Or at least, that's what I imagined would have happened if Adein had actually shown up on time. But instead, I've been stuck watching the sunset and the waves as they crash into the shore all by myself. It's been nearly two hours, and I'm yet to receive a word from him.
It's been like this lately, too– we'd have plans, a set time, but he'd always show up super late and come up with some lame excuse like "I overslept" when the plans weren't until 6 PM in the evening. Something's been up with him, and I can't quite put my finger on it yet. I've spent nights hoping for an answer, dreaming that maybe this was finally the time he'd tell me he loves me, and yet, he doesn't even show up, again.
Just as I'm about to give up on him ever coming and get up to leave, I hear his voice from a short distance.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, you would not believe the traffic."
Again, with another dumb excuse– we don't even drive; there's no need to because the town is so small everything is within walking distance, and even if it weren't we could just ride our bike. And bike riding can be done on the sidewalk, so no matter how he chose to get here, there would be no traffic. And to top it all off, he's panting so it's quite obvious he ran here...
He continues, "why exactly did you wanna meet here again?"
That's the last straw. I can't believe this boy has not only had me waiting here for nearly two hours, but then has the audacity to forget it's our two-year anniversary. I completely lost it.
"Do you not love me, Adein? Because we've been going out for two years now, and half of the time, I feel like I barely even know you."
Maybe it was just my imagination, but did he just roll his eyes at me? I absolutely do not understand what's going on with him, but I am so done. I give him a glare, but as I start to blink and re-open my eyes... I see that instead, he's genuinely upset.
"Babe, I don't know where this is coming from. Are you okay?" he asks.
Feeling like a complete arse for overreacting, I give in and apologize for what I just said. I can't quite shake the feeling that he rolled his eyes at me, but for the sake of us, I let it go and smile at him.
"I'm feeling much better now that you're here, sorry if I came at you. Anyway, what are we going to do this summer?"
Now, I know something is up with him because he immediately stops making eye contact with me... Is he upset with me? Is it what I said? I can't believe I did this, but I feel like I had every right to when he's been blowing our relationship off for months now.
Awkwardly, he clears his throat, takes in a deep breath, and says, "Um... I don't know how to tell you this, but I'm going to see my family overseas for... uh... two months..."
Everything goes dead silent. Did he just say what I think he did? Two months... I cannot even begin to comprehend what that means for us, my heart just sinks to the ground, and all I can muster is a shaky "O-oh" before getting lost in my thoughts...
He begins to explain how his aunt Dolly is sick or something, but he's all muffled. All I can hear is he's leaving you replaying over and over in my head. This is not how I imagined my first day of summer at all... He's leaving. For two months. What if he realizes he likes his old home better and decides not to come back? Will he break up with me? Or will he ask me to leave everything I know to be with him? Is this why he's been blowing me off? Was he scared to tell me the truth? Scared of how I'd react?
I realize that he stopped talking a few minutes ago and that I am now standing in front of him... staring off into some abyss... so I gather myself, fake a smile, and say "Well, I'm sure you'll have a great time, and I can't wait to see you when you get back."
Immediately, he pulls me into a great big hug and whispers, "I'm not sure why I was so scared to tell you that; you're the most understanding and loving girlfriend a guy could have."
I sigh and sink into his cotton shirt. I can smell the faint odor of his sweaty skin, but I don't care, it's just me and him right here, together. And that's all that matters.
After a few moments, I pull away, fake another smile at him and ask him to walk me home. And with a nod, he grabs my hand, and we're off...