BUTT DIALED

1

October 28
12:34 AM
Calling...2624927430

Ring...

I settle into my bed sheets, listening intently.

...ring...

...ring...

...ring...

A sigh escapes my lips.

...ring. Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice messag-

I end the call and try again.

October 28
12:38 AM
Calling... 5035674340

Ring...

I bite my lip.

...ring...

I half-close my eyes. The number probably doesn't exist, or whoever it was that I dialed is fast asleep and won't pick up.

..ri-

"Hello?" It's a male voice, and it's slow, sleepy. Something rustles in the background, and the boy on the other end of the line exhales. "Hey, hello?"

"Hello. You have been butt-dialed."

"Hello. You woke me up from my slumber."

I laugh, pulling the blankets on top of me closer. "Slumber?"

"Yeah, slumber. Why'd you call me at such an ungodly time?"

This time, I sigh, rolling over onto my stomach and propping myself up on my elbows. "I was bored, and I needed some type of distraction other than drinking."

"You don't sound old enough to even be able to drive. Isn't teenage drinking illegal?"

"Your observational skills astound me. I applaud you."

Light laughing on the other end. The boy resumes speaking. "So who are you?"

"A girl."

"No shit, Sherlock. What's your name?"

"What's yours?"

"I asked first, but mine's William."

I nod, even though he can't see me. "Aw, I'm going to call you Willi now. I'm Arabella."

"You're weird Bella. What if I don't want a nickname?"

"What if I don't want a nickname?"

"Ha, hilarious. Tell me something about yourself, then."

"Hey, I'm running this butt dial. Tell me something about yourself."

More laughing - I had no idea I was this funny. "Jesus, fine. I'm 17 years old. How about you, Captain?"

"16 and a half, yep yep yep." I close my eyes. "I really am sorry I woke you up."

Will sighs, the action creating a flood of static in my left ear. "It's okay. It wasn't a very peaceful sleep, anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"I, uh, get nightmares."

"About what?"

Another wave of staticy noise, crackling and too loud for comfort. "A lot of stuff. I have, um. Um." He's quiet for a couple minutes, but not gone - I can still hear his breathing. "I got in a fight a few months ago, and it was... it was bad. Someone died during that time, and it, it..."

Silence, all except for his breathing. In, out, in, out, in, out.

"Hello?" he finally asks.

"Yeah, I'm still here. It's okay."

"I see him in my dreams. And he's always floating above me, dripping blood. And it - it repulses me so damn much, and the blood keeps falling and it floods me and I drown. And the blood is mixed with beer and the stench-" Will's voice cracks, and he's back to breathing, silent until his breath steadies. "Hello?"

"Still here."

"I'm sorry for telling you this. I don't even know you."

"It's okay. I don't mind."

"Thanks."

"Good night, Willi."

Without waiting for a reply, I press the end button and close my eyes, asleep in an instant.