So Many Reasons Why by Missy Johnson Page B

rang.
    “Are you serious?”
    It was him. My knees buckled sending me sprawling back on
the couch.
    “About?” I prompted.
    “ Community wins
hands down. All the time. Besides,” He added. “The late movie stars Jennifer
Lopez. That should be reason enough to avoid.”
    “And if I happen to like J-Lo?” I didn't. I hated her. But
that wasn't the point.
    “Then I'm sorry, but our friendship is over.” He announced
dramatically. I laughed.
    “You’d end our friendship over J-Lo?”
    “Dear Sweet Emma.” He patronized. “Many, many friendships
have ended because of J-Lo. Some things are just unforgiveable. You’re lucky.
I’m willing to give you a chance to redeem yourself.” He added seriously.
    “Okay. I’m sorry. I’ve learnt the error of my ways.” I
giggled, playing along. The sound of Abed’s voice came through the phone.
“You’re watching it too.”  I realised, smiling.
    “I happen to love this episode. I thought we could watch it
together.”
    “Oh that is so cute.” The words tumbled out before I could
stop myself. He chuckled softly to himself.
    “Shut up and watch.” He laughed. God I loved his laugh. So
sexy. Like him. I couldn't concentrate on the show. All I could hear was his
slow, sexy breathing. He laughed, I laughed, even though I had no idea what I
was laughing about. I felt so happy when he was in my thoughts. Which was
nearly all the time. I cannot remember the last time I honestly felt happy.
    “So, tell me something I don't know about you.”  
    The show had finished, and Simon had turned his attention
back to me. We had been on the phone for over an hour now, but I wasn't ready
to let him go, and by the sounds of it, neither was he.
    “Um. Let me think.” Something he didn't know. There was
plenty that fell into that basket, none of which I was ready to share with him
yet. “I can be pretty shy.” His laughter rang through my ears.
    My heart literally skipped a beat.
    “Em, I said something I don't know.” He sounded amused.
Okay, so maybe I didn't hide my shyness as well as I thought I did. I'd have to
work on that.
    “What do you want to know? Ask me something. I'm not good at
these games.” My voice wobbled. I was nervous. It was a risk, putting him in
control like this. There were so many things he could ask that I knew would
make me clam up.
    “Okay. What's the deal with this Tom guy?”
    “Tom?” I said, relieved. I could talk about Tom. “He’s just
a good friend. We have known each other for a long time, and he has helped me
through some really hard times.”
    “Hard times? Like what?” He asked, intrigued. Could I do it?
Could I tell him, just like that? I so badly wanted to open up to him. I must
have been silent for longer than I thought, because next thing I knew he was
saying my name.
    “Em, don't feel you have to answer that. We all have things
in our past. If you're not ready to talk to me, I completely understand.” He
spoke gently.
    I felt the tears as they rolled down my chin, forming a pool
in my hand. I brushed them away angrily. Why do I always cry? If someone said
'boo' I'd burst into tears. I hated that about myself.
    “I don't like to talk about the past. With anyone.” I added. Especially not you, I thought. It wasn't that I didn't think he would
understand. It was more I thought he'd understand too much. He saw people like
me every day. Victims. I didn't want to be his victim.
    “When you are ready, I'm here Em.” He changed the subject.
“What are you doing Friday?”
    “Friday?” I repeated. “Nothing. Why?”
    “Well I think you need some lessons on what classifies as a
decent movie. I will bring some over.” He was having a go at my taste in
movies? I rolled my eyes. I saw no point arguing though. That would be like
baiting a wild dog with a piece of raw steak.
    “Sure. Come over and teach me a lesson, professor.” I
cringed. Did I really say that? He was laughing at least.
    “I will see you Friday then.” He