Chapter 7: Somewhere Between Sixty-Two and Fate
As I tended to the cake mixture, my phone began to ring, jolting me out of my thoughts abruptly. I wiped my hands on my flour-dusted apron and squinted at the screen. I picked up the phone, seeing Aria’s name flashing on the screen.
I hesitated, a little before swiping to answer.
"Hey, Arii," I said, trying to sound casual, like my entire world hadn’t tilted sideways just hours ago.
"Girl, where the hell have you been?" she demanded, her voice a sharp mix of concern and accusation.
I winced, already bracing for the storm I knew was coming.
Guilt tightens my stomach into a knot. I quickly force out an apology. "I’m so sorry I disappeared last night. I was, uh... I know I should’ve called. I’ll explain everything later, I promise."
"I was about to call the missing person squad!" she yelled.
"I.. I didn’t mean it, I swear."
There’s a moment of silence, and then Aria’s voice crackles through the line. "Izzy, are you okay? You just went poof on me." Her tone is equal parts worried and dramatic, exactly like it always is. I hear her chair squeak as she likely leans forward. "I’m fine, really," I say, wrapping my fingers around the bowl so hard it’s starting to slip.
Finally she sighed. "Fine, you big drama queen. I guess I’m just glad you’re alive."
I let out a small sigh of relief. Atleast she’s not too angry