Sounds Fake, but Okay | ✓

t w e n t y - s e v e n

Catalina stood at the edge of the doorway to one of the university buildings, watching the snow float down in huge clumps. The snowstorm was starting and they had already cancelled busses into the university. The only good thing that came from it was the cancellation of her evening exam. But now, she was stranded on campus. She had left the car to her mother and both her parents weren't going to get off work for another six hours, while Paola had already left for the holidays.

Catalina stared at her phone, contemplating making a call to Jae. She had already tried calling Andrea, but she was babysitting her siblings and didn't have her car. There was no one else who would be willing to drive in a blizzard just to pick her up.

There was just one problem.

She hadn't talked to Jae since he had slept over at her place, and whenever she thought about talking to him a knot seemed to form in her stomach. Now that she was single and Jae knew that she liked him.

Of course, it didn't help that she had steered clear of any conversation with him.

Her eyes lingered on the blue phone icon. She gnawed her lip and played with her nails.

Catalina lifted her head to look back at the storm through the large glass windows. The snow was falling faster; there was already a thick layer of fluff on every surface and it looked as if it wouldn't ever stop.

Catalina's eyes fell back on her phone. Before she could think about it, she clicked the blue call button on his contact. The phone rang a couple of times.

"H-hey! Cat, what's, uhm, what's up?" There was a slight shuffling noise before a long pause of silence.

Catalina couldn't help but smile at his wavering voice. She looked at the falling snow. "Nothing much... how are you?"

"Good, you know. I've, uhm, been waiting for your call for a while. It's nice to hear you."

"Yeah..."

"What are you up to?"

"I'm at the uni and well... I'm kind of...stuck."

"What?" He mumbled. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just stuck on campus. I got here by bus and well...the busses aren't coming into campus anymore because of the snow..." her voice trailed.

"Do you want me to go pick you up?" He didn't even hesitate. The shuffling sounded like he stood up.

"Well, I mean." She nibbled on her lip again. "I called Andrea and she couldn't come...and my parents aren't going to get home for another six hours so... I mean you don't have to! It's completely fine. I could probably just get a cab or something."

"No!" He stopped her. "I'll head over right away. What building do I pick you up at?"

She gave a titter. "Okay, thank you. I'm at the North building."

"I'll be there in twenty. See you."

---

Catalina ran through the snow, hurrying into Jae's car. She shook her shoes before she closed the door and shook the snow from her hair. "Thanks again, Jae, it means a lot."

Jae smiled at her. "I'm glad I could be of use."

Catalina returned the smile as she pulled the gloves from her hands and settled into the seat.

Jae leaned towards her. She pushed herself into her seat. His arm stretched over her and he took a hold of the seat belt, pulling it across her and buckling her in.