"shouoldnt friendds have each others nnumbers"

Drowsily nodding my head to James Arthur's new song and periodically mouthing the words was essentially all I did for the whole hour of being in the crampy car as we drove to the next town and unfortunately we still had another hour to go.

At first, my parents said that we were going to leave on Sunday morning but just as we were about to get in the car, one of the tires deflated. So we had to schedule the car for a fix and I spend my whole Sunday reading a book in my room, but we were back in the car on Monday.

My mother claimed it was a good thing because if the car tire didn't deflate, she would've forgotten her favourite white lily-flowered sundress.

Then after she got her dress, she started yelling at father, saying it was horrible because now I would miss out on school. Which didn't really make a difference because I would be back on Monday either way but obviously during her rage, she lost a little bit of common sense.

"Anyone want to take a stretch? There's a gas station coming up in a few kilometres," Father questioned, looking at the mirror where my reflection was.

I shook my head.

"Yes, honey. I need a bathroom break," Mother intervened, desperately and he chortled at her antics.

"All right, next stop. The gas station," Father announced. Sometimes parents can act so opposite to what they should. For instance, father's acting like a five-year-old train conductor. But when my grades slip or I'm in trouble for some particular reason, they go all strict on me.

I shut my eyes again, ready to doze off knowing that I wouldn't have to leave the car while I wait for my parents. I heard the car stop and doors opening and shutting so I assumed my parents had left.

I sighed and moved my head so it was tilted to the left instead of right because it was aching. Just as I was about to fall into a sleepy haze, there was a buzz from my phone. I tried opening my eyelids but they only widened halfway. I rubbed them and blinked furiously, attempting to awaken myself.

I glanced down at my phone to see a notification from Snapchat.

Carson.

I was about to enter the passcode when another message came in.

Where u at?

I settled for the idea of not going into the Snapchat app and just reading the messages that come in through the lock screen.

Lunch is almost over n idk where u r.

I stayed quiet when more messages came in.

ur not scared of me r u?

r u avoiding me?

I made a small sound at the back of my throat, somewhat sounding like a soft scoff. Why does he care that I'm not there? I'm barely in any of his classes so why does my absence bother him.

jetts gone somewhere n i have no friends left.

This made my brows crease. What does he mean by 'I have no friends left.' He's got plenty, the whole schools practically in love with him, except for the boys, I mean.

r u dead. if u r, theyre gonnna use our texts as evvidence. im gonna be the first susepect.

Gee, thanks for your concern. Regardless of how weird that sentence sounded and his horrible grammar, it made me smile so I unlocked the passcode, clicking on the yellow icon.

Carson: so u r here. i c u. it says 'Hermosa is typing..."

I flushed pink at the nickname, but he was wrong. I wasn't typing anything. God. Should I type something? If I do, I wouldn't know what to say but if I don't, I'll look like a creepy person just sitting there waiting for him to reply.

Me: hi

Carson: heyyyyyy. u here. where r u?

Me: going away this week.

Carson: ur not gonna be here all wweek?

Me: yes

Carson: r u just bludging off bc of the assessment?

1. I would never bludge. 2. He remembers this?

Me: no

Carson: r u sure?

Me: yes

Carson: lol jk. wud now

Me: talking to u

Carson: cool. im just sitting on the woodeen chaiir all lonely.

Me: ok

Carson: no pity for me?

I shook my head, a smile present on my face as I typed: no.

Carson: how do i know ur not lying

Me: idk

It was quiet for a few seconds. It no longer said 'Carson is typing...' but it was blank.

Carson: wats ur fav colour?

That question surprised me. It was so random and you can't do very much with someone's favourite colour.

Me: idk

Carson: fav animal?

Me: idk

Carson: fav season?

Me: idk

Carson: fav sport?

Me: idk

Carson: do u know anything?!

I smiled, knowing my answer would annoy him.

Me: idk

Carson: u gotta be kidding me. Is there anything u do know?

My grin widened.

Me: idk

Carson: how about your phone number?

I felt heat rise from my neck to my face and my hands became all sweaty.

Me: why

Carson: were friends arent we? Shouoldnt friendds have each others nnumbers?

