Apologize

Calls and Coffee

Ash's PoV

"I'm not overreacting!" Kayla squeaked at me through the phone. She is so adorable when she's mad. Er, her voice is, at least. I may or may not have told that I got an 80 on our last History test. It's a huge improvement, according to her. Honestly, I could be making 100s if I bothered to study. But I don't. Because History is just a bunch of dates and dead people. Literally.

"Yes you are, Sunshine. An eighty is nothing to start yelling out across the country. But I don't think Canada quite heard you," I joked.Kayla made a 'pssht' noise and stayed quiet for a minute. "You there?"

"Ashton Anderson got an eighty!" Kayla yelled. She wasn't yelling it into the phone, so I guess she was actually yelling it out to the world.

"Okay, okay, chill. I think people got the memo." I smiled to myself and flopped onto my bed. This girl is too much. "What did you make on the test?"

"I aced it, of course," she laughed jauntily, talking in an extreme British accent, as if mocking herself. I rolled my eyes before my brain came up with a grand idea.

"We should video call!" Kayla groaned at my proposal. What was so wrong about video calling?

"I look like trash." She was lying, obviously. Kayla could never look like trash, even in the grossest of gross outfits. Ugh, I sound like some cheesy movie.

"As do I," I replied truthfully. My hair is ruffled and messy, my eyes are tired, and I'm wearing a casual hoodie that belongs in the bin.

"I don't wannaaaa!..."

"Pleeeeaaassseee?" I extended the word for greater, though extremely unnecessary, emphasis.

"Fine. But I won't smile. Not once. And you can't make me," Kayla said grumpily. Minutes later, we were in a video call. She actually looked really cute in her messy bun and reading glasses. I made a funny face at her, just trying to get a laugh, but she kept her promise and pouted.

"I didn't know you wore glasses," I said cheekily. Kayla's face flushed and she took them off quickly. "Awh, dont take them off! I thought you looked cute with glasses."

"Pfft, they're only for reading. What happened to your hair?" She yawned. I glanced at my bedroom mirror and saw what she meant. My hair was extremely messy because I never fixed it from my nap. Every Monday deserves a nap, which is exactly what I did.

"What do you think happened?"

"Where are you hiding the girl?" I snickered at her comment.

"No, silly, I just took a nap. But I'll let you mess up my hair even more..."

"Blegh! If you just suggested what I think you did, then you're a sick human being."

"I guess I can live with being a sick human being, then," I shrugged. She really wasn't getting the hint, was she?

"I'm hanging up," she announced playfully. I saw a small smile sneak onto her lips.

"Aha! I got you to smile!" Kayla's face was hinted with pink as she mock pouted again. I'm absolutely shocked that nobody else has fallen in love with her.

"Whatever. I need to go. I guess I'll see you tomorrow," she said before hanging up on me.

•••

Kayla's PoV

I walked into the café quietly. It's 10:30 but I need advice, even if I only have 30 minutes for it. Yes, I snuck out of the house. Through my window. To talk to someone I haven't talked to in seven years. I sat down at the nearest empty table and waited. Sure enough, she walked over and took a seat, handing me a coffee that I always order when I'm by myself; 1sugar, 2cream.

"I need some advice, mum. And I'm so sorry for how I reacted last time I came, it's just-"

"Don't apologize, it's my fault. I left you guys on your own. It's okay. What do you need advice on?" Tris took my hand gingerly and held it in hers.

"Uh, well... I kind of like this guy, and I heard that he likes me, but he is also known for being a player and I really don't want to fall for him if he only wants to use me. I really just don't know what to do," I said in one breath. It was nice to get that off my chest, even if I was extremely vague.

"Oh, wow. Well, I suggest that you ask him. Or if that's not something that you want to too through, you could have Paige ask for you. How is she, anyways?" Oh, a subject change. Thank God.

"She's good. I just visited her this afternoon because she had a migraine. I think she'll be fine by tomorrow, though, by the progress reports her boyfriend is texting me." Tris nodded and let go of my hand.

"That's good. So... Who is this boy?" I've prepared myself for this question a million times, but it still took me a hesitant moment before I could answer.

"Uh, well... His name starts with A. I'm scared someone might hear us and tell him," I giggled, trying to hide my blush. I've definitely been watching too many spy movies.

"Oh, c'mon! Not even on a note?" Tris begged, twirling a strand of her long, silky black hair on her index finger. I bit my lip and pulled out a small piece of paper. "Wait, what does he look like? How'd you meet him?"

"Uh, well, he has brown hair and these super amazing blue eyes! Like dad's, you know? And he has this adorable smile that makes my heart melt a little. As for meeting him... let's just say that we met in a hallway. Now do you want the name or not?"

"Oh, of course! He sounds cute. No wonder you like him," Tris winked her beautiful chocolatey eyes. I laughed and wrote the name down on the paper slip. But I kept it in my palm.

"Can I have some more advice?" I asked. How was I going to put this?

"Of course, anything for my dear daughter." Those words made me tear up a little, but I fought against them. Stay strong. Stay strong.

"What happens if he breaks my heart? What do I do?" My voice cracked on every other word, but otherwise the sentence was completely understandable.

"You'll come back here and we'll talk it out. But he'd better not break your heart or else I'll break him." I laughed, my threatening tears slowly disappearing. I reached over the table to give her a hug. She did the same. We stayed in the hug for a few joyous seconds before I slipped her the note and walked away. Now I'll just have to hope that nobody else sees that note.

Because they might tell Ash.