Warning: I do not own Payphone by Maroon 5 or the lyrics or anything like that

I'm at a payphone trying to call home.
All of my change I spent on you
Where have the times gone? Baby, it's all wrong
Where are the plans we made for two?

Groggily, I raised my head off my pillow and looked around. Why is Adam Levine in my room? I wondered absently. The wonderful falsetto voice faded away, and I plopped back onto my pillow. A curious meow sounded from across the room, and I mumbled incoherently. I had just drifted back to sleep when Adam's voice rang out again. I groaned, realizing that the lead singer of Maroon 5 wasn't in my room, but instead was the ringtone emanating from my phone.

Sleepily, I pushed myself forward and reached blindly for my phone that I had left on the dresser near the foot of my bed. My blankets shifted slightly as Cy hopped onto the bed and began batting at my flailing fingers. By the time I finally found my phone, the song had ended, and I flopped back onto my pillow with a sigh. 

Cyclops padded over and rubbed his head against my cheek, purring loudly and apparently happy that I was awake when he normally prowled the apartment. Seconds later, the melody started again, and Cy let out a tiny yowl as if scolding Adam Levine for interrupting our cuddle time. I pushed a button and brought it up to my ear.

"Hello?" I croaked, and I heard a loud gasp.

"Did you JUST wake up?" A male voice asked with astonishment, and I looked at my alarm clock, which read 4:28 am.

"Who is this?" I asked, a little more than slightly perturbed, although Cy's soothing purr helped to blunt the annoyance.

"Oh, come on, Willow, you only have an hour and a half to get ready! I thought you would have been awake thirty minutes ago!" 

Finally recognizing Alexy's voice, I let out a long, controlled breath. "Alexy, dear. Why are you awake at 4:30 in the morning?" I asked, trying my utmost to be patient.

"I'm writing an English essay. Why aren't you awake yet?" he shot back, and I closed my eyes and covered them with my free arm. Something squishy tapped my nose, and I shifted my arm so I could see the fuzzy form of Cyclops patting my nose almost soothingly. I took his paw in between my fingers and absently squished his toe beans.

"It only takes me half an hour to get ready; forty-five minutes tops if I take a shower."

"WHAT?" 

I jerked the phone away from my ear, smirking a little when Cyclops hissed at Alexy's audible ranting. Waiting until I could no longer understand him, I reluctantly brought my phone back to my ear.

"I prefer to sleep," I replied, still a little groggily, and I heard Alexy huff in frustration.

"What about your hair?"

"It only takes me five minutes, ten if I decide to do something other than leaving it down."

"And your makeup?"

"Mascara and sometimes lip gloss. Now that you know my morning schedule, can I please go back to sleep?"

"I actually had a question for you." 

Sighing heavily, I shifted onto my side, trapping my phone between my cheek and the pillow while scooping Cyclops against my chest. "What is it, Alexy?"

"Have you ever read The Great Gatsby?" 

I blinked in the darkness and nodded before remembering he couldn't see me. "Yeah, I read it a couple of years ago. Why?"

"Who do you think was the most influential character?" he asked. 

I furrowed my brow, trying to make my brain function. Since I moved into Auntie's apartment, I had come to treasure sleep. Being woken up by something other than my alarm clock or Cyclops's rough tongue licking my chin or nose wasn't working so well for me.

"Umm... I can't remember her name, but I personally think the rich lady that Gatsby was in love with was the most influential."

"And why is that?" he asked.

"Well, because her decision to marry for money instead of love affected all of the characters later on in the book, when the story takes place. Why?"

"No reason, really. Now, how do you think the story would have been affected if she hadn't been in the story?" he asked, and I thought I heard a faint tapping sound in the background.

"There wouldn't have been a story without... Wait a minute!" I surged into a seated position, making Cyclops let out a disappointed mewl, and pressed my phone tightly to my ear. "Am I writing your English paper for you?" I asked incredulously, and Alexy tsked.

"Of course not, I'm writing it right now," he retorted, and my mouth dropped open.

"Alexy!" I exclaimed. Cyclops shifted and boosted himself onto his hind legs, resting his front paws on my arm and licking my bare shoulder. I rubbed his belly absently before he dropped back to the mattress and curled in a ball so I could pet him from his head to the tip of my tail in long, smooth strokes.

