A New Story 2

Chapter 2: Searching

That is when I realized I had to find him. I had to find out where Dylan was, or at least that he was okay.
I scrambled around on my hands and knees, trying to find my cell phone which had fallen on the floor as I moved out of my room to sleep on the couch last night after my dream.
As I scrunched over, I glanced at my body- something I haven't really done in awhile. I haven't gained weight since I left Dylan, and I really needed too. I wasn't too skinny, but I wasn't healthy either. I sighed, I needed so much help. How could I be left this broken?
I gave up searching and sat back on my knees, slightly hungry. I made my way to the kitchen and twisted the knob to make the light come on. No food, go figure.
I groaned and went to my bedroom, opening my closet. Half of the clothes were gone. I looked around, and most of my clothes were scattered around the floor.
What have I done with my life? My house is a mess; my girlfriend dumped me, god I sound like a fucking loser! How could I let myself get so messed up? I have two options: Go find a new partner, or reconnect with my old and hope for the best. I've already tried option one…so option two is my best bet. But I don't exactly know how much it's going to hurt me to see that Dylan has probably moved on.
Well I have to try; I can't just sit around and feel sorry for myself like I did when I lived with my parents. Now that I think about them, I haven't seen them since I moved out…I moved out of my grandmother's house about a month after I left him, and a year after that she died. I went to her funeral of course, that was the first time I cried over something other than Dylan.
I turned up my radio and started picking up my clothes. The first step to a new life: a clean apartment. I actually smiled as some of my favorite songs came on, easily picking up old shirts and jeans. I slipped on some clean ones and made myself presentable for the day. Once my bedroom was finished, I turned the radio up louder so I could roam the house and still hear it. The bathroom wasn't so bad, and I dumped any of Cayla's forgotten toiletries into the trash.
I took out the trash, did the laundry, and dusted the freaking place, everything that had to be done to make it better. There! Clean! The music was upbeat and I actually started dancing around, not caring who could be looking through the glass door that overlooked the Grand River.
For the first time in seven years I felt happy, like everything would be okay no matter what happened from here on out. I would fine him, and I would make him mine.

My phone was on top of the refrigerator, and I still have no idea how it go there. But I found it while I was dusting, and I made sure to brush my teeth before sprinting headlong out my front door, locking it behind me. I flipped my phone open before I headed down the stairs and out of the building. Once I was outside, under the clear August sun, I told myself this was it. I would call him, and his number didn't work, I would call Emily, then Izzy, even Remy if that's what it took.
I found his name and confidently pushed send. It rang, and rang, and rang some more. I started to worry after the fifth ring, but I guess six is my lucky number- he picked up the phone.
"Hello?" a voice answered. But it wasn't his voice; it was a completely different one. I never forget a voice, and I know I've heard this one before, it just wasn't Dylan's.
"Is Dylan there?" I panted, still getting my breath back from running down those stairs. The voice hesitated.
"Yes…but…he's busy…I'll have him call you back," the unknown male said again. I wouldn't have it, I finally had the courage to call and I was going to speak to him while my confidence remained.
"I have to talk to him now," I persisted. Silence.
"Ten minutes. Then you can call again, but he's busy now." They hung up. I pulled the phone away from my mouth and snapped it shut, stunned. What kind of asshole thinks Dylan is so busy that he can't talk to me? Maybe a boyfriend… Where have I heard that voice before? It was so familiar…I looked at the outside screen and it read ten thirteen a.m. Okay, ten twenty three it is- on the dot.
I sighed and started pacing by the street, wondering where I could go while I waited. Eventually I found myself at a coffee shop, too agitated to order anything.  I sat in one of the big chairs by a flat screen and looked at the time on my phone again, two minutes… I let my head fall back and hit the chair, suddenly exhausted. Why couldn't time go faster?
I tapped my fingers against the arm of the chair and shoved a piece of gum in my mouth. I rolled it into a ball and blew bubbles, feeling like a child as I entertained myself for the remainder of my time.
Finally, the clock said ten twenty three and I hastily flipped my phone open, searching for him in my contacts, but as I came across the Ds, his name suddenly appeared on my screen. I always open my phone as it goes off, and then I check who it is texting or calling, so I had to chance to prepare myself before his voice floated through the little speakers. I stared wide eyed at his ID picture, a picture I'd taken of him while he slept years ago, and listened to his voice ask if there's anyone there.
"Y-y-yeah…Hi Dyl-l-lan…," I stuttered, knowing once and for all that this was my old lover I was talking to.  Pull it together Josh!!!
"Hey there," he answered, oddly at ease. His voice was different…more mature. I could feel it in my heart, he was a man now.
"Hey…," I whispered, still stunned. He chuckled, and butterflies kicked at my stomach from the familiar sound.
"Was there a particular reason you called?" he wondered. I cleared my throat, finding my courage.
"Actually, you just called me," I reminded him. He pondered that.
"True. Now, I've been told this was urgent," he persuaded, trying to get answers of why I was just now calling him. I was still dumbfounded I was actually talking to Dylan Ellis…I feel like I'm talking to a celebrity or something. But…I'm not; this is someone I've been with, someone who used to love me back.
"I need to see you," I finally said, not at all aware of who was around me or what I would say next. I could sense the happiness disappear from his voice.
"Why?" he asked, and he sounded honestly clueless. Why does he think?! What kind of a question is that?!
"Because, I haven't seen you in seven years, and I miss you…," I told him, explaining it like it's something he should've known.
"It has been seven years hasn't it?" he murmured. I groaned.
"Yes. Do I get to see you or not?" I asked, my voice taking on a pleading tone.
"I don't know if that's the best idea…," he told me, sounding so much older. I was older than him though; I was the leader…now I'm the pathetic one who just had to give in first.
"Please." My quiet plea muffled through the phone and he sounded torn from the way he was hesitating.
"Josh…I really don't know…," he sounded distracted. My heart jumped from the way he said my name. He still cared, I knew it.
"You know you want to see me too, and I can feel it," I told him openly. I trusted this man, and I always would. Three days ago it was his birthday; he was also twenty five like me. "Happy late-birthday by the way…," I added.
"Thanks," he replied. I waited. "Where are you?" he finally murmured. I breathed a sigh of relief and my heart started pounding audibly against my ribcage.
"Downtown Grand Rapids, at the coffee shop by the Grand River," I told him, hope strong in my voice.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes," he told me, "see you, Josh." With that he hung up. I snapped the phone shut and jumped up from the chair.
"Yes!" I shouted, throwing my hands in the air victoriously. Everybody looked at me like a frootloop, but I was of course. I was insane, and everybody deserved to know it. I ran back up to my apartment quickly to make sure I was presentable enough for him. My hair needed brushing and my stomach growled furiously. Once my hair was fluffy and neat looking, I grabbed the last apple and downed it in five minutes. Then I got more gum and headed out the door, taking my time so I didn't look to sweaty when I got there. I rounded the corner and prepared myself to wait, but it was unneeded- the bell rang as I opened the door and I headed towards where I was recently sitting. One of the people stood up as he heard the bell, and it took me a few seconds to realize it was Dylan. He laughed at the gasp that escaped my lips.