Trapped in your Fame...

Chapter 5

The weeks went by quickly. I celebrated my 18th birthday by visiting my parents and getting my final support payment. From that point on, I was on my own. I got promoted at the childcare center. I worked eight hours a day, five days a week. I went for walks at Bede park often, remembering the outing with Wes.

I thought about Wes often. I debated whether or not to text him, but I decided against it because I knew he was probably busy with work. I thought about our kiss and wondered if it was going to happen again or not. I thought not.

I sighed. I walked into my apartment from work and saw the mess I had to clean up. Dishes, laundry, the floor, and everything else that was out of place.

"Time to clean this place up." I said to myself. I opened Spotify and pressed play on my playlist. Beautiful Daisies by Wesley Jaron came on, and I started humming. The song was really catchy. Just the song I needed to hear.

I started with the dishes. Washing the dishes, rinsing them, drying, and then putting them away was very therapeutic for me. Once I finished the dishes, I moved on to the laundry. I carried my laundry to the shared laundry room and the end of the hall and found an open washer. I started my laundry and went back to my apartment. I then picked up everything that was out of place and put them where they belonged, then swept the floor.

After switching my laundry to the dryer, I sat on the couch and looked at my phone. It was September 5th. The day before Wes's birthday. I wanted to wish him a happy birthday but I thought it would be awkward after just spending a few hours with him and then not talking again.

As if Wes knew, just then I got a notification that he had texted me.

Wes

Text Message

Today, 7:58pm

Wes-

Just thought I'd let you

know that I'm back in the

UK.

Sent at 7:58pm

I didn't respond to the text. I had no idea what to say. I opened Instagram and scrolled for a while. I saw some posts of people on the beach, at the store, and everything else people think is good to post.

Around eight I got a knock on the door. I stood up to go answer it. It was probably the landlord Bill.

I opened the door expecting to see Bill. "What can I-"

I stopped.

It was Wes.

Wes was here.

"Hi Arline." He said hoarsely.

"Hi. Are you ok? What happened to your voice?" I asked, taking him all in. His eyes were the same shade of blue, hair a bit longer, and a bit more attractive than before.

"I am good. I guess I was using my voice a bit too much."

"Well come in. Come in." I said as I ushered him in. "I am so glad I cleaned this place." I thought.

Wes walked in and sat down at the dining table.

"Is there anything I can get you? I have some soup left, maybe a sandwich. I could make you something. I'll do that. What would you like?" I said as I rummaged through the fridge. I kept rambling on until Wes stopped me.

"Arline," I froze. I could tell that he had gotten up and was right behind me. I turned about and saw a smile on his face. "I have something for you."

I didn't say anything. Us being that close after not for weeks sent me back to the kiss.