wild summer | #wattys2021

chapter one

Maisie's pov

My life is great until it isn't.

James has been more quiet and distance lately. Every small talk always seem to led to fights. I had no idea why he was acting this way. I know he's not much of a talker, but he always talks to me.

He no longer cuddles me, no more hugs, no more movie nights, and no more breakfast together because he always leaves the apartment before I woke up and returns late at night or not at all because he's "staying at Oliver's to help him with his broken tv", or sometimes a broken microwave which I doubt Oliver even owns one. Daily kisses turn into every few days. He never touches me anymore and I can't even remember the last time we have sex.

Sometimes I wonder if I had done something wrong for him to change his attitude like that.

"Stop pouting," my friend Evie, said. "Look Maisie, I don't want to be the one to break it to you, but I think James is seeing someone else."

"James wouldn't do that. He's not like that, I know him," I said, trying to sound convincing. "How do you even know that anyway?"

Evie shrugged. "People talk, rumors fly."

There was a 1% chance that Evie was right. In the back of my mind I knew I had the same suspicion. But I don't want to believe the rumors. James is not a cheater.

"Sorry Maisie." Evie smiled weakly. "For your sake, I really hope I'm wrong about this, about him."

I only nodded. "Are you leaving already?" I asked her.

"Yeah, I have practice at 2pm then I have to meet Roxy at her faculty, we're having dinner date tonight."

Sometimes I'm jealous seeing Evie and her girlfriend, Roxy. Their relationship is still going strong.

"Have fun and tell Roxy I said hi."

"Ok cool. So I'll text you later queen bee." she winked. "And stop worrying okay? Bye!"

"Sure, bye." I said, watching Evie walks out of the cafe with a big designer handbag on her shoulder.

Luckily I don't have acting classes today, but I still have a script to practice for the next play. I wonder where is James though. He doesn't have a class either, I know his schedule.

I pulled out my phone from my leather satchel bag to call James. I hear the voicemail answer on the first ring.

Where is he?

I still remember, last Christmas we were cuddling warmly on the couch. James was softly playing with my auburn hair and giving me a light kiss everytime I looked at him.

I just finished a Christmas play the day before and James was done with his Business Management quiz. We spent the holidays together in our little apartment close to the university. James had decorated the living room with fairy lights, warm blankets, and hot chocolates.

James has always been a softie when it comes to me and I'm so lucky to have him. Everything about him is all I ever wanted. Sometimes it terrifies me of how much I love him.

"This might be the best Christmas I could ever have," I said with a big smile evident on my lips.

"But you don't get to fly to see your family?" James frowned at me in confusion.

"Of course I miss them but you're my family too, James. I love it here, just the two of us. You, me, and our hot chocolates."

James nodded. He pulled me tightly to his chest. "You're right. I love it too. I love you Maisie."

"I love you too, James."

"You sure you don't want to go to the party tonight? Everyone will be expecting you, ya know?" he asked jokingly. "Since you're the queen bee of our campus and all."

"Who cares. I want to spend Christmas eve with you."

James stayed silent for a while.

"Thank you for being with me Maisie. I'm just a struggling Business student and you still choose me. But you sweetheart, you're so beautiful and your family is rich and you have everyone wrapped around your finger and one day you're going to live your dream and become famous and me? I'm still gonna be just me. I don't know how many more years will it take until you got bored of me," James said, letting his insecurity take over.

I shook my head. "Baby stop. I will never get bored of you. I'm not going to leave you, James. You're an amazing guy and I'm very lucky to call you mine. One day you're going to start your own business and you're going to be the boss. I can see it already!" I brought my hand to his cheek and caress it softly. "I don't know how to show you how much I love you but I hope it will be enough to make you stay with me forever."

His eyes fixed on mine and I could not look away- not that I want to.

"When we first started dating I was afraid this will be a one time thing. But you're still here. You still want me. And your love will always be enough for me, Maisie. I think I love you more than life itself."

My heart fluttered with love. James brought my face closer to him, our lips almost touching. "I have my whole world right here, I'm so damn lucky. Please don't ever change."

I leaned closer to kiss him and before I knew it, James was already carrying me back to our bedroom. We definitely had an early Christmas.

What happened to my loving and smart boyfriend? How could he turned into this strange man I barely knew?

I gather my things and leave the cafe with a hint of sadness.

We've been together for the longest time and in love since forever, and then this happened. You're wrong, James. I never change. But you did.

It's not fair to love someone when that someone is not completely in love with you. But I did, I do, love him anyway.

-

hello everyone. this is the first chapter of wild summer and i really hope you enjoyed it. let me know if it's good and if i should continue the story. request and feedbacks are appreciated.

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