Dots and Zeros [Completed]

26. Sam

February 24

I couldn't be happier. There's been a stupid grin on my face for hours for no reason. Well, there's reason of course. There's a reason for everything.

'Why did you do that?' Madeline asks.

It's the first time we're meeting since my brother's birthday. She's standing in front of the latest addition to the opposites theme. The painting depicting me in her summer dress. I put it on the ground, leaning against the wall to dry.

'It's for my new collection,' I explain. 'It's really cool. It's all about-'

'Don't tell me,' she interrupts. 'I don't want to know.'

'Why not? You were the inspiration, actually.'

She glances at me.

'I don't know if I'm happy with that,' she says.

And I'm not sure what to say about that.

'Do you want something to drink?' I ask. 'A cup of tea?'

'No, I'm good.'

We just stand there in the living room. Looking at the self portrait of me in her dress.

'Why did you come back?' I say.

'I didn't exactly chose to do so.'

'Why?'

'Alex told me it was the right thing to do.'

Of course my brother did that. I wonder what else he told her. He probably said to go to me to properly break up with me and get her stuff back.

'I have something important to tell you,' she says. 'I'm here to talk.'

'I don't want us to break up,' I say.

'Just hear me out first.'

'No. You listen to me first. You walked out on me at Alex' birthday, so now I get a say. I want you back in my life. I like you. I like you so, so much. I paint so well because of you.'

'Julian, please-'

'And I think I can be good for you, too. I have enough money to get everything you want. You can quit your job and do nothing all day. Wouldn't that be the most amazing life ever? I can give you that. And so much more.'

'Listen to me.'

Madeline and I, we're pretty different. She's so exact. And logical. And she thinks before doing things. I don't. Not always. I'm creative. Whatever happens happens. I wake up without a schedule and do what feels right most of the time.

I see dots and stripes where she sees zeros and ones.

'What is it?' I say.

'Just... listen to me. For once.'

'Am I not right now?'

'Let's sit down first.'

'I don't see why you're dragging this out,' I say while Madeline sits down on the couch. 'Just tell me if it's so important. If it's really important, why waste time on sitting around? If you think about it, it means-'

'I'm pregnant, Julian.'

I didn't even get to sit down yet.

'You had sex with Alex? Right after we took a break? I bet something was going on between you two when we were still together. I knew-'

'No, there's nothing between me and Alex. It's yours. And I don't know if I want to keep it.'

I sit down next to her on the couch.