First Love

Chapter thirteen

First Love

Chapter thirteen

New York City Trip (Day one)

Leia's POV:

We were to assemble at the lobby at a glorious 10:20 each course day, after eating breakfast at The Atrium, the restaurant which was pretty big (it had at least thirty six-seater tables). From there we would go to the course place until 4:30. Then at 5:15, we had to log on to Duncan Prep's learning portal website where we would be given online lessons for most (if not all, depending on the teachers) subjects. Then piles of homework to tide us over for the last four days when they would be giving us a holiday.

Four amazing days for me and Haydn to spend time together as a couple. And NYC has loads of romantic places we could visit. Like maybe the botanical gardens.

Ah, to be young and in love in New York.

***

"Let's have a ritual. Just for New York. For memories of us," I pleaded with Haydn that night on the hotel phone. It was late and we were sleeping soon. But just not yet. Sleep could wait.

"What do you mean?"

"Like if the trip were the days in a ball, then if we always shared the last dance, that's a ritual," I explained.

"So what time is the last dance?" Haydn was such a guy. Trust him to ask the irrelevant questions about the topic I used to describe a much bigger topic.

"It doesn't matter. We should discuss a ritual. Tomorrow night is fast approaching," I tried leading him back on track.

"What music do they play for the last dance?" Haydn asked me.

I sighed. Clearly, I'd lost him by now. His mind was elsewhere.

"Night, Haydn," I decided to pick it up again the next day. "I love you."

Silence.

I started panicking. Mentally.

Why didn't he reply? Doesn't he love me too? He said it before, so what about now? He's probably bored with me already!

Thoughts like those raced through my head. That's what happens when you're new to dating and your boyfriend used to be a player.

"Haydn? You there?" I asked, clutching the hotel phone to my ear. To me, my voice sounded like I was a little girl who was lost and calling for her parents.

"I'm here. I... love you Leia," he said tonelessly. The guys had probably given him a hard time so now he's zonked out, I told myself.

"Yeah," I whispered softly.

I hung up. I didn't feel like talking to Haydn too much right then. But tomorrow's always a new day.

***

"Where's Haydn?" Ciara asked mock-innocently. The five of us (all but Haydn) met for breakfast at the The Atrium. Haydn wasn't there yet.

"He'll be down later. He just overslept. Or at least that's what he told me," I replied, hiding as well as I could manage my contempt for her.

"Let's start without him. I'm starved," Luke suggested. Since none of us knew when he'd be back, we agreed.

He only showed up later, at 10:20 at the lobby.

"Hey, I know you're Mr Solo and like keeping it that way, but you have a girlfriend, Han," I poked Haydn, when I saw him at the lobby later.

"Seriously. What time is the last dance at the ball?" Haydn asked suddenly.