Learn a phrase, not just a verb
A verb’s translation does not reliably tell you its German preposition. Save a short example with the person or thing involved, so you learn the construction together.
Nora denkt an den nächsten Termin.
Nora is thinking about the next appointment.
Accusative does not always mean movement
The pattern warten auf uses accusative for the awaited person or thing even if the person waiting stands still. The location-or-direction rule for spatial phrases does not decide this verb pattern.
Wir warten auf den nächsten Bus.
We are waiting for the next bus.
Ask what the phrase tells you
A location phrase answers where the waiting takes place. It can accompany a separate phrase identifying what is awaited. These are different jobs even when both start with auf.
Nora wartet auf der Brücke auf ihren Bruder.
Nora is waiting on the bridge for her brother.
For a person, keep the preposition
Use accusative wen after the taught patterns warten auf and denken an. Use dative wem after mit. Keep the preposition before the question pronoun.
Mit wem telefonierst du?
Who are you talking to on the phone?
Keep the same case in the reply
An answer can be short, but the preposition and case still matter. A question beginning auf wen can receive an answer such as auf meinen Bruder. Questions about things introduce further forms such as worauf.
Auf wen wartet Nora? — Auf ihren Bruder.
Who is Nora waiting for? — Her brother.
Practise this pattern
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References
Original teaching prose and examples, informed by these grammar references. A2 placement is an editorial curriculum choice, not a CEFR certification.