Just Friends

9

⊱𝙻𝚎𝚟𝚒⊰

I nearly spit my cereal out when my phone rings loudly somewhere in my apartment.

Groaning, I begin my search.

Cheshire meows at me when I lift him to see if he's sitting on it. I smile when I notice he is then snatch my phone up from the couch cushion. Cheshire gets returned as soon as I press the green button.

I despise being on the phone, to be honest. It's awkward and I'm always wondering if I sound stupid to the other person on the line.

But, unfortunately, these phone calls are nothing I can simply ignore. I have an obligation to answer.

Usually, the authors I work with hate the phone just as much as I do. They'll either text or email me if they need something.

But every now and then, I work with these few authors who absolutely adore the phone.

"Hello?" I answer the phone with a deep breath, attempting to mask the dread in my voice.

"Levi!" Cassidy beams, positively ecstatic that I've answered my phone. Why? I have no idea. I always answer my phone when it rings. It's nothing special.

"Hey," I greet her again as I start shuffling back towards my bowl. My cereal will end up soggy soon.

"Have you read it?"

"Almost done." I confirm. A grimace rolls over my face as I lift my spoon. It makes a gross little sound with my cereal and I lose my appetite immediately.

I don't know why I keep getting this cereal. It gets soggy within ten seconds of pouring the milk in.

"And what do you think?"

I sigh deeply. "Cassidy."

"Yes?"

"Did you base your character off of me?"

She giggles. "Is it that obvious?"

I huff. "You know, this is really insulting." I playfully grumble. That just makes her laugh more. "Seriously. In every single paragraph this guy is called a nerd."

"You're a little nerdy." Cassidy reasons, still laughing to herself. "I was actually calling to get more inspo."

"You're not getting any."

"Ohh, okay. So, you're a little broody in the mornings."

I scoff. "Cassidy, I thought this was about that guy you were talking about." I remind.

"Laurence Lawson." His name rolls off her tongue like a curse.

"Sure."

"We are no longer on speaking terms." Cassidy declares on a bitter grumble. "He's the villain now." She adds. "Give me ideas, Levi. How should I incorporate him?"

My nose scrunches. "That's...not really a part of my job description—"

"It basically is." She quickly dismisses me. "Now, come on. Help me out here, bestest agent in the whole world."

With a frown, I pick my bowl of soggy cereal up to take it to the sink. I was almost done with it anyway. "I don't know." I mutter. "Maybe have him as a second love interest." I suggest with a useless shrug that she can't see.

"Second love interest," Cassidy slowly repeats under her breath. "Okay..." She accepts. "How would you deal with a girl who likes another guy that isn't you?"

I press my lips together. "Cassidy, you're the talent. Not me." I point out.

"You're right." She sighs. "I'm amazing. I can do this."