Coincidences

Act LXII

Martin, I'm sorry.

This can't go on anymore.

"What?"

"This can't go on anymore," I repeated. "I just can't do it." I took my clothes back and put them on, ashamed. He sighed in disappointment, and he just nodded silently. He began to dress, too, and we both sat upright on the bed, not saying a single word.

He broke the silence, mumbling and apologizing, "Sorry, I... I shouldn't have done that. We can take it slow. I mean, how very naïve."

I still couldn't think of a response, let alone have the courage to do so in the first place.

He said, once again, "I'm sorry," before taking off to his terrace.

I stayed there, helplessly crash down the bed, emotionally distressed. I couldn't even think right then. I feel so stupid, so naïve, as he just said. I don't know what love exactly is yet, and I jumped right to the hardest part to see if I can understand a bit. I didn't realize I could be hurting, both myself, him, and Martin. My eyes became teary, blurring the sky blue ceiling.

When I finally calmed myself down, I stood and followed him outside. He looked at me, when I slid the glass door open. The wind was breezy, and I was already wearing my jacket. My body was still adjusting to the sudden temperature change.

"Cold? Need a jacket, a blanket, something?" he suggested, trying to show concern.

I lied, "I'm fine, thanks. The wind just blows harder up here, right?"

"Yeah," he said, looking far off into the distance. "I guess you're right."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't continue. It's just that...," I started to reason, uncomfortably tense.

"Because of Martin?" I asked. He was really good at guessing, and I nodded in agreement. He saw this, and then, he finally, and slowly verbalized, "I understand."

To loosen up the situation, I joked, "Well, it's either that, or the fact that I'm still a virgin." I laughed at my joke, and awaited his reaction.

"Hehe, same goes for me." What?!

I shamefully turned the other way, regretting even saying that. Then, I noticed that he was holding back his own laughter, by looking at me. My face must be red; I couldn't help it. "What's the matter?" I screamed in embarrassment.

A few snorts made it out, while he replied, "Nothing, nothing." He smiled at me, as if what happened before never did happen.

I stared down the terrace and inspected the streets below. "Hey," I called him.

"What is it, Zoey?"

"Wanna go to the beach? The traffic is now gone. We can go there by bus," I instigated.

He thought about it for some time, till he gave in. "Sure, why not? We're still on a date, aren't we?"

He took hold of me once more, and off we went.