He grabs the carton and two spoons. We never bother with bowls. Sitting on the other side of the couch from me, he hands me the carton and starts the movie. We watch in silence as we pass the carton back and forth. I catch Teddy studying me out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn to look, his eyes snap back to the TV.
“Can I ask you something? What did you mean when you say you’re inexperienced?” I sit, staring at the screen, waiting for Teddy to answer. Finally he looks at me with a sigh.
“Will you tell me why you were crying in the shower?” His eyes bore into mine until I have to look away.
“Teddy, please don’t ask me,” I whisper. I won’t tell him that after tonight, I don’t intend to see him again. That we could never be together as more than extended family at family events.
Reaching over to me, he pulls me across the couch to his side.
“I guess we both have our secrets then.” He pulls the blanket up over me as I snuggle against him. It doesn’t take long before I drift into a restless sleep.
My eyes pop open later in a panic as I look around the room. Where am I? I have a strong arm wrapped around me, holding me onto a small bed. My head is resting on strong biceps, the rest of the arm stretched out in front of me. Teddy. My memories come flooding back to me. He must have carried me to the bed after I fell asleep on the couch.
Sliding carefully out from under his arm, I walk into the bathroom. Finding my clothes neatly folded waiting for me on the counter, I quickly dress. I need to leave a note. I can’t just leave without some sort of explanation. Rummaging through his desk quietly in search of some paper, I freeze when I hear him moan. The snoring continues soon, so I finish my note, leaving it in front of the TV where he’ll find it when he wakes.
A fast peek out the window reveals the sun slowly rising. I stand by the bed, watching him sleep for a moment. With his features relaxed in rest, I can see a glimpse of that boy I first fell in love with.
Placing a careful kiss on his temple, my heart breaks as he smiles in his sleep. When he rolls over, I quickly walk to the door. With one last look at the only man I will ever love, I walk out.
3
Teddy
“What the fuck?” I yell out.
I’m sure my neighbors will be banging on their ceiling shortly, trying to get me to shut up, but I really don’t give a flying rat’s ass. I fall down onto the couch, clutching the note. I’ve never been this pissed or this heartbroken. Running my hand through my hair, I read the note again.
Teddy,
Last night was amazing, but you deserve better than what I can offer. You need to forget me. Find a nice girl that can give you all of her. I will never forget that wayward boy with the hair that fell over his eyes and a mouth that would make a sailor blush.
Sophia
She left me a note? If she is going to tell me to fuck off, she can damn sure do it to my face! I storm into the bathroom, quickly sliding on my clothes. Stomping back to the couch, I snatch up the note, shoving it into my pocket. Where did she say she was staying?
The question has me sliding slowly back down onto the couch. I don’t fucking know where to look for her. I fight the panic off that is starting to roll through me. It’s fine, I just need a plan.
Pulling my laptop to me, I type out a quick note to my professors claiming illness. Now, what do I know? I have to work through this logically until I find her. She’s working on the spots for her new report today. Maybe if I can guess where those are, I can find her. The problem is I don’t have any clue where that is.
I make a few phone calls to the London studio office convincing them that I am the backup videographer looking for the rest of the crew. I flirt shamefully with a receptionist on the phone until I have their full taping schedule.
This should be easy, if I track down the filming locations I’ll find where Sophia is. I can then simply convince her we can live happily ever after. So in a matter of fifteen minutes, I’ve gone from being pissed to begging her to stay with me forever in my head. Well, no one ever claimed love was simple.
My first stop is Her Majesty’s Theatre a couple of blocks from my apartment whereThe Phantom of the Operaruns. There is no sign of a film crew, or anyone else for that matter. The box office is locked up tight, as are the front doors. I heft my backpack onto my shoulders heading to the next location on the list.
By evening, I still haven’t found anyone that can point me to Sophia. Sitting on the low wall outside of the British Museum, I try to decide what to do next. On an impulse, I pull out my phone and dial.
“Hello? Teddy?” My brother answers once the international call finally goes through.
“Hey Gray. Do you have a second?”
I hear mumbling in the background then a door close.
“It’s fucking midnight, Ted. Of course I have a second.”
I cringe. I always forget the time difference.
“Oh fuck, I’m sorry Gray. I just need to know if Izzy’s heard from Sophia today.” There’s a long pause.
