Page 7 of From the Ashes
The ball’s in her court.
LANA
The sun set a long time ago, and there’s no light on in the house except the one on my bedside table. I glance at the diary I keep there, lilac with a pink pen resting on top.Come on, I need this.There has to be a way to get my thoughts down. I can try. One more time won’t hurt.
Journal entry no. 17:
He came back. The stranger, I mean. I don’t even know why I’m writing this. God, it’s useless. He was kind of scary, breaking into my house and all, but when he came back… he seemed genuinely concerned. I don’t know. I liked how he looked at me. He seemed to like what he saw too… but there was something else in his eyes. Like we knew each other from another life or something. No, that’s stupid. Why am I even writing this? He gave me his phone number, and… it’s been sitting on my bedside table for hours now. I, why do I want to call him? He’s a stranger. What would we even talk about? He said to call if Ben comes back. But could I call even without a reason? I haven’t dated in a year. And he’s the only one who’s stirred something in me since I got away. No. It’s ridiculous. I’m not calling him like some giddy teenage girl. I’ll wait for… a sign. Right. If there’s a sign, I’ll call. If not, I’m just grateful he was there this morning.
I sigh and close the notebook. Not too bad, for once, not a page of blanks or scribbled nonsense. I fold back the sheets and sink into bed. But something touches at my foot.Noah and his toys again.I ruffle the blanket and grab whatever it is.
A tiny, plastic black motorcycle.
Well, Ididask for a sign…didn’t I?
CARTER
I don’t know why I’m still awake. Maybe because the flat is too quiet, or I keep running through the probability of never seeing her again. My phone lights up. Perhaps Ares needs something; it wouldn’t be unusual.Unknown. I stare at it for two full rings before picking up, waiting for the person to speak first.
“Hello?” a breathy, feminine voice answers. “...Carter?” My spine straightens.
“Is he back?”
“What? Oh. No. No, nothing like that.” She’s flustered, but doesn’t sound afraid. Doesn’t sound like she needs help. So why would she call?
“Are you okay?” I ask, frowning, my fist clenching, ready to drive to her house the second she asks me to.
“I… Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry. This was dumb. I don’t even know what I’m doing.”
“Wait,” I say, not ready to end the call, “why are you calling me if he’s not back?”
She exhales. “I don’t know. I just… I don’t know.” I wait. That’s not a reason. But she’s not hanging up either. “I just wanted…” she murmurs, almost like she’s talking to herself, “I just wanted to hear your voice… Maybe.” Then she quickly adds, “But now I feel stupid.”
“You’re not stupid,” I say. It comes out faster than I expect, and there’s silence on the other end.
Then, barely audible, she asks, “Where, um… Admitting I’d want to see you again, where could that happen?” It catches me fucking off guard. She wants to see me again? I don’t know why. But I must have done something good. I stare at the helicopter pad across the city, the red light on its tower blinking at regular intervals.
One.
Two.
Three.
Counting the blips calms me.
“Next Saturday morning at Laurrie’s?” I offer. “It’s a diner. It’s open at sunrise. There’s ice cream and…” I pause, thinking, “if you’re free that day, I mean.” Close call. I already know she’s free most Saturday mornings, but I don’t necessarily want her to know that.
“I know Laurrie’s. Noah and I go there often,” she says softly. There’s a smile in her voice. I hear it. Maybe she’s blushing like she did earlier, too. “Meet you there at ten?” she asks, her voice faltering.
“Ten’s good,” I answer immediately. She doesn’t say anything as I count three red lights on the tower.
“Good. Yeah, good,” she repeats, “um, goodnight, Carter.”
“Goodnight, Lana,” I reply, processing the sound of my name on her lips. The call ends. I stare at the phone, still not moving. Did we just plan a date? Am I even capable of it? Would I be equipped to talk to her without boring her with my personality and lack of social cues?
I guess I have to wait seven days to find out.
LANA
