me all this?”
“I’m trying to figure something out.” I clear my throat. “Are you sure you’ve never talked to me? Not even on blackbook?”
I ask the dreaded questions.
There’s a chance it’s all a big misunderstanding. No one looks like their pictures sometimes, so she must have been confused.
Please be confused Vecker!
“No.” A ringing sound fills my head. “I’m sorry but I have seen your face around campus,” she tries to reassure me but it does nothing.
And I mean absolutely nothing for me.
“So you were not in Montana for the holidays with your family and roommate?” Her brow arches, “please.”
“I was but I don’t—”
“Oh my God.” I bury my face in my hands and let out a painful groan to silence the ringing.
This is not happening.
No.
It can’t be happening.
“Is everything okay? Did I say something wrong? Do you need me to get someone?” I hear her put the cup down.
“Just the bill for the coffee.” I stand up and pull out my wallet.
I can’t even look at her, I’m so mortified.
“It’s on me.” She shakes her head, “it looks like you’re having a bad day so it’s the least I can do.” She stands up and irons down her white apron.
The least she can do?
“Then take this as a tip.” I put the bill on the counter.
“You really don’t have to, you didn’t even order or touch it.” She picks up the $20 note and puts it in my hand, making me freeze completely.
Her tiny hands are warm and soft but all they do is turn my blood cold and I mean ice cold.
“Well,” I let go of her hand. “We won our game tonight and I was having a great night till I walked in here and realized I had been catfished so.”
“I don’t—I don’t understand?”
Neither do I.
“Someone has been using your pictures to con me.” I couldn’t keep the malice off my voice even if I wanted to.
“Oh,” she blinks.
Oh? That’s all she can say.
“Anyway keep the tip and thanks for the coffee. It was nice to finally meet you, I guess.” I storm out.
Someone owns me an explanation and since the real Vecker couldn’t give it up, the one on my phone has to because nobody makes a fool out of Liam Griffith.
Especially not a freaking catfish.
ODESSA
I spaced out.
We were so busy and packed that I spaced and didn’t even see him walk in. I walked to the booth in the corner to get my last order and got the surprise of my freaking life.
I spaced out for a few seconds as Liam, my Liam, the one I have been talking to for 4months looked up from his menu and stared at me.
He wasn’t even trying to hide it.
His grey eyes immediately turned black as a grey ring surrounded them. He was so shocked to see me he couldn’t even talk while my soul left my body and I gripped my pencil a little too tight.
Liam was there!
He was sitting with his friends at one of my tables, in 3D, real life.
Shit. s**t. s**t. I kept repeating in my head.
Luckily I’m Russian and I went to a boarding school, I knew how to save face and I did. My heart was pounding in my chest the entire time I was writing his order but I didn’t show it.
Then as I walked to the counter to breathe, there he was again. This time I could tell he knew, he said my name and even called me his friend.
His freaking friend!
He gave me an opportunity to come clean but with the entire diner’s eyes on us, I freaked out and feigned confusion.
I pretended to not know what he’s talking about and he went away.
Finally!
After giving them their food. I went out back and literally started hyperventilating.
It was Liam! He was there and he wasn’t a catfish. I was really talking to the real Liam Griffith all this time. I admit part of me already knew because of all the photos but to have it confirmed was too much.
Even for the Russian in me.
Then they left and all seemed well. Till he returned an hour later without his teammates or coach as barrier.
We were alone and about to close up.
I hoped to see him again after a few days. I didn’t know what else to do except continue to play dumb but now as I think about it, I’m not sure if I was playing or just being plain stupid.
“Rough day?” America is at my bedroom door as I fall back on my bed.
“You have no idea.” My laptop pings with a notification.
It’s from blackbook because I switched off my phone when I saw Liam. I couldn’t risk him calling me and knowing the truth.
“Ouu its from Liam.” America puts it next to me before walking to my closet.
Liam Griffith: Are you a catfish?
“Jeez Vecker, you’re looking a little green.” Jessica walks in, “are you okay?”
“What’s going on?” America asks when Jessica picks up my laptop.
“Why does Liam think you’re a catfish?” She types on the computer making my heart sink.
I should really put in passwords on my devices.
“He what?” America takes the computer from her.
I have two options here. I could confess the truth and have them help me or I can continue to spazz out and act or in this case be dumb.
“He’s teasing.” I choose the latter because I’m not ready.
I’m feeling overwhelmed as it is. The last thing I need is for them to tag team and make me feel worse.
America is an empath. She will no doubt force me to go to Liam’s house and tell him the truth which for some reason I can’t do right now and Jessica is queen of brutal honesty. She will do the same but more aggressively.
I just need a few days off as Liam gets over it and I get it together.
“Then what’s wrong?” Jessica closes my laptop and I shrug off my coat.
“School, work, the big showcase auditions coming up.” I stand, “it’s all catching up to me.” I hang the coat behind my door and they give me empathetic looks.
See what I mean.
“I need a drink. We should drink,” I kick off my shoes and their expressions change instantly.
“Funny you say that because we have been invited to a party.” America goes back to my closet. “You have 20minutes to get ready, our ride will be here soon.”
“Sold.” I let my hair down as Jessica walks to my vanity to do her make up.
I have the biggest room in the house so the girls like to get ready in here since I keep it cleaner than they do their rooms.
- Writer
