THIRTY-FIVE

Lexi 

‘PENS DOWN.’ 

There’s a collective sigh and clatter of pens as the exam comes to an end.

I finished an hour ago. I could have left early. But I’m meeting Sam and delaying the call I don’t know how to make. And there are fewer distractions in here.

Invigilators start sweeping along the rows, picking up completed exam papers.

Shannen slumps in her seat, pressing her palms against her eyes.

I don’t care what she thinks.

I don’t care what Hayley thinks.

Or the press.

One of the invigilators takes my paper. But I can’t get up yet. We have to wait until they’ve collected them all.

Sam’s probably outside already. I need to hang back so I can make the call in relative quiet.

Make the call. Meet Sam. Get lunch.

He might be on the plane already. Think they’re starting in Amsterdam.

Should I leave a voicemail?

Hate voicemail.

Maybe I should just text him.

Do I bring up the photography thing? Oh hey, I was an idiot, I majorly freaked out, but I do want to be with you, and can I still shadow your band photographer who I stood up before? 

Yeah. No.

‘You may leave.’ 

The scraping of chairs and rising post-exam chatter quickly fills the hall, amplified by the acoustics in here.

I stay seated, reaching down to pick up my pencil case.

Ahead of me and slightly to my right, Shannen stretches in her seat before standing and turning. She catches my eye as I drop my stationery into my pencil case and zip it shut. Without thinking, I smile. Because, you know, basic manners. She merely raises an eyebrow in response, then walks past me to the bags at the back of the room.

Whatever.

I give it another minute—enough time for Shannen to have left, at least—and finally stand, careful not to scratch my chair against the floor. At least two thirds of the people who were in here have now filtered outside.

My bag is alone on this side of the room. I get my phone out, replacing it with the pencil case, and press down on the power button. While it starts up, I sling my bag over my shoulder and slowly exit into the lobby.

Shannen’s still here, although moving towards the exit with her troop.

I check my phone.

Find Luc in my contacts.

Wonder what the hell I’m going to say.

What was hard before feels impossible now.

I’ve never actually called him.

He’s probably on the plane already. I’m probably getting myself all worked up for a call diversion because his mobile is on flight mode.

Screw it.

I hit the call button, and bring the handset to my ear.

And it rings.

And rings.

And rings.

My heart is in my throat.

And ri—

Click.

‘Lexi?’ 

I open my mouth to speak, but my words catch in my throat. I blink back tears.

The sound of his voice.

‘Lex?’ 

‘I’m sorry,’ I half speak, half whisper. I swallow hard to wet my throat. 

‘No. Don’t be sorry,’ he says. ‘What’s wrong? Are you OK?’ 

I nod.

‘Lexi?’ 

‘Yeah. Yeah, I’m nodding.’ I take a huge breath. I start slowly towards the exit. Need fresh air. 

‘How was your exam?’ 

I look around, confused. Half expecting to see him behind me. He’s not here. I keep walking to the exit. ‘How do you know I had an exam?’

‘I have my ways.’ I can hear the smile in his voice. Cerys must have told him. They must be off the plane already. 

As I approach the door, I can hear Shannen’s voice outside. For a moment I hesitate, then decide to walk out anyway.

‘How was the flight?’ The sunshine blinds me as I exit but I keep going, looking down at my feet, until I know I’m a safe distance from where anyone can hear me. Sam will probably see me before I see her anyway. 

‘Haven’t boarded yet.’ 

‘Oh,’ I frown. ‘Cerys said you were leaving early?’ 

He laughs. That low, beautiful sound. ‘Yeah, we were. Something came up.’

‘Oh yeah?’ 

‘Yes.’ 

‘What?’ 

Shadow sweeps over me and I instinctively look up, straight into Luc’s dark, gold-flecked blue eyes.

He hangs up his phone. ‘You.’ He takes my phone out of my hand and pulls me into his arms, and I gladly throw mine around him.

He smells so good. I’ve missed it. I’ve missed it all. His touch. His scent. His voice. His teasing.

‘I’m sorry about your PGCE,’ he says, kissing my hair. 

‘No you’re not!’ 

He pulls back, laughing. ‘No. Maybe not. But are you?’

I shake my head. ‘Not really.’ I look at him, drinking him in. Every last inch. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Stop,’ he puts a finger to my lips. ‘I’m sorry. I should have said. I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want to give her any more headspace. We laughed for about two seconds, then she was back to her usual demeanour. I went in there looking for cameras for you.’ 

I nod. I know.

‘You don’t have to do the photography thing. You don’t have to decide anything yet. Except…’ He hesitates. ‘Please come on tour?’ 

‘But I’d need to pack.’ 

‘Cerys did it already.’ 

‘What?!’ But I’m not even slightly annoyed. 

‘And you can get lunch and dinner and drinks and games and everything with Sam and Mylo when you’re back.’ 

I blink. ‘Sam was in on this too?!’ That explains a lot.

He laughs at my shock. ‘So come? I’m not being parted from you for that long again. They’ll just have to get themselves another drummer if you won’t be there with me.’

I gasp. ‘You can’t do that! You love drumming. And the band.’

‘Yeah. But I love you more.’ 

His confession stuns me into silence. And now tears really do stream from my eyes.

‘Lexi?’ His voice is soft as he rests his forehead against mine. 

I swallow, nodding. ‘I love you, too,’ I say, my voice cracking.

He grins, running his fingers into my hair, pulling my lips to his.

Yes. Yes I’ll come.