Incoming: A Second Chance

January (3 months earlier): Too Long

I shot a glance at Kathy as the phone continued to ring. Kathy was my roommate here at Parx University, and has been my roommate since our 1st year here. We were instantly friends then, and now currently in our 3rd year, she is now one of my best friends. The phone rang again, and my glance now became a glare.

“I’m not going to answer it since we both know it’s for you,” I told Kathy.

“You are closer, Emma. Just grab it; would you?”

With a frustrated sigh, I leaned over and grabbed the phone. “Hello?”

“Put Kathy on,” Brent spat.

“Hello to you too, Bent,” responding with a harsh similar tone.  Brent was Kathy’s boyfriend of 2 years. Let’s just say, I am not a fan of the guy.

I threw Kathy the phone, thinking of how that guy could really irritate me. Kathy could do so much better.  She was naturally gorgeous, light skin, slim, and tall, and could definitely model if she wanted to.  She shot me a look as she was listening to him go on and on about something.  She started pulling her long black hair into a ponytail, which usually meant she was getting irritated with whatever he was ramming on about.  After a few minutes, they hung up.

“Should I even ask?” I questioned, but she shot me a look telling me I don’t even want to know.

Not even a minute later, the phone rang again; Kathy huffed, and went to answer it. Only this time she shot me a weird look and said “She’s right here, hold on.”

I shot her back a questioning look, and she just shrugged her shoulders, not knowing who it was on the line. “He sounds cute,” she whispered to me as she passed me the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Em!” The voice sounded vaguely familiar, but I still couldn’t put my finger on it.

“Hi?” I asked more like a question than a response. I heard a chuckle on the other end.

“It’s Derek, you know, the love of your life who stole your first kiss!”

A smile crept onto my face as the memories of Derek and I came rushing back to me. I laughed at the thought. “First kiss yes, love of my life hardy Derek, if I remember correctly, I was 10!” I could tell he was smirking on his end.  

I could feel Kathy watching me from the side with a smile plastered on her face, so I shifted, so she couldn’t see my face.

“Anyway, how long has it been? Like 10 years right? Wait how did you get this number?”

“Well our moms were catching up on the phone, and the next thing you know I was talking to Roni, and catching up with her.” Veronica (Roni) is my younger sister who is a senior in high school. Since Derek’s and our parents were best friends years ago, that meant Derek and I were always together, from when I was in diapers, up until his family moved away to Florida 10 years ago. Derek is 3 years older than me; and would tell everyone he was Roni and my older brother.

“Roni and I got all caught up, and I asked her how you were doing. She gave me the scoop, and your number saying I should call and surprise you. So, are you surprised?”

“Yes, definitely! Wow, it’s been so long. How are things? Last time I talked to you, you were forcing me to play with your trucks, and putting bubble gum in my hair.” We both laughed at that.

“Well, some things do change, Emma.”

“I would hope so,” I responded laughing even more.  The phone beeped signaling another call coming in.