Chapter 34: It Hurts

A male voice came from the other end of the phone. "Sharon..."

Sharon removed the phone to glance at the caller ID. It was a foreign caller, but they must be acquaintances if he knew her name. 

She returned the phone to her ear and asked, "And you are?"

"Sharon, are you all right? Why haven't you been coming to school lately? Did something happen?" he bombarded. 

Sharon was startled. "Do I know you? And why do you have my number?" 

Sharon cheekily responded with more questions instead. 

"Ahem." An awkward cough came from the other end of the phone. "I'm sorry. I was too nervous."

Sharon heard him taking a deep breath before speaking. "I'm Simon."

...

Erm... 

She couldn't really say that she hadn't recognized it was him.

Pressing her lips together, she asked. "Is something the matter?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering why you hadn't been coming to classes lately. Are you sick?" Simon's voice was full of worry.