disconnected // l.h

[eight]

"You're just being paranoid," Mom laughed from the other line, "Calum wouldn't ever ditch you."

"How do you know that, Mom?" I sighed, picking at my food tray. This time, I decided to eat my lunch down in the cafeteria, which was unfamiliar to me. It was well into the spring semester, and I had barely left my college dorm. I poked at my chicken sandwich as I held my cellphone closer to my ear, and spoke with a hushed tone, "He didn't want to play FIFA with me today. Can you believe that?"

Mom chuckled on the other end, "It's a videogame, Leena. Don't be so dramatic."

"It's not just a videogame," I argued, taking a sip of my grape juice, "It's his life. I'm not even joking. That boy has no life purpose if he hasn't played FIFA."

"Didn't you say he has a new girlfriend?" She asked, excitedly.

I stared at the empty row of seats in front of me. The cafeteria was gigantic, and full of people, yet I was the only student sitting alone. Even Agnes had a lunch-buddy. Finn.

"Yeah," I said, "Jenna. Well, at least I think they're dating. You never know with Calum."

"He called me, and asked me for advice." Mom laughed, "He said you were being cynical about all of it."

"He did what?" I gasped, "I mean, okay, I was cynical. But I gave him decent advice!"

"Whatever you say, darling." She continues, "So, are any of his Austrailian friends take your fancy?"

"MOM. JESUS." I blush, whispering loudly into the speaker. I drag my hand down my face, attempting to hide the red in my cheeks, but a few sophomores gave me odd looks anyways.

"Just askin'!" She justifies, but the damage was already done - I was epically mortified.

"I'll talk to you later, okay?" I sigh, "Love you, Mom."

"Love you, too, honey!" She answered before hanging up. I turned off my phone, and poked at my chicken sandwich again. I contemplated whether or not to throw it in the trashcan, and go up to my dorm to watch Netflix and/or sleep.

My phone buzzed, interrupting my thoughts:

mommy {1:32pm} : remember im taking ur brother with me on a business trip over spring break

me {1:33pm} : yes yes i know and i cant come :(

mommy {1:35pm} : sorry darling :/ its NYC! Have fun! Spend your week in the city!

me {1:36pm} : by myself? calum is going home for break

mommy {1:37pm} : ask his friends out to lunch :) dont be shy. love you xox

With that, I threw away my lunch, and stalked across the cafeteria to the exit. Finn noticed me, but his eyes darted away a second later. Agnes noticed as well, but sent a condesending smirk in my direction. I rolled my eyes, and pushed open the double doors.

A gust of wind sent shivers down my spine once I had opened the exit doors, and I began to immediatly regret my decison.

I contemplated running back to my dorm and watching Netflix. That, or a nice walk in the fresh-air.

It wasn't hard to guess which option I went with.

And so, I began my journey down the block and around the courtyard. To pass time, I pulled out my phone and typed a new message:

me {1:45pm} : hey. care for a netflix date?

calum {1:46pm} : sorry L im a bit busy.