Part 2 (1/2)

We went to church the next day, our family went to a really cool church. The music was great, the kind of music that you would hear in your head for the whole day after church. The message was always interesting and I didn't fall asleep.

My brothers liked it because the Sunday School had a Royal Ranger program. It was sort of like Boy Scouts, but it was Christian-based. They had little uniforms and everything.

After church, we got pizza at our regular place. We did this every Sunday. We always got the same kind, a large pizza with sausage and olives. I ate my two pieces as I sat and watched my family devour the rest.

I had decided to stop drinking cola, I had gone to the dentist and had five cavities filled; he said it was because of all the sugary cola I drank. I never wanted to deal with the dentist again, not like that, so soda was on my list of things that were my enemy. I made a lot of lists it helped me figure stuff out.

I was sipping tea when my dad asked me how the James Bond 3D movie was. True to my silent agreement with Chanda, I didn't talk about the weirdos who wouldn't leave us alone.

”It was good, I love James Bond,” I said.

”We know, we know,” Jordan said.

”Oh, have I mentioned that before?” I asked innocently.

”Only about one million times,” Jacob said.

I smiled.

We cleaned up and went home and I took my usual Sunday nap. When I woke up, my phone rang. It was a blocked number again, I didn't answer I and I wondered if I was going to get another creepy text, I did. The text read: ”How did you like your pizza?”

Definitely creeped out, I went over to Chanda's and I told her about the text. She told me I should tell my parents. I wanted to, but somehow, I didn't want to bother them.

I kind of thought it was a prank, like it was a kid watching me, so I didn't take it too seriously. I thought if I got another text that I would talk to my mom, she was understanding about weird things.

Chanda and I listened to music and talked. We were sort of excited that school was almost over. We only had six weeks to go and then we would both be juniors. I knew next year was the year that everyone said would be the hardest, academically.

I went home before dark, even though she was next door. I was starting to get nervous.

I got my clothes ready for school and laid them on the chair in my room. I always did that, I am kind of a neat freak. I made sure my curtain was closed tight and then went to bed and read until I fell asleep.

I woke up when the alarm went off. I got ready for school and went into the kitchen to eat breakfast. My mom had cooked French toast, one of my favorite breakfasts.

My dad usually drove me and Chanda to school. It was only five or so blocks, but we liked to talk in that short time.

”You seem tired today,” my father said.

”I read until late, I know, I know, not a good idea,” I said.

”I used to do that, but my eyes can't take it anymore,” my dad said.

My father usually fell asleep in front of the TV and about three in the morning, he would stumble off to bed.

We thanked my father when he got to my school and he said he loved me. I told him I loved him, too.

When I got to my locker, there was a red rose sticking out of it. I thought someone was really playing a trick on me. It really bothered me, not to know who it was from.

I threw the rose in the trash dramatically, in case someone was watching.

Chanda's locker was near mine and she saw me.

”This is getting strange. We now know he knows where you go to school,” Chanda said.

”I still think it is a prank,” I said.

”Will you talk to your parents about it when you get home?” she asked.

”Okay,” I said. ”This is enough weirdness going on.”

The rest of the school day was uneventful. I liked school and was pretty smart. I had a few friends whom Chanda and I hung out with. Sometimes, we got together after school and went to the 7-Eleven and got something to eat and talk.

Debbie, Elizabeth, and Rachel were waiting to walk with us to the store after school. Chanda told them all about the creeper and they all agreed that I should tell my parents.

The thing was, I knew my mom would handle it okay but I thought my dad would go to the police or something. Or, he might try to deal with it himself.

After I drank my Slurpee, Chanda and I walked home. My dad didn't get out of work until late, so we had to walk home instead of getting a ride.

When I got home, I threw my books on the couch and went to find my mom.

She was folding clothes in her bedroom and watching an old Perry Mason crime show.

”Hi, honey, how was your day?” she asked me.

”Weird,” I said.

I proceeded to tell her about the text messages and the rose in my locker.

”Sounds like you have an admirer,” she said, smiling.

”You don't think I have to worry?” I asked.

”No, not yet,” she said.

”What do you mean?” I asked her.

”Well, if it gets weirder, we will do something, but I think it is harmless right now,” she said.

I thanked her and went to my room, I hoped she was right.

My phone rang and I picked up without thinking. A voice that was definitely disguised said, ”That wasn't nice to throw my rose away.”

Then he hung up. I was going to talk to my dad. He wasn't as cool as my mom, but I didn't get the response from her that I wanted, which was to solve this mystery and get him to leave me alone. I guess I wanted her to get excited or upset. I know I shouldn't be, but I was more than a little worried about this guy. I waited until my dad came home and had dinner. When he went and sat in his chair, I walked over to him.

”I have something I need to talk to you about,” I said to him.

”Anything you need to talk about, I'm here,” he said.

I started out by telling him about the text I got after the movies and then I told him about the phone call I got earlier that day.

”Should I be worried?” I asked.