Glitches in My Code

Phone Calls

I stare out the window, lost in my own mind. The phone rings, the sound cutting through the air like a knife. I jump, ripped from my thoughts. I get up quickly, bouncing on the balls of my feet in an attempt to get out some of the nervous energy controlling my body. I pick up the phone, voice shaking slightly as I speak.

Can they tell?

"Hello? Is this Alex?" The voice is high but familiar, and it sounds just as nervous as I feel.

"Yes. This is Alex. Why are you calling?" My voice wavers as scenario after scenario runs through my mind. Did something happen? Is something wrong at home? Is this a good call or a bad one? How will this end? My mind races to find the worst possibility, but my train of thought is cut short by the return of the voice.

"Oh, good! I was worried I had mixed the number up or something..." I can hear the relief in her voice, and I smile slightly. She wouldn't be so relieved if something bad had happened, right? "Anyways, I'm calling to let you know that Kal's back in town. I thought you might want to know." Relief floods me and my shoulders drop.

"If that's all you wanted to tell me, then why did you call? Why didn't you just text or something?" I tilt my head, though I know she can't tell. Who knows? Maybe my voice sounds different...

"Really, Alex? I know you. You rarely check your texts, and you'd want to know immediately. I know you hate phone calls; I do too. It was just the most... efficient way to let you know." I can hear the smirk in her voice; all anxiety has fled from both of us.

"Fair enough, I guess." I shrug as I speak. "Is that it? Can I go back to what I was doing?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's it."

There's a pause, and I can nearly see her hand moving to hang up.

"Wait!" She doesn't talk, but I can hear her breathing into the microphone. "See you around?"

I can hear the smile in her voice as she replies.

"Yeah, I'll see you around."