Chasing the Storm

She's your wife now

It had been two weeks since Beam's internship ended. A new year at university was starting in three days and she had a meeting with the student council to plan the welcome events.

Sky was also there. Beam hadn't seen her cousin for a while, claiming she was busy with the internship. Before she didn't have anything to tell him, but since things changed with Payu, she didn't know what she was going to tell him.

After the meeting, Sky cornered her before she could leave.

"You're avoiding me."

"No... Why would I do that?"

"You finished the internship, right? How did it go? Did P'Payu give you any trouble?"

Beam glanced around, members of the council - their seniors - were still around. She took Sky by the arm and dragged him further away so they wouldn't be overheard.

"Sky! Why would you say that? I told you he was professional."

Sky stared down at her.

"Beam, I know he was the one who called you stupid. I might not know the details, but I know something happened between you two. I was worried."

"Awe, are you admitting you care about me?"

"No... So, what happened with P'Payu?"

"He... P'Payu apologised."

Beam shrugged as if it was no big deal, but Sky could see right through her.

"Good. Is that all?"

"I haven't heard from him since. I thought we - never mind. It's over and done with now."

"Okay then. Do you want to go shopping? I need to get some supplies before classes start."

"Sure."

Beam and Sky went to their favourite store where he started stocking up on pencils and paints.

"Aren't you getting anything?"

"No, I came last week."

"Without me?!"

"I'm going to the bookstore."

Sky's face lit up.

"Okay, I'll meet you there in a few minutes."

The bookstore was only down the street. Beam knew Sky would buy a couple of comics, but she wanted to look at a book one of the seniors recommended. After wandering around the shelves for a bit, she found it and flicked through the pages.

"That's a good one."

Beam whipped around to see Payu standing behind her.

"P'Payu?!"

"Sorry, Beam. I didn't mean to startle you. How are you?"

"I'm good. Classes start on Monday. How are you?"

There was an air of awkwardness between them. Beam had been expecting Payu to contact her after her internship finished, but he hadn't. When she had debated messaging him, she had gotten so worked up about it that she had convinced herself that she had misunderstood and he didn't want to see her.

Payu had meant to contact her, to ask her out, but time had gotten away from him and before he knew it two weeks had passed. It was the same old story, he had gotten caught up in his work again, but it was unacceptable. If he was going to pursue Beam, he needed to make time for her. She needed to be a priority in his life. He couldn't let her down.

"I've been busy, but I meant to message you. I'm sorry."

Beam was shocked at the apology. She hadn't expected it. But she appreciated the honesty and decided to reciprocate.