Foreign

Chapter19

Cardiff has been amazing so far. I've been on my own quite a bit since the others have class but I don't mind. I love wandering around in Bute Park and enjoy the silence. I've visited the Castle and my favourite shops. My absolute favourite is Waterstone's. I just love the smell of new books and Waterstone's is a proper book shop. I can look around for hours. I probably bought too many (as usual) but I don't mind. I can't help myself.

Our dance party was great. We had loads of wine, made pizza from scratch and dance all night to old songs. We went to university and I could catch up with my class mates. I have one more assignment to hand in and one more meeting so we're going to Bunker after that to celebrate. We're having afternoon tea at Pettigrew's this afternoon.

I lay on the sofa, staring at the blue sky outside. Seems like it will be another cold but sunny day. I look at my phone. No messages, no missed calls. I sigh. I've been here for two weeks now and it's getting harder and harder to reach Hero. Obviously, there's the time difference but that shouldn't matter because I set my alarm every night to call Hero. Scott emailed me his schedule so I try calling him at times I know he's on a break but usually there is no answer. Oh, the first week went fine. We talked on the phone every other day and I usually woke up with a text. But after a couple of days it got harder to reach him. He doesn't call me and when I try to call him, I usually go to voicemail. That would be fine (I know he's busy and all) but he doesn't always reply to the voicemails. The schedule probably got fucked up again, that's the reason it's hard to pick up the phone when I call. I hope. I shake my head and look at my phone. I still have time for a shower before I meet Lizzie.

"You're very quiet today," Lizzie says when the waitress brings our tea. "Is something wrong?"

"No, not really. I'm just really nervous to show the film to my professors."

"I bet! I'm sure you'll be fine. You'll graduate with perfect grades." She smiles and takes a sip of her tea.

"Don't say that! You'll jinx it!" We both laugh.

"I'm sure that you're nervous but there's something else. I know you too well."

"I know," I sigh. "Can't keep anything from you."

"Come one, tell me!" she demands. I take a bite of my scone before I answer. I don't know how to put it without sounding like a jealous, controlling girlfriend.

"It's Hero. I just.. I don't know I can't reach him."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I try calling him but he doesn't answer. All I get are short text and that's only sometimes. I usually don't get replies to my voicemails anymore."

"Maybe you're calling at inconvenient times?"

I play with a salmon sandwich and bite my lip. I know Scott sends me the updated call sheets. He has a hard time getting things done so I've been helping him without anyone knowing.

"I doubt it... Scott emails me the updated call sheets because he needs my help with them. I know where Hero is every second of every day."

"You said it yourself that the new assistant is terrible. Maybe the schedule changes last minute?"

"Yeah, you're probably right."

Lizzie takes my hand in hers.

"Hey, Hero loves you. He's probably just really busy!"

My face lights up. Of course she's right and I shouldn't be sad, I should enjoy every moment I'm here with my friends.

"Okay, so, what are the plans for tonight?" I ask with excitement.

"Well, you're meeting is tomorrow so nothing too wild..."

My face drops.

"Oh yeah, I forgot for a second."

"What about a film?"

"Yes! I've missed Cineworld!"

"I bet! You practically lived there, watching two screenings a day!"