Page 27 of Follow My Voice
His message puts a smile on my face. I like that he doesn’t mention what happened and refrains from pointing out that this is the first time I’ve texted back in days, after so many messages from him. It’s as if none of that ever happened. I close my eyes as I think about what to say next to keep the conversation going. His reply was not a question, so I don’t know if he even expects me to respond. My phone vibrates again as another text comes in.
Kang:And what is the mysterious K up to today?
Me:I’m cleaning. How about you?
Kang:A little bit of homework. Now I’m composing :)
I furrow my brow. Composing? That word can only mean one thing.
Me:You compose… songs?
Kang:Yes, I like music. I think I’m kinda good at it, although I might be kidding myself.
I imagine him singing with that amazing voice of his and my heart races. I guess having a good radio voice doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a good singer, but something tells me he is. I can’t imagine this guy being bad at anything.
Me:Really? I would’ve never guessed.
Kang:I don’t tell a lot of people. Consider yourself lucky, you know my dark secret.
Me:That’s not a dark secret.
Kang:Hahahahaha, you say that because you don’t know the whole story.
Me:And are you going to tell me? :O
Kang:Depends.
Me:Depends on what?
Kang:I’ll tell you about my singing if you tell me your name. ;)
I bite my lower lip, hesitating.
Me:Why do you want to know?
Kang:Isn’t it obvious? So I can look you up on social media and stalk you.
I laugh out loud at his honesty, but I’m not worried, because I’m not on any social media; I deleted most of my accounts. All I have left is the old Instagram profile I use to check the radio station’s account, but I don’t even have any photos on it.
Me:Well, that doesn’t really make me want to tell you.
Kang:Just kidding… Or maybe not ;)
I scratch my head, imagining the consequences of telling Kang my name. We live in a small city, as my mother called it: too many people for it to be considered a town but too few to be a major city. There are probably several Claras, but there is probably only one Klara withK. That unique spelling, causing problems.
Me:I’ll tell you, someday.
Kang:It’s okay, I understand.
Me:But I still want to know the super-secret story behind your music.
Kang:If you call me, I’ll tell you.
I hold my breath. He keeps trying to move things along, always wanting to know more about me.What is it you’re looking for, Kang?I feel nervous just thinking about talking to him on the phone; it’shard enough to send him messages, taking my time with every single response, but hearing him live, right in my ear, his beautiful voice would destroy me. The day I called him by mistake I was overwhelmed with panic, so I didn’t feel nervous about talking to him then, but calling him now, when I’m calm, is another thing entirely. I can’t do it.
Me:You love to negotiate, don’t you?
Kang:Yes, you leave me no choice.
