The Call

Michell stared at her phone. She was fighting herself on calling Nick. After their last conversation, she started thinking. 'How's he gonna hurt me?' Looking at the phone wasn't helping. She wanted to get clarification but, didn't know if Nick would understand why.1

She looked and picked up the phone, then set it down again. She had been doing that for a couple of hours now. She'd pick up the phone and start calling him but, before she hit send or sometimes finish dialing the number, she'd change her mind and hang up. Nick was always that one person that she didn't want to seem needy or desperate to.2

Soon, she let her mind wonder; 'Why does he think he's gonna hurt me?' 'I should have some sort of say in this whole not seeing each other thing.' 'Doesn't he know that for him to screw up, I'd have to also let him?' 'Do I seem like I would let him do something stupid before he was ready?'3

"Argh!" she exasperated as her thoughts kept running on Nick. He was the only one who could ever do that to her; drive her crazy without doing it on purpose. He never knew about it and now, he just might.4

She grabbed the phone and pulled up his number. She hovered on the send button but, she still didn't push it. She set the phone down without closing it and just stared at it. Finally, she made up her mind and grabbed the phone up and hit send. Slowly putting the phone to her ear, she listened to the ringing at the other end.5

"Hello, Nick's phone," a female voice answered.6

"Um, can I speak to Nick?" she replied, confused even more so now because a female is answering Nick's cell.7

"Can I ask who this is?"8

"Michell," she said a bit bitterly. "And who is this?"9

"I'm Nick's room mate," the voice said. "Hang on, he should be back in a sec."10

Michell couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief and waited for Nick to get his phone. Soon, she heard muffled voices and one sounded really upset. Michell couldn't understand what was being said and just waited for Nick to grab the phone.11

"Michell?" Nick's voice finally spoke on the other line.12

"Yep. Was just calling to talk. Who was that that answered?" she asked, wanting to confirm that it was indeed his room mate.13

"That was my room mate and she would also be my ex."14

"Is this the same ex that left you at the alter?" she had to know.15

Nick took a sharp intake of air before he replied, "Yes, she is. We moved here right before the wedding and I just haven't found a new place yet so, I'm kinda stuck here."16

"Ah, well, that really kinda sucks. I'm sorry I can't do anything for you."17

"No worries. You said you wanted to talk?" Nick changed the subject.18

Michell had almost completely forgotten as to why she had called, "Yeah. I wanted to know a few things."19

"Okay, like what?" Nick asked.20

She took a deep breath and started, "Well, first off, I want to know how you think you're gonna hurt me?"21

Nick remained silent for what seemed like an eternity to Michell. Then, he spoke very quietly, "Because, I'm feeling needy and I don't want to cling to you and then just end it cause I'm no longer feeling needy."22

"Okay, but, shouldn't I have a say in the whole not socializing outside the group?"23

"Yes, you should but, it doesn't mean it'll change anything. I'd start clinging to you and then I might start something else."24

"You know, I have to say yes for that to happen. I think I have enough self restraint to say no. Also, I wouldn't let you do anything stupid, not with me and not until you're ready."25

"I know," he almost sounded like he was whining, "But, at the same time, I don't trust myself."26

"Nick," she said soothingly, "I love you, and you know that. I plan on sticking around for a while. I won't let you do something stupid, if you become too clingy, I'll let you know and please, trust me."27

Nick stayed silent so, she continued, "There is nothing else I want right now then to redefine our friendship. For us to do that, we need to talk and hang out, even one on one hanging out will help. I don't plan on anything happening until you're ready and even then, I'm not expecting too much."28

"Why not?" he asked.29

"Because, this, our situation, is a fictional thing. It only happens in books and movies, not me. You are the love of my life and I never stopped thinking about you. I never stopped dreaming that you would come back and, now that you have, it feels like I'm trapped in my dreams and waiting to wake up." She was on the verge of tears saying this.30

"This is happening. I know because I feel the same way except I kept dreaming that you'd accept me back."31

The tears streamed down her face now, "So, what are we gonna do then?"32

"I'll see you in a couple of days, just us," Nick said.33

Then they said their good byes and hung up. Michell replayed their conversation and then started thinking, 'What have I done?'