Wolf's Moon --- ONC 2022 (LONGLIST)

Chapter 2

Callista could almost see the playful smile that sat upon her friend's lips as she spoke. The false annoyance that laced each word made her want to hang up and go home. She could literally see her apartment building from where she currently sat. However, she had no plans of driving again until she was off the phone and completely calmed down after the near wreck. 

"Cal, you there?" 

Quickly brought back to the present and to the fact her closest friend was on the line. She put the car in park, leaned in her seat and slowly let out a breath before speaking; 

"Yes Noah, I'm here. Though, if I wasn't so lucky I probably wouldn't be right now." 

Callista's response turned from shaky to a low grumble, showing off her true frustration and agitation for what had transpired not five minutes prior. 

"Huh?"

The confusion in Noah's voice was evident, but Callista was quick to shoot down that confusion before it turned into unending curiosity. The last thing she needed was Noah freaking out over the near accident she almost had and never hearing the end of it. 

"Nothing, I was only reminding myself of something I needed to do." 

"Oh, okay. Anyways, what are your plans the next couple of days? Please tell me you have at least one day off." 

If Callista hadn't known Noah for the past three years, the fact she was asking about her work schedule instead of picking up on her agitation would have been quite surprising. However, she was not the least bit surprised since this was turning into a near weekly thing. Only, Noah usually waited for her to get home before calling her with the same questions, which she replied the same way each time they were asked. 

"Noah, you know I only get one day off a week, two if I'm lucky. The next couple of days aren't those days. . . like always. I'm sorry." 

Oh, come on. You can't be working, you're always working yourself too hard. Haven't you racked up any vacation time? In fact, when was the last time you took a vacation?" 

A gentle sigh left Callista's lips while she shifted her eyes around the darkening street she sat in. Noah was correct on one thing, it had been quite some time since she had taken a vacation. . . a proper vacation. She worked tirelessly to try and pay her rent as well as making a decent life for herself. She didn't see a vacation as a possibility for herself right now. 

"You still there?" 

Being forced from her thoughts, Callista returned to the conversation she was having with Noah. Even if she wasn't fully present in it, there was no reason to worry her best friend any further. 

"Yes, I'm here. I kind of clipped out for a second, but I'm here." 

"See! You can't even focus on talking to me you're so overworked. That's it, I'm making you go on a vacation this year." 

"Noah~" 

An exasperated groan slipped from Callista, but anything she was going to say to disagree was quickly cut of by Noah. 

"No, you will call your boss in the morning and we leave right after that. You can choose where we go. Please, do this for me." 

Rolling her eyes, Callista attempted to think of a way she could get out of this vacation idea no matter how much she actually needed it. 

"Callista Everhart, you are not getting out of this. Stop trying to think of a way to do so. You work far too hard and need this break." 

It never ceased to amaze her how well Noah knew and could so easily read her, even over the phone. Her friend knew exactly what she was thinking and would shoot her down immediately if need be.