Chapter 8 –  One Phone Call

Ring. Silence. Ring.

Each silence that existed between rings seemed increasingly long, allowing more and more time for me to regret pressing the send button. I could just hit end now. I didn’t have to do this.

Yes you do, My little voice told me. I secretly regarded its truth, but my stomach was suspended as if by a thread. A few more rings and still no answer. Maybe she wasn’t going to pick up. Maybe that was a sign that I shouldn’t talk to her about this.

            “Hello?” The thread my stomach dangled from split. I swear it fell out my butt. “Spencer? You there?” She asked, after a few moments of silence.

            “Yep, hey Kyla” I answered finally, my voice trembling slightly. I hoped that she didn’t notice.

            “Spencer Carlin! Oh God, you have no idea what a relief it is to hear from you! After all that went down with Ash, I ” –

            “Kyla, can you” – I attempted to interject. Fail.

            “- Thought you would never take her back! Oh Spencer, this is the greatest thing. I mean, she doesn’t deserve you… at all really, after what she did, but it’s still so amazing, Spencer! You’re every bit as perfect as she always said you were –“

            “Kyla, I really need to explain” –

            “And God does she need you. I’m just beside myself with happiness for you two.”

            “KYLA!” I yelled into the phone, growing a little annoyed. “We’re not back together.” I said tersely. I regretted the harshness of my tone a bit. She was silent on the other end for a moment.

            “Oh. Well… are you at least friends?” She asked, sounding a little deflated.

            “No. I’m sorry to disappoint you, Kyla” I spat, a little unsure as to why I was speaking to her this way.

            “Well then, why is it that you’ve called me?” She asked, sounding a little more irritable now.

            “Is this a bad time? I can call later –“ I said quickly, my fears flaring up in my chest once more. The little voice in my mind pleaded that I just get this over with, but it was drowned out by the noise of my anxiety.