More Lies, More Cameras and Much More Action

Chapter 10

'Okay, so.. Ermm.' My words stumbled as I flicked through the various pieces of paper that had travelled halfway across the world with me.

'We were officially meant to start this as soon as you woke up but never mind, so what did you do this morning?' I asked him. When he didn't reply, I looked up to catch him staring at me with his mouth hanging open in the same way my sister used to in her younger years when our Mom would tell her no.

I raised an eyebrow at him, causing him to flick his head in the other direction and close his mouth.

'Well, I woke up.. Had a shower, went to the gym with Caspar.. Er..' He said hesitantly, almost as if he was lying. 

'It can't be that hard to remember, it was only a hour or two ago?' I laughed.

'You know what my brain is like.' He laughed slightly. 

'Okay so shower, gym session.. Wow this is going to be an interesting article Joe!'

'I don't get the point.. Honestly who wants to read about everything I do in a day? When it comes down to it, I'm just a normal person who spends the majority of the day sat on the sofa watching shitty films. I can't believe they're using my shitty day to sell this magazine.'

'Oh you'd be surprised Joe, even the slightest mention of your granddads, sisters, next-door neighbours, school friend's cat and people would be queueing to read the article. I don't think you realise how crazy people are for you.'

'But why? I'm nothing special.' I couldn't quite work out what it was but Joe seemed strange. He was very twitchy and fidgety, constantly staring at the door as if he was waiting for someone. 

'Are you alright?' I asked, before even thinking about it.

'What? Yeah I'm fine.. Why?'

'Can you just sit still.' I awkwardly laughed.

'Oh.. Sorry.' He replied, looking down at the floor.

Suddenly the room temperature seemed to rise by about 200 degrees but I couldn't figure out why. Last night was fine, not awkward at all, but that was probably just because of the alcohol. 

I don't know what I expected, whether it was to come back here and fall in love and for everything to be normal again or if it was to just do the job I was supposed to do then fly back home.

'So, what have you got planned for the rest of the day?' I quickly asked to break the awkward tension.

'Not much really.. Will probably just hang out with Caspar, maybe film a gaming video or something.' He replied looking at the floor.

I hated this. I hated that Joe was so close to me, yet so far away. He was closed off, a castle with incredibly high walls that I couldn't climb. There was nothing between us anymore, no matter what alcohol had caused to happen anymore. There was no spark and no chemistry - a complete contrast to how things were before I left.

I left. I reminded myself.

Even though I'd spent hours on hours making up conversations between us in my head. I'd created scenarios in my imagination of us walking through the streets of London, hand in hand, laughing and joking. I would imagine and decide what would have happened if I'd stayed and wondered if by now we'd be married and maybe even have children. But now I'm sat opposite the blue, greeny eyes I fell in love with and I just can't find the words to even speak to him.

It was easier when I just imagined him.