Leave A Message // Charlie Puth

one.

My palm pressed against the cold marble surface, my fingers gliding around the soft edges of my iPhone. I click on Sebastian's contact, wondering whether or not to wish him Happy Birthday.

Sebastian and I dated for a year, we ended things early this year and haven't spoke since. I found out that Sebastian cheated on me with my best friend at the time, instantly braking off all contact after finishing our relationship.

I sigh softly, beginning to text him and closing my eyes as I hit send.

Zoe: Happy Birthday!

???: It's not my birthday?...

Zoe: Seb you're not funny.

???: Sorry who's this? I think you have the wrong number...

Zoe: You're so annoying Seb, I try to be nice by wishing you a happy birthday and you reply with this, really?

???: Look I'm not Seb, you have the wrong number.

Zoe: Oh I'm sorry he must have changed his number or something.

???: By the way, if you ever get through to Seb send him birthday wishes for me.

Zoe: How kind of you, tbh I doubt I'll try texting again. What's your name then now that I know you're not Seb?

???: I'm Charlie, what's your name?

Zoe: I'm Zoe

Charlie: Wow you're absolutely beautiful. Well it's nice to meet you Zoe, hopefully I'm not too much of a disappointment compared to Seb.

Zoe: Thank you so much and no haha don't worry, you're much better than Seb.

Charlie: Do you mind if I ask who Seb is?

Zoe: My ex, we broke up earlier this year when I found out that he was cheating on me with my best friend at the time.

Charlie: Damn, that's awful. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that, even though I barely know you I can tell that you're a really good person .

Zoe: Thank you that's really sweet of you.

Charlie: Anyways, I better go but it was nice talking to you Zoe.

Zoe: You too, bye.

I smile as I slip my phone into my pocket, my long fingernails tapping happily across the table. I spin my body around on the bar stool and rise to my feet. Rubbing my eyes slightly as I make my way into the bathroom, combing my hair into a messy bun and applying a small coat of lip balm to my plump lips.

I turn the volume up on my speakers as I walk back into my bedroom, singing along to House of Gold by twenty one pilots.

*
I run towards the door, flinging it open and extending my arms widely as Andrea stood in my doorway. Not only is she my roommate, but she is also my best friend, whom had been travelling around America for the past three months with her girlfriend.

We skip happily into the lounge, jumping onto the new couch and discussing what we got up to whilst being apart for the months.

Andrea told me all about her travels, each sentence was beautifully discussed and she painted a calming picture in my mind each time.

"So, what's your news?" Andrea asks me, she pulls the blanket over her slightly shivering body.

"Well, I'm not sure if you know but today's Seb's birthday. I went to wish him a happy birthday, when I ended up texting the wrong number and I got talking to this guy Charlie."

Andrea's face instantly lit up, she began squealing loudly. "Do you have a picture?"

"Yeah, hold on." I laugh, pulling out my phone and showing her the photo he sent me.

Andrea's face dropped before laughing hysterically, she sighed heavily before replying to me. "Zoe, do you know who that is?"

"Yeah, I told you. His name's Charlie." I say with a confused tone.

Andrea rolls her eyes gradually, I notice her opening the Instagram app and she hands me her phone.

I stare at the profile in disbelief, scrolling through the endless amount of photos.

That's the Charlie I was speaking to, or was someone just using his photos for a joke?