"Okay, I will put it on speaker, but don't say anything, okay? Just listen." Jasper nodded in agreement, and I typed in the number from the napkin on my phone.

After a few signals, someone answered. "Hello?" I heard a woman's voice on the other side.

"Um, hi. I got this number from a customer in the coffee shop I work. By any chance, do you know anything about it?" I asked her, unsure of what her reaction could be. I felt so out of place talking to this stranger. I had no idea what to expect from this conversation and how to get around this topic.

"No, not really. Who are you, and who gave you my number?" She asked in a slightly passive-aggressive tone. 

"My name is Sage, and I don't really know the guy. He is a regular, and he instructed in the note to call you if he wouldn't show up the next day."

"And he didn't?"

"No, that's why I'm confused, but I still called just in case." I sighed heavily. I'm sure she could hear me.

"Was he like average height, dark brown hair - short? Where is this coffee shop?"

I confirmed and gave her a brief description of the location. It turned out she lived in the same city, and she knew who the guy was. Her voice and the way she spoke gave away that she cared for him.

"When did he give you the note?" 

"Yesterday early afternoon," I responded. "Do you know why he gave it to me? Is he okay?"

"He didn't say anything else?"

"No." I grew a bit annoyed with her. 

"Did you talk to him before about anything? Do you know each other that he left the note with you?" She questioned further, making me feel uneasy and annoyed for ignoring my question. Jasper just stared at the phone, occasionally raising his eyes at me when I talked. He kept silent as he promised, and I was grateful for that.

"No and no. As I said, he is just a regular in my store. I don't know him personally." Then I asked again. "Do you know him? Who is he and why he gave me this note."

"His name is Emery, and I have to go now. Bye." She cut the line, leaving me dumbfounded. Why did she cut the line, and why did this feel like an interrogation?

"Well. I think you got shit." He chucked, but I didn't find this funny.

"No way, Sherlock. Now, I have even more questions." I groaned loudly in frustration, rubbing my eyes. 

"And what kind of name is this? Emery."

"I actually like it." I countered

"Huh?" He huffed. "It's weird like yours, Sage."

"At least not so common as yours. There is Jasper around every corner."

"Oh fuck off. What do you know about the names, weed?" He frowned at me. 

"Weed? I'm telling you. Enter the mall and shout Jasper! You'll see how many guys turn around." I couldn't control myself and my mouth corners lifted slightly into a smile.

"Sure." He smiled, nudging my phone on the table. "Call her again."

"I will, but not today. It was a lot for one phone call." 

I went to my room hoping for a sleep-rich night, but once I was in my bed, I knew it wouldn't be that simple. I had no idea where my excessive thinking was coming from, but I was sure they were the cause of my trouble sleeping. Each time something happened in my life just as little as a stressful daytime situation, my mind mirrored hundreds of alternative scenarios. Eventually, my evenings became more exhausting than a full day at work. 

Something was wrong. I tried calling that number again, but she kept rejecting my calls. After the third try, I stopped and instead sent a message to which I didn't receive a reply.

"What's wrong with you today?" One of the girls in the group asked me after noticing that I hadn't taken any notes from the lecture. It wasn't my fault I couldn't focus on anything. I wanted to either get an answer from this woman or find her and shake off her myself.

"Nothing."

"Mhm. I can give you my notes and you get a grip of yourself. We have exams in a few days." She said.

"You offered him just like that? Why do I have to always beg for them?!" Danny worked himself up, earning amused looks from others.

"Because you never take them properly. I won't support laziness." I decided to remember her name because I had the feeling that she would be around more often. 

The business groups were quite large, which indicated a rotation of dozens of people. I have known many students but never had a chance to learn their names. It was a strange feeling. 

I heard laughter in the background as the talks unfolded after Danny's outburst. I focused on the strange correlation between this little discovery that led me to compare it with the Mystery Guy. I knew him too, but not necessarily. It was overwhelming to understand how many relationships we were able to create, but they were still so different from each other. I knew this girl quite well, but I didn't know her name. I knew this man's habits but didn't know who he was.

I pulled off my phone from my pocket, texting the number again. At the same time, I heard vibrations somewhere nearby. I looked around but saw no one reaching for their phone. I put it off, knowing I couldn't be so lucky. There were multiple people everywhere who did numerous things, including talking on their phones or texting. I didn't think about it any longer and went to another class with the others. 

"What are you doing after these classes?" Danny whispered to me carefully so as not to disturb anyone around us.

"I was planning to get a coffee at my workplace and go home," I responded. Danny's face brightened when I told him that.

"That's excellent. I was thinking to watch a football today. My favourite club is playing this afternoon." He grinned so brightly that his eyes started to glow.

"Where?"

"It's up to you. We can watch it at my place or yours. I can go with you to this coffee place if you want to. There is no point to separate as they play at five." 

"Jasper would want to watch them as well. Let's go to my place." Danny nodded, and we focused back on what the professor was saying. I noticed side glances that we gained from the other students who sat around us. They seemed slightly irritated. We didn't say anything else by the end of the class, trying to keep a good reputation. 

I sent a text to Jasper, who clearly liked the idea of watching football together. It would help me relax and stop my brain from thinking about Emery. I wondered if I would see him today. It was usually the time he spent in the shop drinking his coffee. 

I hoped Danny wouldn't find it weird that I wanted to finish my drink there instead of getting takeout.

The classes were over, and we left the building manoeuvring among the masses of people. Danny stopped to talk to a girl I hadn't seen before. She was on the bigger side with a very pretty face and perfect makeup. They chatted for a while when I waited and waited for him to join me by the door. Danny could be annoying and thoughtless with others, which, to be honest, pissed me off at times. 

At one point, he turned to look at me, and I undertook the task of conveying a message to him through my eyes. I suspected he got it when I saw him say goodbyes to his friend, and then he turned and walked towards me.

"You took your sweet time." I sighed dramatically, shaking my head. 

"Sorry, I haven't seen her in a while." He said, and then he rushed to add. "She is my good friend. You could just join us."

"You told me to wait." I raised my voice in annoyance.

"Ohh, sorry, but I wouldn't mind if you did." So clueless.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't dare to interrupt your flirting." I couldn't help but smirk. 

"We... we didn't. Grace is dating someone else anyway." 

"Shame," I said, but I think this girl didn't deserve to be with him. Danny has a lot growing up before committing to the relationship. But who I was to judge? 

"Well, whatever." Danny turned to look at me when we stopped at a crossing. "Are we going to that cafe you wanted?" 

"Yes." I smiled to myself.