The line starts ringing. My heart racing. Shit. Why am I psyching myself out?
-ring ring-
No going back now... No.
-ring ring-
What if he doesn’t pick up? Because he knows it’s me?-
-ring ring- -click-
Oh crap! He picked up!!
I clear my throat quickly "Hello?"
"Hello?"
Wait that's not Dan?
"Um.. Dan?"
"Nah, it’s Greg. How are you doing Mia?"
I hesitate for a moment, confused. Has he changed his number already?...
"Did I call the wrong number?"
"Oh nah, Dan just left his phone here. He and Micky just left"
"Oh" a wave of relief crashes over me
"Did you need something?"
"Oh. No... Um.. I was... just.. I mean he.." I stumble out, lost for words.
Greg chuckles softly
"I saw him when he got back. He looked pretty down, did you stab him or something?" he jokes. I let out a small laugh.
My heart ached. Did I really reject him that bad today?
"Awh, no I just.. I mean I.. He.." I stutter again. I squeeze my eyes shut trying to keep it together
"Calm down Mia, I was only kidding. But he did seem-"
"I like him!" I blurt out before slapping a hand over my mouth. My eyes widen, realising what I just said.
Greg just chuckles again.
"I know as a fact that he likes you too"
"Really?"
"Yeah"
Another wave of relief crashes over me as I finally register what he had said. I mean, hearing it from one of his best mates is something really genuine and assuring.
"Thanks Greg"
"No problem, I won’t say anything if you won’t?"
I laugh.
"Try calling Micky's cell if you want to reach him now" he suggests.
"Okay I will, thanks Greg, I'll see you sometime soon"
"See you and good luck!"
I smile as he hangs up. He likes me. He's not fooling around, he likes me. Even Greg said so!
A loud clang from the kitchen interrupts my thoughts.
Ohh Sky.... Oh Sky!! I need Micky's cell!
"Sky!" I call out to her.
"Gimme a minute!" she calls back.
I wait impatiently as I hear more clashing. What the hell is she cooking?
"What’s up? Did you call Dan?" she asks, coming into the room, her mouth stuffed with food and her apron stained as she quickly wipes her hands on it.
"Uh yeah but Greg picked up... Can you call Micky for me? Apparently he's with Micky"
Sky laughs as she rummages through her bag again.
"What's with the sudden excitment?"
I giggle "Nothing"
The giggling drops as she dials Micky's number, pressing the phone to her ear
"Hey" she says with a smile "I'm good" she giggles.
I roll my eyes at her
She rolled hers back at me
"Is Dan with You? ... Oh, is he okay? ... Right, um can you put him on the phone? There's someone here who wants to talk to him"
We wait in an agonizing silence
"Hey Dan"
My heart stops again. I widen my eyes at Sky.
Sky catches my look and grins at me
"How are you? Wait give me a second.."
She holds the phone out to me
I take it carefully... Eyeing it for a moment before pressing it to my ear ever so slowly
I watch as Sky slowly backs out of the room, leaving me alone.
"Hello?" I say softly, trying not to stumble while saying one word
"Hey" Dan's voice on the other end replies, sounding almost cautious
"How are you?"
"I'm fine"
I bite my lip. He sounded a bit uncertain.
"Sorry. About today. I had a good time." I force, crossing my fingers for good luck
"Yeah? I'm glad"
His voice still sounded a little dull
"You wanna do something sometime?" I ask carefully, silently praying for a second chance
Awkward silence.
"yeah?" he says finally, sounding a little confused but enthusiastic
"Yeah we should hang out sometime, me, you, Sky and Micky"
I think the message finally gets to him
"Sounds good!" He responds finally, happy as if he's just released a huge breath and can finally breathe again
"Sure so I'll chat to you tomorrow?"
"Definitley"
"See ya"
"Bye Mia"
The line breaks, I hug my phone tight and fall onto my back with satisfaction. Finally...