Westbound Sign ➵ Billie Joe Armstrong

This Version

Collin

The screen buzzed softly in front of us, the worn out VHS of Sleeping Beauty warbling slightly from being rewound one too many times. Maleficent was mid monologue, green fire and all, but my attention was already drifting.

"I think being a Disney princess would suck," I said, licking powdered sugar off my fingers. "You just lie around until some dude with good hair decides to kiss you. No thanks."

Erin raised an eyebrow. "What, you don't want someone to rescue you with a horse and perfect cheekbones?"

I snorted. "If he shows up with a horse, I'm calling animal control."

"Ugh. You're no fun," she said, flopping back dramatically. "Sometimes it'd be nice to have Prince Charming show up, you know? Sweep you off your feet, say all the right things, wear a leather jacket-"

"You're thinking of Mike."

Erin snorted, draped upside-down over the couch like a cat in a sugar coma. "Okay, well, Aurora's entire personality is napping, and I respect that. Second, sometimes being rescued sounds kind of nice."

"Sure," I said, rolling my eyes. "Until he turns out to be emotionally unavailable and allergic to commitment."

Erin pointed at the screen. "Still better than sharing a kingdom with your dad and listening to villagers sing about how you're supposed to marry for convenience."

"Pass," I said. "I'd rather sell nails in the heat and die of heartache."

"You're halfway there," she teased.

I chucked a popcorn kernel at her just as the phone rang. Her landline, buzzing sharp and sudden from her desk.

We both paused.

Erin slowly twisted upright, her eyes narrowing. "It's 9:30. If that's a telemarketer I'm going to verbally destroy them."

I inched closer to her, mostly curious - and then watched as her whole face lit up when she picked up the receiver.

"Mike?" she said, already grinning.

There was a pause, until she mouthed ''He's in Georgia, plays a gig tomorrow night.''

I gasped. "Oh my God."

Erin winked at me and leaned into the receiver, voice immediately dipping into exaggerated syrup. "Wow, you caught me at such a bad time. I'm in my pajamas... with company."

I smacked her arm.

Mike said something on the other end - I couldn't hear it - but Erin let out a laugh, biting her bottom lip dramatically. "Oh don't worry, she's cute. Brown eyes. Little bit of emotional damage."

Erin continued to tease him. "You caught me at a very busy time, Michael," she purred. "We're watching Sleeping Beauty. Very exclusive. Girls only."

I hissed, "Stop it."

She covered the receiver and whispered, "He's already nervous, I can feel it."

There was a muffled squawk on the other end.

"Should I put you on speaker?" she teased, already reaching for the button.

I tried to swat her hand away. "Erin, don't-"

Too late.

"Hey, ladies," Mike's voice filled the room, chipper and a little wary.

Erin grinned. "Hi, Georgia."

I cleared my throat. "Hi."

There was a pause. Then Mike again, sounding like he just stepped into a trap. "Wait - Collin? Like, Collin Collin?"