After dialing, after several rings, the other side finally picked up.
There was a soft, sweet voice of a girl coming through, somewhat surprised, "Jeremy Lawrence, is that you?"
"Hmm, it's me." Jeremy Lawrence lifted his wrist and glanced at the time, then at the darkened sky, his brow furrowing slightly.
He was silent for a while, then asked softly, "Regina Kelloway, you didn't... come tonight, right?"
There was silence on Regina's end for a while before she replied, "Today is your 18th birthday, and I was definitely going to attend your birthday banquet. But something came up here, I probably won't make it."
"I'm sorry, Jeremy Lawrence." Regina finished, then coughed a few times.
Her voice sounded a bit hoarse, different from usual.
Jeremy Lawrence pursed his lips, and an overwhelming feeling of loss suddenly filled his heart.