"Hang out? Just the two of us? Why?" I asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"Nothing, just two friends hanging out and getting to know each other" he shrugged, earning him a wierd look from me "And now that I'm sure that you and Blake aren't a thing, I'm not worried that he just might skin me alive". He chuckled.

Honestly, I was not a big fan of going out, I'd rather be holed up in my room all day, texting and eating. But I had a feeling he wasn't going to let me off with such an excuse and I was too lazy to think of one, so I agreed. Besides, it won't kill me to socialize sometimes, right?

"Alright then" I said, smiling "But let me warn you, except it has something to do with food, I'm the most boring person to go out with"

"Don't worry about that, I've got plenty of interesting for the both of us" he replied, smiling as well.

"Oh and also tomorrow is the game remember?" I reminded him.

"Oh, yeah, right. Totally forgot" he replied "So how's uh, Saturday?"

"Alright that's fine, I think I'm free" I replied, drinking the last of my coffee.

"Pick you up at 1?" He asked.

"I think you should just tell me where we're going and I'd meet you there" I replied "Just two friends hanging out remember, so no need for the formalities"

"Okay sure, I'll text you the address" he said. Just then, I got a text from my mum, saying that she was just around the corner.

"My mom says she's arriving soon" I informed him, my eyes still on my phone screen, then I looked up at him and said "Thanks for keeping me company till now, I really appreciate it"

"No problem" he replied, a smile on his face. Soon enough, my mom arrived. I could spot her deep blue Toyota at the other side of the road through the window. I payed for my coffee, after persistently declining André's offer to pay then we both exited the shop.

"Bye Andrè" I waved and ran across the street to my mom's car as he walked to his.

"Hey mom" I greeted as soon as I got in, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"How are you honey?" She asked, looking out the window at André "Who's that?"

"I'm fine and that's André, my friend from school" I replied.

"How come I don't know him?" She asked as she began to drive.

"He's also kinda new, just resumed a week ago" I explained "Besides, you don't know all of my friends" I giggled.

"Oh really? So now you're quite the social butterfly" she teased.

"Not quite, Thomas is the only one you don't know. We became friends through Clover and he has a british accent!" I informed her, exclaiming the last part.

"Alright honey" she said, chuckling "Why did your school close so early today, though?"

"Oh we have a basketball game tomorrow and apparently, the school gives two days off. The day before the game for practice and the day of the game for well, the game" I explained.

"Oh, so you don't have school tomorrow?"

"I don't, but I'm definitely going, to watch the game" I replied.

"That's fine, but you will have to leave only when it's time for the game and you'll be back before curfew, alright?" She instructed as she pulled into our driveway.

"Yes ma'am" I agreed and proceeded to get out of the car. Thirty minutes later, Marie and Tyler were back and we had dinner.

As I climbed up the stairs to my room later that night, my excitement for the game had resurfaced and just as I lay my head on my pillow, ready to be pulled into dreamworld, I got a text. Who would be texting at this hour?

I picked up my phone to see it was a text from Blake.

Blaky: See you at the game tommorow 😉

Of course it'd be him, I thought as a smile slipped onto my face and I replied.

Me: Yeah, goodnight Blaky.

After that, I fell asleep, the stupid smile refusing to leave my face.

*  *  *  *  *

The sound of a car door slamming nearby penetrated through my sleep, waking me up. I sat up and after a quick prayer and a not so quick stretch, I checked my phone to see that it was fifteen minutes past twelve in the afternoon! Woah! Did I really sleep for that long? It was the perfect day to sleep in though, I didn't have school. Yay!

As I threw my legs over the edge of my bed, I noticed a blue post it note on my bedside table, my mom's handwriting scribbled over it. It said:

"Morning honey, I didn't want to wake you up when I left, hence this note. Tyler's at school, I'm at work, Marie's at her second job and you're well, at home, alone. Have some cereal for breakfast and if I'm not back by the time you're leaving for the game, text me. Love you."

- Mom.

I replaced the note on the table, a smile on my face. My mom was the sweetest, I thought as I stood up. I had my bath and stuff and went down to the kitchen, every footstep echoing around the house.

I made cereal and ate while scrolling through my Instagram news feed. I was watching a video when I received a text from Clover.

Clover: Wake up sleepy head.

Me: I'm up, what's up?

Clover: Nothing, just wanted to be sure you were awake so you'd have enough time to prepare for the game tonight.

Me: It's a basketball game Clo, there's nothing I have to prepare for 🙁

Clover: Of course there is, Blake is going to be searching for you through the crowd of people, so you have to look extra pretty.

Me: Oh please Clover, I think you should take your own advice and dress extra pretty cause Thomas will definitely be searching the crowd for you 😉

Clover: Don't you dare make this about me.

This made me giggle cause I could practically see the blush on her face, in my head.

Me: Lmao. I can practically see you blushing 😂

Clover: Shut up 🙄

Me: Lol. Anyways, I have something to tell you.

Clover: What?

Me: Dré asked me to hang out with him on Saturday.

Clover: Hang out? Like a date?

Me: No, not a date. According to his words, 'just two friends hanging out and getting to know each other'.

Clover: That's definitely a date Dani.

Me: Nah, Dré doesn't like me that way.

Clover: What makes you so sure?

Me: I just know 🤷🏽‍♀️

Clover: Well, date or not, I hope you let him down easily.

Me: Well.....

Clover: What? Please don't tell me you agreed.

Me: Okay, I won't 😅

Clover: Why would you do that?

Me: Why not? I mean he's new and he said the students at school haven't been so friendly with him, so maybe he just wants to hang out with a friend on Saturday and that's where I come in.

Clover: That's dumb. What about Blake? What would he think when he finds out?

Me: What about him? I don't see why this news should bother him though.

Clover: Of course it would. You guys like each other right?

Me: Oh no, not you too 😩.

Clover: What do you mean?

Me: André also thought the same thing. Before he asked for us to hangout, he asked about Blake and I. I mean, he's a really great person and all but we're just really good friends. Now please just drop it.

Blake didn't like me that way and he may have a nice smile, beautiful eyes and I may or may not develop butterflies in my stomach when he smiles at me, but that doesn't mean I liked him. Right?

Clover: Alright then. But just to be clear, I still feel that you guys like each other. Anyways, what time should I come pick you up?

Me: What time is the game?

Clover: 7PM

Me: Alright then, you can come like fifteen minutes to.

Clover: So late? If we leave then, we'd surely be late.

Me: Sorry, mom's orders 😪.

Clover: Okay then. Text you later!

After the last message, I dropped my phone and proceeded to finish the last of my now soggy cereal. I was so into the texts that I forgot about them. When I was done, I went on to watch some TV in the living room.

I was halfway through a cartoon I was watching - yes, I know, I still watch cartoons - when I remembered the chip that had fallen out of my locket some days ago. I went up to my room, picked up my locket and came back down to the living room. Mum wasn't around now so I couldn't ask her about it.

I brought the chip out of the locket and examined it. It was so tiny, I doubt it contained anything, but I really wanted to know if it did, so I decided to call my dad. Maybe he knew what it was or what was on it.

I dialed his landline but he wasn't picking up. I tried some more but gave up after the fourth try. I then left a voicemail with only the word "Hi". He'd know it was me once he heard it and he'd surely call back.

After that, I continued what I was watching, wondering how on earth a bug was smarter than a human.

*  *  *  *  *

Hi guys! How are you today? Good, I hope 😊

Anyways, question of the chapter: What do you think is on the chip?

Please don't forget to VOTE, drop COMMENTS and SHAREEE! xoxo.