Labyrinth | ✓

s i x t y - s i x t h ♂️

Rang.

As my phone rang for the first time, l was literally holding my breath, even though I had forced myself to act normal. I gulped, clenching my fingers around the gadget, feeling its sweat sticking against it. Even if I had mentally and physically prepared myself in giving Seb a call despite an internal debate, I was still feeling jumpy and all tensed up, but I was already aware of the reason behind this nervousness.

The second time it sounded, Seb haven't picked up. This caused my heartbeat to somewhat accelerate, but knowing that my mind shouldn't be chaotic if he indeed answer, I tried to keep my composure and acted calm. I inhaled and exhaled carefully, attempting to relief myself.

The confessions that he had made last week and the fact that we haven't even exchange a single word made our friendship questionable. According to my gut, there were two possible chances, either Seb cut his contact with me and have not intentions to be back as friends, or he answered the call and find ways to sew back our bonds. However, the latter was unlikely, since by the third ring, there was still no response.

Maybe, like what Rena and Father said, he was really that invested with his projects, that he had stressed himself out, that was he wasn't paying attention to his phone. I tried to stay on the positive note, but it didn't take so long before I began to deviate away to the other side. By the time I reached the fourth ring, my hopes began to dash... and in here... I concluded to end the call. I shouldn't have disturb him or something... maybe I will try again later...

Lynn was definitely not going to be happy if I was quick to quit the task... but...

Before I could press the red button and hang up,  the ringing abruptly cut off, followed by some static and thudding noises. At this strange scene, I instantly glanced at the screen to see what caused it. As I partly expected, the call was connected to Seb's phone, which could only mean one thing... he answered it... at last.

Regardless, there's only one problem left: who's going to start the conversation?

I didn't know why, but I couldn't speak out, even if I wanted to. My words were incredibly stuck inside my throat, hence I was unable to get them out straight. I couldn't even open my lips to say something, as if something was zipping my mouth and preventing me from initiating the whole thing. Meanwhile, I heard my friend's ragged breaths on the other side of the phone, but neither did he want to began.

Why is he not saying anything...? He's usually the talkative one, despite similar situations...

Ugh no, I really have to be the one. I'm the one who called him first after all... but... why can't I seem to do it?

In the end, it was a complete silence between the both of us, and it just made me want to crawl into some narrow space, not wanting to come out of it. It had started growing awkward for a few minutes, as the only sounds I heard was white, background noises, and this was enough to slowly drive me into hyperventilation.

Calm down, Edward. Calm down. Don't freak out. I quickly berated my actions, mentally slapping the shit out of myself. Come on, man, it's just Sebastian, not some random stranger. He's your friend. Your childhood friend that you had been with for years. You have acted by your contemplations, so there's no more turning back... so stop acting like this...

After what felt like ten minutes, I ultimately managed to break the suspenseful atmosphere apart and overpowered my hesitations.

"H... Hey Seb." I stammered. Why the hell are you stumbling on your words?! Didn't I tell you before to calm yourself down-

Right as I scolded myself, Seb quitted his silent treatment that left me all bothered to give out an unexpected response.

"...It's been a while since we talked, so we just sit here not knowing what to say. Pretty funny, aren't we?" Considering how tight his voice was, it seemed that Seb was also pushing himself to converse. Not even a second later, he let out a series of chuckles, sounding obviously forced. "Well, to start things off, how is it going?"