Stay There

Songs for this chapter:
• Out Of Love - Alessia Cara

Chapter Twenty-Nine:

Lexi's POV

I haven't seen Bryce Bradshaw in person in two months.

Two. Whole. Months.

The thought makes me want to cry.

We drift further and further apart each day.

I have no clue how I'm supposed to act around him after all that had happened.

I know for certain that sex isn't an option for me right now. It makes me feel guilty, knowing that I can't even do that much for my boyfriend, but I'm fairly certain that this is something out of my control.

I promised him that we would still go out and do other normal couple things, but that clearly didn't happen.

The worst part is that it's all my fault.

When we talked that morning, it made me realise that I need to do better. I want to make Bryce just as happy as he makes me, but I've failed, because I can't even bring myself to speak to him in person.

I'm not good enough for him. He deserves so much better.

I ignore the burn of tears, threatening to spill down my cheeks. I clamp my hands together in my lap instead, holding tight to try and contain myself.

I can't cry right now. I cry too freaking much. Bryce thinks so too.

I know that I should go and talk to him, but the thought terrifies me, which is strange as I've never once before had issues speaking with Bryce. We've always been so close, whether we realised it or not, and losing that connection with him is perhaps the most heartbreaking thing that I've gone through.

I love him. So much.

He's the only person who I can trust with my body, my heart, and my secrets. He's the only person that I could ever love.

He's perfect for me, and I'm ready to spend my whole life with him already.

Except for the fact that I haven't seen him in person for two months.

Two months without kissing. Two months without falling asleep in his arms at night. Two months without seeing his damn perfect face.

I'm drawn from my thoughts as the Overture of The Phantom of the Opera begins to play.

"I can't believe that you managed to convince me to see this show over Hamilton," Kennedy whispers in my ear as the lights dim.

I give her a wide smile. "I love this show with all my heart. Thanks for tagging along."

She grins back at me, and we fall silent as the stage curtains slowly open.

When the first actor moves on stage, I immediately get that giddy feeling that I have whenever I see live theatre. Excitement seems to be running through my veins as the show begins, and it reminds me just how much I love live theatre.

Kennedy and I obviously don't speak to each other as the show starts up, seeing as that's certainly not what you're supposed to do while seeing a Broadway musical.

I did dare to lean over and whisper in her ear when the actress playing Christine Daaé made her entrance, though.

"That's what I'll be doing one day; her job. I'll be playing Christine on this very stage. Mark my words," I smile, which makes Kennedy elbow me in the arm, letting out a soft laugh.