JEROME
Shooting that day had been intense. We were working on one of the final scenes, the kind that was supposed to be raw and emotional, but instead of saving it for later in the production schedule, the producers wanted to get it done early for promotional material. It was all part of the business. We had to sell the movie, and nothing sold better than a sneak peek of a climactic moment.The set was buzzing with activity. Lights were being adjusted, makeup artists hovered nearby, and the crew moved around, setting up equipment and whispering about the next shot. I felt the pressure building, but I was used to it by now. This wasn’t my first film, and it definitely wouldn’t be my last. Chase called for a break, and I seized the opportunity to step away for a bit. I’d been on set all day, and I needed a breather before getting back into the set. Besides, I had something else on my mind. I was supposed to meet up with Stacy after weSTACYI woke up slowly, the warmth of the blankets making it hard to tell where the bed ended and my body began. The sunlight trickled in through the thin curtains, casting soft streaks of light across the room. For a moment, everything felt serene, like I could stay in this cocoon of warmth and silence forever. Then I realized Jerome wasn’t next to me.I rolled over, blinking sleep from my eyes, and saw the empty space where he should have been. The sheets were crumpled on his side, still warm. I heard the faint sound of water running and figured he must be in the shower. I lay there for a minute, listening to the sound of the water and feeling a strange sense of distance. It was odd, waking up without him beside me. We’d spent the night together, but it hadn’t felt as close as it usually did.I swung my legs over the side of the bed and padded across the cool floor, feeling the chill against my bare feet. The bathroom door was slightly
STACYI still couldn’t believe I had agreed to this. A joint date with Lisa? Lisa and Kiera.The thought swirled in my mind as I stood in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection. My fingers traced the hem of the dress I had picked out—simple, yet flattering enough for what felt like one of the strangest nights of my life.Lisa had convinced me, somehow, to go along with this. I wasn’t even sure how it all happened. One minute, we were awkwardly avoiding each other, and the next, we were laughing about how ridiculous it was that we were going on this double date.I heard a knock on the door and glanced at my phone—Lisa, of course, right on time.“Come in!” I called, still fussing with my hair. The door swung open, and Lisa waltzed in, her usual confidence trailing behind her.
Chapter OneSTACYThe flames danced just as much as they hissed, licking up the wood. The smoke went further than the flames and the backyard of the Lewin’s house was filled with smoke and much needed heat.It was a perfect night for everyone. It was supposed to be but I couldn't hold my attention enough to be immersed in the night.There was a lot going on. A lot for one to be immersed in.Lisa’s dad, Flynn was heating the sausages on the grill. He flipped one and it aroused a cheer from Patricia. Flynn looked over at her and it was clear that only she mattered in that moment.“You can’t have that too!” Declan slapped Lisa’s hands.She stuck out her tongue at him before she caught my eyes.Lisa, my best friend, waved at me before she returned to arguing with her elder brother, Declan.Declan and Lisa were often referred to as twins though he was two years older than her. They fought about everything and were always together until I came along.Lisa and I met on a certain Monday morni
STACYI was still looking for what to say even after a minute had passed.All the talking was going on in my head. He had Patricia’s strong gaze, though his manifested in dark, blue orbs. His facial structure, the perfection of it was also something that ran in the family.It was nearly impossible for Lisa to have any issue with contouring her cheeks while I struggled with mine. When you had a perfect jaw and a diamond-shaped face, you didn't have to bother about some things, unlike my face structure which was slimmer and longer.I could have stood there all night and watched him while picking out the things about him that made him a Lewin, I could have become familiar with his body and his mannerisms without knowing who he was, I could have done it so well that he wouldn’t feel like a stranger anymore but with every second that passed, concern flooded his stare.Confused concern.I closed my mouth and tightened my grip on the granite surface beside me.I had to start from somewhere.
