Ella's POV
Okay so you might be wondering why I have my crush's contact saved as a bug. Well a few months ago he made a joke about something being shitty, I think it was an exam that sucked and basically called that exam disgusting with the Cockroach reference and I don't know why I found it so funny, my friends definitely weren't laughing as hard as I was, or maybe even at all, I wouldn't know, I was too busy laughing my ass off to notice.
My friends all looked at me knowingly and I told them to shut up. I wasn't okay with admitting that I liked him and a part of me still won't allow myself to do that in front of anyone because it's kind of like the moment you admit it, especially in front of someone you know or are close with, it becomes way more real than what it felt like when you're the only one who knows about it for sure. And I don't want it to become real. It sucks to fall for someone you're close with and then worry about losing a friendship if the feelings aren't mutual but it sucks even more when there's barely any form of a relationship with that person to begin with.
Cockroach's actual name is Adrian and he's the friend of my friend Laylo who I'm close with. So Adrian only really comes over to my group when it's to talk to Laylo or to finish homework that's due that same day(I know right, what a character) but it's better than not seeing him at all so in a way, I thank Laylo.
It's so hard to start a conversation with him in person that doesn't run dry within two seconds though. It's so frustrating cause when he does show up, WHICH IS NOT OFTEN, it feels like an opportunity wasted every time he leaves. But then again, he probably finds me annoying, which I hope isn't true, it's just that I'm really talkative and I try using that to my advantage with him, to hopefully get him to actually talk to me and not just answer my questions or respond to my statements and not add anything of his own to the conversation. I hope he doesn't feel like I'm smothering him. But pfft, would there even be a chance for that, the ass literally leaves so soon after he's shown up.
These feelings are making me go crazy. Clearly.
Anyway, at least he responded. Which I realize I haven't responded to yet, due to spacing off.
'What are you doing up?'- Ella
'Cramming for tomorrow.' - Cockroach
'Ahhh, are you nervous?' - Ella
'Not exactly, I just wanna make sure that whatever I have gone through, I've gone through it thoroughly.' - Cockroach
'Makes sense.' - Ella
I notice him typing and hope to dear God that this isn't already the end of the conversation.
'What about you though? Why're you still up?' - Cockroach
Oh my gosh. He's continuing the conversation, what do I do. You respond idiot. Ah right, thanks brain, heart took over there for a second.
'Well actually, it's a funny story.' - Ella
'I could go for a funny story after all that studying.' - Cockroach
Well then.
'I'm actually in a hospital right now, haha.' - Ella
'Wait what?' - Cockroach
'The hospital?' - Cockroach
'Yeah, the hospital. I have a fever and I couldn't go to the doctor since they were all closed by the time my mom realized I was sick.' - Ella
'Wow, that sucks. So I guess that's why you're awake right now, will you be okay by tomorrow? Skipping an exam is a big deal.' - Cockroach
'I'm not sure yet, I think my parents are gonna give me the option to stay home but I don't think I'll take it, I mean it is Friday tomorrow, as long as I can get tomorrow's exam over with, then I can rest and get better during the weekend.' - Ella
'That's a good idea. You can probably come in just before the exam instead of being there from the beginning of the day.' - Cockroach
'Yeah, my mom said if I do decide to go to school, my dad will drop me at school a bit later and pick me up after.' - Ella
'Okay great. What are you waiting for at the hospital currently?' - Cockroach
'Blood test results, they're just making sure that there isn't anything else wrong with me, the fever was really high so ruling out other options is best.' - Ella
I get interrupted by my dad before I can see his next message.
"Who are you texting?" My dad asks.
"Just a friend of mine." I respond, at least I hope he'll become my friend tonight.
"Who?" Dad asks and I can tell my mom is smiling a bit. My dad is really protective.
I don't respond to him and just try and hide my own giddy smile but my dad asks me to show him my phone. Invasion of privacy much.
He scrolls a bit on my phone and nods his head, acknowledging that it is indeed, just a friendly conversation.
"Wait a second. Who's Cockroach?" My dad asks the dreaded question and I don't even know how to answer, I just laugh.
"That's uh, his nickname." I say and my mom chuckles.
"What kind of nickname is Cockroach?" Dad asks.
"Pfft dad, there's all kinds of nicknames."
"Mhm, sure. You can stop texting now though, you should get some sleep while we wait." Dad says making me frown and I look at mom with hopeful eyes.
"Honey, let her talk for a few more minutes then she can get some sleep." Mom says sweetly and I thank her mentally.
"Fine." Dad says and hands me back my phone.
I smile and go back into my messages.
'Ah okay, how long will the results take to show up?' - Cockroach
'I'm not sure actually, I think around 2 or 3 hours?' - Ella
'That's a long wait. You'll be really tired during the exam.' - Cockroach
'I don't really have much of a choice I guess. If I'm keeping you up I'm sorry, you can get to sleeping.' - Ella
I really hope he's not just talking to me out of pity for the sick girl.
'No it's okay. I wouldn't wanna have to just sit there for hours and worry about test results. If I'm helping distract you a bit from that then I'll stay. Plus I don't sleep early anyway.' - Cockroach
'Not sleeping early isn't exactly a good thing... but this is distracting me a bit, so thank you.' - Ella
I think I'll ignore what my dad said about me going to sleep until he brings it up again.
'No problem Ella.'- Cockroach
HE KNOWS MY NAME. I MEAN OF COURSE HE KNOWS MY NAME FOR THE LEAST BUT EVEN IF IT IS IN TEXT, IT SEEMS SO DIFFERENT COMING FROM HIM.
'Yeah, so what are your interests?'- Ella
I'm gonna take this chance to get to know him a little better.
~~~