Unknown Number

Andrea Gabriella Clair (main) Conner Fredrik Yale (main’s bf) Ruby Jeanette Clair (main’s mom) Nathan Max Clair (main’s dad) Blythe Jackson Justine (main’s stepsister) Raechel Yu-Min Wang (main’s bff) Chapter 1 (Outreach on the Beach): The sun beams into my eyes as I search for my sunglasses. Once I feel the silky case, I grab it and restlessly try to open it. I put them on and sigh. Feels nice. I close my eyes and then slowly fall asleep. *bzzt* I jump. “Oh my god, that scared me.” It’s my phone. A text message from an unknown number. “Probably spam,” I read the message out loud, “I see you. tan skin is the last thing you need to worry about. xoxo, r.” What the hell? “It’s no one, Andrea. It’s no one.” I inhale, exhale. “Who’s no one?” I whip my head back and clutch my heart. “Conner! Holy shh-” I stop myself, knowing there are lots of kids around. Don’t need an angry parent mob swarming me. “Sorry, in hindsight, that probably wasn’t my smartest decision,” Conner says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sit.” I pat the empty towel. We silently stare at the ocean for a bit. I lean my head on Conner’s shoulder and take a deep breath. I needed this. “Long day, huh?” Conner asks, as if he read my mind. “Mhm.” I sniffle. Ugh, not again! I lift my head off his shoulder. “I don’t want to get you sick.” He chuckles, “I appreciate that, but if you do, that means staying home, and I could use a break from college.” I start laughing, “Speech.” We both crack, and start laughing uncontrollably. Once we stop, Conner smiles and kisses me on the cheek. *bzzt* Another notification from the same number. I gasp in fear. “What’s wrong, Andy?” Conner looks at my phone, and his eyes widen. *end of chapter 1*