Chai Tea

The one when she's alone

Shai sat alone on her sofa. She had a cup of tea in one hand and her phone in the other. Her thumb hovered over the answer button to Ed's text. I miss you, Xx. She missed him too, missed him way more than she should. She typed quickly and pressed send before she could freak herself out,

I miss you too.

The three little dots appeared below her text.

I'm sorry I'm famous.

She smiled at the irony. So many people would give anything for his fame.

It's not you. You're perfect and deserve recognition. It's the world you work in. I don't know if I can handle it.

The dots only appeared for a few seconds; Ed was typing with violent speed, his heart racing. He hadn't spoken to Shai for three weeks. He had missed Shai for three weeks.

I should have argued with you. I should have flown home and barred the door. We were happy, weren't we?

Yes. Numbingly happy.

Can I call you?

She froze when she read the message. She knew that the instant they spoke she would be under his perfect spell. She wanted it, god she wanted it, but she was terrified of the fame that came with it.

What if the magazine article was only the beginning of a lifelong sacrifice to gossip?

Ed waited for her reply, but none came.

Please can I call you?

She could almost hear his pleading tone; almost feel his hot breath on her neck.

Yes.

His face flashed up on her screen as the phone began to vibrate. Her thumb trembled as it slid across the answer button. 'Hey Ed.'

'Hi Shai.'

The silence was thick with unsaid things.

Ed cleared his throat, 'how are you?'

'I'm scared.'

His brow furrowed 'Scared of me?'

'No, scared of the press. '

Ed's sigh passed from our ear to the other. 'I know, and I understand. What does your family say?'

Shai's lips turned up at the memory, 'they understood. I didn't think they would, but they do. They think that I was wrong to break up with you because of their mistakes, even though the mistakes were involuntary.'

'So, do you... want to meet up?' His voice was nervous and his tongue swiped across his chapped lips.

'Yes.'