"Hey, I had full intentions of writing this paper, but I didn't have time to read the book because I was busy designing your costume for the talent show," he huffed. 

A surge of guilt went through me, but was quickly replaced with disbelief. "You didn't even read the book?"

"Nope, so could you help me out since you aren't busy?"

I flopped back onto my pillow and rubbed the bridge of my nose. On one hand, he had been spending a lot of time with Auntie and the design. On the other hand, it was technically cheating for me to help him like this, but then again, he WAS the one writing it.

"Hello? Willow?" 

Sighing, I switched the phone to my other ear and sat up in a cross-legged position while resuming petting Cyclops.

"Okay, I'll help you. But next time at least read the book, okay?"

"Deal! So you were saying something about the story wouldn't work without her in it?"

For the next half hour, I helped Alexy through all his essay prompts. When he finally ran out of questions, he said he'd pick me up at 6:15 so we could walk to school together. Disconnecting the call, I debated whether it would be worth it to lie back down for fifteen minutes, but in the end, I decided against it and turned my alarm off. Reluctantly, I slid out of bed and quietly walked into the kitchen, Cyclops trailing behind me. After selecting some wet cat food with salmon as the main ingredient and scooping it into the gleaming food bowl embossed with Cyclop's name, I popped a piece of toast in the toaster and pulled an egg from the fridge.

Quickly, I fried a sunny-side-up egg and placed it on my toast. After eating my breakfast, I jumped into the shower, trying to be as fast as I could so I wouldn't wake up Auntie. Ever since Nathaniel and I gave him his medicated bath, Cyclops refused to even go near the bathroom. As I stepped out wrapped in my towel, I chuckled when I saw him sitting in front of my bedroom door with his tail tapping against the floor in a picture of feline impatience. As I changed into comfortable skinny jeans, brown boots, a blue undershirt, and a brown sweater that I left halfway unbuttoned, I went over my dance in my mind.

I had just pulled my hair into a quick side braid when the sound of a knock came from the front door. With a sigh, I scooped up my practice hat from my bed and slipped my backpack on. Giving Cy one last hug and a peck on the forehead, I opened and closed the door behind me as quietly as I could before smiling up into Alexy's excited face.

"Are you ready?" he asked, and I nodded. 

We walked to school, and a shiver went through me as a chilly wind swept over us. Winter seemed to want to make an early arrival this year.

As we walked into the auditorium, I couldn't help but think that it was a little creepy with all the lights off and the sun yet to rise. We walked into the audience area, and the room was pitch black. Alexy took my hand, and I was comforted by his solid warmth as he pulled me into the seemingly empty room.

Fwoooshhh. I squeaked in fright and clamped my other hand on Alexy's arm as a chilling sound went through the room. Alexy tightened his grip on my hand and stopped dead in his tracks. We waited, and then a low moaning sound echoed through the space, and I buried my eyes in his shoulder.

"W-w-w-w-what was that?" I asked. Alexy tried to force a chuckle.

"It... it was probably nothing. Just our minds playing tricks on us," he responded tightly.

"OR NOT!"

I yelped in fright and whirled around just as the lights flipped on, and I saw Mr. Tremont standing in the doorway of the control room. My rapidly beating heart started to calm, and I exhaled a shaky breath.

"Mr. Tremont, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" I exclaimed, and he grinned, prancing down the stairs towards us.

"A chilling reception, wasn't it? I'm so glad you approve! We just need to record your voice over top of those sounds, and it will be absolute perfection!" Mr. Tremont declared as he finally reached us.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, getting a little tired of being constantly left in the dark.

"Well, let me set the mood for you," Mr. Tremont said with obvious enjoyment. He gestured to the stage and began dramatically. "Picture it! The seats are full to the bursting point, and Mr. Alexy comes out to greet them all! But instead of announcing the first act, he points out a small defect in the programs: a name that seemed to have been penciled in and then crossed out. He will then tell the tale of an old Sweet Amoris ghost story. A tale of a young woman whose only love left her." 

Mr. Tremont twirled to face me as he continued his version of an explanation.

