Warmth | ✔️ #wattys2021

14. friends

Adam's POV

I wish I could say the sun that peaked through my curtains and over the hills woke me. But that's not how it was. The aggressive tone of my phone's alarm clock woke me from my sleep. Today was the first day of filming and probably also the one on which I should give Adeline a call.

It's been a week since our fight, she doesn't even know I left London. I avoided telling her. The decision came way sooner than expected and lead to a now or never situation. So I left two days after last Friday. Only my family knew about it. Leaving felt bad none the less. But what could I do? Adeline was so upset at me, she would have broken up with me anyway.

The day was great, yet exhausting. The director was fabulous and Sarah was right about the cast, I knew everyone instantly and that feeling was great. LA always makes me feel welcome.

I was only the supporting role of my female co-star Rosamund Pike but it was an honor none the less. And for a while I could forget how guilty I felt or how much I missed her. It's what I like about acting most, honestly. People pay you for pretending to be whole different person. In that case I was a murderer, but oh well.

It was around midnight when I arrived at my house, and I knew I had to call her now. It must be around 8 am in London now but as she had work I figured she should be awake already.

I called from the car not believing in my braveness to any other time, even if it would take just a minute to get in. I felt trapped in the moment.

I pick her contact and my hands almost begin to shake. It rang twice and any passing second I kind of hoped she wouldn't even pick up.

Third ring. Fourth...

"Hello?" She asked. Oh shit, how much I missed her voice.

"Hi...Adeline...it's me Adam!" I answered nervously. My hands gripping the steering wheel.

"Yeah, I know who you are, my phone shows your contact!" She said annoyedly.

"Sure, sure...uhm look I wanted to talk to you about Friday. We both said things we didn't mean." I said. Knowing I had no experience in relationships, I just said what every other screenwriter would put in sappy movies.

"I stopped by your house yesterday to talk but you weren't there? I actually would prefer to talk it out in person."

"Uhm well that might be a problem as I'll not be in London for a while..."

"What? Where are you then?"

"I'm in LA, for work. I don't know for how long. Probably only a month or so."

The other line went silent for a while. My palms started sweating so much, I rubbed the sweat off on my jeans.

"Oh. Wait —what? I thought you wanted to take a break? Did you already know about this before Friday?"

"I -I joined a casting for my new role, it's a really big movie. My manager thought it was a great chance...they were supposed to take much longer deciding though."

"And now?" She asked and I could swear it sounded like she cried. "Why are you even calling? To make up? To fix a relationship that started crumbling after the first week and will not be able to grow back healthy because you're just not here?"

"Adeline look-"

"You could have at least told me before you left!" She cried out.

"I know, love I'm sorry. I was scared you'd break up with me...but I guess I've only made it worse now."

"Adam, I loved our time together. But I've already told you from the beginning that I can't deal with your lifestyle...not when you're so far gone...I need someone who is here. I don't think it makes sense to keep on going."

"Yeah...I know." I said and tried to not show the pain that I felt in my heart in my voice.

"Can we...can we stay friends though?" I asked her desperately.

"Yeah sure." Adeline said sadly after a moment of silence. And I walked inside.

Adeline's POV

I stood in front of the round mirror of our bathroom. Trying my best to let my make up hide my crying session while still being kind of stuck in it. I can't believe what just happened. I know we could've still fixed if he only would have not taken that stupid role.

But no, this was good for him. Who would I be to keep him from his success?

And yes that was probably the shortest relationship I've ever been in but I couldn't help my feelings. The affection that developed inside of me for this man was so deep, my heart felt like stone now.

Dangerous thoughts kept spiralling in my mind on my way to the company.:

Was he serious about staying friends? Usually that does not end good at all. But I did want to keep in contact with him so badly. Oh shit, I should have taken the other lane. Fuck! And what about that Anna? Guess he's all set now to relink their fling. Besides, he might just find someone so much better than me. Probably even than her. I wonder what kind of movie that is he's starring in. I miss him like shit.