#voicemail.

uh.... no......

the call being sent to voicemail only amped up caleb’s panic. with everything that had happened to gunner, he didn’t feel comfortable not being in constant contact with those closest to him. “lilah?” he grunted into his phone. “please answer. i just want to know that you’re okay. you’ve been .. you’ve seemed distant lately? and i don’t trust this place anymore, don’t think it’s particularly safe for any of us. not to mention-- just. please. i would lose my mind if i lost you, i would literally lose my mind. let me know you’re safe.. okay. call back.”

“hey bella. amsterdam is kind of shit. not like, the city. just. did you hear about gunner? i’m kind of worried about the rest of us. i don’t trust anyone, anymore. ‘cept elias. ..and you. you’ve put up with a LOT of my shit. probably deserve a medal or something, i don’t know. best sister mug? ... i’m really sorry i wasn’t nicer to you back home. i was just jealous. don’t-- it’s a long story. but.. i miss you, kid.”

“i hope you know i don’t regret it,” jack whispered into the phone, having been sent to voicemail for the third time in the past two days. he was pretty sure gunner absolutely hated him at this point, hadn’t even been back to their shared dorm. maybe rooming together had been a mistake, but it had seemed innocent only days before. “even if we can’t still be friends, which, like-- that would suck dick. and not in a hot way.” he paused, lifting his glass to his lips and staring into the muted tv. “i hope you come back to the dorm soon. i promise it won’t be weird. i won’t even mention it, i just.. i had to do it. i don’t know why. it’s so easy with everyone else, but not with you. i haven’t figured that bit out yet. please come back.” the click of his phone when he hung up was almost deafening. 

“hey, gunner.. it’s naomi. i don’t really know why i’m-- why i’m calling you? is this dumb? do you care? ... anyway ... i’m just out at some bar with these girls i met in my history of european film class.. it’s weird not being in class with you, by the way. i think our project turned out so well because of you. what was i even saying? oh yeah-- ( no, i think i’m going to head home, you guys go on without me ) i’m, uh, i miss you. i mean, like, i missed you when you were gone but.. i miss you just like in general. i’m sorry for how things ended. i fucked up. i’m. fucked up. okay. bye--”