Hope Estheim One Shot ~ Telephone
Hello, hello, baby you called,
I can't hear a thing,
I've got no service in the club, you see.
I tried to ignore him, to put him last in my thoughts, to avoid him at all cost. I even tried to keep away from him after his mother died. But reread all of those - they all say 'tried'.
We met at the beginning of middle school. Both of us were in 6th grade. He was nice, but on the shy side. I was social and was ready to give anyone my opinion if asked for it. We were opposites, but didn't you ever here opposites attract?
What did you say?
Boy you're breakin' up on me,
Sorry I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy.
By the end of that grade we were friends. As much as I tried to numb it out, there was this feeling I had when I was near him. It sucked out all my self control and wit, all my sense and intelligence. I was reduced to nothing but a mindless, stupid blob of a girl.
So I decided to get him out of my life. The plan was working perfectly. I had changed my hair, my friends, my clothes, and, if I could, my voice. But I still saw him. It hurt to think I brought such a drastic change to my life because of just one person.
But I ignored that, too. And soon, too soon, he seemed to forget about me also. We now live free of each other unless forced other wise. Lets just say 'unless forced other wise' came at 9th grade.
We shared one class – collage level science. Even though we were supposed to be taking a course that was meant for people who were grown and independent, we had groups. I believe his parents put him in that class because he was forever studying simple points and never got a hundred for a grade – even for a completion grade (you know, the ones you Christmas tree or write random things related to the answer to and get a 100 for just doing it). Well, lets just say I got almost all A's without writing notes and reading only a fraction of the material.
Just a second, it's my favorite song they're gonna play,
And I cannot text you with a drink in my hand.
Hope finally snapped. He had just failed a test, which was amusing to me. As result, he asked the teacher how to do 'good', which at this point would be a D just to pass. And just my luck, the teacher's eyes fell on me. Why? Because we were a select few freshmen that got into the class and I was usually staring at the clock, but today I was almost asleep, which made the next moment absolutely beautiful to me.
"Hope," the teacher said, motioning towards me, "ask her. She has a 94 right now."
He could only gape at this. "What – how?" his sentence faded off.
Damn it, I thought, he might recognize me. Yes I can pay attention and almost sleep at the same time, but not run a mile under 10 minutes. God works in mysterious ways. Anyways, I was pulled back to the present by a loud noise that happened to be Hope's voice.
"You're lying!! There is NO WAY she can get a 94 and SLEEP in class!" He ranted. I don't know what happened to him or this is an off day, but I don't remember him being so loud.
"By Jesus I can," I said as I stretched off the sleep.
His gaze stayed on me for several moments before responding with a tone that resembled that of a snake "Then how did you?"
As much as I wanted to return the glare, I didn't. "To be honest, I don't really know"
"Well how about both of you study together then!" the teacher added in before walking off.
We sat in silence for a few minutes.
"So... When are you free?" Hope asked in the most shameful way I have ever heard.
"Never. I have all collage classes," I stated seconds before the bell rang.
You shoulda made some plans with me,
You knew that I was free.
And now you won't stop calling me; I'm kinda busy.
By the hand of suspension for disobeying a teacher, I had to give Hope my cell number so I could help him.
Let's just say I had to upgrade to unlimited texting… literally. He would text for other classes too. I pretty much gave him the answers to everything. I hated it. I had a life before, after then before him. Then I got the text I least wanted – to hang out.
Great, I thought, I can't be mean. Shit! This is the equivalent to a mental death sentence!! Then I started to think about it… Why did I hate… no, not hate, just… not want to be around him so much? I really didn't know.
That's the reason, I remembered, he makes me so indecisive. To get out of it I texted him I was busy. He responded that I was always doing work and needed a break.
I sighed; I guess he just can't get it. I just texted back that he just missed the right time. By years, I thought to myself sarcastically.
Can call all you want,
But there's no one home,
And you're not gonna reach my telephone!
Out in the club,
And I'm sippin' that bub,
And you're not gonna reach my telephone!
