Part II ~ Call Me

I jump out of my skin 

when he picks up the phone

Yet again, you're calling Alfred. But this time, it's not a ploy to get Arthur on the other end. You're not even expecting him. No, this time, you actually need Alfred, or really anyone. It's late at night, and you're in the middle of the woods. Well, that's not a complete portrayal of the truth. You're on foot-path that will eventually lead you to the main road. But it's dark and you're alone, and you certainly feel as if you're in the middle of the woods. It really was a mistake to go out on a date with that pushy Frenchman. The plan had been to get over your obsessive crush. It had backfired rather quickly when your date had turned out to be a total creep. 

You're calling Alfred's cell, getting antsy waiting for him to pick of the phone. Your feet tap nervously against the ground, and your fingers dance across the side of your phone as you wait. 

"Please answer, please answer, please answer," you chant under your breath. Your eyes dart nervously around for anything lurking in the dark. The dark is invasive and the shadows make disturbing shapes in your imagination. You know it's just your brain's ability to recognize patterns but it's still creeping you out. 

The phone clicks, letting you know that it's been answered. Since it's close to midnight, you don't bother to wait for Alfred to confirm his identity. Nobody else is going to be answering Alfred's phone. 

“Alfred! Thank God you answered! Listen, I need you to come pick me up-”

A voice you are not expecting cuts you off. A distinctly British voice says your name, sounding tired, surprised, and confused. 

You visibly jump and your skin pinches uncomfortably as goosebumps rise up on your flesh. This was the last thing you were expecting. For once, the British voice is not welcome. 

“Arthur?” You ask. Your voice is hardly more than a faint squeak, “What are you doing with Al’s phone this late at night...?”

You heard the Brit yawn and you can picture him rubbing his eyes. He must have been asleep, “Alfred and I were watching a horror movie. I guess I must have fallen asleep and he left his phone out here...” 

“A-and you answered?” You asked, surprised that he would bother picking up the phone at this hour. 

"I doubt you’d be calling this late without a reason, love. Are you okay? You said you needed Al to come get you?” His voice was laced with concern.

Your heart soared. Yes, Arthur is three years older than you. He's a senior in high school and you're a lowly freshman. Yes, you don't really run in the same circles. Yes, your only connection to him is your best friend and his brother, Alfred. But he clearly just showed concern for you! And that's a good sign isn't it? Or it's just a natural response to a girl calling in the middle of the night, desperately requesting a ride. Your heart plummets. 

Arthur repeats your name, sounding more concerned, and his voice pulls you out of your thoughts. 

“Yeah... I sorta... well... I was on a date and things sort of went... sour... and he was my ride...” You explain, feeling a bit ridiculous. 

There’s an awkward silence and you feel like such an idiot for telling Arthur that. Now he’s going to think that you’re some sort of idiot who can’t tell a bad guy from a good guy.

“So if you could just go wake up Alfred so he can come get me that would be great. Because it’s past my curfew."

"Love-"

"I wasn’t trying to stay out past by curfew but things just sort of got out of hand and I don’t really want to wake up my parents because they probably think I’m at home in bed and I don’t want to get in trouble and get yelled at it."

"Love-"

I would just get a cab but they’re like super expensive and sketchy. And I don't think I have enough cash on me. But I get it if you don’t want Al out so late at night with a girl. I can just get a cab if it’s too much troub-”

“LOVE!” Arthur yells, finally managing to stop your rant. His quick temper gets the best of him and you wince at his tone.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to shout,” he apologizes after an awkward silence.

“It’s fine...” You say softly.

He sighs, “I’ll go get Alfred. Where are you anyway?”

You give off your location with some trepidation.

“... what the hell are you doing way out there?!” 

You blush, knowing, or at least you now know it’s a spot where couples go to hook up. From Arthur’s scandalized tone, you know he knows as well. 

“I didn’t exactly know until I got here...” You admit, sheepishly.

The silence is tense. You can't picture Arthur's face right now, but you really wish you could see it. 

“I’ll get Alfred and make sure he stays with you on the phone the whole time until he picks you up, alright, love?” You didn't know it was possible for a voice to sound pinched but that's what Arthur's voice sounds like. It's tight, as if he's just barely keeping his emotions below the surface. For Arthur, it's impressive that he's trying (and succeeding). You don't know why he's upset, unless it's at you. 

“Got it, Arthur, thanks. And sorry for waking you up.” You apologize, trying to do damage control. 

“You’re welcome and don’t be sorry. I’m glad you called... er glad you called Alfred I mean.” 

You hear Arthur wake up Alfred and then you hear the fumbling as Arthur hands a sleepy Alfred his phone.

Alfred says your name, sounding like he just woke out of a deep sleep.

"Hey..." 

"Arthur's standing here glaring down at me and not leaving the room. What happened?" Alfred asks, confused as ever.

"Well you know how I date with Francis...?"

Alfred's voice darkens a little, "Yeah I know..."

"Well I'm at Willow's-"

"He did NOT take you there!" Alfred exclaims, startling you with his temper.

"Yeah... and well I ditched him when I figured why he wanted to come here... and I sort of don't have a ride."

"Yeah," You hear the rustled of sheets as Alfred hurries out of bed, "I'm coming for you." 

Alfred's a freshman like you, but he got held back in kindergarden, making him just old enough to drive. You hear the jingling of his keys.

"Do you know if he followed you?" Alfred asks suddenly as the noise of his feet banging down his stairs travels through the phone. 

You think you hear two sets of footsteps, but it's hard to tell.

"No, I don't think so."

"Well, you stay on the phone with me the whole time. Just in case he did or someone else stumbles onto you, okay?"

Your surprised to hear Alfred sounding so responsible, "Yeah of course." 

The sound of Alfred's car starting comes through the speaker of your phone, "I'm on my way, dudette."

"Thanks Al, you're the best."