wild summer | #wattys2021

chapter four

James' pov

The moment I stepped into the apartment and saw Maisie's distressed face, I knew that I have kept her waiting.

She's not wearing any makeup, her hair fell on her shoulder, and she's wearing an oversized t-shirt with her usual cream colored cardigan. I found myself admiring her discreetly and falling for her all over again because of her natural beauty.

How can she looks like an angel while I look like a mess in my dirty flannel. We're certainly not a match made in heaven. She deserves a better guy than me.

I saw a box of pizza and two bottles of pepsi on the table. Shit, she's bought dinner and I missed it.

Maisie studied my face and I stare back at her.

"Where have you been?" Maisie asked.

I ignored the pizza but took the pepsi bottle and chugged it down.

"I have to submit my project today. Then I went to hang out with Oliver," I replied.

"I'm trying to not be mad James, but you really need to quit coming home at eleven if you want us to work. We need time to talk and spend more time together," she demanded. "Listen, we've got something to talk about."

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked her.

"You know what? Sometimes I missed it when we can just talk to each other about nothing. We don't need a reason to talk, we can just talk about the most stupid things and god, it felt so easy back then." Maisie almost smiled, as if she was recalling our old memories.

It was indeed easy back then. We always talked about nothing and everything.

"Forget it, it's nothing important. You won't care anyway." Maisies shies away from me.

"Baby, you're my girlfriend. You can talk to me about anything," I said and it intrigued her to say more.

"Fine," she feigned a smile. "It's just, I don't think I did well in my test today. I'm probably overthinking it. Sorry, I'm being foolish again," said Maisie as she looked at her maroon toenails with a solemn face.

I pulled her into my arms and kiss her forehead. "Hey, it's okay to feel nervous. I have a quiz next week and I'm scared about it too. I'm sure you did great on the test today. I know my girlfriend is one of the smartest."

I turned on a funny romance movie for us to watch while I keep kissing her cheeks.

Maisie chuckled. "James you're being-" she protest, but I silenced her with a kiss.

"I love you Maisie, and I think it's my job as your boyfriend to make you feel good and happy again."

"Thanks baby," she said and can't stop smiling.

Maisie glanced at me before clearing her throat. "So, I was thinking we could just spend summer break here. It'll be nice too, right?"

"I thought we're going back to my hometown. Besides I have to clean the lake house. It's been a while, the place must be in dust," I responded as I sat on the couch.

"I know, but maybe we can go some other time?" she rubbed her arms with her hands. "I got a letter today. It's an offer to play in a tv show for my summer internship. They will start the production next week, so we can't leave town."

"Actually, you can't leave but I can. Maisie, I need a break from this place, from uni and classes. I need a place where I can just relax. Can't they postpone or something?" I asked.

"No James. This is a big opportunity for me. I need to accept this offer and I will. Aren't you happy that I got this offer?" her eyebrows furrowed, as if she's pleading. "You're going to... um, stay here with me right?" she hesitated for a moment.

I looked at Maisie. There was something a little odd in her eyes, but I couldn't place what she might be thinking. "I'm sorry, you're right. This is your dream. I'm happy for you, and I'm proud of you. We're supposed to leave tomorrow, but who am I to deny you your dream Maisie. I want you to have fun and do what you love, but I'm still going tomorrow."

"You're leaving me for the whole summer break?" Obviously she didn't like the idea, and she didn't even try to hide it. "You don't even try to think about it. Maybe this is what you want after all, to be away from me. You really don't care about us anymore James."

I reached for Maisie's hand and squeezed it. "I'm trying, Maisie. All this time, I'm trying to make us work too, but it's just so hard. I care about you Maisie, and I love you. I still do."

"If you really do love me, then I don't see why it has to be so hard. Tell me James!" demanded Maisie.

"You know what's so hard about it? It's the fact that I never even see you anymore. You are constantly with your group of friends!"

She throws her hands in the air. "So now you have a problem with my frends too? First my acting, now my friends. Really, James? But you've been distant too you know!"

I shake my head. "The problem is you're not making enough time for us. You spend too much time on your friends, while I spend too much time waiting for you. So yeah I became distant, because I got tired of waiting, Maisie."

"And I'm tired of us fighting," said Maisie. "Why are we fighting, James? Why are we screaming at each other? I'm tired too. And I'm sorry, okay?"

"Sorry doesn't fix everything, honey," I told her.

She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I need to know that you will stay here with me for summer break. Please, James."

There's a long hesitation before I say, "I'm still going back. I can't stay here Maisie, at least not now. Maybe we need some time apart."

"Hold on, are we- , are you- ?" she stammered a bit.

"No Maisie, I'm not breaking up with you." I cringe a little. Saying the word 'breaking up' out loud really hurts. "I know we're both hurting, and we need time to heal. We could take some time to heal ourselves during the break."

"That sounds silly, but if you really think that's what we need to do then fine. But are you okay being alone there?" she asked.

I push the hair out of Maisie's face. The face that I love so much. Admiring her, I remember thinking that I want to marry her someday. Little man with a big dream. Just looking at those beautiful eyes had my heart soar.

"You're cute when you care," I blurted.

One second I was admiring her and the next I was looking at her lips, then before I realized I just kissed her. I miss the taste of her lips, the sweet smell of her fragrance.

Soon I picked her up to our bedroom and put her in bed.

I love her, I remind myself. I still love her.

Our hands, mouths, and bodies moved together. I kissed her neck and heard her moans, it felt like I was coming home.

This is where I belong, I thought. She's my home and I belong here with her.

-

they belong together, but fate decided otherwise.

anyway, please feel free to kindly point out any mistake or error from any chapter in the story because i haven't proofread/edit this.

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