"He will spin the tale with great depth and emotion, causing every eye to fill with tears. But then he will dismiss it utterly, claiming that it is only a story and the name in the program was most likely just a prank. The acts will continue with Mr. Alexy's introductions, when suddenly the lights will flicker and the sound of a chilling wind will be heard along with a young woman's plaintive cries." 

Mr. Tremont stopped and gave me a look as if he thought I would continue with the story.

"So.... I'm... going to be the ghost?" I asked tentatively, and Mr. Tremont applauded.

"I knew you would see the vision! It's brilliant, is it not?" he asked energetically. 

I was surprised, but I actually thought it sounded kind of interesting, and I felt myself smiling slightly.

"And don't worry, it won't happen all the time. Just a couple of times to get the audience's skin crawling. When they see your act, they're going to be completely blown away!" Alexy said excitedly, but then turned a frown on Mr. Tremont. "I wasn't expecting you to use it on us, though," he whined petulantly, and Mr. Tremont grinned.

"Forgive me, but I couldn't resist! Now, this practice will mainly be recording your voice along with the scary sounds, as well as giving Mr. Alexy a chance to work on his reactions to them. But did you bring your CD? I would love to get the timing of your act recorded." I pulled out the latest version of my background music from my backpack and handed it to Mr. Tremont.

"Lovely. Would you prefer a handheld microphone or a hands-free?"

"Definitely hands-free," Alexy answered for me. "She uses her hands too much in her choreography to allow for a handheld." Mr. Tremont nodded with a smile.

"I will make a note! Why don't we work on the recordings first, and then you can show us your dance?" The rehearsal went well, but took longer than we had expected, so Alexy and I had to sneak out of the auditorium and double back around the school to make sure no one knew where we had been.

"I love the new moves in your routine!" Alexy whispered loudly, and I sighed, letting out my pent-up frustrations.

"I totally messed up the hat toss, though. It landed three feet away from me!" I whispered fiercely, and Alexy bumped my shoulder.

"Hey, you'll get it! Plus, the way you scooped it up afterward and threw a wink out at the audience? Genius! It looked like you had almost planned it! You're going to have all the guys chasing you with a look like that," Alexy teased.

"Not you, though," I retorted with a teasing smile, and he grinned.

"You know I love ya, girl. Just not like that." I grinned up at him and nodded. "I won't be at any of your other morning practices now that we have your ghostly recordings done."

"That's okay, I understand. But," I pointed a finger into his face, "don't you wake me up at 4:30 asking for homework help again. I'm happy to help you after school, but I like my sleep."

"Ma'am, yes ma'am!" He saluted me, and we laughed as we walked into the school once more.

"Hey, Willow!" I turned in surprise to see Kentin running up to Alexy and me.

"Kentin? Good morning," I greeted, surprised to see him so early in the day. Alexy turned, and his previous smile grew wider just as Kentin took a step back and clenched his teeth.

"What are you doing hanging around with this guy?" he asked harshly. I blinked, then put a hand on my hip and felt my lips turn down in a heavy frown.

"What do you mean by that?"

"If it isn't the fashion disaster returned!" Alexy hooted enthusiastically, and I blinked as Kentin snarled and balled his hands into fists.

"Give it a rest already. My clothes are fine," he growled while gritting his teeth.

"You must be kidding! Military chic is SO last season, if not last year!" Alexy said authoritatively, and Kentin grunted.

"Willow, tell him that I look fine like this!" he growled, almost plaintively. 

I blinked, looking between the two boys and then letting my gaze rest on Kentin. He was back in his green cargo pants with a black muscle shirt and a short-sleeved white overshirt that showed off his muscular arms. His green eyes met mine with an imploring look, and I couldn't help but giggle, realizing why Kentin was so on guard around Alexy.

"If you're happy with your clothes, then that's all that matters, Kentin. Don't let Alexy bully you," I encouraged while jabbing Alexy in the side. It successfully caught him off guard, and he grabbed his side, letting out a grunt and flashing me his puppy dog look.

"That hurt, Willow! I'm not being a bully. I'm trying to give him fashion advice!" Alexy explained in a huff, but I wagged my finger in his face.

