After lunch, I couldn't focus at all.
My mind kept going back to the table.
To my initials carved under it.
I hadn't thought about that in years.
"How does he know all this?" I whispered.
In the next class, I sat quietly.
For once, I wasn't doing anything strange.
Then I noticed him.
A boy sitting two rows ahead of me.
He kept checking his phone.
Again and again.
Just like me.
At first, I ignored it.
Then his phone vibrated.
He stiffened.
Exactly the same way I did.
I leaned forward a little.
His face had that same confused look.
That same what-is-going-on expression.
My heart beat faster.
No way, I thought.
Am I seeing things?
The teacher was talking.
Nobody was listening.
The boy suddenly looked around, nervous.
For a second, our eyes met.
He quickly looked away.
That confirmed it.
After class, I followed him.
Not in a creepy way.
More like… a curious way.
He walked fast through the corridor.
Turned left.
Then right.
I tried to act normal.
"Wow, these walls are very interesting today," I said to myself.
He stopped near the stairs.
I stopped too.
Pretended to tie my shoe.
There was silence.
Then he turned around suddenly.
"Why are you following me?" he asked.
I panicked.
"I—uh—wasn't following you," I said.
"I just… walk like this."
"That makes no sense," he said.
"Exactly," I replied.
He stared at me.
Then his phone buzzed.
I saw it clearly.
Unknown Number.
My stomach dropped.
He looked at the screen.
His face went pale.
He didn't say anything.
Just walked away quickly.
I stood there, frozen.
So I wasn't imagining things.
I wasn't the only one.
My phone vibrated.
Slowly, I checked it.
Unknown Number:
You noticed him.
I swallowed.
I typed:
He's like me, isn't he?
The reply came after a pause.
Unknown Number:
He noticed you too.
I stared at the screen.
My fingers felt cold.
Then one more message appeared.
Unknown Number:
You are not alone in this.
I looked down the corridor where the boy had disappeared.
For the first time, the mystery felt bigger than me.
And somehow…
That scared me
and relieved me
at the same time.