JEROMELisa brought the bedsheets from the store and she helped me dress my bed. She was tucking the last piece of the sheet when I walked in.I didn't come back with much stuff, just a small-sized duffel bag seeing as I was only going to be here until after Thanksgiving which was just tomorrow.Knowing Mom, she would make me stay till after the weekend and I was going to object to it at first before I would say yes. That way, I'll be making her feel like her efforts mattered but in truth, I needed this break.I had thought of it before boarding the plane home.I needed to be here with my family and to be reminded that I was surrounded by so much love that sometimes it felt overwhelming.They were my home and no matter what, there was no place and no people like them.“You are taking the couch downstairs,” Lisa said when she faced me.She gathered her hair and held it up.The pink singlet she had on was one of my gifts to her when she turned fourteen. It was such an important year in
JEROME STACY “You followed me here?” I couldn’t believe my eyes. “I leave your house, have a fight with my best friend because of you and you follow me home? Haven’t you done enough already?” Elena grabs my hand and holds on to it. “Stacy—” “I’m not here for you, Stacy.” Jerome stepped forward, stopping at the foot of the stairs. “As much as I owe you an apology, I’m not here for you.” I didn’t just want him to keep his distance, I wanted him to not be here. It was just this morning that I returned home. It was because of his presence that I couldn’t stay at the Lewin’s house even after Lisa apologized this morning. I would have had a less depressing Thanksgiving at their house but here I was, crossing the road every ten minutes because Mom was so terrible at being a mother, she didn’t even remeber where half of our kitchen utensils were. “Stacy, you know Jerome?” My brows drew together as Elena’s questions settled. She was asking me if I knew Jerome and she was waiting for
JEROMEStacy was walking towards Elena’s house. I knew this because I saw her leave her house in anger.And I knew this because I had continued to stare out the window at every chance I got.Stacy didn’t even glance back for a second as she matched forward, each step filled with purpose.I was glad that she was coming here, don’t ask me why. I also didn’t want her to change her mind so I went to get the door before she even knocked.Elena was telling me about how she wanted to get a pet but couldn’t choose between a dog and a cat.She has just cleared our plates and her voice traveled from the kitchen to the living room.“They’re not as independent as cats. But they are extra loving. They need love.”“Cats are loving in their own way,” I was saying as I turned the knob and pulled.As soon as I opened the door, Elena appeared at the doorway.“Are you trying to run away?” When she saw Stacy, she settled for a small expression. “Oh.”“Ca
STACYIn the past few days, I’ve learned more than I wished to know. From Elena being Marilyn’s mom to Jerome’s fresh injury and my supposed decision to go to California Uni.Was I going to the University of California? I’m not sure.Am I thinking about it? Yes and yes.I’ve burdened myself with the thought while being holed up in the same house with Mom and Dad and so I haven’t made any decision but I imagine getting ice cream with my favorite person, Lisa, will help me come to a conclusion.“Uhm…” Lisa eyed the poster from the service counter. “There is vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, strawberry—”“Strawberry and chocolate toppings.”“O.K.” Lisa taps her finger against the corner of her lips as she mulls over a decision. “This is hard.”She always does this.“Take your time, Lisa, while I fix your friend’s order,” Nathan assured her, sneaking in a wink.I waited till he had turned away and walked to the other end of the counter befor
STACYI still couldn’t believe I had agreed to this. A joint date with Lisa? Lisa and Kiera.The thought swirled in my mind as I stood in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection. My fingers traced the hem of the dress I had picked out—simple, yet flattering enough for what felt like one of the strangest nights of my life.Lisa had convinced me, somehow, to go along with this. I wasn’t even sure how it all happened. One minute, we were awkwardly avoiding each other, and the next, we were laughing about how ridiculous it was that we were going on this double date.I heard a knock on the door and glanced at my phone—Lisa, of course, right on time.“Come in!” I called, still fussing with my hair. The door swung open, and Lisa waltzed in, her usual confidence trailing behind her.
STACYI woke up slowly, the warmth of the blankets making it hard to tell where the bed ended and my body began. The sunlight trickled in through the thin curtains, casting soft streaks of light across the room. For a moment, everything felt serene, like I could stay in this cocoon of warmth and silence forever. Then I realized Jerome wasn’t next to me.I rolled over, blinking sleep from my eyes, and saw the empty space where he should have been. The sheets were crumpled on his side, still warm. I heard the faint sound of water running and figured he must be in the shower. I lay there for a minute, listening to the sound of the water and feeling a strange sense of distance. It was odd, waking up without him beside me. We’d spent the night together, but it hadn’t felt as close as it usually did.I swung my legs over the side of the bed and padded across the cool floor, feeling the chill against my bare feet. The bathroom door was slightly
