The Accidental Text

Chapter 5

Lila

I was standing by my locker when Shawn strolled down the hall towards the populars and joined his group of popular friends. I hear they were buzzing about the party at Matt's this Friday, a gathering I wasn’t invited to.

“You okay?” Nina asked, swinging her locker open.

I turned towards her, “Peachy,” I replied, trying to keep my tone light.

Nina looked at me and then sighed.

“Are you still upset about that stupid text? Just forget it and move on. So what if some guy saw your bra? He doesn’t know you, and you don’t know him. s**t happens,” she said, brushing me off.

I have to tell her who I think the text might be. I took a deep breath, “Nina, I think I know who that guy is. And you know him too,” I confessed to her.

Nina snapped her locker shut and stared at me in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?”

I shook my head. Just then, Shawn's voice echoed down the hall. “Hey girls, how about it? I dare you to come into the janitor’s closet with me and show me what’s under your shirt. No bra, full exposure.”

Both Nina and myself turned to look at Shawn and his gang.

“What a pig,” Nina muttered, disgusted.

Panic surged through me. What if Shawn was the guy I accidentally texted? All he cared about was superficial stuff, like boobs. What had I done?

I slammed my locker shut harder than I intended, the noise reverberating in my ears. I bolted down the hall, I had to get away. I need privacy to confirm my fears.

One of the classrooms was empty and I ducked into it. I pulled my phone out and I sent Shawn a text, describing his outfit.

My heart sank when he replied, confirming it was him. There was no way I could let him find out it was me that sent the text.

I walked out of the classroom and Nina caught up with me just as we entered our English class.

“What’s wrong? Why did you run off like that?” she asked, glancing around the room.

I need to tell her, I leaned in closer to whisper, “It was Shawn I accidentally texted.”

I stepped away from her and her eyes widened in shock as she mouthed, “Shut up.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of this secret. Just then, I spotted David and Shawn laughing as they entered the classroom.

Nina saw them too, “Good thing they don’t know it was you,” Nina whispered, trying to reassure me.

I watched as Shawn pulled out his phone, and my own buzzed in my pocket. I couldn’t bring myself to check it now. I just couldn’t.

---

Shawn

“What’s so interesting on your phone?” Michelle asked as I slipped my phone back into my pocket.

“Nothing,” I replied, it’s none of her business what is on my phone.

“Come on, let’s get to English,” David urged, already moving ahead.

I grabbed my backpack and followed him as the girls with Billy and Andy veered off in another direction.

As we entered class, David said, “Man, I can’t wait for Friday. I really need this party.”

“Let’s win the football game first, then we can celebrate,” I replied, trying to stay focused.

“Totally!” he laughed.

We settled into our usual seats. I nudged David and pointed to that girl that ran down the hallway, —Luna? What was her name again?

David glanced where I pointed and nodded knowingly. He knew what I pointed her out to him. We need her so we don’t get benched.

I pulled out my phone, deciding to send a quick message to my mystery texter. Hopefully she will answer me back, this class is boring.

S:| Being popular isn’t always what it seems. Sometimes, I think I'd rather be alone than with them.

I didn’t know why I felt compelled to share that, but it was true. While there are perks to being popular, they often come at a cost, like being expected to participate in stuff I wasn’t interested in.

This party was a perfect example. I already knew how it would go: we’d party hard, make out with girls, and wake up hungover the next day.

Don’t get me wrong, the girls were fun, but it was always the same crowd. They cared so much about their clothes and gossiping.

Sometimes, I just wanted a real conversation with someone who cares more than clothing brands. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to this mystery texter; she seemed different, someone that might know more than just the brand name of the shoes she is wearing.

Class ended, and I spotted that Lulu handing her phone to Nina, the other girl from our class. I remembered Nina’s name because we briefly dated back in eighth grade before I got popular and she didn’t.

Wasn’t because Nina didn’t want to get popular, Nina just decided she didn’t want to be labelled. Honestly, I admire that.

I watched as David approached them, flashing his charming smile. I could already tell he was going to turn on the charm. This should be entertaining.

“So, Lilith, how are you today? You know, you look cute in that top. I’ve been watching you for a while,” he said confidently to Lola.

“My name isn’t Lilith. Are you sure you have the right person?” she shot back.

I couldn’t help but laugh at David’s epic fail. Watching his cocky demeanor get shot down was priceless, especially since I didn't think she meant to embarrass him. It was just too good to miss.