—Pythagoras

Julian and I chatted online for hours before he fell asleep, about everything from his schedule and album plans, to what he liked and disliked most about busing around the states.

The best part, he said, was the sunshine and wide open spaces with incredible landscape views. He liked to crack the windows open on the bus, to smell the air—sometimes like gasoline, sometimes like freshly cut blades of grass.

The worst part, he said, was being the only one awake too early in the morning or too late at night, and feeling as though the cities and days were passing right in front of his eyes.

I mostly listened, enjoying how much he was willing to share with me, even if I could not relate very much. Aside from my move, from Florida to Arizona, I did not travel very much, or ever really.

The messages never lulled, but rather swung effortlessly from topic to topic. At an opportune time, I briefly mentioned my mom and Adam, but Julian quickly changed the subject from our families to favorite movies. The Dark Knight sat at the very top of the list for Julian. Beyond that, he was undecided between the 1931 version of Frankenstein, The Usual Suspects, Indiana Jones, and Toy Story.

While Julian described the virtues of Doctor Henry, I smiled to myself at his unusual combination of appreciations for classics, gore, humor, adventure, and youthful happy endings.

When Julian passed out, I felt as though I was halfway through revealing a scratch-off ticket. I wanted to learn everything about him, but I hoped that would come with time. Though he was surprisingly open with me, I couldn't help but to feel like there was something big hiding just beneath the surface. For now, I would just have to quell this insatiable desire to speak with him every waking moment.

I wasn't quite ready to sleep yet, so I used those quiet, solitary hours in the dark of night to work on some poetry and listen to calming music playlists—something I had not done in months.

Letting the creative juices flow must have been just what I needed to relax, because I awoke Monday morning without ever remembering having fallen asleep. My phone was ringing and the caller ID showed a local number.

"Hello?" I was all too aware of the groggy rasp in my voice.

"Yes, good morning," a deep voice bellowed into the line. "I'm looking for a Miss Fray?"

"Yes, that's me," I replied, with hoarseness masking my anxiety.

"Miss Fray, my name is Burt Simon. I'm calling from the Tucson Telegram."

I sat straight up in my bed, heart racing. I was so not prepared for this phone call.

"Mr. Simon, very good to hear from you." I was able to muster up the words, while clearing my throat and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"I have personally reviewed your application and I am quite impressed, Miss Fray. I see here you graduated magna cum laude, and have since worked for the Tucson Times and behind the scenes at Channel 4 News?"

"Yes, sir, and freelance work in between," I added.

"That's wonderful, Miss Fray. I was calling to see if we could set up a time for you to come in for a more in-depth interview?"

"That would be great!" Desperately, I tried to tame my excitement, but I really needed this opportunity. I had been out of work too long.

"My week is unusually busy for this time of year, but I can squeeze you in on Friday afternoon?"

"Sure, Friday works just fine."

"How about one o'clock? Just after my lunch break," Burt offered.

"Perfect. I look forward to it."

"As do I. See you then, Miss Fray." He hung up and I squealed in excitement.

If I could just come up with a good excuse for the unexplained lapse in my resume, when Caleb made me quit my job at Channel 4, and the terrible months following that, I might have had this in the bag.

I wanted to focus strictly on writing anyway, rather than the broadcast or television side of journalism. The paper division of the Tucson Telegram would allow me to do just that. Perhaps that could be my reason, I thought. I hoped my credentials would be enough to override the negatives.

Luckily, I had enough savings to survive on, for at least another three months, but I wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. I needed the distraction, and I would soon need the money.

When I finally collected my thoughts, and checked my phone to see the time, the screen showed it was only nine thirty. Not wanting to let the day go to waste, I decided to visit the mall and pick up an outfit to wear for my interview at the end of the week. Morning rush hour traffic had mostly died down and by the time I arrived at the mall, all the stores were open.

Macy's looked mostly empty so I thought that would be a safe choice. Not really knowing what I was doing, I eyed the mannequins on display and decided to try on a dark gray pencil skirt and a red, sleeveless, button-up top... just like the lifeless, plastic beauty gazing into the distance.

In the dressing room, I was not completely sold on the top, so I snapped a quick photo in the full length mirror with my cell and sent it to Laina, asking what she thought.

As I was changing back into my blue skinny jeans and plain, black t-shirt, my phone buzzed with a new text.

My God, you look incredible. What's the occasion?

It was Julian. Shit, I thought. I definitely meant to send the picture to Laina. Maybe it was a slip of the thumb, or perhaps I just had Julian on the brain again.

Since "" and "" were spaced pretty far apart in my alphabetized contacts list, it was most likely the latter reason.

I'm embarrassed, that was meant for my friend. You're up early.

Julian probably didn't believe it was a mistake. Oh God. Humiliation came over me when I realized I did not even have any makeup on.

.

Yeah, I'm usually awake before the lads. But you have nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm drooling. x

Well thank you. I suppose that will be my outfit for my interview this Friday. I answered, cheeks flushed.

Man, do I need to change jobs... Tell me more about it later when we video chat?

Sure thing. My heart fluttered in my chest at his compliments, though I really struggled to believe them for myself. Luckily, Julian reminded me about wanting to cam, because I had nearly forgotten with the excitement of the call from Burt that morning.

We're already in Las Vegas, so I'm sure everyone will be heading straight to the casinos as soon as they wake. It's our day off, so they'll likely spend the whole day checking things out. Being true, obnoxious tourists. So, I'll have the bus all to myself.

That was an intriguing thought, but I instantly felt guilty.

Please don't waste your day cooped up on a bus when you're in Vegas. Go have fun with your bandmates.

Their idea of fun is not always my idea of fun. Besides, I can't think of a better way to spend my day off than with you. Well, sort of with you.

I melted completely into a puddle.

Smooth. I replied nonchalantly. I wondered silently what Julian could possibly be getting from any of this.

Suddenly, I was all too aware of the fact that I'd been sitting in the dressing room for an abnormally long time, so I gathered the new skirt and blouse, and made my way to the registers. The total nearly sent me into cardiac arrest but I really loved the way the clothes fit me, especially the skirt, and I needed to dress to impress for my interview.

Knowing that Julian liked the outfit, might've given me the extra boost of confidence that I needed to walk inside the Tucson Telegram office and claim that position as columnist.

Once back home, I took a long, relaxing shower. For some reason, I felt jittery and the water helped to soothe my mind and tender muscles. The scent of coconut filled the bathroom as I lathered and inhaled deeply, enjoying the sensation it brought to my nose.

Once I dried off, I prodded around in my closet and found a shirt I had never worn before— a flowing, white halter top. I set it aside, along with a pair of black shorts, and went back into the bathroom to fix my hair and apply some makeup.

Somewhere between crimping my hair and applying the third layer of mascara, I recognized that I was treating this video chat as a date.

I laughed at the idea. How could I have possibly gone on a date with someone that wasn't even there?

Without really thinking about it, I sprayed two pumps of my favorite perfume along my collarbone and neck. It was the same perfume that had brushed off onto Julian's shirt just a few nights ago, and had reminded him of me, after he left the city limits.

Had it really only been a few days since we met? It felt like weeks, not days.

Back in my bedroom, I changed into my outfit and took a good look at myself in the long mirror on the back of my closet door. Not perfect, but I looked better than I had hoped for, and I was only doing this to stay in my bedroom, after all.

I checked my phone to find a message from Julian sent twenty minutes earlier.

Everyone's gone. I'm ready when you are.

1. "Somebody Loves You" by Betty Who

2. "Everything Has Changed" (cover) by Alex G. and Jon D.