My Ex Is My Bestfriend

She was a nightingale. She was a siren. That voice. It could capture a thousand sh.i.p.s. But she captured me, even before she started singing. And now I am enchanted and I am s.u.c.k.e.d in deeply in her magnificence. I am so mesmerized. Cassidy, my Cassidy. So beautiful, my everything.

I probably couldn't sleep due to my excitement of hearing her sing, but I heard her say that she wishes me to dream about her. And I'd dream of her, definitely. So I forced myself to sleep, hoping that she would meet me there.

***

After Minho's call, I sluggishly moved my body towards the bedroom. I'm going to have a bad day tomorrow if I can't sleep on a bed. I tucked myself under the blanket, put my phone on the bedside and entered dreamland.

I was jerked awake by a phone call. F*ck. Who'd dare to call me at this hour. I looked at the time. What?! It's still 9pm? I thought Minho and I talked for an hour. Ugh whatever.

I accepted the call and said annoyingly, "Whoever you are, please tell me it's a really important matter that you'd call me this late."

"Well, Cassidy honey, it really is still early."

Ash? I looked at the caller ID. Yeah, I'm good at guessing based on voices. " Well for you party-goers, it's still too early. So what's up?"

"Oh, are you having amnesia now? Did you really forget that you have to settle the feud between Ethan, Minho and you?"

"What? Is that really necessary?"

"I think so. Ethan's drinking here with me. And he's pretty, pretty drunk."

"What?! Send him home. He's currently staying at my apartment."

"What? You live under the same roof? I'll tell Minho about this."

"Haha. No, we're not. I'm staying here at Minho's."

"Oh, I see. Okay so-"

There was a noise, like someone's banging the phone or something.

"Hello Cassidy?"

"Gina?"

"Yeah it's me. Uhm, could you please come here. We really can't persuade this Ethan guy to stop drinking and go home. And as much as we want to send him home, we can't. My parents are waiting outside, we have to attend a charity ball, and our family's the guest of honor. So we have to be early there."

A charity ball that starts at 9pm? Why so late? Are they auctioning contraband items? Huh whatever.

"Ah well, as much as I want to, I don't have a car, so it would really be a hassle for me to go there. Just leave him there. He'd eventually know where to go."

So cruel Cassidy. But I really don't wanna see him. He is a total jerk.

"Would it be okay Cassidy?"

"Yes. It's not his first time. Just tell the manager or waiter there about his presence."

I heard arguing at the other line, probably Gina and Ash debating about what I said.

"Cassidy." It's Ash's voice again.

"Ash."

"I don't think it's good. He's your friend, and you would rather leave him here?"

"You're his friend too. If you really want to help him, let Gina go first at that Underground Charity Ball, and just follow after you sent Ethan home."

"Underground Charity Ball?"

"Yes, isn't that where you're both heading at this hour?"

I faintly heard Ash saying, "Really, Gina? A charity ball? At this hour?"

Silence.

"Uh, Cassidy okay we'll just leave him here. We'll just notify the bartender that if anything happens, they'll just call you."

"Okay whatever. But honestly, where are you both going at this hour?"

"Hahahaha. Bye Cassidy."

And he hang up. What the... I honestly don't understand those two. I always think they're involved in dangerous business because of all of that secrecy. Even lying about a Charity Ball for f*ck's sake. But whatever, they're a.d.u.l.ts, they know what they're doing.

So I returned sleeping, only to be disturbed by another phone call. Aaaaarrghhh my beauty sleep!

I answered it and said, "I don't want to go so stop persuading me. Just leave him there."

Silence, and then "Uh, may I know who I'm speaking to?"

"What? You were the one who called, so you should know who you're calling."

"I'm sorry Ma'am. But this is not my phone. I just called you because you were the latest in this phone's call logs. The name here is 'Fluffiest Pig'."

Ah shit, Ethan. I checked the ID, and yeah Ethan. "I'm Cassidy Johnson. I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier, I just woke up."

"Oh thank god. Miss Cassidy, a man is here looking for you."

"Who? The owner of this phone?"

"Yes. We are about to close, and he wouldn't go home until he sees you."

"Me? Why?"

"He just kept on calling your name Ma'am. I really don't know."

Oh no. Such a headache. "Can I talk to him?"

"Uh sure. I'll give him the phone. Please wait a moment."

Ethan what is happening to you?! This isn't you.

"Cassidy." A magnetic voice sounded from the other line.

"Ethan."

"Cassidy."

"Okay, I'll end it right there. So, what's gotten into you? Why won't you go home?"

"I'll be all alone there."

"Ethan, you know I can't stay with you. My boyfriend would not allow it."

"I hate him. Who is he to dictate your every decision?"

"I think he's right to dictate that part of my life because clearly you are my ex. He's got all the right to be mad that you're still with me."

"Well am I Cassidy? Am I still with you? Because as soon as you had that piece of shit, you forgot about me. You seldomly answer my calls and my messages. What happened to us?"

"Us? There is no us Ethan. We're only friends now, so I don't have to answer your every call or message because I have a life too!"

"Aren't you concerned of my well-being?"

"I am. But I always know you can easily move on, that you could continue living on without a care in the world. I knew you as a strong person Ethan!"

"That's how you know me?" His voice grew fainter. " I guess when you left, I was not so strong anymore."