''I don't know who you are, but I'm with you''
— Avril Lavigne.

*****

Brittney's phone buzzed in her hands after several seconds. Quickly tugging a lock of caramel hair beneath her ear, she opened the message:

I am asking you the same question!

She frowned a little and bit her lip. She was not even sure if he was indeed the same guy who she had talked to in Katherine's candy shop. He could have dialed a wrong number!

She just sat there in her bed, eating the sandwich and fidgeting with the hem of her teal colored button up top, not sure what to do. The only thing she knew was that he was not Michael. There was no way he could be.

Some more minutes passed. Then she finally typed:

Did you somehow dial a wrong number?

His reply came quickly. In fact, so quickly that she even doubted if he had sent the message before she had even started typing.

Why did you call me?

So he had not dialed a wrong number. He knew who he was calling.

Now she was sure that whoever he was, had no connection with Michael whatsoever. She was also certain that it was she who had dialed a wrong number, in Katherine's shop. Of course.

Both the numbers look so alike; I must have fumbled, she thought. Still she had no idea how he had her number. He did not know some weird magic, did he?

I accidentally dialed your number. I didn't aim to.
B

ut how did you get my number?

Accidentally?
Y

ou do even know my name, Jesus!

What? What is your name?

Michael.

Brittney hitched in her breath. Holy Jesus! Out of all the names people can give to their children, he had to be named Michael? Her heart always skipped a beat when she heard this name.

You did not answer my question though.

You didn't answer mine as well!

She rolled her eyes. This guy was so stubborn.

Why would I? I already did!

You know my name..

Sighing, she pouted at the screen. Then furiously typed with her painted nails:

Out of the zillions of zillion human
beings on earth, are you the
only unfortunate one to be
named Michael?

What do you mean?

How the heck did you get my number,
dumbhead?

Okay..the shop lady gave me your number.
P.S.- You go to a candy shop? How old are you?

Brittney shook her head in complete disappointment. Katherine gave away her number just like that? This lady was always so simple.

I don't believe this! What did you tell her?
P.S.- FYI yes, I do. I am eight.

I might've told her I am a friend of yours?
P.S.- You must be.

She got a little afraid now. Was he a bad person? She did not even know his age. Yes, his voice sounded young, but still he could be a bad guy.

God, what am I getting myself into? She thought.

He had told Katherine that he was her friend. Why would he do that unless he had some wrong intention? She decided not to reply again.

Surprised, Miss?

She did not reply.

Thinking why did I do that? People
don't say those words like that.
Not to me. I was surprised.

I took you to be someone else.
I'm sorry.

At this point she could not help replying his text:

But you asked me who I am!

The moment you picked up, I knew by your voice that it
was not her. She'd never call me again,
of course. I'm sorry, Britney.

She suddenly felt bad for him. Whoever he was, she felt bad. She remembered the brokenness in his voice and it made something melt inside her. For some reason, she had the feeling that he was not a bad guy. Her heart said that he just could not be.

I am sorry about her. It's okay,
you don't have to say sorry
to me.

As soon as she pressed the 'send' button, something clicked on her mind abruptly. How the heck did he know her name?

How d'you know my name??

Another surprise, Miss?

Again, rolling her eyes at the screen she replied:

What makes you think I am a
Miss? I can be married
as well!

O. Eight year olds are getting married
these days?

At this, she smiled a little, her lips pressed tightly against each other.

Not funny!
How do you know my f***ing
name??

Out of zillions of zillion human beings
on earth, are you the only fortunate
one to be named Britney?

And for the first time since her visit to Katherine's shop, Brittney broke into a warm, ringing laughter.

******

Answer to the endless questions on the matter if she is really eight, I am adding this note that it's just a sarcastic comment. If you couldn't already guess, that is.

Huff! Such a long chapter I wrote for you guys. Now you cannot complain about small chapters, can you? This chapter came after an aching writer's block. So mind voting, commenting and spreading the word for me?

Love you guys. Until next time, adieu!