Work Text:
your ex-girlfriend’s new ringtone
I thought all people were assholes, giving me no hope for a romantic relationship because I’ve been through a lot—heartbreak, cheating, ghosting, you name them all.
But that mindset of mine changed after I met Daniel.
Ever since he entered my life, I have lived better than I imagined before. For the first time in ages, I experienced how to be treated right and special—we always have weekly dates, we talk every night through calls, and he always takes me home after class. Damn, he even helps me with our schoolworks and my personal projects sometimes. Although I was still a bit skeptical, Daniel taught me not just to gain trust again with people, but to trust the right people too—like him.
I was almost living the fullest, when suddenly my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and saw it was my ex-boyfriend from my last relationship, who didn’t just cheat on me but also accused me of cheating on one of our tests. I wasn’t planning on accepting his call, but my thumb betrayed me and unconsciously pressed the button.
“I knew you’re still gonna accept my call, my Addi!” Wow, the audacity. “How’s your one week suspension? Are you having fun outside the school?”
“I don’t know, but not seeing you around this week makes my life better for a bit.”
I heard him hissed under his breath.
“Oh, well… Whatever the fuck you said,” he chuckled slightly, “I just called because we are having a party at my home tonight. You can come with your ugly little puppy boyfriend Daniel—”
“Addi, who’s that?” I immediately ended the call when I heard a voice from a familiar man. I looked at my bedroom’s door frame to see who it was.
Daniel.
“O-oh, I—”
“Did he call ya again?” he asked, surprisingly in a calm tone—though, I knew there was something starting to brew under his mind right now. I just slightly nodded and just sat on the edge of my bed in silence, elbows on my lap while still holding my phone.
“I brought you some cheeseburger and pickle lemonade,” Daniel said while putting out the food from the plastic bags. Though my mind was currently far away.
I noticed that I was still holding my phone and hovering my thumb on my ex-boyfriend’s name—ready to delete him from existence—when Daniel suddenly snatched my phone, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“W-wait—what are you doing?” I squeaked.
I looked up and he didn’t answer right away. His fingers flew so fast across the screen.
He grinned and spoke into my phone’s mic—calm as ever:
“Hi, this is your ex-girlfriend’s new ringtone. If ya hearing this, fuck off, I have her now.”
I froze, heat quickly rushing to my cheeks while my heart was pounding. Then, he pushed his thin-rimmed eyeglasses up and held my phone near his other device.
A song with a familiar voice started playing:
“I called her then came over
I helped her with her homework
We kissed and touched each other
Touched each other, don’t tell mother
This is your girlfriend’s ringtone
It plays now on your cellphone
A constant song reminder that I’m better
And I had her…”
I blinked so many times that I think my mind went blue-screen and buffering like crazy. “W-what the heck…?”
“A little something for him,” Daniel said with the most smug smirk imaginable, giving me my cheeseburger. “When he tries to call ya again.”
I stared at him—part stunned, part trying not to laugh out loud. “And the lead singer’s voice… that’s… you?”
“Yep,” he said casually, sipping the pickle lemonade with a scrunched-up face before passing it to me.
“The lyrics though… You’re being petty.”
“And he’s a fucking asshole.”
“Also true,” I chuckled softly. I never thought Daniel would do such things like this. I don’t even know he’s producing such banger songs like that.
“Anyway,” he slightly adjusted his seat, brushing his elbow to mine, “are ya free tonight? I heard your ex-boyfriend had a party—”
“Are you serious, Daniel?” I immediately stopped munching my burger. “Did you also eavesdrop earlier?”
He sat beside me. “Yes and no. He didn’t know, but I’m their DJ later on tonight. I used my pseudonym ‘Izzy Sparks’ when they contacted me a few days ago.”
I couldn’t help but laugh this time. “Izzy Sparks? You’re also insane!”
“Yeah… Insanely in love with ya—and too insane not to tell you that you’re only mine.”
“Ohhh, is that so?” I nudged him lightly, “You think grabbing my phone and recording a ringtone after you eavesdrop earns you points?”
“Points? Nah, I’m just making sure everyone knows you’re mine. Now. And forever.”
I think my stomach did a backflip.
“Forever’s a long time, Sparks.”
Daniel smirked, eyes glinting underneath his eyeglasses. “Good thing I’ve got plenty of time.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. But I couldn’t hide both of my grin and the warmth flooding my chest. My ex-boyfriend could call all he wanted—Daniel had already stolen the show, the ringtone, and apparently… my heart.