It took me four days to finally charge my phone and when I finally switched it back on it vibrated so many times with incoming messages the screen actually froze. I had to restart it twice for it to start working again. I had messages on both Tiktok and Instagram and they were all from William. I didn't have to ask how he found me on Instagram considering my username was the same on all my social media. Four days and over two hundred messages. Didn't the guy have a life or friends? I tried to read all the messages but my mind was too tired. They were mostly messages of him in distress when he didn't see me online for days and didn't respond to his messages. Why was he so worried? We barely knew knew each other.

I decided to text him back on Instagram.

William my poor phone just had a heart attack because of you.

Oh shit you're actually alive.

Of course I am and don't cuss.

Sorry but seriously I was worried. Where have you been 🥺?You disappeared after the whole hanging joke and I thought you actually died.

You don't even know me William, why do you care so much?

Let's call it a gut feeling.

.......

You still haven't answered my question and tell me where you were.

I didn't know how to reply to that message. He was being so sweet and caring but it didn't mean I should tell him my whole life sob story. I didn't want to lie to him either so I had to be smart about this.

It was hard finding a charger for my phone and it went of the night hanging joke.

That didn't sound plausible enough but it had to do.

What kind of phone do you use?

It's so old I can't even see the name of the model, it's faded out.

I'm sorry.

Why?

I don't know I just am.

........

Since you disappeared on me and almost caused me a heart attack how about you tell me something about you. Except for the fact that you live in Kenya and are a girl I don't know anything else about you.

I don't owe you anything.

Please, come on. I thought we were building something.

I didn't feel like arguing with him or having a back and forth. It's not like he could do anything with the information I gave him. I was basically a nobody with nothing to destroy.

Okay fine, three questions and choose wisely.

Not what I had in mind but I will take it. What is your name?How old are you? Will you please be my friend?

The last statement made me smile. William Ganner truly was one of a kind. He wanted to befriend me yet he knew literally nothing about me. Is that how the world worked or was I being pranked. I'd already agreed to it so I gave in.

My name is Malaika Lelo Wangari, I'm 16 years old and yes I will be your friend.

Nice to meet you Malaika, I know that's a Swahili name but I don't know what it means. It is a beautiful name nonetheless.

It means angel.

A fitting name.

You can't say that. How do you know if I'm an angel?

Gut feeling.

Doesn't your stomach hurt from getting too many of those.

😅😅 Think you're funny do you?

Honestly no but you seem to think so.

Yeah you are but away from that. You being sixteen means you are in high school. Which year?

That's another question.

Please.

In your version I'm in my senior year too but we call it Form Four.

Nice, look at me already learning new stuff.

👏👏👏

That's sarcastic but I don't care. Aren't you a little too young to be in your last year of high school?

I had no idea how to reply that message without giving him my whole life story. My aunt had bribed the school to allow me start pre school at a young age so as to get rid for me. She'd rather I be another person's problem so she gave me to strangers in the name of teachers at only three years old.

I started school early since I was smarter than most kids my age.

It wasn't a lie since I really was smart when I joined school, forced to grow up fast by my circumstances.

That makes sense.... So tell me Malaika what do you do for fun in Kenya?

Just as I was about to reply his message, I heard my aunt's bedroom door swing open. I quickly switched off the phone and tossed it under my pillow. I tucked the covers quietly around myself and evened my breathing. Closing my eyes I pretended to be asleep whilst listening out for her movements.

The living room light turned on, and a shadow loomed over me. I knew she was checking to see if I was asleep so I made it look as convincing as possible. A few more minutes she moved away and turned off the light.

Instead of switching my phone back on I decided to get some sleep. I was actually feeling sleepy yet it was only 1 am in the morning but that was a good sign. William would have to wait until the next night so we could talk.

I found myself smiling as I imagined someone out there other than Simon caring about me. It could have been all fake and pretend but for the moment I'd bask in it treasuring the feeling.

I really hoped it wasn't all fake though. I was the kind of person who got attached fast and I didn't want to get my heart broken by a white boy I would never see. I liked that our relationship was strictly virtual since it would never work out if he were actually in Kenya. William was the most exciting thing to happen to me in years and even though he was out of my league I would treasure all we had for as long as I could have it. Soon he'd find some other interest apart from me, a damsel in Kenya and I would let him go. For now I'd just enjoy the few fleeting moments that I got to talk to him.

🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭🥭

I'm too tired to come up with anything smart. University is not a walk in the park. Definitely looking forward to graduating this year so I can be done with it once and for all.