Lifelines and Lights

'I Miss Your Kisses'

I stared out my dorm window. It was currently pouring rain, and it seemed as if the sky felt as gloomy as I did today.

I tried to focus on the textbooks spread open in front of me. Finals were happening in less than a month, and I still needed to get some of these theories down in my brain if I have any hope of passing my degree.

The calming sound of rain pitter-pattering against the window was interrupted by a loud chime from my phone. Rolling my eyes, I gave up. I don't think it was possible to get any work done today. I grabbed for the iPhone precariously perched at the edge of my desk, and swiped through my notifications. Clicking on the message I just received, I read it, and felt a smile immediately paste itself across my face.

Nate: Hey baby. You started mugging for your finals yet?

Known to the world as Nathaniel Williams, the world famous two-time People's Choice Favourite Film Actor, model, philanthropist and heartthrob, he was fantasised about by almost every girl I knew on campus. Unfortunately, it's hard to fantasise about dating the boy who wiped boogers and snot on your favourite skirt in preschool.

Nate and I grew up together, but he got talent-spotted and upped-and-left almost immediately soon after. Within months, he landed commercials, modelling gigs in Vogue, and a recurring role in one of the hottest medical dramas on television.

In the last three years, he had gone on to star in blockbuster films, directing a few indie flicks, and rubbing shoulders with the cream of the crop of Hollywood's A-List.

I tapped out a reply and sent it, before deciding to get some food before trying this studying thing again. Tapping off a message to one of my friends, I sent it and rushed about, trying to look presentable. My phone chimed almost immediately again, and I snorted.

Nate: Hey baby. You started mugging for your finals yet?

Ket: Hi love. Would you stop reminding me of finals? Thank you. Also, aren't you supposed to be filming right now?

Nate: Uh-huh, I stopped all production so I check up on you. So, how are you? Miss me yet?

Cocky didn't even begin to describe him. Ever since he blew up and made it big time, it took double the effort for me to knock him down a few pegs each time we squared off verbally.

Ket: Gross. You know I never miss you. Not when you show your stupid face to me almost every week via the wonders of the internet. AKA Skype.

Nate: Nahhh. You still love me no matter what.

It took him five minutes to crack and send me another message.

Nate: P.S. Baby, I miss your kisses.

I rolled my eyes. With Nate around, I was surprised they weren't already stuck in the back of my head permanently. Grabbing my keys, I replied him.

Ket: Uh-huh. I don't ever kiss you, baby. It's not becoming to lie.

Nate: Remember kindergarten? When I gave you a flower I picked, and you were so happy, you kissed me right there and then.

Ket: You gave me a dahlia. I developed a rash.

Nate: You still loved it.

I sighed.

Ket: Anyway, I'm going to stop replying. I want to go grab food with Selene, and you know she hates it when people text while they're hanging out.

Nate: Baby, hold on.

My phone started blasting 'Beautiful Soul', the song Nate programmed as his ringtone in my phone. Frowning, I answered him. "Why are you calling, Nate? I really do have to go."

"Is that any way to greet your best friend? Your bestest in the whole wide world, whom you haven't seen in ages, and by ages I mean years-"

"Cut the crap, Nathaniel, and tell me why you called. You really should have just texted." I fiddled with the keys and locked my door, and started heading down the dorm hallway.

"I know, but you said you needed to go. It's much easier talking than typing, don't you think?" His smooth, low voice hummed.

"Okay already, so why are you calling?" I started to pant. Selene had texted and said she was reaching the cafe down the street, and I needed to hurry it up.

"I'm coming home, Ket. I'll be back tonight." His voice was quiet. Calm, as if he didn't want to spook me.

I halted.

"What?" I breathed, hardly daring to believe him. Nate always tried to make it back for one event or another, or just come back to see his family, my family and me. Plans always fell through though, and it never happened. It didn't in the past three years. "Are you being serious? You're not pulling out of this one?"

"What? Ket, no. I'm getting on a plane soon. I'm at another airport, we're laying over. I'll be there by tonight. You coming to see me?" He sounded anxious, as if he didn't know what to expect from me.

I resumed my brisk pace, trying to digest this bombshell he just dropped on my head. "Um, sure. It's just, I have finals, and some coursework, but let me know what time you're home tonight? I might be able to drive out and see you." I bit my lip. It would be a tight fit, but I would try my best to go back home and see him in person tonight. Our friendship deserved that much.

"Great! That sounds great, Ket. You have no idea.. I've missed you so much." His voice had turned breathier, and it was so low I would have swooned if he hadn't been the boy I knew at five who decided eating mud might be a good idea.

"I'll see you then, Nate, but I really do have to go. Soon, though." I said, as the cafe neared.

"Yeah, of course, baby. I'll see you tonight." He hesitated for a bit. "I love you."

"Love you too, Nate." I hung up on him, just as Selene pounced on me.

"Did I hear right? Nathaniel Williams is coming back home?" She poked me excitedly.

Deflecting her, I tried to shush her. "Ow, Sel, stop it! Yes he is, lower your voice! Not many people know that I know him personally, remember?" I mumbled, looking around to see if anybody's ears had perked up at Selene's loud mention of his name.

She grinned, a gigantic, shit eating one stretching across her face. "Ooooh, this is going to be fun!"

Smacking her, I herded her into the cafe. After all that excitement, I decided I was really quite hungry after all.