The Soldier's Roommate

Chapter 29: Disappear now.

Alice

I feel happy.

I honestly don't remember the last time I felt this way, and I'm starting to realize that maybe I just never did. Maybe I just don't know what it feels like to be happy, even if life is a little stressful.

Because let's be real, technically our lives are chaotic as hell right now. I'm trying to find my footing in the freelancing photography world, while Elijah has a ton to consider about his future as well. It's not easy, and yet, we're happy. Simply because we have each other.

"Have you heard from Jake yet?" Elijah asks while looking up from his book.

I've missed my brother like crazy, but he has been crazy busy over the past weeks and he said he'd figure something out for his weekend, though I'm still waiting for details on that front.

"No, I'm gonna call him tonight if he doesn't text me by then..."

"Do you really need to go there?"

The worry is obvious in his eyes, and I understand it, I really do. Considering we're only together for a few months, we spend a lot of time with each other. Granted, our living situation doesn't really allow for anything else, but still. It seems like it's a lot sometimes.

I moved most of my things into Elijah's room, and we already act like we've been together for years, because it feels like it. But given that we only spend time apart when I go to shootings every other day, I have a feeling some time on our own can't hurt.

"I just miss him, you know. And it's only two nights..." I say, and Elijah only nods his head, a sigh leaving his throat as he places the book on the table in our garden.

"Yeah, I know. Mason has been asking for a guys' night as well..."

"See? That's perfect then." I press a kiss on his temple before I get up, grabbing our plates from the breakfast we had an hour ago and put them into the dishwasher inside.

My phone vibrates in my pocket as I make my way outside, and I read Jake's message with a frown when I get back to my deckchair.

"Jake?" Elijah asks, and I nod my head, heaving a sigh as I throw my phone on the grass beneath me.

"Yeah, he asked if I can come today already. Apparently they want to take a trip on Saturday, and if I want to stay two nights, I'd have to leave today..."

Elijah just looks at me, obviously unimpressed as hell by that. He nods his head as he gets up, grabbing his coffee cup from the table before he wals back inside without saying another word.

Great.

I honestly don't understand why he's so disapproving of the idea that I visit my brother on my own. I get that he got used to me being in the house, and still... I can't stand the fact that he doesn't just talk to me.

We promised each other that we talk about things if they get rough, and so far we were able to keep that promise. But I also know that sometimes we just need time to think, and so I let him do just that. I grab my mug and walk over the patch of grass in front of the newly planted tomato bed. Elijah is working a lot in the garden lately, it seems to be a newfound hobby that I can only encourage - it looks absolutely beautiful already.

The smell of freshly cut grass and tomatoes lingers in the air as I close my eyes, trying to silence the worrying train of thoughts in my head. I hear the terrace door close, and I take a deep breath, getting ready to confront my loving boyfriend of this issue.

"Forgive me, love..." Elijah surprises me when his arms suddenly wrap around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder as he pulls me closer to him. "I'm sorry. I don't know what my mind does with me sometimes..."