19 June 2012
-NATE- "So, tell me everything that's going on. And don't skip anything out" I said, stepping into Charlie's house. He started to climb the white staircase, but I stopped briefly by the kitchen to greet his mother and to quickly fill her in on what had happened as my reason for being here. "It's always a pleasure to have you Nathaniel, I won't disturb you two but just shout if you need anything" his mother replied. "Thanks, I'll see you soon!" I said, smiling, and walking up the stairs to see Charlie. I knew he'd be in his room, on the balcony. He always was: it was his favourite place in the house, and I remember when he picked out his room, his only reason for having this bedroom was the fact that there was a central balcony that overlooked the beach and the centre. He could see everything from this vantage point, and as the air was sea air, it was so fresh and clean out here. From behind the billowing net curtains, I could see a vague silhouette on the balcony, resting on the railings. "Hey mate" he said, turning round and looking very weary and fragile. "Charlie, you look pretty rough mate, do you need anything?" "Mollie." he replied, turning his head to the wind. "Wind's picking up, might be a storm soon" he said, detracting my attention from himself and the conversation. "What happened with her?" I said, nonetheless. "She told me about what you and T are planning" he said, and my heart sank. "And as you can guess she then had tonnes of complaints about how I don't treat her like you treat T, and that I would never make such a bold gesture" he said, settling down on the floor, resting his back on the railings and exhaling sharply. "I never intended for that to affect you negatively" I began, "You know that right? And so what, I want to have a kid, that shouldn't mean you have to copy everything I do?" "She also said I wasn't treating her right. I don't feel like she knows how much I care about her, Nate. I think I'm in love with her" he said, suddenly breaking down, resting his head in his hands, which were buried by his knees. "Hey, hey" I said, sitting alongside him. "I totally know how you feel. Thinking you've lost the girl you love really sucks, but you need to show her how much you like her, and maybe now's the right time to tell her you love her. Girls love that kind of thing, trust me" "You think?" "Definitely. Take her to dinner tonight or something, and explain everything you're feeling. I know you haven't quite told me everything, so tell her. She'll understand, and she won't be able to not take you back. I promise you" "Thanks mate, I'll start making reservations now" "Good idea" I replied, patting his shoulder twice. "And I should probably go and fetch a suit. You don't mind if I come back here and change do you?" "No, go for it. The guest room's all yours. Why don't you bring a few clothes, you always seem to change here now, it'd make sense if you had some here" he said, walking inside. "Oh Charlie, this is all moving so fast!" I said jokingly, which was greeted by a sarcastic grimace from Charlie, and a laugh. "I'll see you in a bit, okay?"
-TIFFANY- I lay out the final handful of rose petals and stood back to admire my handiwork. From the outside deck of the house there was a stream of white rose petals which weaved along the jetty, and down a set of steps into the beach, snaking their way around the gaps in the rotting wooden panelling. As the trail continued, it met the sand, and continued for a few metres until it met a blanket and various pillows, which were resting on a high point in the sand: a small dune about a metre high. From this area, the sea was directly in front, and the beach stretched for miles either side, allowing us a pedestal from which to survey our land. On the blanket, was the selection of silk scatter pillows that normally lived in my room at my house, but had been removed by myself earlier today. Around the edge of the blanket, in strategic positions in the sand, were small tea lights, their wicks not quite lit, as the wind would cause them to blow out too soon. In the centre of the blanket was a silver bucket, with an ornate handle draped down one side. Inside it was a bottle of champagne from my father's wine cellar. It was vintage, and well aged as the label was faded and flaking slightly. I put it in ice nonetheless, knowing Nate wouldn't care if there was any label left or not. In the direct centre however, was a single white rose, on top of my freshly wrapped gift. It was wrapped in a layer of white tissue paper, then a layer of maroon, and I hoped he would pick up on my use of symbolism and colour. I took a deep breath in again, still stood on the deck, and finished admiring my work. I turned inside, and stepped into the house, flicking on the lights as I went.
Love You Too: PART SEVENTEEN • Opuss № I