Burnt Ramen

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

            Kate’s phone is buzzing. It’s kind of strange, she thinks, because usually she is the one on the other end waiting for someone to pick up. It’s even stranger when Alice is calling. Kate picks up the phone.

            “Hello?”

            “Hey.”

            “Um, hi?” Kate says unsurely. Alice never calls her, like ever. They text, yeah, but only during Alice’s spare time. Which usually means she’s too busy to call.

            “Can we hang out?”

            “Sure…” Something is up. She knows that at least, because she can’t even remember the last time Alice was the one to call Kate and ask her to do something.

            “My place at seven? You can stay the night.”

            “Yeah,” Kate says, scrunching up her hair with her free hand. “Um yeah, that would be great.”

            “I’ll see you then.” Alice hangs up, leaving Kate very confused.

            *

            One hour later, Kate is still trying to figure out what that call from Alice was about. Sure she had time to eat the lunch Finn made for both of them, but she is no closer to guessing any of Alice’s possible motives.

            It’s not like they never hang out. Well, it kind of is. But it’s more like they never can hang out. Alice is always busy, always. And Kate loves her, but she wishes that somehow Alice had time for her. And maybe that’s what tonight is about. Of course she has no real idea, because Alice is Alice, and not easily understood.

            Without much to do, Kate decides simply to just lounge around and catch up on some TV. She’s able to watch a few episodes of Elementary before there’s a knock on her door.

            “I’ll get it,” she shouts out to Finn, not wanting to disturb him as he works on his photography. She pauses the TV and gets up from her comfy spot on the couch to open the door. Unexpectedly, it’s Alice who’s standing there. And what’s more, the look on her face is absolutely heartbreaking.

            Alice simply walks in and hugs Kate. Puzzled, but also trying to be comforting, Kate returns the gesture and rubs soothing circles on her friend’s back. One word is uttered, and that’s all Kate needs to understand, “Lucas.”

            Now fully clued in, she grips Alice even tighter, trying to help alleviate whatever Alice is going through and waiting for her small sobs to die down. She knew that they loved each other, but she never thought that they could last. She never told Alice, but she sort of knew this would happen. Kate didn’t want them to break up, but it’s hard. Long distance isn’t something she saw lasting for either of them.