The Unexpected Call

It was a normal night at home, I was sitting on the couch watching a movie at 11PM. It was a really good romance movie too until the phone rang. I ignored the phone the first time, but it rang the second time, so I decided to get my lazy butt up and answer the phone. I was really surprised who was on the other line.

 “Hello?”

“Hey Madison, it’s me Trent. It’s been a while hasn’t it?”

Trent. A really close friend of mine that I haven’t heard from in a really long time called me. I was more surprised that he still had my number after all these years. The last time we spoke was after high school; he got accepted to a college out of state and I never really got to say goodbye.

“Hey Trent. How has college been? Anything new happen with you? I wasn’t expecting you to call me, let alone have my number.”

“College has been great, but things came up and I decided to take a break. I’m going to be moving back and I wanted to hang out with you again and catch up. Oh, don’t let this sound creepy, but I memorized your number. What have you been up to?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at what he said. It was nice hearing his voice again and I was excited for him to be coming back. He was the one that got me into these romance movies, and I missed him ever since he left.

“I’ve been going to school for art and still watching romance movies. I’ve been watching every new one that came out. I also work at this bakery down the street that just opened, and you wouldn’t believe the stuff they have there. They are from Japan and they make baked goods specifically from Japan, so they attract a lot of customers. If you need a job, I can talk to the owners for you.”

“Thanks Madison, I would appreciate that. Do you still live in the same house?”

“You bet I do. If I let this house go, it’s gonna be hard to find somewhere else. Plus, there are so many memories here.”

“Hahaha that is definitely true. I can’t wait to see you again. It has been too long.”

“Same here.”

We ended up talking so much that night, I forgot about my movie I was watching. It was nice talking to him like old times. Once it got too late, I had to say goodbye and go to bed for work the next day.

I woke up to a knock at my door. I was in such a daze because I didn’t get enough sleep, plus it wasn’t time for me to get up but whoever was knocking on my door was going to seriously get it from me.

“Can I help you? I hope you know what time it is because I don’t have to be at work yet so nobody should be bothering me until 9AM and it is currently 6AM.”

“I’m sorry Madison, don’t be too harsh on me. I forgot about the time change and you gotta go easy on me.”

Once I heard that voice, I rubbed my eyes and I was in shock that Trent was at my door. I just talked to him last night and he wasn’t supposed to be here so soon.

“Trent! How did you get here so fast? I wasn’t expecting you to be at my door so soon.”

“Actually…I’ve been here for a few days and I wanted to call to make sure we were still good friends and that you lived in the same house.”

“You sneak. Come in.”

“Madison, do you wanna go walk with me? Like old times?”

I was surprised that he would ask me that. Especially at six in the morning because even he knows that is too early for me. But I figured why not?

“Let me get dressed. You’re lucky this time around. Next time I won’t be so easy.”

We went for a walk around the neighborhood so he can see what has changed and just to reminisce on the memories. It was quite nice walking with him. We didn’t have to say anything either because it was just easy enjoying the peace and quiet with him.

“This is the bakery I was telling you about last night. I don’t start work until nine, so we have plenty of time. Some things have changed, and some have stayed the same.”

“What about our secret hideout? Is it still there?”

I haven’t thought about our secret hideout since freshman year of high school. I decided that we could take a detour and check it out. There were more trees compared to last time, so we had to really weave through them. I ended up slipping on some mud and was about to fall until Trent caught me.

“You okay?”

“Mhm. Sorry about that. I should’ve paid more attention.”  

“Here. Hold my hand so that you don’t slip and fall.”

“Okay.”

As we held hands, I could feel my heart pound faster and my face got redder. What was I thinking? We are just really old friends. There is nothing between us so what is this? As our hideout came into view, I breathed a sigh of relief that nothing had changed.

“I’m so glad it’s the same. What about you Trent? Bring back memories?”

“Heck yeah it does. We had some good times here. This was also where I would find you if your parents were arguing, and you needed to get away. I always came to your aid.”

“Yeah…I try to forget those memories because it was always hard. You were like my knight in shining armor.”

We sat there for a bit just taking in the scene and it was relaxing. That is, until I realized that me and Trent were still holding hands. We didn’t let go the entire time and he didn’t seem to notice.

“Hey Trent.”

“Yeah Maddie?”

“We’re still holding hands.”

“My bad. Do you want me to let go? I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice.”

“You know what? I don’t mind.”

Trent turned to me and looked in my eyes before saying anything.

“Madison, I have had a crush on you since high school, but I know you see me as a friend. Before you say anything though, let me finish. I didn’t want to leave, and I was hoping you would stop me. When you didn’t, that gave me my answer that I needed but now, I needed to tell you because I have been holding in my feelings for you.”

Before I could say anything when he finished, he kissed me. I didn’t know what to think because I never knew he felt that way, and I didn’t even see the signs. How could I have been so blind?

“Let’s head back Trent. I need to get home to change for work.”

“Wait. Don’t you have anything to say about what just happened? Am I only a friend or is there a chance for more?”

“There is a chance for more…but you know how it ends up when it comes to a relationship with me. It ends in a disaster and I get the broken heart.”

I started to tear up because my last relationship I was cheated on. I was scared that if we tried, I would lose my best friend.

“I won’t leave you Maddie. I know you better than anyone and trust me, you will not lose me. You got that?”

“Yeah. My last relationship I got cheated on, so I’ve stayed clear of any relationship. What if we can’t do this?”

 I broke down and cried while Trent held me. I haven’t told anyone, and he was the first person when it came to any problem. After I calmed down, we just sat there for a while before it was time to leave.

Once I arrived at work, I introduced Trent to the owners and told them about how he was looking for work. They hired him on the spot, and he got right to work that same day. I showed him the ropes on how everything was done and as soon as work was over, we walked straight to my house.

“Where are you staying at Trent?”

“I’m staying in a motel nearby. Now that I have a job, I can look for a place of my own.”

“Do you wanna crash here until you can find a place? I don’t mind and this place is too big for me anyways.”

“You’re really gonna let me stay here after what took place at our hideout? Are you sure because that could cause us to do some other stuff that is rated R?”

“Oh, quit being a perv! I know you and you are not that type of guy. Besides, I haven’t given you a definite answer yet.”

“I know. Let me go get my stuff and I’ll be right back.”

As soon as Trent left, I had to sit and really think about the answer. Should we try and see what happens? Should we not and stay as friends? I don’t know what to do and it’s rattling my brain. I put in our favorite romance movie for old times sake and waited for Trent to come back. It didn’t take him long until he walked right back in with all of his stuff.

“I’m back! Oh. You put in our favorite movie? Is this your answer or are you still thinking about it?”

“I’m still thinking about it. I just figured we watch it for old times. There’s no harm in that.”

As we sat down to watch the movie, Trent curled up next to me because he knew I wasn’t going to do it first. I playfully shoved him away and then he grabbed my hand. I didn’t take my hand away though, I just let him have my hand as we watched the movie. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all if we gave this a shot. I leaned over, kissed him on the cheek and gave him his answer.

“Let’s give it a try Trent.”

I would have never expected this to happen to me from one unexpected phone call from a good friend that now turned into boyfriend.