━━━ 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐘

𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

As we walked outside of my house, waving my aunt goodbye, my mind still tugged on to Louis’ words. 

“I am, actually.”

So was this a date then? I wanted to ask, but didn’t know how.

We walked down the school lane, but it was understandably a bit empty since it was summer. The sun hadn’t yet got too low, but wasn’t shining either, just enough to compliment Louis’ eyes, which I had only noticed the beauty of now.

His hazel eyes which ever so lightly warmly radiated a brown sun. I admit, I may have been caught off guard but he didn’t notice, or at least pretended not to for my sake.

I reminded myself that I was here to show Louis around, not to fall for him more than I already had. Not like I have a chance anyway.

Regaining my composure and putting on a smile, I clapped my hands together “So, d’you wanna check out the fro-yo shop a couple blocks down, or-”

“How ‘bout the creek?” Louis interrupted. “Let’s go to the creek like last week.”

“Uh sure!” I replied, not exactly sure why he’d want to go there when we had the entire town to explore. Nevertheless, I led the way.

The walk there was short and no sooner were we braced with the view once more. I smiled, it always gave a sense of tranquility, a sense of belonging. And I assume Louis knew that because of the look that he gave me. 

He knew how much this place meant to me, and I almost melted inside, piecing the pieces together to understand that he came here because of me. 

He walked a couple steps, bent down and picked up a flower. He held it up as if it were something regal and smiled, “A lily.” 

I let out a light chuckle. “Yes, I can see that.” to which he shrugged. 

“I’m not that good at flowers but..” trailing off, he gave it to me. 

I gratefully took it and his hands brushed over mine, I was once again sure that my cheeks had turned rosy. 

We both turned around, admiring the chirping birds and the sound of the steam flowing.

I sat on the tire swing, lightly swinging it as he leaned on the tree. 

We stayed in silence for a minute or two, comfortable silence. 

“Remember that movie I was talking about?” he said looking over at the horizon. “The one in which I got the role; Enola Holmes?”

I nodded my head, then realising that he wasn’t looking in my direction. “Yeah.” I said softly

“They’ve called us to London. Filming’s gonna begin.”

“Oh.” I don't know what to say. Was he going to leave? But hadn’t he said until the end of summer. Surely, there must be a way for him to stay here longer.

I didn’t want him to go, not yet. He’d only been here merely two weeks. We’d just become friends and couldn’t just leave. I needed him to stay

“I haven’t told Issie yet.” he filled in the silence. “She’s been having so much fun. And my mum’s grown her heart here. I just- I’m not sure what to do.” 

He looked at me briefly and then back to the horizon. For a moment he seemed hopeless.

Don’t go. Stay here. Stay with us, with me.

I wanted to say that, but I couldn’t. No, not after the way he talked to me about the movie before. He wanted the job, he really did, and I didn’t want to take that away from him. Nobody should have to take that away from him. 

We were silent once more, but it wasn’t light. The air between us had tensed, I could feel it. I knew he was thinking the same thing.

I didn’t want to keep him from whatever awaited him in London, in Hollywood, and even as an actor. But I didn’t want him to leave.

He can’t just leave, but he can’t stay either. 

But the universe doesn’t work at our will.

I took a moment to consider it, he was going to leave wasn’t he? And to think that I used to believe we had a chance. 

I guess I never did, he was going to leave eventually at the end of the summer. But it just feels like everything was cut short. Like we should have had more time together. Like, we could’ve been something. 

I had to face it straight on at that moment. Louis was going to leave and be a famous movie star and whatnot, and I’ll stay in the little town of Wisteria as someone he used to know. 

Just someone he used to know.