With This… 8C

Sawyer's phone had been off right after his call with Tom. He'd been too annoyed to leave it on and somehow, it stayed that way for five days. In that time, he'd gone out with Otto everyday and wasn't back in his hotel room till night. Only to be too exhausted to turn it on. The only person he kept in semi-contact with was Noelle and that was because Otto was with him. Messages were relayed and if a call was made, the phone was passed to him. He didn't need to use his phone.

But Hannah didn't have anyway of contacting him besides his more off than on cell phone. On the fifth night, when he finally decided to muster the strength to put it on, he saw a text from her and called immediately. On their last date, before everyone left school, they'd talked about his lack of communication and she'd come up with an idea. If his phone was off, as it were, she'd send a message and he'd call or text immediately after. Which he agreed to.

Tonight, he was too tired to keep his end of the deal. But on the other hand, he did kind of think about her and it is likely he wouldn't have this opportunity tomorrow. On that note, he could text… which had the possibility of being time consuming. Especially if she is busy. Or, he could call… which had the possibility of ending much quicker and right now, sounded more appealing. If he did that.

The call he thought would end after three minutes tops took a big turn when it kept going with both of them regaling the other with their activities. And most unexpectedly… Sawyer slept off while she was talking. An hour after he'd called.

He woke up five hours later only to realize what he'd done. Embarrassed and mortified by what she might think, he sent a text. Doing all the things he had chosen not to do before. –"Hi. It's not what you think. I was just super tired. I'm so sorry."

Another three days later, he read her reply: Hannah Barbra-"Well you did say you were tired. I'm surprised you were up for as long as you were. Plus, you're a super silent sleeper. Sleepyhead :-)."

Sawyer-"I'm wide awake now." Choosing to stay inside, he spent most of the day texting her and only her.

***

The camera was right on Peggy as she landed on the couch. He knew that couch too well. "Hey Sawyer." She smirked then giggled. "You're not in school yet and I sooooo miss you." She sighed, pouting with the widest eyes she could muster. Then she giggled again. "And I know you'll miss me too. I know you're missing me right now. I bet you fifty bucks. But you don't have to pay." She looked away from the camera and cleared her throat. "I'm making this so you know…" she looked back at the camera and smiled. "So you can see it and think of me. Or you won't have to cause this is right here. You choose what it's for. But don't delete it okay?" He nodded with a smile. "So." She cleared her throat again, looking serious. "You're in school now. How is that? I've nev-"

"What are you doing with Sawyer's phone?" Tom's voice.

"I'm making a video. Go away."

"Why? What for?" He sat down, his thighs coming into view. "Give it to me." He reached out.

The phone was shaking. "Go away! Cut out." He could no longer see her face, just hands. Then Tom's face appeared.

"Hey bro." He puckered his lips and made weird kissing sounds. He couldn't help chuckling.

"Give it back!" The phone was shaking again.

"Why are you making a video?" Suddenly he was seeing a mass of black hair and Peggy reaching up.

"None of your business."

"Then I won't give it to you."

She groaned. "I'm making a video for him to see when he's in college."

"Awww so sweet. Weirdo!"

"You promised!" Her voice squeaked.

"I wanna see you reach for it."

"Has anyone seen my phone!" He recognized his own voice. He was standing outside his room that afternoon. He'd been packing.

Tom took in a breath. "Don't you dare!" Peggy warned. He couldn't see her but he saw her index finger and the ground.

"He'll be upset if he finds out. Let's just get rid of it."

"No! Give it to me!" She whined.

"Mooooom!"

"Saaaaawyeeeerr!" His mom's voice.

He chuckled. "Have you seen my phone?!"

"Stop yelling and get down here!"

"He's coming!" Peggy said in a loud whisper.

"Just be cool."

"Just give it to me."

"No!" The phone was facing the ceiling now.

"Mooooom!" Peggy called.

"You really want to tell her?"

He imagined she glared at Tom. "Watch me. Tom doesn't want to give me back my phone!"

"You're such a liar! She's lying!"

"Oh yeah? What am I lying about?!"

"Stop yelling you two!"

"You're yelling too." Sawyer was downstairs, on his way to his mother when he pointed that out.

"He's going to be maaaaad." Tom whispered.

"No he won't. Give it to me." There was a blur and then he saw Peggy's face again. She smiled then looked up. "You're so annoying."

"You're so annoying." Tom retorted.

"I'll make a better one. I promise." She said to the camera then it went blank.

Sawyer sighed when the video was over. The smile he hadn't noticed was there vanished when he remembered they're gone. For a second he actually forgot. He ran his hand through his hair, he felt hollow inside. Everything coming back to him was carving a hole inside him. Leaving what is left of him with nothing but pain. Pain that took away his will to do anything. And now, no longer in the mood to look at videos. He stared at his laptop screen. All the pain he constantly felt was gone for a few minutes and now, they were back with a vengeance. Asking why he thought he could get rid of it when he can't. Can he ever? It's one thing to know they're home and another to know he'll never see them again. A fact that somehow, he still can't fathom. He tossed his phone aside and searched his room for his notebook. Eager and more than ready to write again.