It started with a call.

Scanning her eyes down a sheet of paper, she released a breath of air. The window was shut, blinds down. Her strokes were lethargic. Anything would be better than this. With her free hand, she cupped her face. All of a sudden, her pocket vibrated. Shovelling it out, she held it against her ear.

"Oi, did you hear what happened today at Kisaragi?" She nearly leapt out of her seat. There weren't any indicators to who it was, since most of the boys at her school had deep voices. Another factor added was the phone, which disguised and altered most tones.

Being honest, relief slipped into her system. Homework was awful. There were two approaches she could take. Serious, straight up 'what?' answers, or the wisecrack alternative — which she took. "Um... I heard that Mr. Tsubota is an official paedophile?" Slight giggle. "No, just joking. But seriously, who are you?"

He laughed. "I hate that guy... Hold on a sec. Is this the wrong number?"

"I think so," she said, a smile cracking on her lips.

"Oh shit, it is. S—"

Her eyebrows furrowed. Such vulgar words... "Don't swear."

"Huh?" Confusion smothered his voice.

Lips pursed, she retorted, "It's disgusting when people use such verminous language."

"What does that even mean?"

Her face lightened. "Verminous? It's something relating to—"

"I wasn't being serious." He deadpanned.

"But you asked!" She half-shouted.

He snorted. "What are you, some kind of encyclopaedia?"

"Shut up! You are so mean."

"Me? How come?"

Her teeth grinded. "You tried to compare me to an encyclopaedia, which I am not."

A scoff. "Oh, if you think that's bad, then you should see me at lunch."

Her eye twitched. "Okay, fine. I'll go and smack some sense into you. What class are you in?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Why not?"

"I don't want some random chick coming along and smacking me, alright?" He returned, visibly louder.

"Hey! I'm not just some random chick."

"Oh really? Then what are you?"

She straightened her back. "I'm a class representative. A lot of people respect me, obviously not you."

"Well you haven't really given me a reason to respect you."

"Of course I have!" She exclaimed.

"None that I can recall."

A pout. "Then you clearly haven't been listening."

"Oh, I hear you loud and clear," he quipped.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Anyway, you still haven't answered my question. Who are you?"

"Hmm... I don't really want to say."

"Fine. I promise I won't smack you."

He chuckled "It's not that. I'd just rather not tell you."

"Why? I haven't done anything."

"Because it's so funny."

Her eyes narrowed. "What is?"

"You. You're really amusing."

Jack slackened, she blurted, "Is that supposed to be offensive...!?"

"Take it however you want," he jested.

"What!"

There was some shuffling. "Anyway, I'm sorry to cut this call short but I've gotta go. Talk to you later, class rep."

The line dropped as she mumbled, "Bye..."

Hasting her way through worksheets, she managed to finish in record time. Cocooned amongst bed sheets, she brought her phone up to her face and texted the unknown number.

Shinozaki Ayumi: I'm going to find out who you are eventually.

A few minutes later, it buzzed.

Unknown number: Why are you so persistent to know?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Because you need to be taught a lesson.

Unknown number: I thought you said you wouldn't hit me.

Shinozaki Ayumi: I won't. I'm not that strong anyways.

Unknown number: Really? Do you play any sports?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Does ping pong count?

Unknown number: I'm afraid not.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Well then there's your answer. I assume you're not a sports fanatic either.

Unknown number: You'd be surprised.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Then surprise me.

Unknown number: I play basketball, baseball, soccer, you know?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Stop boasting. Is there anything you're not good at?

Unknown number: Honestly, I'm shit at swimming.

Shinozaki Ayumi: What did I say about swearing?

Unknown number: Jeez. You're so conservative.

Shinozaki Ayumi: No, you're so obnoxious.

Unknown number: Again, with the big words.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Don't you learn these things in English?

Unknown number: I'd need to be awake to learn.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Oh, don't tell me you're a slacker. This adds to the list of discipline I need to give you.

Unknown number: Is spanking on that list?

Shinozaki Ayumi: What? Gross, no. I have just lost more respect for you.

Unknown number: Calm down. I was joking.

Shinozaki Ayumi: I can't tell when you're joking or not.

Unknown number: Sometimes I can't either. I guess you'll just have to deal with it.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Sorry, I gotta go. Text you later.

They hadn't texted for a couple of days. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't think of a good starter. Because of that, when she finally got a text, relief struck her.