I stared at the rectangular screen, deciding whether or not I should give it to him.

After a few seconds, I gave in. My hands were so sweaty, I thought I was going to punch in the wrong numbers and he would be calling a random person. I read it over three or four times before sending it just in case.

Me: what's yours?

He sent it to me and all the while, I knew he had a smirk on his face.

A couple moments later, my parents returned and the tormenting driving continued. It was a country area so the road was made of harsh gravel, causing the car ride to feel like more of a horse ride. And there was nothing to see outside the window, only trees and occasionally cows grazing on someone's farm.

"Do you want me to turn on the AC, Iris? You seem a little bit hot," Father said, his eyes moving up to the rear mirror.

"N- " I coughed, in hopes of clearing my squeaky and flustered voice. "No. I'm good, thank you."

He nodded but I could feel my mother's suspicious gaze on me.

Carson: easy question. how many friends do u have now?

Again, a strange question. There were only two answers, either none because I doubt Carson wanted to genuinely be friends with me and two, I could say I had one friend but that didn't sound quite right. Iris has one friend. It's not weird because of the 'one' part but the 'friend' part. I've never had friends before and I'm not sure how to be one.

So I stuck with the same reply.

Me: idk

Carson: wdym u dont know? im ur friend remember?

Me: ok

See, the good thing about talking over a screen is that he can't see me hesitate or blushing, but the bad thing is that I can't see him face to face to be able to tell if he were lying. And what if he had someone next to him reading all my texts? What if he had more people?

So it's best to keep my answers short and not too honest. At least until I can trust him. What am I saying? I have no chance to be friends with this popular boy. I hate to say it but I know it's true, I'm just his entertainment for now. Maybe not a prank because they don't drag on for months, but he'll soon forget about me and life will go back to normal.

Carson: not ok. ill introduce u to my friends.

No. That's not good. Saying 'his friends' is the translation for 'the whole school'. I don't need this, because I know there will always be people who will hate me and I want to stay focused on school.

Me: no thank you

Carson: y not?

I bit my lip harder, really stalling on the message.

Me: I already have a friend.

Carson: oh rly? who?

I thought my lip was going to bleed, but I sighed and typed the answer.

Me: you

Carson: im flattered but u need more

Me: I don't want more

Carson: its fine. its only Jett n May.

Me: no thank u

Carson: they dont bite

Me: i gtg. we're here. bye.

Carson: bye Hermosa.

It was a complete lie but it got him to stop. Even texting him for a few minutes caused my face to turn hot and my teeth were creating holes in my lips again. And that nickname always made heat clamber up my skin.

I honestly don't know of what he's trying to do or play. He was a random guy whom I'd never talk to before. He just one day, went up to me and started flirting and continued for the next three weeks. Then he apologises and asks to be friends. Now he wants to introduce his friends to me.

It's weird when you actually list out what happened. It's just so random. You really can't don't know what to expect and I hate that. I hate the unknown and Carson's full of it and his friends too.

I barely see them around but when I do, I duck my head like I usually do and go on my way.

Jett Mcgraw's a shady boy. Everyone including me knew he was a nuisance in class and caused trouble wherever he went. He skipped classes and never attended detention. That's what I've heard everyone say, but I'd never really pay attention.

But at first glance, he seemed almost friendly-almost especially with his pale skin, relatively ghost-like, tall pointed nose, thick lips, murky brown ruffles like the bark of a tree and those innocent blue eyes.

May Eaton was Jett's long-term girlfriend. It's weird to see Jett with and still together with someone like May. She was so sweet and kind. She was extremely innocent and almost a nerd without the attire, at least that's what I can interpret from walking five-ten metres behind her a few times in the hallways.

Fawn coloured hair reached a few inches under her shoulders, a sharp nose stood above her pink glossy lips and thick eyebrows arched above her most prominent feature; her bluish-green eyes, which would glisten under the artificial light and radiated the most innocence from her.

I didn't understand why Carson wanted me to meet them. I was content on my own. Being 'friends' with him was already out of my comfort zone and ruined my daily routine. Now he wanted to add extra two people.

My only question is, why?

a/n: vote and comment x