Mr. Wrong - Episode 1
by Chris Marie Green
I quickly FaceTime my best friend, Sasha.
But when a random guy answers instead…
All I can do is stare.
He’s got adorable bedhead hair…
And he’s wearing just his pajama bottoms…
Leaving me a yummy view of his chiseled torso.
Whoops…I think I have the wrong number!
Hot guy stifles a yawn…
Then finally gives me a good look.
Something seems to flicker in his gaze…
And he smiles charmingly.
Actually, I’m pretty sure you’ve got the right number.
He winks.
Wait — is he…flirting?
With me?
Not possible.
Haha, very funny…
But you’re obviously not my friend Sasha.
And the weird thing is…
I’m positive that I dialed her number.
Well, then maybe she couldn’t get to her phone…
And I just happened to be around to pick it up.
At first, I think he’s kidding around again—
But that’s when it hits me.
Oh my god, you’re Mike, aren’t you?
Sasha said you’d be staying at the apartment.
It’s good to finally meet you!
Mike starts to say something…
But then he slowly sits down.
You’ve got it. I’m Mike, all right.
And who are you?
I’m Lucy.
Lucy. I love that name.
Mike’s definitely flirting…
And he really shouldn’t be doing that with me.
But I blush anyway…
Then watch him lean back on the sofa.
So tell me, Lucy…
Why are you calling so dang early in the morning?
Well, Sasha and I take a class together.
We’ve got an exam tomorrow, so we need to study.
Huh. What class do you and Sonia take?
I frown.
It’s calculus.
And, by the way, did you just call her Sonia?
Mike blinks, then laughs.
I meant Sasha.
He yawns.
Sorry. My brain doesn’t function without a caffeine fix.
I know, right?
I feel the same way right now…
Especially after the all-nighter I just pulled.
Egyptology is totally kicking my butt.
Mike’s gaze lights up.
You’re into Egyptology?
He leans over to grab something…
Then he holds up some car keys.
There’s a pyramid dangling from the chain.
We both speak at the same time.
Egypt!
We laugh.
Jinx!
Now we just smile.
Oh my god, I can’t believe a jock like you is into Egypt.
Did you just call me a jock?
Well, isn’t that what you are?
He shrugs.
Okay. Maybe I am.
But just so you know…
Jocks can be interested in ancient civilizations, too.
He looks at his pyramid keychain with longing.
I’ve been dreaming of going to Egypt since I was a kid.
Because of the mummies?
Basically.
Same here.
But then my interest grew when I watched—
Raiders of the Lost Ark.
I laugh.
Jinx?
We crack up some more.
Wow. I don’t meet many girls who are into this stuff.
His gaze searches mine.
But now there’s you.
I blush.
Then I forcefully shake myself out of it…
And paste on a neutral smile.
You know what, Mike?
It’s really great that we’ve got stuff in common like this.
So true.
I mean, who knew I’d get along so well with Sasha’s new boyfriend?
Mike coughs.
Did you just say boyfriend??
Yeah, you just started dating her, right?
I give him the best-friend’s evil eye.
Or have you already forgotten Sonia?
Mike sighs.
Okay…you got me.
I need to confess.
I’m actually not seeing her.
I stare at him.
What did you just say?
Sasha told me they made plans for the weekend!
Suddenly, my phone rings with an incoming call.
I startle.
Then I glance at the unfamiliar number.
Mike talks over the ringing noise.
Lucy, will you just give me a chance to explain?
Forget it!
Does Sasha even know that you’re such a player?
I mean, maybe my guy radar stinks…
But I think you’ve been flirting with me.
I was, but—
Oh my god. Jerk!
I hang up…
Obliterating the sight of Mike’s oddly sad gaze.
But who’s the bigger jerk — him or me?
I mean, wasn’t I kind of vibing with him?
God, I suck as a best friend.
Hating myself, I finally pick up the other call.
Then I blink when I see who’s on my screen.
Sasha??
I shake my head.
Wait, how could you be calling me on your phone?
Mike was just using it!
Sasha frowns.
What are you talking about?
She aims her camera behind her.
A big blond guy waves at me from a couch.
Sasha puts the camera back on her face.
As you can see, Mike is nowhere near my phone.
But…
I shake my head.
But I was just talking to someone who was using your phone—
And he said he was Mike.
Lucy, you sound crazy.
I haven’t let my new phone out of my sight since I got it!
I gape at her…
Then I slap my hand against my head.
Oh god…that’s right.
You got a new phone.
That means I must have called your old number just now.
And that means…
I gulp.
I called the wrong number.
Sasha sits down.
Maybe you’d better explain this to me.
I slump in my seat.
Okay. I thought I called you, Sasha.
But this guy picked up instead.
He’s gorgeous, and we have so much in common.
But I didn’t do anything about it.
Because you thought you were talking to my boyfriend?
Definitely. But it was also because…
Well, why would someone like him flirt with me?
Sasha gives me a sympathetic look.
Lucy, it’s been a long time since you made a connection with anyone…
So I can understand why you’d say that—
Even though it’s not true.
Just then, my phone rings.
It’s…an unfamiliar number.
I stare at the screen.
Oh god. I think it’s him.
Who? Mr. Wrong?
Yes.
But why would he be calling you? Unless…
Sasha smiles.
He really likes you.
No he doesn’t.
Especially not after what I said to him.
Lucy, you’ll never know unless you answer…
So just do it!!
She hangs up.
My phone keeps ringing.
I hold my breath…
Then let it out.
She’s right.
I’ll never know unless I answer.
Gathering my courage…
I press the button.
Hot guy’s face lights up my screen.
He’s wearing a t-shirt now.
His hair is combed, but still thick and messy…
And he’s holding a bunch of flowers he probably picked outside.
I thought you weren’t going to answer.
I almost didn’t.
He pauses.
Then he looks at me sheepishly.
Can I at least apologize to you?
I should’ve told you right away that you had the wrong number.
But I was afraid you’d hang up on me.
So I pretended to be Mike just to keep you on the line.
You…wanted to talk to me that badly?
Yeah, and I’m sitting here with a bunch of flowers right now…
Just to show you how sorry I am.
I sigh.
But why me?
You seriously don’t know?
He smiles.
I was sleeping when, out of nowhere…
A beautiful girl called me.
My heart just about leapt out of my chest when I first saw you.
I melt.
Right away, I knew I wanted to get to know you.
But as we talked…
I knew I had to have something even more.
I press a hand over my pounding heart…
Then finally take the leap.
Before this goes any further…
Could you at least tell me your real name?
Well, you could just call me Mr. Wrong…
But I’d actually prefer Brandon.
Brandon’s smile grows…
Warming every inch of me.
Or, maybe you could just call me Mr. Right.
App