The Butterfly Effect

Chapter 12

"Kyle, you still dating that freshman?"

"You mean Kirsten?"

"Of course, man. Who else?"

"Or you're dating another freshman, huh?"

"Hahaha, fuck no."

"But we can see you getting serious with this chick."

"It's already summer break, man."

"You've been going out with her for three months now."

"Did you forget it was only a one-month dare?"

"Wha—? No, of course not! I'll be done soon."

"Tell me when you already are, bro. It'll be my turn."

"Hey, when will I get mine? She's cute, you know."

"Wait, did you hear that?"

"What's that sound?"

"Who's there?"

"Maybe it's just— Kirsten? No, no, Kirsten, wait! Let me explain!"

"..."

"Kirsten, wait!"

"..."

"Kirsten! Kirsten!"

Kirsten awakened from her reverie due to the ringtone of her phone on the table. It was Monday evening and she was sitting at her desk in her room, actually trying to work on her college assignment, but her mind kept getting distracted. Glancing at her phone screen, she saw an unknown number calling and she wrinkled her eyebrows. Hesitation took over her before she finally decided to pick it up.

"Hello?" she said into the phone.

"Kirsten?"

Her eyes goggled when she heard a familiar voice of a guy with a foreign accent on the other line.

***

Staring at Kirsten's number on his phone, Kyle had second thoughts about pressing the call button and just put his phone back on the table. It was, like, the fifth time he repeated the action in the last thirty minutes. His mind still couldn't believe he had accidentally met her again yesterday. A girl whose heart he had broken about three years ago. She hadn't deserved that. That was why he should explain to her about everything. He wanted to make things clear between them.

At last, he went to her number again then pressed the green button. He really needed to fix this. Before he put his phone to his ear, he took a deep breath. For around twenty seconds, she wasn't picking up his call yet.

"Please, answer..." Kyle muttered.

There was a weird feeling inside him when he heard a girl's voice on the other line.

"Kirsten?" he asked cautiously.

There wasn't any response for a few seconds, but he was afraid to say something. He was afraid she would hang up the phone.

"How did you get my number?" Kirsten finally talked in a cold tone.

"Doesn't matter. I want—"

"Tell me or I'll hang up."

"N- no, wait, Kirsten! Please, don't hang up!" Kyle prevented shortly. "We really need to talk."

"About what? You want to tell me the reason why you played me?" she scoffed. "Don't bother. Thanks."

"No, Kirsten. Listen to me. It's not like what you think."

"Then, what?"

"I can't talk about this over the phone."