Behind the Glasses || a.i.

Chapter 14

 The line went out the door. Out the door. I stare in awe at everyone, all wanting to get their hands on the local writer’s new story. The next girl in line hands me the hardcover version she picked up, and I smile at her. “Hi,” she says.

 “Hello,” I respond. “Any particular name you want on here?”

 “Um, Trina,” she says.

 “Is that a nickname?” I ask her, jotting down a note with her name. At least I assume it’s hers.

 “Yeah, my full name is Trinity,” she tells me, knowing it is my name as well.

 “I think I’ve heard that name before,” I joke, signing my name below the message inside the front cover. She giggles nervously. I pass the book back to her.

 “Thank you.”

 She brings it to Ashton who got stuck taking purchases at the counter. The next man steps up, putting his book onto the table. I make conversation and sign it, just as I had been doing. “Trin,” Ashton calls.

 I look over at him, my eyes alert. He holds up my cellphone which I had left in my bag behind the counter. I look at the next in line, a girl who looked like she belonged in high school. “I’ll be back in one second,” I tell her. She nods, and I walk away from the table.

 He hands me my phone, and it says I have three missed calls. I scroll though, seeing Sierra’s name twice, and Ms. Farce once. “It’s been ringing non-stop,” he tells me. I look back to the line, then back to him. “You go ahead, I got it.”

 I smile at him. “I won’t be long,” I assure him, heading out front, walking away from the crowd of people. They murmur amongst themselves in bemusement. I call Ms. Farce back first.

 “Trinity?”

 “Hi, is everything okay?” I stutter out.

 “Why wouldn’t they be?” she questions, confused.

 “You just called,” I remind her.

 “Did I?”

 I gulp. “Yeah, are you alright?”

 “I’m perfectly fine, darling,” she exclaims.

 “Okay, then I’m gonna get back to work,” I mumble confusedly. Without wasting another second, she hangs up. Odd.

 I dial Sierra, and she picks up almost immediately. “Trin?”

 “Misty, what’s up?” I ask, sensing something is off by her voice.

 “Diana woke up,” she whispers.

 “She did?” I am relieved, and a grin crosses my lips.

 “Yeah, she can’t leave the hospital until tomorrow, though,” she explains.

 “Hey!” a boy calls from the distance.

 “Oh, thanks for telling me,” I say into the receiver, squinting at the boy in the distance. He’s coming closer.

 “Well I figured you needed to know. I mean, you did freak out in the elevator.”

 Yeah, for different reasons, I think to myself. I turn toward the wall.

 “Hey, wait up!” the boy calls. Is he speaking to me?

 “Right, well I have to get back to the signing,” I excuse myself.

 “Oh, right, sorry!” she apologizes. “Good luck!”

 “Bye,” I whisper, hitting end.