"You already have me as your guinea pig, Alexy. You shouldn't bother people who don't want your help," I scolded, not being able to keep a smile off my face. I glanced over at Kentin and shrugged apologetically. "Alexy doesn't mean any harm, Kentin. He's just really into fashion," I explained. 

Kentin was still frowning at Alexy, but then he looked at me and cocked his head to the side.

"How do you know each other?" he asked curiously. 

Alexy suddenly reached out and wrapped his arms around my shoulders while rubbing his cheek against my head affectionately.

"Willow is my best friend!" he declared immediately. 

Shocked amazement went through me at his simple declaration. I could hardly believe that someone had actually called me their best friend. It had been a dream of mine for so many years that I honestly never thought it would become a reality.

"Willow's aunt is going to introduce me to a stylist after I graduate, and Willow lets me practice my skills on her," Alexy said as further explanation. 

Kentin was blinking in open shock, but I reached up and held onto Alexy's arm with both hands and smiled shyly.

"Alexy moved in at the beginning of the year. We met in Government class and now we're best friends," I said, surprised at how proud it made me feel to claim Alexy as my friend. 

Kentin looked incredibly uncertain at this news, but time was ticking, and I didn't want to be late.

"It was nice to see you, Kentin, but we've got to get to class," I said, reaching back and tickling Alexy on his ribs. He yelped, leaping back and letting go of me immediately, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"You know this means war," Alexy cautioned, raising his hands and wiggling his fingers with a teasing gleam in his expression. I let out a gasp and swiftly ran over to Kentin, hiding behind his back and peeking around his shoulder.

"We need to get to class, Alexy!" I implored as he slowly advanced toward Kentin and me.

"You started it," Alexy pointed out with a gleeful grin, suddenly lunging and reaching around Kentin to try and get to me. I let out a squeal as I ducked around to Kentin's other side, trying to keep him between Alexy and me as he looked on in complete bewilderment.

"Oi, knock it off," Kentin said to Alexy, trying to sound gruff. 

Alexy ignored him completely as he tried once again to reach me. I ran off laughing, shocked at the innocent and playful position that I found myself in. Just as I turned around to see Alexy gaining ground on me, I slammed into something solid.

"Whoa!" a pleasant baritone voice said as familiar arms wrapped around my back, anchoring me to a firm chest and keeping both of us from falling to the ground. I peeked up sheepishly as Nathaniel blinked down at me in bewilderment.

"I'm gonna- gah!" Alexy twisted awkwardly mid-step to keep from colliding with us. 

I giggled when he stumbled and barely kept himself upright, subconsciously tucking myself a little further against Nathaniel's reassuring warmth. Alexy turned back and glowered pettily at me while pointing his finger in my direction.

"No fair! I can't get you if you use the student body president as a shield," Alexy whined petulantly. 

I laughed triumphantly, but it was cut off by a quick intake of breath when Nathaniel's arms tightened around me further. I looked up to see him frowning at Alexy.

"You shouldn't be chasing people in the hallways, Alexy. You're going to get yourself hurt," he pointed out with a disapproving frown. 

Alexy placed his hands on the back of his neck in a picture of innocence and looked around him exaggeratedly. "Willow started it. I'm just reacting to her challenge," he deflected easily, and I gasped in mock disgust.

"I just wanted to go to class!" I retorted in my defense. Alexy sniffed in a disbelieving manner.

"Sure, sure. Are you two going to keep hugging each other, or are we going to go?" Alexy asked with one eyebrow cocked up.

I blinked, momentarily stunned, before jumping away from Nathaniel. Both of our cheeks were rosy now, and I rested my hands over mine to try to hide the blush.

"Sorry about that, Nathaniel," I muttered. 

Honestly, I was surprised at myself for not having pulled away from Nathaniel way earlier. Something about being near him just made me feel so safe, though the thought hadn't even occurred to me.

"I'm just glad you're not hurt," Nathaniel said, smiling kindly at me. "We should all get to class, though, or we'll be late."

I immediately nodded my agreement and turned to say goodbye to Kentin. I blinked in surprise when he was nowhere to be seen. Figuring he had just left to go to class, as I should have a while ago, I shrugged and followed after Alexy and Nathaniel.

