That Boy With The Beanie

Back to where it began

A cracked voice almost whispered and I could instantly tell it was Luke. There were a few seconds where I forgot I was mad and just smiled to hear his quiet voice “Um, hello?” He repeated, again.

“Hello.” I said and I could swear I almost heard him smiling. I bit my lip and tried to stay quiet.

“Charley!” He said, but I kept quiet “Are…Are you ok?” He said, with a slight stutter.

“Fine.” I said, and I realised how shit I sounded. My voice was braking so I just gulped and tried to keep an un-strained voice.

“Good…Brilliant!” He shouted, I could tell he was being a Try Hard “Look I am really-“

“We need to meet up.” I interrupted him, but I didn’t feel bad at all. He breathed a sigh of relief down the other line.

“Yeah, ok” He said, slightly deflated “Where?”

“Starbucks, but that’s not romantic” I said, and the words fell out of my mouth. I didn’t say sorry though, I couldn’t be arsed.

“Um… Okay, when?” Luke asked. I glanced at the clock above the sofa where my mum was currently sat at. It was 5pm.

“30 minutes” I said, my voice serious and stern.

“Cool” He said “See you there!” He sounded excited.

I didn’t say bye or even good bye. I just hung up and left my sofa and nodded at mum, who was smiling, and went to get changed.

I just put on a plain blue jumper and some old punk rock jeans. By punk rock, I mean they were grey, and had rips in them on purpose. I straightened my hair quickly and put on my grey beanie. I put on some converses and grabbed my ‘dead for 4 days’ phone. When I turned it on, I checked my messages. Three from Tammy and fourteen from Luke. God.

Mum gave me a lift and gave me £15 to buy a coffee. I said thanks then bye.

Luke was there, sat in the same table as before. Before. Before all of this. Our first date.