Invisible String

Chapter 16

As for the day, it was boring, exciting, and a mix of every emotion possible.
I reached home, had dinner, watched a football match that was playing, and hopped onto my bed. My phone screen lit up with endless memes — some edits, some couple videos that were way too cute, and honestly, I was lowkey jealous.
Sometimes I really wish I had a boyfriend too.

I kept scrolling until suddenly — Ryker texted.
“Hey,” he said. That’s it. Just hey.

I blinked at the screen, then typed back, “Heyy.”

I stared at the screen for a second, the little “typing…” bubble popping up and disappearing twice before his message finally came through.

Ryker: Don’t stay up too late scrolling.

I frowned at my phone, half smiling.
Me: Why do you care? 😏

It took him a few seconds before the next message popped up.
Ryker: Just don’t want you sleeping in class again.

Me: Huh, excuse me?! I don’t sleep in class — it’s just sometimes I zone out, that’s it!

Ryker: Technically the same thing.

I rolled my eyes and sent a small smile emoji — the one without teeth.

Ryker: Had dinner?

Me: Yupp, u?

Ryker: Not yet. Might have… or skip dinner.

Ryker: So how was today’s science project?

Me: Yea, it was quite good. But we all needed the Einstein of our group — the genius brain was missing.

Ryker: Well obviously, people need me every time.

Me: Hmm, enough of that 😒

We kept texting — mostly me sending random memes, and him replying with laughing emojis. Neither of us noticed how much time passed until I glanced at the clock at the top of my screen.

Me: Omggg the time is 12:01! We didn’t even realize how fast it went!

Ryker: Yeah, it really did go fast.

Me: Sooo, let’s talk about the real stuff.

Ryker: And what’s the “real” stuff supposed to mean?

Me: Who’s your crush? 😏

Ryker: No, I don’t have a crush.

Me: Why not? Everybody has one.

Ryker: Nah, I’m not into love. But what about you? You have someone?

Me: Nooo. Every time I like someone, it turns out one-sided. So I try not to fall in love anymore.

Ryker: Ohh...

After that, we just texted about random things again until my eyes started feeling heavy.

Me: Okay then, feeling sleepy 😴

Ryker: Same here.

Me: Bye.

Ryker: Bye.

I tossed my phone aside, pulled the blanket close, and before I knew it — I was asleep.

I woke up to the sound of my aunt yelling from the kitchen, “Iyaara! You’re gonna be late again!”
Same routine, different day.
I dragged myself out of bed, got ready in record time, grabbed a toast on the way out, and started my usual walk to school. The streets were quiet, the air still a little chilly, and my brain still half asleep.

As I walked, I scrolled through my phone, checking messages — nothing new, except a “gm” text from Ava and a bunch of random memes she sent at midnight.
I couldn’t help but laugh quietly; she seriously had no off switch.
“Crazy girl,” I muttered, shaking my head with a small smile as I crossed the street toward school.

I walked into class and saw Ava already there, half-asleep on her desk.
“Morning, sleepyhead,” I said, dropping my bag beside her.

She looked up instantly, grinning. “Morning? Sooo… did someone sleep late last night?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Oh come on,” she said, stretching. “You left me on seen after I sent those memes at 11. You never sleep that late unless you’re busy texting someone.”

I blinked, pretending to look confused. “I was just scrolling. Couldn’t sleep.”

“Mhm,” she said with a smirk. “Scrolling or someone kept you up?”

I rolled my eyes. “Ava, you need to stop overthinking everything.”

“Fine,” she said, pretending to zip her lips. “But your face says otherwise.”

I ignored her grin and started taking my books out, but I could still feel her staring at me — and that annoying smirk wasn’t going anywhere.

The classes started — lectures, notes, and more lectures. To be honest, it was boring. My eyes kept darting to the clock every two minutes, counting down the seconds till the bell would finally ring.