Sudden Storms Chapter Two- The Sober Dial
It's the early hours of the morning and the sun shines tentatively through the dark clouds that attempt to block out the brightest of rays. The faintest grey light trickles through your curtains as a loud cymbal of thunder followed rapidly by a blinding flash rudely awakens you from a pleasant dream of a girl, smiling at you amongst a mass of dark curls…
You blearily reach for your phone to check the time. Accidently hitting speed dial, your phone decides to call Carmilla.
(You've had her number on speed dial for a week now, in the vain hope that you would accidently call it- you're just too damn nervous to actually motivate yourself to call her on purpose, you've never been one for making the first move.)
Before you can hang up the phone, the damage is done and a bleary voice answers the phone:
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Oh hi! It's me Laura! Umm…yeah sorry I know it's early but the storm woke me and you probably don't care, it's just that I've had your number on speed dial and I really wanted to call you- because how did you get that note on my folder without me noticing and oh god I'm so sorry it's too early for this and…"
Silence at the other end. A dry laugh (Oh god oh god oh god that laugh) and then:
"I'm sorry but who is it that I am speaking to?"
"Oh yeah! Um…Laura Hollis…we met when you saved me from being squashed by a train?"
Oh Lord…is she going to remember you at all? Is she the type to give her phone number to any stranger on public transport? Does she just carry around sticky notes with her name and phone number and stick them onto unsuspecting girls?
"Cupcake it's 6am."
"It's Laura and you were the one who gave me this number! It's hardly my fault for calling it!"
The beautiful stranger sighs and you're pretty sure your heart sighs with her.
"Okay creampuff, I guess I shouldn't give out my number to beautiful girls- (Your fickle heart takes the opportunity to perform a salsa dance) -but I must admit, that when I gave you my number I thought it would be for something other than a sober equivalent of a drunk dial."
"Isn't a sober equivalent of a drunk dial an oxymoron?"
Silence again. A yawn.
"Sweetheart, it is too early for this kind of conversation."
"Carmilla, my name is Laura and what kind of conversation were you hoping for? You didn't make much of an effort on the train."
You don't know why you continue to provoke her; it is as if your mouth has decided to become independent of your brain and heart. Perhaps it is just to encourage her to keep using those pet names that run so smoothly off her tongue…
The stranger chuckles. It really is too early for any serious emotion.
"Look Laura, I wanted you to call me so that I could see you again, preferably somewhere nicer than Shittyrail public transport. But if you just want to talk literary techniques and nicknames with me…well…you're going to have to call me later in the day."
Oh dear god she said your name!
You're momentarily speechless, and you listen to her steady breathing for a few seconds.
You clear your throat. Take a calming breath.
"Carm…I would like to see you again…if that's ok?
She laughs and you quietly resolve to do anything within your power to make her laugh again, because she really is worthy to be one of the Seven Wonders with a laugh like that…
"That is perfectly fine with me cupcake. How does 2 o'clock at Steamy Indulgences on Saturday sound?"
"Really? Steamy Indulgences? You go to a coffee shop called Steamy Indulgences? What's wrong with Starbucks?"
You barely know this woman and yet you somehow know that she is at this moment, rolling her eyes heavenward.
"Sweetie, can you get to that coffee shop at the specified time and go on a date with me?"
You nod, once again rendered mute by the sound of her voice, and then realising that she is unable to see you, whisper:
"Yes…that would be amazing…beyond amazing…thank you so much, and I'm so sorry for calli-"
"-ok then cutie it's a date. Oh and by the way- I'm not going to tell you how I got that sticky note onto your folder. I have to keep some of my secrets don't I? Otherwise I'll lose my air of mystery."
Carmilla hangs up the phone and you lift your curtains to look out at the storm still raging outside.
Another sheet of lighting illuminates your room, followed almost instantaneously by a stomach growl of thunder.
You sigh as your heart rate refuses to return to its normal pace.
You reach for your phone, and type out a message to Carmilla:
I'm sorry for waking you. Have a good night.
Her reply is almost instantaneous:
It's morning now cupcake. And it is a very, very good morning. It is not often that one is awoken by the sound of a beautiful voice.
No, it is hopeless. You will never be able to tame your heart, you will just have to accept that you will always be on the verge of a heart attack.
You sigh.
You know with absolute certainty that any hope you had for sleeping away the hours of the morning has been crushed by Carmilla's voice. Because there is no way in h-e-l-l that you can get to sleep with her on your mind.