(don't forget to include who this mysterious person is, and why you were trying to reach them!)

Michael stared at the phone on his desk, his mind going through internal turmoil.  His hands shook as he brought his hand up once again to pick up his small flip phone.  He flinched back at the last second.  

He had called millions of times, each having the same silent response. 

Catherine had gone MIA a few years back after some sad, heart-wrenching events.  Michael had tried to be there for her, but he couldn't help thinking he had failed.

Every day for the past five years, he had kicked himself for how he had reacted to Catherine's father's death.

The one that had quickly been followed by her mother's.

He suddenly slammed his fist on the table.

This was all his fault.

Why couldn't he have just properly been there for her?  Been a comforting shoulder to cry on?

The sudden vibration from beside his fist startled him out of his laments.

His pale green eyes flashed to his shaking phone as it neared the edge of his desk.  Not wanting any more regrets to fill his mind, he picked up his phone with one swipe, flipped it open, and pressed it to his ear.

"H-hello?" he questioned meekly.

He mentally slapped himself for his lame stuttering. 

"Hello? Is this Michael?" a soft voice replied. "Michael Davis?"

Michael's heart clenched tightly in his chest.

He knew that voice.

It was Catherine's.

"Yes..." Michael murmured this reply. "Is this Catherine?" He mentally slapped himself again, wondering how many metal slaps it would take to knock him unconscious... 

But hearing that sweet voice--

He wanted to stay awake and talk with her forever.

"H-how have you b-been?" she stuttered slightly.

A lump formed in his throat at her words.

How had he been?

Terrible--thanks for asking after five years...

But he didn't say that; he couldn't.  He understood why she left.

He had been the worst friend and the worst shoulder to cry on.

He shook his head to clear his depressing thoughts.

"Great!" he lied, surprised he didn't stutter. "How...have you been?"

"Better..." she replied quietly. "Look, I'm sorry for--"

"No," Michael interrupted. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you--"

"I was the worst friend--I wasn't there as much as I should have been." He shook his head at the confession, but he was only stating the truth.

"Oh, Michael!" Catherine exclaimed. "Don't tell me you've been doing the mental hitting again! You know you're not the reason I left."

"But I wasn't--"

"And that's okay!" she cut in. "You were going through a tough time too! I know how much my father meant to you as well. He was like the father you never had."

"But he was your dad! And I--"

"Please, Michael," Catherine begged softly. "Don't beat yourself up! I'm fine now! And I'm...I'm coming home..."

Michael's eyes widened and he was glad Catherine could only hear him, not see him.  His blush was clearly visible, even in the fading light.

"You...are?" he questioned.

"Yes...tomorrow..." she replied. "If you don't--"

"That's amazing, Catherine!" Michael exclaimed, cutting her off. "I missed you so much!" 

Suddenly realizing what he had said, he covered his mouth and held the phone away from his burning face.  Then, the thought process through his head bringing him to her probably confused conclusion.  He quickly brought it back to his ear and said rushingly, "I didn't mean it like that! I meant that I missed you! As A fRiEnD!"

I heard her cute giggle from the receiving end. "I know what you meant, Michael. I missed you too."

And at those words, my face burned brighter than ever.

A/N I have no idea why I wrote this, but I did!  I hope ya'll try out the writing prompt! I would love to see what you guys cook up ;D

Hehe and the photo above ^

Anyways...

Ciao,

SiSi