A Good Kind of Different

Chapter 3

I paced back and forth at the foot of my bed, hands on my hips.

It's just a phone call, you've done this so many times!

Letting out a sigh, I fell back onto my bed.

"Why can't you do this?!" I asked myself as I ran my hands through my hair.

I sat back up again and rested my arms on my knees.

You are so stupid, Steve!

I glanced at the clock on my bedside table, '8:45' it blinked. Sitting next to it was the telephone.

"It's now or never." I gave in as I stood. I quickly made the move to the table and snatched the phone off of its receiver.

My clammy hands shook with nerves as I punched in the numbers of the Byers' household. I had spent the entire afternoon memorizing the number so I wouldn't accidentally call someone else.

After I had entered the last digit, I brought the phone to my ear. The hum of the ring was low and steady. My heartbeat was fast and erratic.

What if he doesn't answer? What if he tells me not to call him anymore?

The phone rang about two seconds before I heard another voice, "Hello?"

Jonathan's voice soothed me for a moment before I remembered I had to speak. "U-um hi, Jonathan? It's me, Steve."

There was a small pause before Jonathan spoke, "Oh, hey..." He finished his sentence with a small laugh.

Damn that laugh!

"I was just calling, to ah, to talk about helping you out with your math." I said as I sat down on my bed. My heart had slowed down to a reasonable pace, but my hands were still clammy.

"Really? You'd actually want to help me?!" he asked, his voice filled with relief and excitement.

I tried to hide my laugh, but he heard it, "Don't laugh at me!"

"I'm sorry! I'm not doing it to be mean, it's just that... you know.." I slowly stopped speaking before I told him he was cute.

"Know what? Steve, I don't know what you're talking about." Jonathan said confusedly.

I scrambled for a response so he wouldn't keep asking, "Oh, just it was funny that you thought I wouldn't want to help you."

He stayed silent for a few moments before replying, "Yeah I guess... But you'd actually help me out?"

"Definitely, I'd love to help you out." I answered quickly.

You'd 'love' to?!

Jonathan breathed out a sigh of relief, "Thanks, man. I appreciate it."

"It's no big deal, we should probably start working soon though. Exams are coming up soon." I added, probably sounding extremely desperate.

"Yeah, I'm pretty much free after school, except for certain days. Sometimes I pick up extra shifts at work."

I smiled to myself, "Alright, we can start tomorrow if you want to."

"I think that works, do you want to meet at the library?" he asked.

The library? That's cute John.

"We can work at my house if you want? My parents won't be home until later so it'll be quiet and we can get more done."

Jonathan stayed silent before answering, "Y-yeah, that sounds good. I'll see you tomorrow, Steve."

"Goodnight, Byers." I told him reluctantly.

"Night, Steve."

I hung up the phone and glanced at the clock, '8:57.'

We only talked for twelve minutes?!

I thought back to how Jonathan got excited and smiled. I almost had told him he was cute. I almost blew everything.

I need a shower.