I was typing a bunch of words on my laptop while reading parts of my book. I took a sip from my coffee and flipped through the pages to find the chapter I needed.
"You look busy", I heard as someone sat across from me. I looked up and saw an all too familiar smile. "Julia!", I yelled. I jumped up from my chair and swung my arms around her. "What are you doing here?", I asked. I cupped her face before pecking her lips. She smiled. "Well, when we talked on the phone yesterday you sounded a little upset. And not in a 'i miss home' kind of sad." Her face changed. "I was worried, so I booked the first flight I could get." I smiled and hugged her again. "I'm so happy you're here. I've missed you", I said. "Me too", she said brushing her fingers through my hair.
"Have you eaten yet?", she asked as I sat back down. I looked at my watch. "No actually. I didn't realize it's this late already", I said. I sighed. "I have so many things to do. There's so little time." She held my hands. "Why don't you take a break?" I shook my head. "I need to finish this." "What is it?", she asked. "I have to write a news article before tomorrow night, and I have to interview a business person. I have to get groceries and-" She cut me off. "Relax. I happen to have some experience with articles, so I can help you with that. You can interview me. I mean, I'm a successful restaurant owner. That should do the trick, right? And groceries? I can get those for you if there's time. If not, I'll stop by the store tomorrow", she said. My body relaxed.
"You're too good to me", I said. "Of course. Only the best for my girl", she said. She got up and got some money from her pocket before reaching out her hand. "Are you coming?" I nodded. I closed my laptop and slid it in my bag. I grabbed my books and held Julia's hand. She put the money on the table and we walked out.
"That was a twenty", I said. She nodded. "Why? Did you drink more coffee than that?" I chuckled and shook my head. "No, I just had two cups", I said. "Then there's no problem. They deserve a good tip."
She swung her arm around me and I wrapped mine around her waist.
"What are you hungry for?", she asked. I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm not that hungry actually." She let go of me and dug through her bag. "I think I have something for that", she said. Without noticing, I stepped out on the street. I heard honking, but my body refused to move. Headlights came closer and closer before I got pulled away.
"Sydney!", I heard. "What the hell are you doing?", Julia said. I shook my head, bringing myself back. "What happened?" "I don't know, but I'm gonna get you home", she said. She held my hand tightly, not wanting to lose me out of sight again. "What about dinner?", I asked. "Don't worry about that. We'll order something, or I'll get something. I can even cook if we run out of options." I rested my head on her shoulder.
"It's right over there", I said pointing at one of the buildings. She nodded. "I know. It's not my first time here, remember?" "Right", I said.
We walked into the building and climbed two flights of stairs.
I unlocked my front door and walked straight to the couch, letting myself fall. Julia dropped her bag and walked over to me. "How come you're so tired?", she asked. "I barely sleep. There are so many assignments to do, I have to get up early every single day and I go to sleep when it's like 4 am." She frowned. "Seriously?" I nodded. "Have you said something about it?" "Of course not. What are they going to do?", I said. "Babe, you're only tiring yourself out. This isn't good for you." My eyes were getting heavy.
"I just want some chicken", I said. She chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit", she said. "I'll go and get you some chicken." "And fries?", I asked. "Of course." She grabbed her phone and money from her bag and walked to the front door. "Wait!", I said. She stopped and turned around. I pointed at my lips. "You forgot something." She smiled and walked back to me. She pressed her lips on mine and then on my forehead. "I love you", she said. I smiled. "I love you." She pecked my lips one last time before heading out.
Not a minute later, I felt myself drifting off.
A while later, there was a loud bang. I jumped up from the couch and looked around.
"Julia?"
I walked into the kitchen, finding juice boxes on the floor.
"I'm sorry! I didn't meant to wake you." "What are you doing?", I asked. "I got groceries. You'll be good for another three weeks. Well, that is if none of this expires." I smiled and my eyes teared up. "What's wrong?", Julia asked. I shook my head. She dropped the bread she was holding and pulled me in for a hug. "Are you okay?", she asked. I nodded. I tightly wrapped my arms around her. "You make me so happy", I said. "It's just groceries." "That's just it. You do those things for me and I didn't even ask", I said. She cupped my face and made me look at her. "Babe, I'd do anything for you. You know that. I can see how hard you've been working. It's the least thing I can do." She brushed her fingers through my hair.
"I miss you", I said. "I miss you everyday. I don't know how much longer I can do this." She smiled. "Lucky for you, I'll be here for another two weeks. I mean, if that's okay with you." My eyes widened and I swung my arms around her. "Of course that's okay!" I kissed her over and over again.
"One more thing", Julia said. She searched between the bags and picked one out.
"Chicken!", I said. I smiled. "I told you you're the best!" She chuckled. "With extra fries." "Oh my god", I said sitting at the dinner table.
Happy new year! I hope you enjoyed the holidays.
I've noticed some of you dislike the sad stories. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to write just that! Nothing is wrong. It's just everytime I start to write something, something better comes up in my head and it always ends sad. I'll try and write more happy stories, staring with this one. Hope you enjoyed it!
