BLUE SKIES • RICHARD MADDEN

real life

The three sat in the hotel restaurant enjoying their meals.

"Hey Eleanor, are we still going to Universal Studios today?" Ethan asked.

"Yeah, of course! Richard, do you want to join us?"

"Hang on, you said you'd go on a date with me today?" Richard stated.

Eleanor face drained.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! Can we do it tomorrow? I promised Ethan."

"Tomorrow's the interview, I can't reschedule that!"

"Right, of course! How about the day after the interview?"

"I go back to London that morning."

Eleanor was saddened, shocked and confused.

"I can't reschedule with Ethan, I promised him because I said I'd go to your interview tomorrow. We can do something after your interview!"

Richard's face covered with disbelief. He couldn't believe she was doing this. She came to California to spend time with him. He didn't expect for her to bring Ethan along. Although he felt happy to finally meet him, he was expecting that only him and Eleanor were spending time together in California.

"I don't have a lot of time in here, Eleanor. You know that!"

"I know Richard, but I don't want Ethan to feel uncomfortable or left out while he's here."

"Well then, why did you bring him along?"

Eleanor let out a gasp. Ethan's face filled with shock.

"I bought him along so he could meet you! You both told me you wanted to meet each other. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for you two to get to know each other while having a good time."

"The thing is Eleanor, you can come to California anytime you want! Me? I have to fly here and flights aren't cheap you know!"

"I came here for you, Richard! And if you can't appreciate the decisions I make and the people I want to hang out with, then we can't be together."

"Today is my only free day and I want to spend the time with you! You can go out tomorrow with Ethan. Don't bother coming to my interview!"

"Man, I think you should calm down," Ethan intervened.

"No! Don't tell me to calm down. She came to California for me. She had no right to bring you along! California was for only us two to catch up! You can see her anytime!"

"Richard, calm the fuck down! Ethan and I are going and it's up to you whether you want to come or not. In all honesty, it's not best you come. Have a nice day. Come on Ethan."

Eleanor and Ethan walked away from Richard as he glared at them with anger. His mind clouded with rage. He couldn't believe the words that came out from her mouth.

"And if you can't appreciate the decisions I make and the people I want to hang out with, then we can't be together."

Her words echoed through his mind, instantly beginning to sound like a broken record. He let out an angered groan and stood up. He marched over to the elevator, pressing the button for his floor. Soon, he made it to the his room and slammed the door.

His hand gripped the handle of the refrigerator and grabbed a beer. He crashed onto the sofa and sculled the bottle, his rage rose with every scull he took. He wanted nothing to do with Eleanor.

~

Eleanor and Ethan entered the park after getting a picture in front of the Universal globe. Their faces changed from anger to happiness. Eleanor and Ethan would make this day a day they'll never forget. Eleanor grabbed Ethan's hand and dragged him towards Harry Potter World.

"Eleanor! Come on. I know your obsession with Draco Malfoy is strong but he isn't in there! Come on, the new The Walking Dead attraction is opened!"

Eleanor just laughed and continued to pull him further into the world.

~

Their day came to an end and their arms were full with gifts and photos. Eleanor and Ethan could not wipe the smiles off their faces as they looked at their faces in the ride photographs.

They arrived back at the hotel and walked into their room, placing the bags on the table and sat on the sofa.

"Thank you for today, Eleanor."

"No problem! I wasn't going to cancel on you to hang out with Richard. I made you a promise and I don't break my promises."

A small silence fell between them. Ethan decided to drop the question Eleanor was dreading.

"Are you going to talk to him?"

"I should, but after his act, I think he should attempt to talk to me."

"You two haven't broken up have you?"

"No of course not! I wouldn't break up with someone after a small fight, especially after a stupid fight. The thing is, I didn't expect for us to fight, ever. But I guess all couples fight, right? Some worse than others?" Eleanor took a breath a continued, "The fight Richard and I had was just a misunderstanding and we were both quite angry with each other's choices of words."

Ethan nodded. He looked behind Eleanor to see Richard standing a few metres away.

"Richard?"

Eleanor immediately turned to see him looking at her. Hurt and regret washed over him as he heard the words that came from Eleanor's mouth. Eleanor stood up and approached him, wrapping her arms around his neck. A few stray tears left her eyes. Richard immediately returned the hug, pulling her close.

"I'm so sorry, my love," he whispered into her ear.

"I'm sorry too. I really hated that."

"I did too."

Eleanor broke the hug but pulled him close again and planted her lips onto his. They shared a small kiss and Richard pulled away. He went over to Ethan and stuck out his hand for him to shake.

"I'm sorry, man."

"Don't hurt her again. Because it won't only be me you're dealing with."

Ethan pulled him in for a simple "bro hug" as a sign of forgiveness. Richard was thankful but still felt guilty for everything. He went back over to Eleanor and gave her another kiss.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Richard."