Eva's PoV

College passed quickly and before I knew it, the last bell had rung to my delight. I picked my books up and shoved them in my bag to the tune of Bruno Mars, heading out of the door and home as quickly as I could.
I was always the first home, so I didn't bother to look around or shout 'hi' before I rushed upstairs and threw my bag on my double bed. I sat on my freshly washed bed linen and breathed in the fresh cotton scent that wafted around, letting out a small smile at the comforting smell. I'm pretty sure my parents had been buying the same washing detergent for the last fifteen years because it was the only smell our washing ever smelt of, not that I was complaining. My mum has been kind enough to wash my bed linen before going to work; she worked at the hospital and did unsociable hours. A lot of the time, I only saw her when she came home and I happened to be awake still - other than that, we had to wait for her days off. My dad was a businessman in the city, walked around in a suit and with a briefcase looking important as he had meetings with clients and companies. His need to bring in money to the company meant he worked loads of overtime and often got dragged into company lunches with customers to try and get them to buy in. Some days I'd see him at 6pm, other times I wouldn't see him for days on end. I had a feeling this was going to be one of those lonely days.

I took my book and phone out of my bag and flicked through the pages until I found where I had written Ashton's number and added it to my phone. My heart was thumping nervously as I added it under the name "College" so that no one would easily find it if they got hold of my phone for any reason. Do I text him now? Do I wait? Is he with his friends right now?
I threw my phone down beside me, another fresh scent wandering the room. I'm not a nervous person normally but there was something about these four boys that scared yet intrigued me. When they were there, in front of me, I couldn't speak. When I've got one of their numbers, I'm too nervous to message him. What is it about them that makes me so hesitant?
As if fighting with my own thoughts, I picked my phone off the bed and held it for a moment contemplating. I dropped it down again, shaking my head. A few seconds passed and I gained confidence again, picking it back up. Ah what the hell, just do it.

Me: hey, I just wanted to see if you were okay. You seemed really upset today.

I sent it without even rereading it. My brain spun with clashing thoughts on how it was a bad idea, how they'd find out it was me, how it was a good idea, how I could be helping him. I couldn't function for a few seconds, that was until my phone pinged with a message. My eyes fell on it instantly. It was College.

College: who is this?

Did I play it cool or be honest? Then he'd probably ask how I got his number and they'd put two and two together and guess I broke into Calum's phone. I can't go through that. I had to remain anonymous.

Me: no one interesting. Just wanted to see how you were.

It pinged again instantly.

College: are you fucking stalking me?

My face dropped as I read and reread the message he'd sent. Great. Now I was in the bad books regardless.

Me: what? no!

College: then how did you get my number? Who are you? I'll find out and then you'll be sorry!

Me: I just wanted to check you were okay. You seemed upset at college and your friends didn't even know what it was about. I was just trying to be nice.

College: well I don't need people pretending to be nice to me.

Me: lol isn't that what everyone does because they're scared of you and your friends?
Me: sorry that was uncalled for
Me: this isn't how I thought this would go. Don't worry I won't text you again.

I threw my phone beside me and shook my head. I couldn't believe he could still be typical bad boy Ashton even when someone was trying to check he was okay. It seemed stupid. I'm not saying he needed to be the sweetest man ever but he could have at least thanked me for being worried. Why was he so defensive? I'm so glad I didn't tell him who I was now, otherwise I'd be dead meat with him and his friends tomorrow at college. Well, now that I managed to screw that up only seconds after it began, I guess I'll have to find some other entertainment for the rest of the evening.

BZZZ

My eyes darted my phone, laying on the bed with the screen lit up and College's name on the notification.

College: ha I liked that. Some proper honesty. Truth hurts sometimes.

I held my phone near my face as I reread the message over and over again. He actually responded again. He actually commended me for my honesty, albeit something I felt really bad for saying. He's actually holding a conversation with me. Do I try and respond once more?

Me: that's me, honest. Sometimes brutally. I hope I didn't offend you.

My hopes were lifted again, my smile widening as my heart sped at the possibility we could still be having the conversation I'd thought we would before. I know what you're thinking, I sound like some stalker, just like Ashton had asked but the truth was just that I wanted to help him I needed him to open up to someone, and if it wasn't going to be his friends, it would be me.

College: me? Offended? You know who I am right?

Once again a smile appeared on my face. He was so smug and cocky, yet somehow I was giving him the response he wanted had he been in front of me.

Me: yeah. Still just wanted you to know that whatever happened to upset you I'm here if you want to talk.

College: you sound like a fucking idiot.
College: if I was going to tell anyone, it wouldn't be some stalker weirdo who got my phone number.

I hesitated after reading it. How would I respond to that? Should I even bother when he's clearly not listening? I tapped quickly and pressed send before I had time to think about it anymore.

Me: fine