Queen of New York

Two

Julie's POV
Oh, everyday
You feel a little bit further away
And I don't know what to say

I spent the next week alone in my room. 186 missed calls. 783 unread texts. 78 voicemails. After doing the math, 76% of the attempts to contact me were from Michael.

I knew I was worrying everyone by ignoring them. I just felt like there was nothing for me to say. I was gone. That was it. I left them. There was nothing for me to say.

I decided to read some of the texts from Michael.

Babe I'm really worried about you.

I just want to know how you are.

I hope you're well.

Are you enjoying New York?

Why aren't you answering my calls?

I guess I don't matter.

I panicked. He thinks he doesn't matter to me?

Michael. Michael no. Michael I love you.

My phone rang. I answered.

"Look who's alive." Michael snapped. He sounded angry, but relived.

"I'm sorry." That's all I could think to say.

There was a long pause on his end.

"Are you okay?" He finally asked.

I didn't know. Was I okay? I have ignored my friends since I left them. I probably wasn't okay.

"Yeah." I lied. I didn't know why I lied. I just did.

"No, you aren't. FaceTime me."

Suddenly, the phone call switched to a request to FaceTime. I accepted.

Michael was a mess.

His hair was completely out of order. He had tear stains on his cheeks. His eyes were red and puffy.

I didn't look much better.

My hair was a rat's nest. I hadn't worn makeup in days. The bags under my eyes were dark. My eyes were sullen. My cheeks were discolored.

"So, we both look like crap." Michael stated, smiling slightly.

The corners of my mouth turned up about a centimeter. They turned back down immediately after.

"Why have you been MIA lately?" He asked. He was worried. Everyone was worried.

I just shrugged.

"Words, Julie." He demanded.

"Are we worth it?" I suddenly blurted out.

"Are we what?" Michael gasped.

"Are we worth trying to make this work?"

I could tell he desperately wanted to say yes, to tell me I was being ridiculous. We both knew he couldn't. We both knew the answer.

"Julie, I don't want to-"

"Neither do I. But which is harder. Being away and in love, or being away?" I stared directly at him, searching his eyes for the answer.

"Julie, I don't want to do this. I don't want to break up." Michael's eyes started to water.

"No. It wouldn't be.....breaking up. Don't call it that. It's more like becoming Two. Before we were One, and now we are Two."

Michael looked at me hopefully. "So, we're still together?"

I shook my head. "Together means we are One. We aren't together, so we are Two. But we aren't breaking up."

Michael seemed to consider the options. "Would we still be reserved for each other, or would we be back on the market?" He asked.

"Reserved for each other." I quickly replied. "We're Two, not broken up." I didn't want to risk completely losing Michael.

He smiled. "All right. But you have to promise to call me at least four times a week. Okay, Jules?"

I nodded.

"Words." He added.

"I promise to call you at least four times a week. If I can." I confirmed.

"Excuse me?" Michael gasped, bewildered.

"Michael, you do realize why I moved back to New York, right?" I asked him, smirking.

I could tell he didn't know.

"Um...." He muttered intelligently.

"I've been brought here for business. I can't really tell anyone what the business is yet. But it's for my Gemmies." I told him.

He pouted. "Can't you tell me anymore? I am your...........second half?" He stopped himself from saying boyfriend.

I shook my head. "I can't say anymore."

"Julia!" A voice called from another room.

"I've got to go. Love you!" I said quickly, before hanging up.