The rest of the day passed quickly. I was very grateful I chose to stay up late and review my AP Bio notes last night since the teacher surprised us with a pop quiz.

I left the school grounds and wondered if I had ever longed for a weekend as much as I did right now. Miraculously, I had no homework, and tomorrow's practice wasn't until the afternoon, which meant that I would be able to sleep in tomorrow without feeling guilty.

* * * * * * *

I'm at a payphone, trying to call home...

Blinking blurrily, I looked at the clock and couldn't hold back a small whimper as I saw the number 7:30 lit up. I pulled my covers over my head and buried my face into my pillow, trying desperately to block out Adam Levine's voice, but just like yesterday, as soon as the melody finished, it started up again. Grumpily, I turned under my covers, crawled to the end of my bed, and stuck my hand out of the blankets, fumbling around for my phone. Once it was in my grasp, I brought it to my ear slowly.

"Yes, Alexy?" I asked with all the patience I could muster.

"Oh, good, you're awake! I wanted to let you know about what happened in rehearsal yesterday," Alexy's bubbly voice sang through my phone, and I sighed heavily. "Willow? Hello, Willow?"

"Why couldn't you have told me yesterday?" I whined, knowing that I wouldn't be able to fall back asleep now that the sun was up. A small depression in the mattress accompanied my blanket shifting slightly over my head, and soon Cy was rubbing his head against me through the blanket in greeting.

"I forgot. Now listen to this: Mr. Tremont told everyone about 'Lady Mysteria'. At first, they were really upset, but when he mentioned that you, not YOU you, of course, but when he said that Lady Mysteria didn't want to put her name on the ballot because she thought it was unfair, then all of them got REALLY excited about the act!" 

Alexy took a huge breath, and I chuckled, marveling at how he had been able to rush through that whole explanation without stopping for a breath. He must have some amazing lung power.

"I'm glad I told Mr. Tremont to take my name off the ballot then," I said as I felt Cyclops boost himself onto my back and curl up in a ball, purring contentedly.

"I think it's unfair. Even if we hadn't upped the suspense, your act still would have won!" Alexy pouted, "I mean, if you're wearing my design, then how could you lose?" 

That got me laughing. "YOUR design?" I asked pointedly, and I heard him chuckle.

"Okay, okay. It was Yuki's design, but I chose the colors and helped with the detail work! And how serendipitous is it that I chose pearl as the main color?! I swear I'm psychic sometimes." I couldn't help but laugh at his smug tone, making Cyclops's perch on my back a little precarious for a moment, but he didn't seem perturbed as his purring continued.

"I'm sure it will turn out wonderfully. How much longer before it's finished?" 

I yawned and finally poked my head out from under the blanket. Cyclops immediately got to his feet and hopped down to lick my cheek. Taking a second to rub my nose against his cold one, I pushed the blankets off me fully and leaned back against the wall. I stretched my legs out in front of me and flexed my toes before Cy hopped into my lap and settled in for his morning pats.

"We should have it finished by the end of next week," Alexy reported happily, and I huffed.

"I don't see why you guys won't let me see it."

"The design doesn't really make sense until it is all sewn together," Alexy explained, and I chuckled.

"If you say so. What is on your schedule for today?"

"Armin and I are going shopping!" he answered exuberantly, and I thought I detected a faint groan in the background.

"Have you asked Armin what he thinks about that plan?" I asked teasingly.

"Psh, like he has a choice in the matter?" Alexy asked, and I laughed. "You should come with us!"

"I'd love to, but I have practice at 1:00 and I want to clean the house for Auntie while she's at work. We've both been so busy we haven't had time to get any deep cleaning done."

"Eeeww. You'd rather clean than go shopping?" Alexy asked with obvious disgust, and I laughed.

"I'd rather make Auntie happy than myself." I corrected, and Alexy sighed.

"Okay, okay. Strange person. Oh! My parents are taking Armin and me to dinner tonight, so we won't be able to come over. So I'll see you on Monday!"

"I'll let Auntie know. Bye, Alexy." 

We disconnected the call, and I glanced out the window, glad that I had such a pretty day to look forward to.