Underneath

Having the phone off actually helps me sleep better. I’m not fighting the urge to check it all the time…but I can’t control it for that long. As soon as I wake, I flick on hoping to see a new message from him. For a change, I’m pleasantly surprised!
‘So you’re trapped under something heavy and can’t get to the phone? or still mad with me?” This was at about 3am my time. I dither hopelessly about how to respond and call Mia for advice.

“Thought you’d be straight on the phone,” she said as soon as she answers. “So he’s texted me and I don’t know what to text back,” I start. “OK so he said…” Mia cuts me off. “Oh right! I thought this would be about the photo?” There's a long pause. I have no idea what she’s talking about. “What photo?” I ask, knowing I’m not going to like the answer. “Harry in LA last night with a hot blonde.”

My blood runs cold as I grab my i-pad. “I mean you can’t really see anythings happening really, maybe? its just a crap picture, she could be just a friend?” says Mia.

As she talks I’m looking right at it. A grainy picture, snapped through a long range lens. He’s leaning into a blonde girl, hand on the small of her back. They’re clearly in a night club. My heart starts pounding with jealousy, hurt, confusion. They’re not kissing but they could have just…

“Fuck!” I scream down the phone. “What do I do now?”

Mia comes straight round with two huge lattes. “So, what that dickhead last night was saying is basically to act like you don’t give a shit, then he’ll be all over you?” I nod rapidly as she talks. “But its kind of fake isn’t it?” I say, already starting to doubt it. “Do you want to be with him or not?” asks Mia. “Yes of course but..” I start unsure.
“Right, so he was out with some chick last night?” I nod miserably. “Text him back and say, hey, thanks for my phone. Had a late one last night, I’ll call you later.” she finishes, licking the foam off her latte. “He’ll think that you were out doing the same as him last night and he’ll get jealous! easy!”

“But what do I say later?” I ask. “Oh, don’t call him later,” just leave it like that," she answers confidently. “And what if I never hear from him again?” I say incredulous. “Oh you will,” she winks.

I don’t really share Mia’s confidence but go along with the plan anyway. As I press send, I feel a shiver of sadness run through me. I’m lying to him. We decide to go shopping and I grab a quick shower. As I get out, Mia squeaks through the bathroom door. “He rang you back!” My heart does a backflip. “Did you answer it?” I ask worried. “Naw! he left a message though” she says.

We listen to the message. It's so good to hear his voice. I’m horrified to realise how much I miss him. he’s only been gone a day or something and I’m craving him already. “Hey girl it's me…” he says, slightly faltering. “guess you’re busy so…yeah call me when you get this…cheers”
We replay it several times just to hear his lovely voice. He sounds unsure, I’ve never heard him like that before. “We’ve got him on the ropes!” squeals Mia. I smile, but I don’t feel good. I miss him and want to talk to him. We’ve still not cleared up the ‘she’s too young thing.’

We go out shopping and Mia guards my phone like a doberman. He doesn’t call again.

Later that night, after a whole day of not calling him back…I crack. Mia’s not there to stop me and I don’t have the power to stop myself. I press call, blood hammering in my ears. I haven’t even prepared what I’m going to say! I just want to hear him again.

“Hey you!” he answers finally. “Hey me!” I say revelling in the warmth of his voice. “Busy girl?” he says, “I’ve been trying to get hold of you.” My god its working! It's actually working! “Yeah, I’ve been…er busy” I answer, now seriously regretting not preparing what to say.
He takes a deep breath, “right yeah, well, sorry about…everything. I really want to talk but I’ve got this thing to get to,” he says. I can hear people in the background urging him to hang up. Probably horrid woman again. “Oh right,” I deflate a little. This wasn’t the triumphant begging for an apology call I was hoping for.

“I’m gonna be busy for a bit so, I’ll call you when I can OK?” he finishes, “got to go!” “right” I say, getting ready for the goodbye. “I do want to say though-“ he starts, “Harry!” a woman's voice shouts. It is horrid woman! argh! Instantly, the phone goes dead.

I’m now more confused than I’ve ever been! the ignoring him seems to have an effect…but he’s in night clubs with blonde girls. I can’t call Mia and tell her I’ve broken the agreement not to call him so I’m stuck here…

…I lay in bed, eyes wide open, phone on my pillow. At about midnight, it glows in the dark.
It's Harry calling me…

Ⓒ SphinxWriter13 2017

Notes