Deer in the Headlights

Part 28 - Sweet Phone Call

[Brielle's POV - October 18th 2009]

“Hey Brielle, how’s it going?” I smile as Adam’s warm voice rings through my phone in a somewhat crackly way, my heart beginning to beat a little faster as we spoke.

“Haha I’m fine Adam, nothing much happening back here in cold Owatonna.” Adam gives a dorky laugh and I instantly smile as I hear it, there was something so adorable about that laugh.

“How’s the tour going anyway, you’re halfway through it aren’t you?” I ask as his laughter subsides.

“Yeah it’s just about halfway now so it won’t be long till I’m back.” His voice acquires a more serious tone as I’m sure he was thinking exactly what I am.

“The world tour’s really happening isn’t it Adam?” I ask quietly, my voice showing more sadness than I meant it to. I hear Adam pause for a second, soft talking sounds somewhere in the background for a moment before he rejoins.

“Yeah...  I can’t believe it.” He says quietly. Even though I couldn’t see him I knew he would be looking sad, the tone of his voice had gotten deeper and he hesitated upon each word, I could tell he felt bad about leaving me for even longer. We’d spoken briefly about the matter earlier in the week as the tour dates had been put on his website but it was only now I felt the implications were truly setting in.

Despite how much I wanted to talk with him about it I held of my questions and worries, I knew better than to distract him from the tour on hand, but also I felt I’d rather have him to speak with face to face. We were both terribly shy about talks like this but I figured I’d probably find it more comforting to have him in front of me to speak with; that and I was probably going to need a shoulder to cry on I think sadly.

 Quickly snapping back to reality I change the subject before things get dark.

“I knew your music would go places Adam, it’s amazing.” I say with a smile that reflected through into my voice. I hear Adam shuffle and laugh shyly.

“T-thanks Bri, it means a lot. Every night it’s so amazing to hear the c-crowd singing the songs, I mean who’d have thought the stuff from m-my parents basement would even get anywhere; especially with someone as- as shy as myself.” I smile even wider as I hear the awe in his voice, raw emotion causing his nerves to flare up for a moment.

“You’ve really got to believe in yourself Adam, don’t just take my word for it you’re really talented.” Adam laughs nervously again.

“Thanks.” He mumbles with a smile. I let out a chuckle at how easily I’d caused him to clam up. His shyness only stirring my feelings for him even more, it was weird how that worked, but I liked it.

“How’s everyone else doing by the way? I forgot to ask last time we spoke.”

“Oh they’re fine. Quite happy sat eavesdropping me.” Adam says in a distracted voice as I guessed he was looking at his fellow band mates.

“I hope they aren’t teasing you too much Rick.” I say with a smile, finding it difficult to fight off the giggles as I say the name. From across the line I hear Adam sigh, I knew if he was with me right now he’d be throwing me death glares.

“MY NAME IS NOT RICKKKK!!!” He says in a mock shouting voice. I burst out laughing for a second; the old joke mixed with how quietly he had replied made me laugh all the more harder. It was clear he was being watched and didn’t want to properly shout the line down the phone at me.

“Adam you’re brilliant.” I say as I finally recover from the giggle fit.

“Thanks Rick.” He replies, his voice tinged with sweet playfulness.

For another few minutes we chat happily about fairly insubstantial things, how Adam’s tour was doing, the states he’d been through and of course what delicious food he’d eaten. The conversation wasn’t anything remarkable or noteworthy but it soothed the ache in my heart from where my best friend had left. But despite that, all too soon Adam made his excuse to leave; I found out he was sat calling me from a hotel lobby somewhere in Oregon; the band were waiting while the minivan was getting a quick service while it was being loaded up ready for the drive to California.

I couldn’t help thinking if Ann would be on his mind when he got there. I didn’t think he was performing a show in Los Angeles but I knew he wasn’t an idiot to realise she could be there at any of the shows. I silently prayed he’d be ok, his feelings for Ann seemed to have gone but it was clear that in his heart he still missed her sorely.

“Take care Adam, I hope you have a good time in California, don’t play in the sea too much else the sharks might fancy a nibble on your legs.” I say with a smirk. Adam hates sharks.

“Brielle!” Adam cries out. His voice rising in a note of panic. I giggle at him, knowing full well if he was with me he’d have already punched me in the arm or thrown a cushion at my face.

“Okay okay I’m sorry. But really have a great time.” I say with seriousness.

“Thanks Bri, you take care; I’ll talk soon.”

“Bye Adam.”

“Bye Bri.”

I hang up and stare at his contact on my phone, his voice still resounding in my head. The emptiness I felt without him around was quite startling, more than anything I just felt like I wanted a hug. As pathetic as that sounded I just couldn’t sum up my emotions in any other way. I was really missing his adorable, shy, dorky nature; even if he hardly spoke or was too shy for his own good, I still missed all of that about him.

It’s strange how you don’t realise how much someone is a part of your life till they aren’t in it anymore.