There is still some time before the end of the night self-study. During this time, there was a power outage in the dormitory building, and it was not interesting for me to go back.

I wandered aimlessly for a moment and returned to the phone booth.

I pulled out my wallet, took out my phone recharge card, and prepared to call Angel.

Actually, I had a vague impression of Angel's number, but I still tried dialing the uncertain string of numbers.

A pleasant female voice came from the microphone: "Hello, who is it?" ”

"Ah...... Sorry, I made a mistake! I wanted to hang up the phone immediately, but I didn't want to be too rude, so I still held the microphone and waited for the other party to hang up first.

"It's okay. Who are you looking for? She asked again.

"Angel. I'm looking for Angel. For some reason, her voice reassured me.

"Angel...... Is it your friend? She continued.

"Hmm...... Yes. "I started to feel anxious – why didn't she hang up yet?

I don't like to talk to strangers, and I'm not good at talking to strange girls.

"You misremembered his number?" She let out a long, graceful sigh, "Then I guess - you're not very good friends. Or maybe you're friends you haven't been in touch with for a long time. Am I right? ”

I don't know how to answer.

We were almost inseparable, were we good friends? We haven't seen each other for most of the day, so haven't we been in touch for a long time?

"Haha, I should have guessed wrong." She chuckled again, "Tangerine, can I call you Tangerine?" You can call me a cherry. ”

"Huh? I won't bother you, goodbye! "I don't want to continue this weird conversation, I'm going to hang up.

"Wait! Tangerine, and more! Don't hang up, okay? The microphone had left my ears, but her crisp voice still got into my eardrum.

It's a gentle begging that's hard to refuse.

"What's wrong?" I picked up the microphone again.

"Tangerine, thank you." She thanked me solemnly.

"Ah...... "I think it's strange, I just didn't hang up, and her attitude is a little too exaggerated."

But I could feel that she was a very kind person.

"You're still a student, aren't you?" She asked again.

"Yes. It's almost my third year of high school. "I don't think it's that hard to talk to her.

"The best age...... she sighed again. The friend you're looking for is your classmate? ”

"Hmm."

"Is there anything you have to call him tonight? Can't wait until tomorrow for class? "She felt like she was interrogating me, but her voice and tone were as natural as those of a close friend.

"I ...... I said something disrespectful to him today and I want to apologize to him. "Strangely, in the ears of unseen strangers, I was more able to pour out my thoughts.

Maybe it's because I subconsciously know that I won't have anything to do with her, and there will be no burden when I say it.

"Friends who can make oranges, that person is very lucky."

Her words made me feel ashamed.

She continued: "At this age, it's normal to be impulsive and say the wrong thing. Don't worry, he won't hold grudges. ”

"Hmm. I know. "Angel is not a grudge-bearer.

"You see, you're really good friends."

She stopped talking. I followed the silence and tried to define what a "good friend" is.

After nearly a minute, before I could figure it out, she smiled softly again, "Tangerine, thank you for your call." ”

"Huh?" I made a mistake, and she still wants to thank me?

"To tell you the truth, I have a glass of water in front of me right now, and a whole box of sleeping pills." Her voice was still quiet and gentle.

I began to resent my own sluggishness—at first, there was some sadness in her voice, but I didn't notice it.

"You...... You don't take sleeping pills! "I'm in a hurry.

I dare not imagine, nor do I want to believe, that this kind girl could commit suicide on such a peaceful night.

"No, it won't. Not anymore...... I almost ate it. Tangerine, you saved me. You let me know that there is still warmth in the world, and there will be people who are more worthy of my liking. I don't have to give up my life for the sake of one person. ”

She said calmly. But I was terrified.

Sakura...... Cherry, I don't know you and I don't know what happened to you...... But you have to believe that life will get better. "I didn't dare to say anything irritating to her, so I could only comfort her awkwardly.

Damn, the last thing I'm good at is comforting.

Every time my mother lost her soul or became hysterical, my response was to give her space to regain her own blood.

But I couldn't sit idly by with the girl on the other end of the phone.

"I will," she said, "and I'll live well." You're too, orange. ”

"Yes. I will. ”

We greeted each other goodnight and finally ended the call.

She and I will never cross paths again. But this phone call has greatly affected us. At least for me.

The contradictions that I have been trying to escape and cover up have quietly broken free from the shackles of self.