Burns

12.

Ping.

I lazily lifted my eyes from my bright screen, halting my eager fingers from landing on the awaiting letters on my keyboard, bringing them to settle on my cell-phone lying on my bed.

I barely stretched my hand and grabbed it. I flipped it, considering that I had initially held it upside down. I unlocked it and was greeted by a notification. It was a voicemail and it was from Brec. I hadn't heard from her since yesterday and the bulk of today not that I blamed her for it. A confused soul you are.

I arched a questioning brow, wondering why she'd sent me a voicemail. She could easily text me so why didn't she? Besides, I wasn't really sure I was ready to associate with her, not after what I had said to her in my drunken state. Least to say, I was actually embarrassed. I really said a lot on that call. It was a fact that made me cringe and curse at myself everytime I remember. I wondered what she thought of me right now.

I bit my lip in uncertainty before damning my thoughts and listened to her message,

Uh, hi. If you are listening to this then it means that I didn't know what to text you. Wait... more like I couldn't find the right words to fit. Wordless. That's it.

So uh, um... I don't know if this is awkward but I'm sure that I'm the last person you want to hear from right now but it's okay. I'm rambling... shit! What was the point of this again? Oh yeah,

Yeah, I've remembered. The point of this- because I didn't know how to text it because you might not reply it, have I mentioned that before? Anyways, my father's birthday is next week and we're throwing a party for him. It's a two day event to celebrate his fiftieth birthday- it consists of a normal party on Friday then a fancy dinner party the next day, it was my aunt's idea. My dad thought it would be nice to invite you. Apparently he finds it to be a perfect way of making it up to you for the both nights we inconvenienced you.

So here I am inviting you. It's going to be happening here in Arlington. We could come by and pick you up if you want or you could come around by yourself. I'd text you the address once I'm done with this voicemail.

One more thing, please don't decline. It would hurt my dad if you refused. I don't know if you've noticed but he's a little... you know, he's taken a liking to you and when I told him and he insisted on having your presence around. You've captured his heart but I'm not so surprised, have a little knowledge on automobiles and you've struck his heart.

Plus it would also sting me if you do. I know you like your space very much and I don't take you for someone who has left your town before so I'd really appreciate it if you gave this a chance. I promise, you won't regret it and there will be no awkwardness between us, just friends.

I really do hope to get a reply once you listen to this and I'd be really pleased if you actually listen to this. Have a great day Ky.

My brows rose above my forehead. I wasn't ignorant to the hints of disappointment held in her message. I huffed in discomfort from the storm of emotions one voicemail brought to my doorstep. I stared at my phone before tapping on her message and true to her words, she had attached an address.

She was right about me never leaving town. Where did I have to go? I was frightened to take up her offer, the thought of coming back to meet my home in ashes ate at me. I was terrified of the possible states I could come back to meet my home in.

Not only that, she did mention it being a big event to celebrate her father. I wasn't sure if it would be right for me to just intrude. I felt it was a thing meant for family and I wasn't her family. Hell, I wasn't even her close friend.