Closer to "Saving"

"What're you doing?" Asad's voice speaks up right in my ear, startling me. I jerk away, putting my phone down on the couch.

"Mind your own business," I snap, starting to get off. He frowns.

"Well damn, the hell were doing that you're getting all snippy? You were in a good mood when you came back from work." He glances at my phone, and before I can stop him, he reaches over me to grab it.

"Hey!" I reach out and grab it, trying to pull at it, but he's too strong. So I grab a pillow and ram it in his face instead, pushing him back.

"Hey, don't mess up my hair!" he shouts at me, loosening his grip on my phone. I pull it out of his grip.

"Who cares about your hair? You're at home for God's sake," I say with a huff, walking out of the basement. "Geez."

"Geez," he imitates, following me upstairs. "Yo why don't you stop scrolling through instagram and do your math homework?"

"I hate math," I say. Asad sighs.

"Okayyy. Did you figure out anything else about the letter?"

"Nope. I got another one though. Wanna see?"

"Sure." He follows me upstairs to the room which I share with our two little sisters. I go to the closet and take out my bag, rummaging through to pull out the letter that hooded person put in.

"At lunch today when I went to go use the bathroom, I saw someone with a hoodie put this in my locker. And then they ran away," I say, handing it to him. Asad turns it over in his hand.

"So it's someone from school?" he asks. I shrug. I honestly have no idea what's going on.

"I guess."

"Hmm. Why don't you find out if that guy from your bakery has any connections here? And if those people know Pierce?" Asad suggests.

"Yeah but how am I supposed to do that?" I ask him. "Can you ask?" Asad gives me a funny look.

"Me? Why are you so afraid to ask a question? Chicken."

"Who are you calling a chicken?" I demand, holding up a fist to pretend to be about to hit him.

"You." He states bluntly. I let out a frustrated groan, hitting my head against the wall.

"This doesn't even make any sense. Why am I of all people getting this? Like I hardly even KNOW these guys," I say.

"But you like Pierce," Asad says.

"So? That doesn't mean anything."

"Don't you want to help him? That's your chance for your feelings to mean something," he says. I side-eye him.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever. Anyways, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep."

"Lazy ass," he snorts. "You always want to sleep." Too tired to respond, I just roll my eyes.

"Goodnight."

~~ ~~ ~~

A few hours later, I'm still staring in the dark, unable to sleep. I tried not to be on my phone thinking it affects my sleep, but I have nothing to do and my body feels too anxious to sleep for some reason. So I grab my phone and open instagram, going through people's stories quickly. Pierce's story comes up, making my heart beat fast. I feel stupid for little things like that, but it's the only connection I have since I don't talk to him. He put a song on his story, and for some reason I get a really sad vibe, and my heart sinks. I suddenly have an urge to respond to it. U good? I'm getting depressing vibes from this, I ask with a laughing emoji so it's seems light-hearted. My finger hovers over the send button. Should I do it? Nah. But I mean, does it really matter? Ugh, I guess it's whatever. Without thinking about it even further, I click "send." As soon as I do, my heart starts to beat really really fast, and I panic. Oh God, what did I do? What is he going to think? I'm not even supposed to talk to guys, my parents would be SO mad if they knew I was texting a guy. Ahhghh, what is he going to think?? I should just unsend it. I go to do that, but he responds right then.

It's just that kind of night, he says. My heart thumps.

Aw, is everything okay? I type in response. As soon as I send it, I mentally slap myself. Why did I say "aw?"

Him: No, but it'll be fine lol

Me: it makes it easier to talk about sometimes

Me: I mean unless u want to it doesn't have to be w me, but maybe a friend? Ranting usually helps me. I rant a lot lol

Him: I don't really rant much

Me: Okie dokiee lol

Me: At least try tho, u never k

Him: Nights like this I just think a lot

Him: I get really stuck in my head

Him: I usually listen to music to block out those thoughts

Me: lmao I listen to music to block people out

Me: Also, I am the QUEEN of overthinking. My head is literally a hellhole, so I know how much it drives u crazy. That's y I rant to get some things out. Or u can journal. That helps. Or do something u like to maybe? Idk lol

Me: In the day I go for walks. That clears my head. Orrr even chores and stuff is thinking time for me lol

Him: Yeah I journal sometimes

Him: I like to workout too, it feels good.

Me: Like my brother lol

Him: yeah lmao

Him: Yo your brother is insane tho. He really be putting a lot of effort into his fitness

Me: He really does (laughing emoji)

Me: Do u hav any siblings?

Him: Nah

Me: Wow doesn't that get lonely?

Him: Yeah it definitely does. But I'm used to it. Plus I got my friends.

Me: That's good

Him: Yeah

Him: How many siblings do u hav again?

Me: Four

Me: Two sisters, and two brothers

Me: Theyre really annoying and drive me crazy, but I love them anyways (laughing emoji)

Him: lmaoo sounds fun

Him: Anyways, imma gts now

Him: I always end up falling asleep in class bc I don't get enough sleep (crying emojis)

Me: omg I could never

Me: but ok

Him: Goodnightttt

Me: Gnn

My heart starts to thump like crazy. Omg. Omg. Omgmgomgomg. I just had a full conversation with Pierce, even though it was through text. My heart starts to race even more. Wait, how am I supposed to act tomorrow. I feel my face heat up. Gosh this is going to be so awkward. I'm such an awkward person. Ughhh. I stuff my face in my pillow. Now I really can't sleep. But at least now I'm a step closer to "saving him" and also actually being able to talk to him. I smile, turning on my back.

I wonder what's going to happen tomorrow.