Time after time

Wonderlust

Noah POV

I can't believe it's already been a week since Elle arrived in Boston. She ended up spending the entire week training with the women's soccer team. She had even earned herself the nickname the rocket in the field. According to Abby, it's almost certain that Shelly will make the team and she plans to ask the coach to pair her with Elle on the field.

I was glad that Shelly agreed to do camp with the soccer team because she probably wouldn't have enjoyed her first few days at Harvard alone in my room or wandering around campus. She had started to make friends on the soccer team and had gone out a few nights for activities with her teammates.

As much as I was happy that Elle was adapting to university life, I could see that our schedule would leave us little time to spend together if we didn't decide on a specific time. Yes, at the moment she still sleeps in my room so I can wake up and fall asleep with her every day. But when classes start in 10 days and Elle is going to have her own room, we're probably going to see each other less often. And for me, our relationship is at the top of my priorities. Our college lives should not separate us! Absolutely not! That's why I made a deal with Elle... All week long we are free to set our own schedules (while being available for each other if needed) but Saturday night and Sunday are times for us as a couple.

So that Saturday afternoon after our soccer and football practices, I told Elle that I was taking her out on our first date in Boston. We met at my room. Elle had just come out of the shower wrapped in a towel when I came in.
- Hi Shelly!" I said, putting my arms around her and placing a kiss on her lips. "I've missed you!"

Elle laughed as she put her hands around my neck and said:
- You saw me this morning before you left for your practice.
- No matter, you weren't with me, so I missed you!" I said as I ran my nose along hers before giving her a quick kiss.
- What were you doing when I was 3000 miles away last year?" She asked me as she walked over to her drawer to get some clothes, glancing suspiciously over her shoulder.

I took the time to think as I ran my hand through my hair.
- The best part of my days was when I talked to you. And I spent the rest of the time dreaming that you were here!

She looked at me with eyes slightly misted with sadness.
- It makes me appreciate the fact that you're here today! " I said before pulling her arm to bring her closer to me.
- I'm glad I'm here, too, Noah!" she said with a smile. "But if you want to go to dinner at a decent hour, it would be nice if you went and took a shower.
- Okay!" I told her before giving her one last kiss and heading into the shower.

A few minutes later, we walked out of the dorms and into the restaurant. I had booked at the same Italian restaurant I had brought Elle to when she came to see me last year. We sat down, gave our order to the waiter and then I took Elle's hand in mine before asking her:
- Honestly Elle, how are you feeling after a week at Harvard?
- Do you want to know that or is it your mother?" She said, frowning.
- Basically, it's me, but my mom also asked me the question and even my dad. I think they're worried about you! Not only because of your move to Boston, but also because of the conflicts with Lee and your father." I said, looking at her hand as I ran my thumb over the back of it.
- And what did you say to them?
- That when we arrived, I felt you needed to land. I sensed that you were reserved and pensive. But in the last week, I feel like you've found your feet and I feel like I'm back with my Shelly.

She sighed before saying:
- You're right, Noah. I left LA in a context of a leak. I had to leave as soon as possible so as not to get carried away by all the emotions that these conflictual situations made me experience. So when we arrive to Boston, I needed some time to land. The fact that I arrived early with you allowed me to acclimatize quietly by staying in a familiar and reassuring environment. It's probably going to be different next week when I have to move into a room with a roommate. That's probably when I'm going to start to feel the boredom of home.
- You know I'll never be far away." I said, caressing her cheek.
- I know! And I'm going to try not to follow you around like an unfortunate puppy once class starts.
- I can't make that same promise to you. " I said, laughing. "I think I've seen you less this week. I can't imagine what it's going to be like once classes start.
- I have to admit that it was good this week to make new friends and have activities for myself as an individual.
- You seem to get along well with Abby!
- Yes, she's awesome! She's the kind of girl who isn't afraid to be honest and sometimes sharp with hypocritical or manipulative people. She's absolutely hilarious to watch with bitches.
- Greg has often told me about her frankness, which he liked.
- That's right? And it makes me feel good to be known as Elle Evans and not Lee Flynn's best friend.
- And is being my fiancée a problem? " I asked, a little scared of the answer.

