Three

Kimberly calls David

David looked over his shoulder as he stepped out into the cool evening air, he felt like the world was crashing in on him, again. He was dupe and he knew it, but knowing it never stopped him from being fooled. 

David took out the cigarette from his back pocket and lit it using the lighter he’d swiped when he was clearing out the supply closet. He hadn’t smoked since he’d met James, he hadn’t even thought of it.

David looked at the cigarette after a few puffs. He smiled faintly remembering James complaining about the smoke before he completely lost it.

He punched the brick wall with his free hand once, twice, three times. It didn’t make him feel better so the metal trashcan clanged toppling over as he kicked it. Then suddenly it was like he couldn’t help himself; he kicked the can again and again and again, the metal denting further and further out of shape.

 

David looked around for something else to break but the alley was empty. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, putting the now short cigarette to his lips.

‘S**t.” he said looking at the trashcan. David let himself slide down the wall. This was going to be hard to explain.

 

David pulled out Kimberly’s wallet again and looked at James’s picture. Stupid kid, he thought, she still doesn’t know. Someone should tell her.

David felt his phone vibrate. It was James again. His date with Kimberly must be over, David reasoned bitterly. David checked his watch; his break was almost over. He stood up and dropped the cigarette, putting it out with his foot.  The taste it left behind felt wrong somehow.

 

David felt his phone vibrate again and he frowned, why couldn’t James leave him alone d****t.

He took out his phone to see what piece of crap story James was trying to sell him now. David creased his brows when a number he didn’t recognize called him for what was the third time.

 

“Hello?” He answered.

“Hello David? It’s Kimberly from the t-shirt stand and English class.”

“Oh, hey Kimberly, I’ve been meaning to call you but I didn’t exactly have your number and I’ve never been good at guessing odd numbers at all not that we are at odds well I just couldn’t get it. Well I could have gotten it but then it would’ve been like weird for us to talk cause you probably don’t like me too much right now, yeah and I don’t know what I’m trying to say.” David paused to take a breath when Kimberly interrupted.

“Whoa, slow down, I can barely understand you.”

“I guess I’m trying to say James told you.”

“He didn’t want to but I guessed most of it.”

“Oh well, sorry then. I guess?” David said slowly. If she knew, why was she calling him?

“Well it’s nice to see you have a conscience, at least.”

“Conscience? What are you talking about?” David was shocked. What? How did James spin this to make it his fault?

“You are saying sorry that you stole my wallet.”

“I stole your wallet. Did James tell you that?”

“No, don’t blame James for this. He didn’t want me calling you. I had to steal his phone to get your number but you weren’t answering.”

“So he hasn’t told you anything.”

“Told me"what?” Kimberly’s ears perked up. She knew James was keeping something from her, and it looked like David knew what it was.

“That I"uh found it in the lobby. Oh, I see James now. I’ll just give him your wallet. Bye.” David sped into the building just as James caught sight of him.

“David, wait!” Kimberly yelled.