Chasing Shadows //Theo James//

C H A P T E R 19

~B L A K E~

Two days.

Two days left.

Two days until I leave.

Two days until I leave Theo.

I am walking down the street, to the book store so I can get my final paycheck and say goodbye.

I walk in and see that boxes of books are still piled high all around the store as usual. I smile to myself, remembering all the memories I have from this place.

I have worked here ever since high school. My smile suddenly disappears because of thinking about leaving this place. I take a deep breath and turn back to the counter.

I ring the bell and few times.

Tiara, one of my best friends who works here, walks out of the back room. She instantly smiles when she sees me.

"Blake! It's so good to see you!" She says, excited. She gives me a hug and then walks around behind the counter.

"So, what do you need? I thought you had left already!" She says.

"Oh, no. I don't leave till Tuesday. I came here to pick up my last paycheck and just to say goodbye." I say.

"Oh, okay. Well, let me go check the back room and see if there is a check for you. Boss left a few hours ago, family emergency." She walks into the back room.

I look around and notice that there are more boxes than usual. The store is never this far behind on stock. When Tiara comes back, I decide to ask her about it.

"Why are there so many boxes out?" I ask.

She hands me my paycheck, "Here you go. Oh, the store has not been doing so good. Boss has been having some family problems lately to the point where he doesn't have anymore money. He has to sell the store to pay his bills."

"What?"

"Yeah. He made the call last week. The store I'll be officially out of business by Friday. It's gonna be sad not having this place here."

"Yeah, it is."

"Well, at least it will be easy for you. You're the one leaving the country in a few days." She laughs.

I laugh a little, suddenly zoning out of the conversation.

"Well, I gotta go. Theo is waiting me for me at Starbucks. I'm gonna miss you." I say.

"Oh, speaking of Theo. How's it going with him? How does he feel about you leaving?"

I take a deep breath, "I haven't actually told him yet. I don't know how. I just want to hold onto him as long as I can."

"But Blake, he is a movie star! He has money! He is in fact from Europe! I'm sure you can work something out with leaving each other."

"Never thought of that but he is in a movie series right now. He will have to fly back and forth and I'm not sure we are ready to just fly across the ocean for each other."

"Hey, did flying back and forth ever stop him in the past with movies and shows? Plus, he's British. They would die for someone after the first date because they are just that romantic."

I laugh, "Tiara, it's just complicated. I mean, what if he moves with me but we don't work out?"

"Blake, look at you two right now. You guys are so falling for each other. It's obvious! Also, we know about your disease. You are gonna need someone to help you with medicine, doctor's appointments, all that stuff. Oh, please tell me you have told him about that?"

"Yeah, I have. He cares for me so much so I wouldn't be surprised if he just give up everything to go with me but the doctor said that I was okay to be on my own."

"Yeah and he also said that you are leaving the country so changing doctors, learning the new city, getting used to everything. It's going to be difficult and stressful. Your gonna need someone."

I think about this. She is right, I will need someone. I just don't know how Theo will take it.

"You're right. Maybe I do need someone."

"That's my girl." She says and ruffles my hair. We laugh.

"I'm gonna miss you." I says.

"I'm gonna miss you too but hey, you are going to a new country! Following your dream! You're becoming a writer!"

I laugh, "Yeah, I guess I am."

We hug goodbye and then I walk it if the store. I walk down the street to the Starbucks where Theo is waiting on me.

I walk it it the shop and see him sitting at a table. When he sees me he smiles and I smile back.

He stands up once I'm at the table.

"Hello, beautiful." He says.

I smile, "Hello."

We both smile into a kiss and then sit down.

"So, how did it go at the store?" He asks.

"Well, good at first and then things took a turn." I say, remembering what Tiara told me.

"What happened?"

"Tiara told me that Boss doesn't have enough money to continue running the store and pay bills. Apparently, Friday is the last day they will be open for business."

"I'm sorry, Blake but hey, new beginnings, right? Like, that job that you were offered. How's that going?"

"Well, I got the job." I say. Why did I just say that?!

"Really? That's amazing! I'm so proud of you! When do you start?"

Suddenly, Tiara's words pop into my mind. I have to tell him but I can't.

"I start Tuesday." What am I doing?!

"Awesome! Is that why you want me to come over on Tuesday?"

Something like that.

"Yep, totally why." I say and smile.

I quickly want to change the subject.

"So, how's the movie going?" I ask.

"Good, we see almost done filming. About another week or so." He says.

We continue to talk about random things and I make sure not to have anything dealing with the job brought up.

Every minute that passes when I'm with him, though, makes me not want to tell him.

a/n: I AM BACK. I am gonna update when I feel like it. I have had a rough few months. Who's excited for the story to continue?!

BY THE WAY! Who saw Allegiant?! I did... three times. I LOVED IT. What did you all think?! I might post a review soon.