When the Flower Falls (Fitzmael 7) - COMPLETED

12: How Old Are You?

MY HEAD WAS POUNDING WHEN I woke up. I glanced at the clock and was startled to see it was already evening. I'd slept far longer than I planned. I hurried to get dressed. I didn't want Jenna to get mad at me for staying out too long.

A few minutes later, Elimae stirred awake.

"I'm going home now, my Eli."

"Already?"

"It's late."

"Okay," she said, pouting.

"Eli..."

"You probably don't love me anymore."

"What?!" I frowned at her, confused.

"M-Maybe you don't love me anymore," she repeated.

I closed my eyes and rubbed my face with my hand. Something inside me felt off... normally, I was patient, but this time I couldn't think straight.

"Are we okay?" I asked, hoping she'd say yes.

I knew girls could be moody, especially a week before their monthly period—

"No."

I exhaled deeply, trying to stay calm. "Why would you say that? Don't you feel my love for you anymore?"

She looked away. "Then why are you going home?"

"You know Jenna's coming back, Eli," I said gently. "I'm sure she'll get mad if she sees us together."

"But since I have school, we don't have enough time."

"I know. That's exactly why I came here. We're together now, aren't we? You're studying, I'm working... we're both busy, but we still find ways to see each other, especially since we're just neighbors."

"That's the thing!" she yelled. "We're too close! Maybe that's why it's so convenient for you! You don't even make an effort anymore!"

"What?" I looked down, stunned. "You don't appreciate my efforts? What are you saying, Eli? I don't understand where all this emotion is coming from. I love you, Eli. Isn't everything I've done enough to prove that?"

She was silent.

My knees suddenly gave way, and I dropped to the floor. My chest tightened painfully. "Did I do something wrong? Tell me, and I'll fix it. If you don't want me to leave, then let's just get married."

"Damn it!"

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked again, but this time tears streamed down my face.

I didn't want to argue with her, so I let my emotions spill out instead. My chest felt unbearably heavy. I wasn't used to this.

"Just go!"

"Let's get married."

"You're only saying that because you feel guilty!"

"That's been our plan from the start. You should know I'm not forcing myself into anything. I love you so much, Elimae. Why are we like this right now? We were happy just a while ago, weren't we?"

She didn't say anything.

"I don't want to sleep without fixing things between us. I don't want you to think I don't love you. I just have to go home because your sister will be furious if she finds me here. When we get married, you'll see me every day."

Still, she stayed silent.

I remained there for five more minutes, waiting for an answer that never came. I had no choice but to stand, take a deep breath, and walk away. I didn't look back. I couldn't breathe.