The History of Us

7 - Midnight Conversation

Past

Midnight Conversation

Gone was Elsie's hope of getting the ideal 7 hours night of sleep as the analogue alarm clock on her bedside table strikes 1 AM. She tried to type down the beginning words for her history essay more times than she could remember, yet none of them seemed to be able to do justice for what she had in mind.

'Explain briefly an important piece of history that has impacted you ever since hearing about it, and explain why'. The brief was simple, yet somehow almost impossible for Elsie to answer.

There was just so many, too many even, to mention. She felt suffocated by all the great ideas she had floating around in her head, all of which she couldn't pour down on paper or write about in the way she had in mind. She could feel the back of her head pulsating as she made her trip back from the bathroom for the fifth time that night.

The light that illuminated from her laptop had turned into a glare, causing her to turn around and stare aimlessly at her room, hoping that the momentary break would give her some clarity.. She had turned on her bedside lamp to invoke warmth into the space, and also contrast the cold screen light that was hurting her eyes.

Between the quietness that surrounded her and the mild music she had put on in a low volume, her phone suddenly vibrated, causing her to jump slightly on her seat, her heart beating rapidly from the shock. She couldn't recall any of her friends being awake at that point, and she was already mildly annoyed by whoever was on the other end of the line for causing such a shock.

It took her by surprise when she saw that it was Liam who had texted her.

'I hope you're not avoiding me again. It didn't work the first time remember'.

Elsie was at lost for words when she read the message. She had been thinking about what he said at the hospital almost a week ago, but even then she knew she wasn't actually going to call him or anything of the sort. She was convinced that Liam hadn't meant what he said as well, but once again he had proven her wrong.

Though never in her wildest dream would she ever imagine that he'd go as far as to make the first move.

Needing a break from the draining writers block she had encountered for the past three hours, she decided to call him instead. That ought to take him by surprise, she thought. When the phone rang twice and he picked up the phone, Elsie wasted no time in sparing him from having to greet her.

"If I didn't know any better Liam, I'd think you're just looking for ways to text me in the middle of the night," She cheekily greet, smirking to herself.

"You calling me isn't stating anything different," He replied coolly.

It was almost unexpected to hear his voice through the phone late at night. It was still his voice - raspy and deep - but something was off, as if it was the voice of someone who carried the weight of the world with him, and it made Elsie feel sorry for him.

"Well, I'm tired and I needed a break, so I thought why not," She defended herself through the poor excuse she knew no one would buy.

"Why are you still up this late? I don't think anything's due tomorrow."

"No, there's nothing due tomorrow. I was just getting started on my history essay..."

"But that's not due until next week," He deadpanned. Fair point, Elsie thought.

"I know," She sighed, "I just wanted to make sure I get it right. There's just so much to say and not enough time!"

"You'll get there," He comforted her, which in itself was also unusual.