Calling Leigh

About a quarter passed nine o' clock at night, I was hanging upside down on my bed, daydreaming.

Blood rushed to my forehead, but it was a welcome sensation. Tingles flooded my head and arms. My mind was stuck replaying the image of  a certain bright-eyed black-haired girl who had stolen my heart effortlessly two days ago. However, I wasn't complaining one bit.

Getting to my feet, I opened my notebook to the journal entry with Leigh's number. My heart sparked to life with excitement when my fingers began punching in her number. A goofy smile was securely fastened to my mouth, which made me glad I didn't have to fight to conceal it. A torrent of butterflies whirled in my stomach, threatening to carry me away. Nervousness washed through me, and I felt my hands grow clammy. "Pull it together, Fearless!" I ordered myself.

I pressed the Send button and held the phone up to my ear, my skin itching in anticipation.

One ring.

Two.

Three.

God, what if I made it all up in my head? What if she didn't want to talk to me? Four.

Crap, what do I do if her voicemail picks up? Five.

Maybe I called too soon. Or too late? Si-

"Hello?" My stomach skyrocketed up to my throat.

"Uh, hiya, it's Fearless. From the Museum."

"Oh! Fearless, hey! How are things going?"

"Ya know," I struggled for words. Why did every time I talked to this girl result in me choking up awkwardly? "Hunky dory. What about you?"

"Things have been okay with me."

A pause that seemed like hours was only a few seconds.

"Hey do you-"

"Would you maybe-"

Our sentences rushed together, colliding head-on like two semi-trucks on the highway. We chuckled softly at the social mishap.

"You first," I said, my cheeks still red.

Leigh replied, sounding equally flustered, "Would you maybe... wanna hang out tomorrow after school?"

"Ha! I was going to ask you the same thing! Sure, I'd love to, Leigh." I couldn't stop smiling, outrageous joy welling up deep inside me.

"Cool! Would you like to meet at Harper's? I remember you saying you lived pretty close to it the other day."

John Harper High School was within walking distance from my house, this was perfect. "Yup. Sounds like a plan."

"I guess I'll see you then, Fearless." Was that a hint of a smile in her voice?

"Catch ya on the flip side, Leigh."

I hung up and stared contently at my phone, eyeing Leigh's number, wishing I could still hear her voice.