Texting Anonymous

feelings and tension

I scroll through them, trying to ignore the endless taunts and messages from people who think it's funny to make my life harder. The words blur as I swipe, but one thing catches my eye. A message from him.

It's simple.

Anonymous: Hey babe, you doing okay? Heard what happened.

My heart skips a beat. His words, the way he cares... It almost feels like a breath of fresh air in this suffocating moment. I bite my lip, feeling a strange mix of relief and guilt. Relief because at least someone in this mess is treating me like... well, me. Guilt because I don't even know who he is.

I type a response, my fingers moving quicker than my thoughts, desperate for the comfort of his words.

Me: No... not really. Everyone at school is making fun of me.

A few seconds later, I get a reply.

Anonymous: I'm so sorry, babe. I don't care what anyone else says. You're amazing, you know that?

I feel my face flush as I read it. I can't help but smile, even if it feels weird. No matter how much I'm drowning in this chaos, he's still out there, still saying those things to me.

Me: Thanks... I needed to hear that.

I rest my head against the door, the weight of everything slowly fading just a little. For the first time today, I don't feel completely alone. I can't help but wonder who this person really is. What's their story? Why me?

I pull the blanket tightly over myself, curling up in bed, and bury my face in my pillow. The weight of the day is suffocating, and I just want to disappear into the softness of my sheets for a while. Maybe longer.

My phone buzzes again, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance at it, half-expecting more of the same hate from school. But it's not. It's a text from him.

Anonymous: Wanna talk?

I sigh, staring at the words for a second. A small part of me wants to respond, to hear his voice again, but another part of me feels like I'm just too... everything. Too messed up. I don't want to drag anyone into this, especially not him, who's been nothing but kind to me.

Still, I can't help myself. My fingers hover over the screen as I type back.

Me: I don't know... I'm not in the best mood.

A moment later, my phone buzzes again.

Anonymous: It's okay, you don't have to talk about it. I just want to make sure you're okay.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. It's like he's reading my mind, giving me the space I need while still reaching out. I can't help but feel a small flicker of hope. Maybe today's not completely lost. Maybe I'm not alone in this after all.

I bite my lip, unsure of what to say next, but I know one thing for sure: I can't keep running from this. From him.

Me: I'm okay, I guess. Just... everything's been a lot lately.

I put my phone down for a moment and close my eyes, thinking. I don't know who he is, but somehow, in the middle of everything falling apart, he's the one person who seems to care.

I sit there, staring at the blank screen for a moment. My mind's racing, swirling with everything that happened today, the feeling like I'm just... exposed. I should be more worried about all of that, right? But right now, all I can focus on is the text that just came through.