Brriiing. Brriiing.
Anna rolled onto her side, reaching for her phone with a lazy hand. She swiped to the left, lifting it to her ear.
"Hullo?" she yawned.
"Er, sorry." A voice scrambled. "Were you sleeping?"
If she were fully awake, she would have explained that her shift ended at six, so she'd decided to take a quick nap before classes at eight. Instead, she simply mumbled "Night classes."
"Uh, right." The confusion was clear in the person's voice. "Sorry to bother you, is Steve home?"
Anna rubbed her eyes. "Sorry, who is this?"
"William Pepperjack. I'm Eli's dad."
"Never hear of an Eli- wait. Real short, glasses?"
"Yeah, that's him!"
Anna nodded mutely. "Yeah, he and my son watch some" Yawn. "geeky show together. Creepslayerz?"
"So you are Steve's mom then? I was worried I might have the wrong number."
Anna sat up, glancing to the left. Her bedside table was bathed in red light, neon lights proudly announcing the time. 7:43. Crap.
"I can't find Eli, I was wondering if he was at your place."
How did he get her number? Oh well, Anna was too tired to care.
The voice continued, "You know, since they've recently become friends, and I can't think of anyone else because, well, Eli doesn't really have any friends. I'm worried about him, so could you maybe ask Steve-"
If Anna had been fully awake, she would have been able to comprehend the severity of what was happening. Or perhaps not. After all, who in their right minds would believe the impossible things that were about to happen to the unlikely duo? As it was, Anna had worked finished writing her essay at five am that morning, and her shift ran from eight to six. "Look," she spoke into the phone. "I really have to go. I'll call you back later."
So Anna hung up, too tired to notice the roar of a Vespa in her driveway.