JEROMEShooting that day had been intense. We were working on one of the final scenes, the kind that was supposed to be raw and emotional, but instead of saving it for later in the production schedule, the producers wanted to get it done early for promotional material. It was all part of the business. We had to sell the movie, and nothing sold better than a sneak peek of a climactic moment.The set was buzzing with activity. Lights were being adjusted, makeup artists hovered nearby, and the crew moved around, setting up equipment and whispering about the next shot. I felt the pressure building, but I was used to it by now. This wasn’t my first film, and it definitely wouldn’t be my last.Chase called for a break, and I seized the opportunity to step away for a bit. I’d been on set all day, and I needed a breather before getting back into the set. Besides, I had something else on my mind. I was supposed to meet up with Stacy after we
STACYLisa had been gushing for weeks about how she was excited to introduce Jerome to Kiera. The way she talked about Kiera, with that glimmer in her eyes, made it impossible not to be happy for her.Everything was going to go fine today, I could already sense it.I was on shift that afternoon, taking orders and serving trays like usual. The restaurant wasn’t too packed, which gave me time to glance around, keep an eye on the door. Part of me was hoping they’d pick another spot, or maybe decide at the last minute that a fancy café was better suited for a first meeting like this. But, of course, that wasn’t Lisa’s style. She loved the casual vibe of Burger Trio, and it was one of the few places where she and Jerome could relax.The good thing was I missed my friends and wanted to see them, the bad thing was I missed my friends and wanted to see them.They made working but hard and pleasurable.I was
JEROMEStacy had been extra busy this period because she signed up for a few part-time jobs.I hated how busy she got most of the time but I was also glad for her that she was taking a responsible step towards her finances.That evening, after a game of snooker, I slipped into Burger’s Trio in hopes that I was early enough for her shift.Stacy had been extra busy this period because she signed up for a few part-time jobs. I hated how busy she got most of the time, but I was also glad for her. It was a responsible step toward her finances, even if it meant we had less time together.That evening, after a long day at work and a quick game of snooker with some friends, I decided to drop by Burger’s Trio, where Stacy worked one of her shifts. I’d been by a couple of times before, usually sneaking in to see her just as her shift ended. Tonight, I hoped I was early enough to catch her in action.As I walked through the door, the
STACYI knew I had to talk to Stacy when I was ten minutes into the lecture.The urge was so primal, so hungry that thee was no escaping it.The class had ended in a rush of students gathering their belongings and shuffling out of their seats. I stood at the front, gathering my notes and trying to maintain my composure.I was watching her pack her stuff, watching her move quickly with her hands.“Mr. Jerome!” one of the guys called out. “Do you have the syllabus handy? I think I missed a few details.”He was one of my students, blonde curly hair, a portion of if swooped across his forehead.“Of course,” I replied, pushing my thoughts of Stacy aside. I had to focus. “Here’s a copy for you.” I handed it to him.“Also, can y
STACYThe morning sun filtered through the curtain and pulled me out of my sleep.I stretched my arms above my head, blinking the sleep from my eyes as the day was about to start.Lisa was already up, rummaging through her drawers, her usual energy evident in the way she moved about. I could hear the faint sound of her humming to herself, a tune that was familiar but not quite memorable.“Morning,” I mumbled, pushing myself up and running a hand through my hair.Lisa turned around, her face lighting up with a smile. “Morning, sleepyhead! We’ve got to get a move on. First day back, remember?”I groaned softly, not quite ready to face the world just yet. The holiday had been a mix of relaxation and catching up on things we’d neglected during the semester, but the thought of diving back into classes already felt a bit overwhelming.Lisa, on the other hand, who was not an early riser, was rath
JEROMETime came and went by quickly, stealing through spaces, like a flash and somehow, it was the day for Stacy and Lisa to turn back to school.The day started off quietly, the kind of calm that usually precedes something big. I had to wake up earlier than usual, mostly because I wanted to get things done before picking them up.It was also hard to oversleep when you were seeing the love of your life.They were flying back today, and though I wasn’t exactly looking forward to the reunion, I wanted to at least make sure everything was in order before they got here.My apartment was a mess, and it didn’t take long to realize that cleaning up would take more effort than I had thought. Empty cups on the table, laundry that I had somehow forgotten to do all week, and the constant pile-up of papers and things I should have sorted ages ago. It was all there, waiting for me, mocking my attempts at getting my life together.The f
STACYWe touched down in Ohio some minutes ago, found our luggage and went in search for Lisa’s Mun who was waving at us with a bright smile and a placard that read, COLLEGE STARS.It was so embarrassing and if I didn’t have anyone to drive me to the city, I would have ditched Lies there and then.Sitting in the backseat of Lisa’s mom’s car, I stared out the window, watching as the city passed by in a blur. It was strange being back home, like slipping into a familiar jacket that somehow didn’t fit quite right anymore. Lisa was in the front passenger seat, rummaging through her Mum’s bag.I Could almost still sense Jerome sitting beside me. Almost.The more we drove into the city, the further everything that happened before felt like a dream. The affair between me and Jerome, the fallout with Lisa, the endless exams—it all felt like a dream now, like something that had happened to someone else.