Selfless (Sequel to "Left and Right in The Dark") - A Julian Casablancas Fanfic

Chapter 4: I Know You Won't Get Back Your Time

(A/N: A long wait for a short chapter, I'm sorry! But I'll make it up to you readers in the next one!😊)

Sophie's POV:

The smell of delicious comfort food greets me as I enter the apartment.

"Hey, babe. Dinner's almost ready," Zach turns to me with a smile.

I take my shoes off and keep my purse on the couch before walking over to Zach. I stand on my tiptoes and give him a big hug as we slightly sway from side to side. He gives me a small peck on the cheek.

"Wow, it smells really good," I comment as the smell of the tangy tomato sauce mixes with the wonderful sautéed vegetables and slightly melted cheese.

"It just has to go in the oven for a few minutes," he says as I move out of the way, and he places the dish in the steamy oven.

He puts some utensils in the sink before cleaning his hands and getting out some plates.

"Did you enjoy your time at the coffee shop?"

"I sure did. You'll never guess what happened today. It was such a pleasant surprise!"

"Oh really, what's that?" he looks at me with curiosity.

"I bumped into one of my old friends yesterday," I say, using the word 'friends' to keep the conversation neutral and so that Zach won't get worried or suspicious. "His name is Julian, and I haven't seen him in six years."

"Oh wow, that's quite a long time! Did he live in Quebec back then and he just happen to relocate to New York as you did?" he laughs a little.

"No," I giggle. "He actually lives in New York, and he's always lived here. It's just that when I met him, I was here on a summer trip."

"Ah, ok. So, it was just a temporary visit to New York for you," he understands.

"Yeah. It's funny because I was here for less than a month. But we were still pretty close."

"Hmm. How did you two meet?"

I laugh a little before looking at him and rubbing his shoulder, "Well, that's a very long and complicated story. I'll save that for another time."

"Okay," he smiles with a small chuckle at the end.

"So anyway, we just caught up with each other and learned what was going on in each other's lives. I should probably mention that he's a celebrity. A pretty big one."

"Oh, really? Is he, like, an actor or something?"

"No, he's a musician. He's the lead singer of a band called 'The Strokes.'"

"Hmm, never heard of them," he shakes his head with a small pout from his lips. I expected this from him; he doesn't listen to this kind of music. Zach is the type of person that will just listen to anything on the radio, not really paying attention to any bands or artists. I'm not even sure if he has any specific favorites.

A few moments later, he carefully takes the pasta out of the oven and serves some on the plates. We both walk to our couch again as we talk about our days while enjoying the hot, tasty dinner.

I really do love Zach. He's such a nice and caring guy, and I've been incredibly happy over the last two years that I've spent with him. He's smart and beautiful, and he's very unique in character. I admire his personality. And I feel pretty bad because over the last few months, it feels like we've been slowly drifting apart because I haven't really been spending enough time with him. Since I'm preoccupied with work, he's been getting a little angry. He won't show it to me, but I'm quick and smart enough to know how he's feeling inside. He must have his anger all stuffed up inside him, and I feel bad wondering how much he's controlling himself to not tell me how he's truly feeling. This is why when I do spend time with him, I want to make sure that I'm spending every second of it preciously. I care about him and want to give him the same amount of respect that he gives me.

After finishing our dinner, we enjoy the night by cuddling on the couch and watching an old movie together. We only get to about the halfway mark of the movie because we get touchy with each other, ending up switching off the TV and making out on the couch. It hits me in my mind that we haven't had one in such a long time, making me feel even sadder for him. The short, romantic session ends with us lying on the couch, with my head rested on his chest and his arm wrapped around me. Nothing is said; It's just a moment of peace, tranquility, and happiness between the two of us. 

Everything just seems so perfect.

Title Credit: Human Sadness - The Voidz (Album: Tyranny)