We were back in class for this particular event. I was currently being nagged at for not answering my phone as much or at all. Hope was now less than an arm length away, but this began a few rows over. He slowly came closer by switching seats when the teacher wasn't looking – not that the teacher even cared.
As much as I wish he would stop, I wanted him to get closer. Damn emotions, I thought. This thought was becoming common lately, and I didn't like it.
"I need you to answer when I-!" he was starting to rant but I cut off his sentence.
"Hope, you're not gonna be able to reach me," I said bluntly as I turned my head to look at the clock.
Boy, the way you blowin' up my phone
Won't make me leave no faster.
Put my coat on faster,
Leave my girls no faster.
I shoulda left my phone at home,
'cause this is a disaster!
Callin' like a collector -
Sorry, I cannot answer!
I went to Wal-Mart with my friends today. Currently, I was caught up on my work. I dislike so much homework – I didn't have time to play video games anymore.
Anyway, the group I was with moved down the hall like a heard. With only a handful of people, we took up a lot of room.
"Hey, I'm gonna check out the new releases. I'll catch up with all of you before we leave," I said as I turned to walk away.
I was met with "Oh! I wanna go too! I heard that Dear John came out!" and then some squeals.
"No," I responded, "video games," I had never heard a more immediate response of disappointed sighs.
Either way, I went to look at the videogames I didn't have time for. Later I made my way to music. About that time the group texted me to get outside to meet with them.
Bright one, they didn't tell me which door. I headed for the closest one so I could decide where to go from there.
For some reason I felt like I was being watched, but I'm just paranoid like that in public when I'm alone, especially since it's nearly midnight and there aren't many people around. Eventually I was outside and no one of my group was there. I walked from one entrance to the other. Still no one. But wait! There's Hope! Ooh! And he's looking right at me! Note the sarcasm
"Hey," I said slowly. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. He probably got the idea that I blew him off, which I did, but not like this.
His eyes narrowed a bit. To anyone else, there was no change, but I knew him better than that. "I thought I heard that you were busy?"
"Well about that," I said looking away. Why did I feel guilty? This wasn't a fault, really. "I finally got caught up on my work."
"I thought I told you to call me when you had time," he said bluntly.
"I didn't know until this morning. Besides, it shouldn't matter," I said walking away.
I was pulled back by my arm and pushed into his chest. I could avoid this level of confrontation at school because of PDA, but here's free game.
I looked down to avoid his eyes and I felt my face heat up. "Hope, what now?"
Stop callin', stop callin',
I don't wanna think anymore!
I left my hand and my heart on the dance floor.
Stop callin', stop callin',
I don't wanna talk anymore!
I left my hand and my heart on the dance floor.
"What'd I do to you?" he asked. I could feel his lips move against my head.
"You won't quit texting and calling me," I answered. I was usually calm or prepared mentally for situations, but not this one. The only emotion I could feel at this point was the same one I felt years ago that I've been trying to get rid of.
"No. Not that. Before," he said while turning me to face him. I could feel him looking though me. It was almost like he was a different person.
I had no answer for him. Hell, I didn't even have an answer for me. So I just shook my head.
"Look at me," he said. I obeyed, but I don't know why. I could've just as easily not.
My head tilted up to look at him. I never noticed that he'd grown. But I didn't get a good chance to look at the 'new' Hope.
Almost immediately after looking up I only saw a flesh color. Then I felt something I hadn't ever experienced before. Mind registering at… 15%... 46% … 87% … 100%!
He was kissing me. I didn't have a clue what to do so my body took over. No, it wasn't one of those public make-out scenes or anything close to that. I simply pressed my lips back to his.
After a moment that was too long and too short was separated. My face was red and his was tinted a light pink. He shifted slightly from looking at me to looking off to the ground next to me.
I reached forward and hugged him close to me and waited for his response. He just wrapped his arms around me and rested his head against mine.
I smiled slightly, "It's not that I don't like you," I stated, "I'm just busy," Then I moved my head a bit and kissed him on the cheek, "But I'll make an exception."
Not that I don't like you,
I'm just at a party.
And I am sick and tired
Of my phone r-ringing.