Unexpected visitor

Anna POV

It was a call from an unknown number.

I frowned at the strange number flashing on my screen. 

"Who is this?" I muttered to myself, curiosity getting the better of me. 

"Hello?" I hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Hi, pretty.” a familiar voice responded, smooth and confident.

 My heart skipped a beat. “Hi… So, can I know who this is?”

“It’s me, dear,” the voice replied, teasingly.

My eyes widened. “What? Vincent?”

How did he get my number? And what did he want to talk about? 

“Yeah,” he confirmed, his tone casual, almost playful.

I felt a chill run down my spine. “How did you get my number?”

Vincent’s laugh was low, almost mocking. “You’re attending my dad’s school. Why wouldn’t I be able to get it?”

I grip tight on my phone. “Don’t you dare call me again. I’ll block you.”

“Well, if you do, I will just register another SIM anytime and call you again. So, why aren’t you in school today?” His response was immediate.

I felt anger and fear building inside me. “How is that any of your business? Look, leave me alone!” I yelled, my voice louder than intended.

My mum appeared at the door, concern etched on her face. “Darling, is everything alright?”

I forced a smile, masking my anxiety.

 “Yes, Mom. I’m just chatting with a friend.” I turned my attention back to the phone as she turned to leave.

 “So, dear, we’ll talk later tonight. I need to cook now.” Without waiting for a reply, I cut the call, my hands trembling slightly.

…

At Vincent house, he leaned back, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “Did she just call me dear?” he murmured to himself.

…

As I tried to shake off the uneasiness from the call, I couldn't help but feel that something wasn’t right. Why was Vincent so persistent? And how had he gotten 

my number so easily? 

It was 2 AM. My room was dark, and I was deep in sleep, tangled in a dream I wouldn’t remember, when my phone rang. I groaned, half-awake, staring at the bright screen. Another strange number flashed across it.

“Who the hell is calling at this hour?” I muttered, my voice breaking, thick with sleep. I answered, half-expecting some prank or wrong number.

“Hi, love.” The voice on the other end was smooth, almost too smooth, I knew that voice. 

Urgh not again! 

I cleared my throat, trying to sound more awake, less vulnerable. “Vincent? Why are you calling me at this time?” My heart pounded, not from affection, but from a mix of anger and confusion.

“I was expecting your call,” he replied.

I could feel my irritation boiling over. “If you were expecting my call, why did you call me?” My voice was sharp now, cutting through the night.

“To hear your beautiful voi…”

I hung up before he could finish and I switched off my phone, tossed it onto the bed. What the hell was that about? Who does he think he is? I could almost picture his smirk as he realized I’d cut him off. But he was messing with the wrong girl.

The next day, everyone was in class anticipating our first lecture.

“Good morning, students,” Mr. Harris, our teacher, greeted us with his usual cheer.

“Good morning, sir,” the class chorused. 

“Today we will discuss the topic of crush” Mr. Harris began, a mischievous glint in his eye. 

“Before we start, Vincent, why don’t you tell us who your crush is?”

The class room erupted in whispers and murmurs. Girls started shouting “Me! Pick me!”

 Lorna, the queen bee of our class, gave a smug smile, certain that Vincent would pick her.

“Who else but me?” she said, loud enough for everyone to hear. Clarice was practically glowing with anticipation, convinced that Vincent would declare his undying love for her.

Vincent stood up slowly, his gaze scanning the room. Then he pointed. 

My heart stopped. He was pointing in my direction. I glanced at Kara, my best friend, who sat beside me. Was it her? But then his words came like he read my mind.

“No, it’s you, Anna.”

The classroom exploded with reactions. Gasps, whispers, and those ridiculous “awww” that made my skin crawl. I felt a thousand eyes boring into me. I wanted to disappear, to sink into the floor and never come back.

Lorna was on her feet in an instant, her eyes flashing with anger. 

“Everyone, shut up!” She yelled.

“I am the only crush Vincent is allowed to have! Anna is just a nobody, a little rat from the trash!” She turned her glare on Mr. Harris.

 “And you, teacher, why don't you just teach the topic and stop interfering in our lives, get it? Or else you will lose your job because there are plenty of people waiting to replace you!” She shot at him and stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door behind her.

 The classroom went silent. Mr. Harris apologized and wrote on the board, his hands shaking as he wrote.

 My mind was racing, trying to process everything. Why me?

I could feel Clarice eyes dying to swallow me.

Next day was the weekend. My family and I were having one of those lazy Saturdays. I was in the kitchen with my mom, helping with breakfast while Dad, Jacob, and Ashley were busy cleaning. The sound of laughter and clinking dishes filled the air.

I was mixing pancake batter when there was a knock at the door. It was an odd time for visitors, but nothing prepared me for what I saw when I opened it.

There, standing on my doorstep, was…

Before I could fully process what I was seeing, my mom appeared behind me, wiping her hands on

her apron "Anna, who’s there?" she asked, her voice full of curiosity.