Elle burst out laughing before saying:
- Don't take it the wrong way but with new people, it's not necessarily the first thing I'm going to say about myself. Precisely for being known as Elle Evans and not the fiancée of Flynn, the quarterback.

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow before she continued:
- But if I'm asked about my relationship status, I'll tell the whole story, don't worry.
- I like it better!" I said, smiling.

I know the next topic of conversation won't be easy. But, I had to address it.
- Have you heard from Lee?" I asked her without being able to look her in the eye.

Her face darkened for a few moments before she said to me, bowing her head:
- No, none! I texted him yesterday to wish him good luck with his move to San Francisco and the start of classes at Berkeley. I knew he had scheduled this day to leave LA. But he didn't answer me.
- Lee is so stubborn when he wants him to be," I said, sighing. "Do you miss him?"
- Not as much as I might have thought. I love Lee and I believe that despite our arguments and misunderstandings, he will always remain important in my life. But I needed to distance myself.
- Chloe told me that you realized that your friendship with him was not healthy.
- I didn't know she told you about it!
- That was one of the things she said to me to let me see that my idea of taking myself out of the equation to let you live your dreams was no longer relevant.

Elle was silent for a few moments, staring at her cup of wine. I didn't push her to answer me, I wanted it to come from her.
- When Lee threw a tantrum at me when I told him that I had decided to go to Harvard anyway, I realized that he really expected me to make my decisions with him as a priority. I figured it out this week when I started doing the readings for my psychology class this fall.
- What did you learn?
- I read a study that talked about the problems faced by twins. They are often considered as a whole by those around them. Their needs are similar because of their age. So, in a way, they see themselves as one person. Several studies suggest separating twins into different classes at school, dressing them differently, and even having them play different sports. It's true that Lee and I are not identical twins, but we have often been considered as a whole. So much so that everything had to revolve around our friendship. I wasn't allowed to go to any school other than Lee's, I couldn't date you...
- This last rule was the worst of all! If it wasn't for it, I would have started dating you at least 2 years earlier.
- I know! And in retrospect, I realize that it was completely unhealthy. And that deep down, Elle Evans was thirsty for freedom. Thirst to see the world, thirst to do something excessive, thirst to do something for herself.
- And all of this brought you to Harvard?
- I was admitted, which I strongly doubted! It is the best place to study medicine. And I fell in love with Boston when I came to see you last year. So, despite the breakup with you, the choice was easy!
- You're really not here just for me?
- No! I had made the decision to come with or without you. But I admit that I would have found it difficult to come here without you! I would have come anyway. I made the choice for me! But Lee doesn't seem to see it that way yet. I disappointed him, I didn't consider him and... it gave us what we went through.
- I'm so sorry you're going through this Elle!
- It had to be done, Noah! There had to be a distance between Lee and me. That distance scared me this summer and that's why I put so much effort into the bucket list and was so reluctant to plan our departure to Boston. But in the end, Lee just pushed me out of his life. And I'm not going to run to change his mind, this time. I am available but to have a healthy friendship with him!
- I'm really proud of you, Elle! It takes a lot of maturity to be able to see all that!" I said, looking at her admiringly.
- Thank you!" she said, replying with a smile. "And thank you for supporting me every day in this situation. Thanks to you, I feel like I'm ready for a great Boston adventure!

I've left the heavy topics for now. Instead, taking advantage of my fiancée's good mood. After dinner, we walked out of the restaurant and walked hand in hand towards the dormitories. On the way, Elle stopped leaning against the railing to look out over the city on the same bridge we had stopped at last year. I put my arms around her from behind and then kissed her temple as she said to me:
- I don't regret anything! I still love this city. And I can't wait to learn to call it home.
- I don't regret anything either. I still love this girl so much. And I also can't wait to make her mine forever!

Despite the heavy subject we've discussed tonight, Elle has never been emotionally inclined. But when I said those last words to her, I saw a tear roll down her cheek before she threw herself into my arms...