[a/n: double update, woop!]

"call me back, okay? alright, bye."

lucy sighed and put her phone down. "if only it were that easy, pete."

it had been a few days since they'd talked. but she was okay with that. she needed the break from him, from his infuriating charm, the energy he always possessed, and the completely unrealistic notion that their friendship could never be real, not really.

"what's going on, pete?" she talked to herself, "what's so important that you have to hide it?" 

then she shook her head, chuckling humorlessly. "we've only known each other for a week, why would you even tell me anything like that anyway? i definitely wouldn't." she sighed, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "i don't even know your last name."

a flicker of an idea began to form in her mind, the possibilities flowing through her head, uncontrollable. "it'd never work," she insisted, trying to convince her subconscious of the risks. "cat-fishing is so common these days, it could easy be some old guy that i've been talking to this whole time."

but the idea wouldn't go away. so she dialed the number of one of her closest friends, preparing herself for the backlash that was bound to follow. 

"hey, so there's this guy..."

after a few minutes of hashing it out and deciding whether or not to carry out the plan, her friend had decided that they would go together, and deal with the consequences of their actions as a team. 

"thanks so much," she gushed, "this really means a lot."

"of course," her best girl friend replied, "i'd do anything for you, luce. even if that involves meeting strange boys that you met over a supposed misdial."

"i'll see you tomorrow then, after school?" lucy cracked her knuckles, a nervous habit kicking in. "we'll walk to the park together."

"sounds good," came the reply. "see you tomorrow."

"bye."

she hesitated before sending out the text, breaking the silence for the first time in two days. 

hey, pete.

a reply came almost immediately. she held back a smug grin.

i thought you weren't talking to me.

i'm not. i'm texting.

valid point.

um...

do you think we could maybe meet up?

really? you're ready to?

are you?

i...i think.

we don't have to if you don't want to. i just thought that it'd be easier to talk to you if i could put a face to that annoyingly high voice of yours.

i don't have a high voice!

...maybe just a little.

*sigh* whatever, luce.

so when do you want to meet up?

does tomorrow work? after school in the park?

um...yeah, i think that works. how will i know it's you?

i'll...i'll wear a red shirt and shoes. what about you?

i was thinking i'll start shouting out classic lines by telemarketers. ;)

omg...we're back to that joke again?

i was never away from it. 

well, it's nice to know you're still annoying as all hell.

i'm offended. but only slightly.

alright, pete, i'll see you tomorrow. at the park. i'll be listening for all the contests i've won.

lol i'll be sure to let you know that we need you to donate to the local politicians.

can't wait. 

peter the stranger was changed to peter :)

[a/n: so how did you guys like this chapter? i think it was a little longer than usual, but that's all good...so next update is gonna blow your guys' minds hahaha can't friggin' wait!]