*67 → [Irwin]

august 14th

T W O

~*~

[incoming call: unknown number]

   "hi," i say as soon as i answer his call.

   "hi back," he says, giggling quietly.

   "uh, so, what are you doing?" i ask, biting the inside of my cheek.

   there's shuffling on the other line. "i'm out with the boys," he finally responds.

   all of the sudden, there's another voice on the line — a female. i knit my eyebrows together in understanding. "cool," i say.

   a long period of silence is shared — most of what ashton and i's conversations seem to consist of — before there's a slamming noise, something like a door fitting back into its place.

   "what are you doing?" he asks, not seeming to notice my lack of enthusiasm.

   i only shrug. "hanging out in my room, i guess," i tell him, holding the phone between my shoulder and ear and taking out my laptop. i plug my charger into the side and wait for the light to blink on.

   ashton heaves a heavy sigh. "i'm tired," he says. "i wish you were here."

   i freeze in my spot, phone nearly slipping out of my grasp. "you, uh, what?" i stutter.

   much to my irritation, ashton says nothing — the line returning to its uncomfortable silence. "nothing," he finally hums, but i can hear the smile in his voice.

~*~

sigh i don't know how i feel about this