All Mixed Up

I miss you

It's dark and lonely in my room now. The same thick air turning stale since Ella left. I lay on my bed, the darkness concealing the tears that drop onto my pillow. The faint melodious hum of music spilling through my headphones from my phone is noise that disturbs the otherwise utter silence. I don't make a noise or move. All I do is stare into the darkness, that same horrible scene playing over and over. I won't let love tear us apart.

I won't let love tear us apart.

Those words are so complicated to say...so difficult. Why? I finally decide to go over and pick up my phone, tapping the numbers on the dial screen to her number. After a few rings, it goes straight to voicemail.
"Ella, look, I know I've been a bit of a douchebag but I really want to make it up to you. It was wrong of me to say all that and I know how much you like him. I'm begging you to answer the phone please!" I plead into the phone before hanging up and the waiting game begins.

I've messed up big time but at least I'm aware of it. My phone rings and I answer it in what feels like less than a second.
"Ella! Listen-" the person on the other side cuts me off.
"Hey Kaia!"
"M-Mathias?! How in the hell did you get my number?!" I yell into my phone, temporarily letting go of my best friend cutting herself away from the world.
"Sources." He answers, evading my question.
"Well, can you at least tell me why you're calling?" I make myself sound irritated at his disturbance but let's be honest...

Score!!

"Lukas and Emil keep whispering your name before glancing at me. What's up with you three?"
"Us three? Oh we've just become acquaintances, that's all!" I lie, not wanting to spill anymore secrets than what I already have.
"Just acquaintances, huh? I'll get to the bottom of this. You'll see." Neither of us say anything for a while. Partly because I thought he'd just hang up after that but he sighs into the phone and pauses. "In fact, Emil, Lukas and I are going to town tomorrow. Lukas and Emil have requested you come. Do you want to join us?" My heart was about to completely burst at this point.
"S-sure okay." Trying to keep it cool, I attempt (and fail) to stifle a stammer.
"Well, we'll see you at the fountain in the square at twelve." And with that, our conversation is cut off by the sound of him hanging up. After I lock my phone and put it to the side, I'm met with that same empty silence. One that would be filled by the interrogative questions about the phone call from Ella if she were still here. At the thought of her, a single thought comes across my mind.

I miss you.

Once again, my phone rings. I put it to my ear, not even bothering to speak first.
"Kaia." Is the first thing the voice on the other side says.
"Who is this?" I answer back.
"Emil."
"How did you get my number?" I ask him, confused once again. Did Mathias give it to him? I'm right in thinking so.
"I thought you didn't like me after the liquorice incident thing where I bribed-"
"Yes I know what happened." He hastes to say. We both pause, not knowing what to say next.
"Well, actually, if it's about the whole trip tomorrow-" again, he interrupts me.
"This isn't about that." Again, there's a pause and I expect him to continue but he doesn't.
"Are you going to make your point or just be silent for the whole-" once more, I don't get to finish.
"We're not on bad terms. I thought I had to tell you."
"Ah. I thought we were because-"
"Because I walked away annoyed?"
"STOP BLOODY INTERRUPTING ME!" I scream into my phone. My mum walks into my room, asking if everything is okay but I lie telling her it's fine; in reality it's not really.
"Look," I start, inhaling deeply. "Looks like getting along is going to be hard but we need to work together." The line goes quiet but I know he's still there on the other side, probably doing something I obviously can't see.
"Why is it so important? Why do you need me?" He questions. My eyes dart around the room despite the fact he can't see. What do I say? Slapping myself in the face with frustration, deciding if we need to work together he might as well know why.
"I-I...I like Mathias! Are you happy now?!" In a hidden fluster, I cover my cheeks; heat pouring from them to my hands.
"You do?" He sounds shocked. "O-okay your secret is safe with me." I hang up, though, this time cutting him off, unable to hear more. He sounded so scared...

What is he hiding?