Unknown number: Hey, I think I saw you today?

Shinozaki Ayumi: What? Are you stalking me?

Unknown number: Not exactly... I just saw a prude class rep and thought it might've been you.

Shinozaki Ayumi: What are you trying to say?

Unknown number: You have pigtails, right?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Ugh, you are such a stalker.

Unknown number: I already said I wasn't.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Whatever. Can you at least tell me what you look like?

Unknown number: Nah.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Really? Not even a little detail?

Unknown number: Nope.

Shinozaki Ayumi: That's so unfair! You already know what I look like.

Unknown number: Fine.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Well then?

Unknown number: Some people say I look scary.

Shinozaki Ayumi: You probably are.

Unknown number: That's not very nice for a class rep to say.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Just being honest! You swear a lot so...

Unknown number: Oh come on. I don't even swear that much.

Shinozaki Ayumi: You shouldn't even swear at all.

Unknown number: Do you want me to stop?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Yes.

Unknown number: Then I won't.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Huh? Why!

Unknown number: Because it's cute how you get mad.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Don't call me cute!

Unknown number: Why not? It's a valid compliment.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Just cause...

Unknown number: Cause?

Shinozaki Ayumi: I don't know. I've never really been called it before?

Unknown number: I can't imagine why.

Shinozaki Ayumi: For one, I don't talk to boys much.

Unknown number: You're talking to me.

Shinozaki Ayumi: You don't count since I haven't met you before.

Unknown number: What if you have?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Really? When?

Unknown number: Haha. Why would I tell you?

Shinozaki Ayumi: You're awful.

Unknown number: And you're cute.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Stop saying that.

Unknown number: But it's the truth... And I have to go. Night.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Cya.

The next week, she decided to take initiative.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Hi

Unknown number: Hey

Shinozaki Ayumi: When will you let me meet you face to face?

Unknown number: Probably never?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Why?

Unknown number:. Why do you even want to meet me?

Shinozaki Ayumi: Because I'd like to know who I'm texting all the time.

Unknown number: You don't have to.

Shinozaki Ayumi: What's up with you today?

Unknown number: What do you mean?

Shinozaki Ayumi: I don't know, you're just different.

Unknown number: I can't really tell. If you don't want to talk to me, then stop.

Shinozaki Ayumi: What? I do want to talk to you.

Unknown number: You shouldn't

Shinozaki Ayumi: Why not?

Unknown number: Firstly, you complain how I'm mean, or how I swear too much. I don't understand why you even text me anymore.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Can't I do what I want? Of course I don't like it how you swear or when you get mean, but that doesn't mean I don't like chatting with you. What brought this up anyway?

Unknown number: If you don't like that part of me, then you wouldn't want to meet me in real life.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Come on. You can't be that bad.

Unknown number: I am. You're some goody-good class rep while I'm lower than dirt. See? We aren't meant to talk to each other.

Shinozaki Ayumi: I'm not some kind of prissy bitch. How could you think that?

Unknown number: Just listen to me. I think we should stop talking.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Why? I don't want to stop.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Are you serious? I liked talking to you. Don't you understand that?

Shinozaki Ayumi: You're not garbage. I know you're a nice person at heart.

Shinozaki Ayumi: Fine, be that way.

Over the course of several days, she had bombarded him with messages, even tried calling him. God, he was too moody. What was she supposed to do? Perhaps it would be better to just let it go. They didn't know much about each other anyway, and they only talked on accident. Although, it was still upsetting, she had gotten so worked up only to be let down.

The sun was setting. On her desk rested two piles of paper. One stapled, other not. The grooves of her hand were aching. Exhaling, she sped up the process. Once she was finished, she could go home. She had to fulfil her class representative duties.

Unexpectedly, the pocket of her skirt oscillated. Pulling it out, she realised it was him. The unknown number. Though slightly hesitant, she accepted the call. She held her breath, waiting for an explanation — for a reason why he suddenly stopped their conversations. What he said nearly drew all the air out from her lungs.

"Sorry. Look up."

She did, though she was the only one in the classroom, and there were no visible changes. That was until the door slid open, revealing a tall boy. Senior uniform, bleach blond hair, strong eyes, heaving chest… and a phone against his ear.

It started with a call.

Less detail, more conversation. Hope you enjoyed. Please review!