CHAPTER 10: HOW DID YOU GET MY NUMBER?
1422 Words
Morning light slipped through the blinds, soft and slow like today was going to be a good day. I woke up to the steady rhythm of Asher's breathing beside me. His arm was still around my waist, warm, firm and possessive even in sleep.
For a second, it felt safe. Almost peaceful.
Then everything came rushing back – the red bird paper, the photo, basically the whole chaos from yesterday.
My stomach tightened.
I carefully slid out of the bed. He moved but didn't wake.
The floor was cold against my bare feet as I picked up my phone from the nightstand.
THREE MISSED TEXT
Unknown number : Hey, just checking if you're okay.
Unknown number: I hope Asher hasn't been making things hard for you?
Unknown number:Call me when you can.
The number wasn't saved. My brows pulled together as I stared at it. How did this person get my number ?
I typed back, Who are you?
UNKNOWN NUMBER: It's Jaden. The guy from the Freshman party. Remember?
ME: Oh… Jaden. I'll save it now. How did you get my number?
JADEN: I got your number from the freshman group chat. Besides, your profile picture says it all.
Before I could type a reply, a sleepy voice cut through the air.
“You're texting someone this early?”
I turned. Asher was awake, sitting up, sheets pooling around his waist. His hair was a mess, his voice low and rough with sleep.
“It's just Jaden," I said, with a low tone.
That woke him faster than caffeine. “Of course it is.”
I sighed. “Don't start”
He leaned back, arm crossed. “I'm not starting. I'm just wondering why he's texting you at seven a.m.”
“Maybe because he's my friend.”
“Friend? Lol. You just met that guy once.” He chuckled.
“Oh… please”
His jaw tightened. “Friends don't text my girl at seven a.m.”
I stared at him. “I'm not your girl, Asher.”
That stung, I saw it flash in his eyes but I didn't take it back.
He swung his legs off the bed and reached for his towel. “Right. Noted.”
“Asher–” I began but he was already heading to the bathroom.
He turned away, voice sharp. “You think I didn't see it? The way he looked at you ? The way he was smiling while you were together?”
“That’s not what this is about—”
“Then what is it about, Lala?” He took a step closer, his voice breaking between anger and fear. “Because from where I'm standing, he's the only one who benefits if something happens to you.”
I froze. “You think Jaden's behind this?”
“Tell me why he's suddenly texting you after what happened yesterday.”
“He's just being nice!” I groaned.
“Yeah?” His tone dropped. “And how exactly did he know what happened last night?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
“I– he said he heard it from someone in the dorm.”
“Bullshit!” Asher screamed. “This person is inside our circle. They're not just guessing. They know too much.”
I took a shaky step back. “You're scaring me.”
His face softened. “I'm sorry. I just —” he exhaled, running a hand over his face. “I don't want to lose you.”
“Lose me?” I said, giggling. “Are you being fr? coming from you Asher.”
For a second, the tension cracked. His hand brushed against mine, and the world seemed to slow down. His eyes met mine, desperate and raw.
“Then—” My phone buzzed.
JADEN: Did you make it back safe?
I looked at the screen, and Asher saw it.
He didn't say anything, but could feel the shift.
His jaw locked again.
“Asher.” I started, but he turned away.
“I need air.” He replied, clenching his fist.
He threw the towel on the chair, grabbed his jacket and left. The door clicking shut behind him.
I sank onto the bed, the weight of everything pressing against my chest.
What if he was right? What if someone was really watching me?
I scrolled through my messages. Jaden's name blinked again.
JADEN: You there?
I took a deep breath then typed back.
ME: Yeah. Just tired.
He replied immediately.
JADEN: Want to grab lunch? I'm near the Quad.
I stared at the screen. A part of me screamed no. Another part wanting to run away from everything happening whispered yes.
ME: Sure. Ten minutes.
At the quad, the sun was warm, the chatter loud, students sitting on benches and lawns.
Jaden walked in from a distance, his smile was cute just like the first day I saw him.
“You look less ghostly today,” he chuckled, handing me a drink.
“Thanks,” I took a deep breathe. “That’s very reassuring.”
He laughed. “So… still not gonna tell me what happened?”
“There's nothing to tell.”
“Lala.” His voice softened. “You can always talk to me you know.”
I looked away. “It's complicated.”
He tilted his head as his brows shot up. “Complicated like… you and Asher.”
I froze. “what?”
He smiled faintly. “You two aren't exactly subtle.”
I groaned. “We're not—”
“Together?” He spoke fast before I could finish. “Yeah sure.” His voice became light. “Still, you might want to be careful who you trust.”
The words hit a little too hard.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He took a sip of his drink. “Let's just say Asher has a habit of leaving a trail behind him. “Drama, secrets, girls…”
I kept my drink on the bench beside me, and folded my arms. “It's sounds like you know him.”
“Everyone does,” he giggled. “Just not the same version.”
Before I could respond my phone vibrated. It was another text, but not from Asher.
UNKNOWN: smile, pretty girl. The camera loves you.
Everywhere because blurry for a second.
I looked up.
Across the quad, someone was holding up a phone. A flash, then gone.
Jaden followed my gaze. “Lala?”
“Uhm… i’ll see you later. I have to get something done.” I said as I grabbed my bag and jolted.
Asher was waiting for me outside the dorm when I got back, panting. The moment he saw me his expression changed.
“Where were you?”
“Nowhere,” I said still panting, placing my hand on my chest. “Asher, someone… someone just took a picture of me.”
His fist clenched, it's almost like I could see the rage in his eyes. “What!”
“In the quad, I saw a flash directed towards me.”
He didn't ask for proof. He took my phone, read the text, and cursed under his breathe.
“Get inside.”
I swiped the card on the door, and entered inside the romm, my heart pounding.
He locked the door, pulled the curtains shut then turned to me. “We're not waiting for the next message.”
“What are you doing?”
“Finding out who's behind this.”
He moved fast, grabbing his laptop from the desk. His fingers flew across the keyboard. I didn't even realize he'd started tracing the number until he said, “This isn't random. The messages are being routed through a private server. Someone's masking their location.”
“You can do that?”
He glared at me. “you'd be surprised what I can do.”
His phone buzzed.
Another message.
UNKNOWN: Getting warmer.
I backed away, panic crawling up my throat.
“They're watching us right now.”
Asher stood, scanning the room. “Then let them watch.”
He walked towards the window, pulled it open, and yelled into the empty courtyard, “Come out you coward!”
Silence.
The a small thud, a paper bird landing on the windowsill.
This one was black.
Inside it was a single note.
You should have believed her.
Asher's hands trembled slightly as he unfolded it.
“Believed who?” I whispered
He looked me in the eyes.
- Writer
