Hosting Colin

Seeing his name pop up on my phone startled me, throwing my emotions into disarray. I initially wanted to decline the call, but my finger accidentally tapped 'accept,' and his voice came through immediately.

"Why did it take you so long to answer?" he complained right off the bat.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance—I hadn't wanted to answer in the first place!

When I didn't respond, he probed, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing... nothing's wrong," I replied, my voice betraying my unease.

"You sound unhappy to hear from me?" he asked perceptively.

"Should I be happy?" I retorted, thinking to myself, he only remembers me now, and I am supposed to be grateful?

"How come you haven't called me all this time? Don't say you didn't know I was back!" His tone was matter-of-fact, tinged with irritation.