The phone was warm, almost hot to touch, pressed up against my ear, my eyes open but oblivious to what they were seeing, my reality barely defined by the soft glow of blue LEDs and the humming of a sleepy laptop.

 "Nothing you say will stop me from caring about you."

 "But you shouldn't. I know I'm not worth it. Don't get yourself into something that you'll regret.."

 "Can't you just... be happy that you met me..?"

 "I wish I could just be happy too.. But it's not that simple."

 "I'm not going to stop caring. You can't make me."

 I managed a weak smile. Weak, because the swirling negativity seemed rather intent on staying in control. A smile, because I could feel the sincerity and earnestness in that soft, melodic voice.

 "But why...?"

 "Because you're interesting.. And with you, I could never run out of things to say.. Why would I want to stop talking to someone who can make me go on forever?"

And for once, I had no answer.