I started noticing it after that day.
Not messages.
Patterns.
The unknown number didn't text when I was scared.
He didn't text when I was confused.
He texted only after something happened.
Like he was reacting.
Not controlling.
That thought stayed with me in class.
The other boy sat two rows ahead today.
I wasn't watching him.
I just… knew where he was.
The teacher asked a question.
No one answered.
He raised his hand.
I didn't.
Our eyes met for a second.
Not long enough to mean anything.
Long enough to notice.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
You saw it.
I exhaled slowly.
You didn't tell me to do anything, I typed.
Unknown Number:
Because I wanted to see what you would do.
That irritated me.
Am I an experiment?
The reply took time.
Longer than usual.
Unknown Number:
No.
Then another message.
Unknown Number:
You are a mirror.
I frowned.
A mirror of what?
No reply.
After school, I waited near the gate.
I didn't know why.
The other boy walked past me.
Then stopped.
"You ever feel like some days repeat?" he asked casually.
I laughed.
"Yeah. Especially school days."
He nodded, then said quietly,
"Some days don't repeat. They respond."
I stopped laughing.
He waved and walked away.
My phone buzzed immediately.
Unknown Number:
He should not have said that.
My heart raced.
Why? I typed.
The reply came sharp.
Unknown Number:
Because now you know the pattern.
I looked at the screen.
For the first time, I wasn't sure
who was watching whom.