Stranger Danger PT. 2

So do you guys remember that unknown caller who phoned me in Stranger Danger PT. 1?

SHE CAME BACK

Because of all the panic rushing inside me, I could only think of all the scambaiting Youtube videos I watched last month. One of the things they tell you not to do is share any personal information, such as your real name.

And if you remember the last Stranger Danger post- this person knows my name.

Naturally, the "what-ifs" ran wild in my head. What else does this stranger know about me? do they know where I live? where I go to school? what if I show up on the news- “Florida man stalks and kidnaps little Asian kid with glasses”?

I didn't want to be remembered like that.

So, I quickly screenshotted our conversation and took it to Instagram. Here are some of your responses, ranging from quick-witted humor to calling upon the powers of Title IX:

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A couple of people did what I was hoping they would when I brought this to Instagram- basically stalking this person right back.

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Lionel Paniagua.

Who is Lionel? How does he know me? How did he get a female voice? is he the creepy Florida man?

One friend wasn't too sure about Lionel and dug a little more into this mysterious phone number. I didn't know if he reported good or bad news:

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Kelly? You mean, my friend Kelly? there’s no-

Over the phone, she spilled everything. Kelly and her best friend Nikki were bored one night. Finally deducing the identity of this stranger, I decided it safe to respond to the stranger’s calls. This is what I HAD to ask the two friends, along with some extra information I feel like I need to tell you too:

What was Nikki’s story during the prank call?

Her story was based on these people:

from this anime:

Mikasa, the anime character on the left, received a red scarf from that other person Eren (Aaron, get the connection?), and the moment was super sentimental or something.

Why did I entertain this prank call?

You see in high school, I wore a favorite scarf that was- you guessed it- red. Sadly, I also lost it. So after years of searching, maybe this strange narrative could explain what happened to that maroon-colored scarf.

As you might have noticed, my memory is pretty trash.

Why didn’t Kelly tell me about this sooner?

Kelly is one of maybe five friends who regularly reads this blog. However, she didn’t realize that Stranger Danger PT. 1 was about Nikki until months later. In Kelly's words: "I read it and thought, oh wow, someone else prank called him too."

Not to clown, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels dumb in this story.

Have I watched this anime?

Maybe like 3 episodes with my cousin. But that was years ago, and we started at like episode 17, so I was completely lost while watching... and I was lost during Nikki's prank call too.

Why did Nikki try to apologize to me?

This is probably the most embarrassing part, because Nikki actually read the original Stranger Danger post. Just knowing that she read my personal thoughts about her prank call- I guess that’s why I made this blog, to share a tidbit of my inner thoughts. Still, it feels strange. Flattering- but strange.

So who is Lionel Paniagua?

Funny enough, he is not from Florida.

Did I write this just to act dramatic for my blog?

Okay first off, I'm don't act dramatic. I am dramatic.

But honestly, I wrote this because after rereading her text messages, I don't know why I felt so worried. Nikki clearly wasn't going to kidnap me. But because of those stupid Youtube videos and classic-me overthinking- I missed what was right in front of me:

a new friend and one hilarious story.

Will there be a Stranger Danger PT 3?

Nah, I doubt it.

right?

Nikki, please don't scare me like that.

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*names may have been changed to protect identities.