“Jesus Christ Dana,” Alice mumbled as she sought to distract herself for another five minutes before trying again. However her attempt to preoccupy herself through drawing stick figures was soon interrupted by the sound of her desk phone, which Alice picked up in a flash.

“Hello. Ms Pieszecki speaking.” She asked in a professional tone, assuming that it would be one of her new workmates in Chicago who she had yet to impress.

Having arrived in Chicago a day earlier only to learn that she would have to stay onboard there for two months, Alice hadn’t exactly been in a pleasant mood when she first met her work mates. And now she was attempting to regain some sort of professional image, if only for two months, which would make her time here a lot easier.

“A-Alice?” The sound of Dana’s timid voice immediately brought a smile to Alice‘s face. A smile which quickly evaporated as she realised that she had to be the bearer of bad news.

“If it isn’t miss confidence herself,” Alice replied, smirking as she heard Dana huff over the phone.

“Al shut up. You just sounded different, I was put off that’s all.” That was a half-truth for Dana. She was caught off guard by Alice‘s very dignified phone manner but she was also scared as to how she should act over the phone to Alice. Having declared their real feeling for each other only two nights beforehand only to have Alice fly off to Chicago, Dana was uncertain as to how she should act towards her best friend.  

“Sure you were Dane. Cause usually you’re just so cool and collected.” Alice replied, still revelling in the sound of Dana’s voice.

“Fine Al. If you’re going to act like that I’m just going to go,” Dana said sulking. She was already missing Alice terribly, but wasn’t going to be made fun of her.

“Wait! I’m sorry. Baby please wait!” As soon as Dana heard Alice call her ‘baby,’ her composure fell in a heap on the floor. Unable to stop herself, she let out a small laugh, indicating to Alice that Dana wasn’t about to hang up on her anytime soon. “I didn’t mean it Dane,” Alice said smiling into the phone. “It’s so good to hear your voice. I-I miss you so much already.”