C L A I R E

Ethan's phone was still in my hands. It still wasn't returned.

After that trip to the mall, we finally went back home. Sam insisted that she'd stay since her parents weren't at home and might take long before they could come back. My aunt immediately agreed — telling Sam that I might need her company for a while since I've been cooped up in my room.

I don't know why, but I was waiting for him to call.

So I could return the phone, of course.

Sam noticed how silent I was and decided to nudge my shoulder. My attention turned towards her and I saw her looking at Ethan's phone. "You're still waiting for him to get his phone, huh?"

Right now, the only reaction I could manage was a nod.

We were both sitting on my bed and we were thinking of a way on how we could return the phone. Sam told me that she had already deleted her call lists so there was no way that she would know Ethan's number.

The only number she had saved was Benedict's.

But she doesn't want to call him since he specifically told her not to. I guess he doesn't really want his other teammates to know that he was hanging out with a girl. He probably wants to be peaceful and not get teased in their dorms.

"I don't know how I'll contact him, Sam," I opened up to her and it was clear that she was also thinking of the same thing. Even if she doesn't want to bother the guy, she must.

After a few seconds, I saw her taking her phone out. "Maybe I could leave a text to Benedict?"

"Do you think he's not busy?" That was the only answer I gave her and she quickly put her phone down on my bed before putting her hands together, thinking deeply beside me.

"There's got to be a way somehow," she told me. My eyes went back to Ethan's phone, which kept on beeping. I know that Vanessa had been sending messages on his messenger and she was clearly mad.

"Should I wait it out?" I asked her and her eyes went wide like saucers. Gosh, that is going to be hard. She clearly got mad when I only took the call to tell her that Ethan was not even there.

I should've made her go straight to voicemail.

But, I didn't even know that Ethan would go back. I thought he'd go home and forget.

Just because of that simple mistake, my life became a huge mess.

As soon as Sam noticed that the beeping won't really go, she made me look at her. "Wait it out? Really? And let that Vanessa girl bother you over texts again?"

"I mean, all of her messages are all towards you," she added before pointing out the ones on the lock screen. The messages were all from her and most of them were talking about how I probably flirted with her guy.

As if.

I almost wanted to tell her that her guy almost killed me, for god's sake. He needed to have a taste of his medicine.

But of course, I couldn't help but frown. If I hadn't taken up the call, then this wouldn't have happened.

"I can't really blame her, you know," I told Sam before I sighed and added, "I'm the one who took the call in the first place."

"Instead of ignoring, I got my curiosity to take over."

She rolled her eyes at what I said and even raised her hands. "Well, you just wanted to say that Ethan left. She's the drama queen!"

"Speak of the devil," she mumbled before her eyes glared at the phone beside me.

My eyes then went back to the phone as it beeped and lit for the last time. What I saw on the lock screen made my blood run cold for a split second.

Vanessa | 07:55 PM 

Give this phone to Ethan.

Vanessa | 07:55 PM 

When I come back, you'll be sorry.

"Well, that's new," she told me as I couldn't help but wonder what she meant by coming back.

"She'll come back?" I mumbled before I kept on thinking about where she would possibly be. "Where is she from anyway?"

Even if it was just a rhetorical question, Sam answered me, "I have no idea."

"All I know is that she definitely hates you."

I nodded before pointing out our goal.  "Another reason why we should return this phone to Ethan and possibly solve this drama."

As if someone heard me, Sam's phone started vibrating. She quickly grabbed it and looked at the caller's ID.

"Oh? Benedict's calling me."

She then answered with a simple hello and Benedict greeted her as soon as possible — as if he was in a  rush.

"Sam? Is this you?" Benedict asked and my best friend then answered him with a yes.

"I wanted to invite you and Claire to our family dinner tomorrow?" Sam almost giggled when she heard that.

It was almost as if Benedict was asking her and wasn't really sure whether to tell her or not.

Since Sam was a tease, she decided to ask him about it, "You don't seem sure about that. Are you asking me?"

"No, um, I'm telling you. I just want to know if you would want to go?"

"Let me ask her." She then turned to me and I'm sure that Benedict heard her shuffle on my bed.

"She's there, isn't she?"

"Yes."

I then heard him cough and there was one answer that I wanted to tell him.

I don't really want to go. I mean, if this was a date for him and Sam, I'd look like a third party there.

"Benedict, I don't think—" I wanted to decline but he quickly interrupted me.

"Please hear me out first."

"Alright."

"Ethan's phone is in your possession, right?" My eyes widened when I heard him ask about that.

Looking back at Sam, she shook her head as if she was telling me that she wasn't the one who told him.

"Wait, how'd you know that?" I asked and as soon as I did, I almost facepalmed.

Of course, he's my best friend. Claire, you can't seem to focus well today. Gosh, this is embarrassing.

It was a good thing that he didn't notice though and still decided to answer. "He recently took my phone and thought it was his."

"Oh, and his girlfriend called my number."

"Ethan's going to be in our family dinner too. So, I was wondering if you could come and return it?" he concluded before mumbling on the other line.

"Vanessa's a nightmare for me."

"Same for Claire." I nudged Sam and she quickly apologized, cheekily smiling at me.

"I see." I could already imagine him nodding on the other side. "So? What do you think?"

"When and where?" I asked him. If this was the only way, then I'd return this phone immediately.

I don't think I can handle the negative energy that Ethan's girlfriend has anymore.

"After classes tomorrow. I have my car with me," Benedict answered and I nodded before telling him we'll go.

"Alright, we'll see you then."